The Union Minister for Rural Development Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has called upon the States to ensure an environment of “zero tolerance towards corruption” in the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA. Addressing media persons here today regarding the outcome of the two days long Performance Review Committee (PRC) meeting of the Department of Rural Development here today Dr. Singh urged the States to accord highest priority to NREGA as this scheme can change the face rural India. The next step for NREGA is right to work, the minister added. The Minister reiterated that the five-pronged strategy of awareness generation,people’s participation, transparency, accountability and strict vigilance & monitoring must be followed by all the stake holders.Dr. singh advised the states to to ensure the optimal use of durable assets created in the process and said that Water Conservation works under NREGA should get top priority so that the country can meet the challenge of water scarcity. He cautioned states to take measures to protect the interest of farmers by way of identifying lean season and also to have reasonable minimum wage rates. He also asked all states to ensure that in 2008-09, every willing rural household gets 100 days of guaranteed work and it should be ensured that there is no migration of labors in distress. Detailing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Dr. Singh said this act was initially launched in 200 selected districts and was extended to 130 more districts in 2007-08. It has now been extended to all other remaining districts from April, 2008 onwards. He said the Central releases during the year 2007-08 were Rs. 12353.22 crore under the programme. Against the total available funds of Rs. 19028.58 crore, the States have reported an expenditure of Rs. 15678.86 Crore. 3.37 crore households have been provided employment during the year 2007-08. A total of 142 crore person-days of employment were generated under the programme, of which 38.70 crore person-days of employment for SCs, 41.36 crore person-days for STs and 61.55 crore person-days for others. 60.39 crore person-days of employment were provided to women. Over 36 lakh families got full 100 days employment. A total of 17.76 lakh works were taken up during the year 2007-08 of which 8.05 lakh works were completed. He said for transparency, the states have been asked to ensure payment of wages to workers through banks or post office accounts only. So far, over 1.6 crore accounts have been opened. This is the largest financial inclusion effort after independence. RBI has assured that all banks have been advised to take up account opening on a large scale for NREGA. With the view of enhancing banking expansion, all Regional Rural banks have been advised by RBI to open new bank branches. Officials from the Department of Posts have assured fullest co-operation and follow up to ensure opening of accounts to all NREGA beneficiaries. It was decided that RBI and DoP shall monitor financial inclusion efforts closely. Dr. Singh said the states have to develop mechanisms to ensure timely verification of works, with 2% of the works to be verified at state level, 10% to be verified at district level and 100% at block level. So far over 1% of the works have been inspected by state officials, over 8% by district officials and over 70% by block officials. The most strict action against defaulters, he added. He said, the states have also been asked to effectively operationalise Gram Sabhas for selection of works & social audit. So far, social audit has been conducted in over 80,000 Gram Panchayats. NREGA has strengthened rural development administration at the field level by way of additional recruitment of 1685 programme officers, over 80,000 Panchayat Rozgar Sewaks, over 6000 computer/account personnel and over 12000 Engineers for maintaining the highest standards of transparency. Accordingly, all states have to compulsorily operationalize the Management Information System (MIS). The flow of funds from mid-current year shall be based on reports of MIS. Assurance of full compliance with all guidelines of the scheme from all the states has been received and the results of implementation during 2007-08 are encouraging across the country and it is hoped that in 2008-09 the programme shall further stabilize and shall bring sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas. Dr. Singh said, his ministry has decided to promote IT applications for NREGA solutions. Some IT companies like HCL, Zero Mass foundation, FINO & IMFAST have made presentation of their products. Ministry has decided to study all possible options and to draw out their better features for improving upon NREGA and processes related to NREGA. On the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Dr. Singh said under the rural roads component of Bharat Nirman 20,861 habitations have been connected by constructing 59,091 km. rural roads and projects for connecting 17565 habitations are in progress. In addition, 83,888 km. of existing rural roads have been upgraded/renewed under the programme so far. An expenditure of Rs. 10,175.88 crore has been reported during the year 2007-08. An amount of Rs. 11000.02 Crore has been released to States/agencies during the year 2007-08, including Rs. 4500 Crore from RIDF window of NABARD. He said under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), against the Central allocation of Rs. 4040 crore, Rs. 3882.37 crore was released during 2007-08. Out of the total available funds of Rs. 6626.88 crore, the States have reported an expenditure of Rs. 5366.50 crore. During the year 2007-08 19.49 lakh houses have been completed and allotted. Against the Central Allocation of Rs. 5645.77 Crore for the year 2008-09, Rs. 896.12 Crore has been released as 1st installment under IAY. Under Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), against the Central allocation of Rs. 1800 Crore, Rs. 1697 Crore was released during 2007-08. During 2007-08, 3,05,711 SHGs have been formed, 2,50,792 SHGs have passed Grade-I, 1,16,568 SHGs have passed Grade-II and 1,78,005 SHGs have taken up economic activities. Dr. Singh said the Universal coverage of beneficiaries as per BPL list under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) has been reviewed was reviewed. With 25 states identifying additional beneficiaries, coverage has gone up from 87 lakh in 2006-07 to 133 lakh in 2007-08. The minister informed that the District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committees have been constituted where the Members of Parliament are the Chairmen. In 2007-08, out of 601 Districts, 527 districts held 844 meetings of the District Vigilance & Monitoring Committees. On the BPL Census 2002 he said the States/UTs, who have finalized the BPL Census, have been advised to put their data on the web-site and also ensure that these BPL lists are printed and circulated. The States have been asked to ensure that the Permanent IAY wait lists are prepared and painted on the walls of Block office, Panchayat Ghar and other places. It was also informed that for detailed information the website of the Ministry may be visited. The addresses of the websites are: www.rural.nic.in, www.drd.nic.in, http://ddws.nic.in/, http://dolr.nic.in/, and http://nrega.nic.in/. Earlier, the two-day Performance Review Committee meeting of the Department of Rural Development concluded in New Delhi today. The PRC meeting, which was chaired by the Minister for Rural Development, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, is the most important element in the various monitoring tools used by the Ministry to ensure proper implementation and transparency of its programmes. Shri BN Yugandhar, Member, Planning Commission, also participated. The meeting was also attended by officers from RBI and Department of Posts. In the PRC meeting, the Secretary (Rural Development), Smt. Rita Sharma reviewed all the programmes, with participation from Rural Development Secretaries of State Governments. The National Social Assistance Programme, NSAP was also reviewed with participation from Social Welfare Secretaries of State Governments. Besides review, appropriate execution strategies are also evolved for forthcoming months. Along with the PRC, the National Workshop on Computerization of IGNOAPS was also held.
Development of Tourist destinations and Circuits
Identification and development of tourist destinations and circuits will continue to remain the central plank of tourism development strategy in the country. The Ministry has identified mega destinations/ circuits of national importance and already sanctioned projects for Nalanda-Bodhgaya-Rajgir, Varanasi-Sarnath, Agra, Delhi and Kurukshetra.According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Tourism development of world class infrastructure in these destinations and circuits is going to remain a key area of focus in tourism development strategy The Ministry’s support to such infrastructure projects takes tow forms: financial assistance to the States/ Union Territories; and financial assistance to projects to be implemented on Public-Private Partnership basis. Each of the schemes has a separate ceiling of maximum assistance. In the latter case, the scheme is meant to assist Large Revenue Generating Projects to be implemented in Public-Private Partnership as well as in partnership with the semi-government agencies; the quantum of assistance is determined through competitive bidding process. Tourism being a cross-cutting sector, building synergies with other ministries and sectors will be critical in achieving efficiency and speed in the development process. The effort is on to synergies with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) of the Ministry of Urban Development, which is being implemented in 63 selected cities in the country for the integrated development of infrastructure services, urban renewal, basic services to the urban port, asset management and urban governance. Convergence with the JNNURM will ensure that there is no duplication and would maximize the impact of investments on infrastructure. An important high level forum to achieve consensus and co-ordination among various infrastructure related ministries, the Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by the Prime Minister, includes Ministry of Tourism. The Committee is expected to play an important role in the Ministry’s endeavor to secure co-ordination with other ministries in the implementation of its policies and programmes. An undertaking by the beneficiary State Governments/ Union Territories provides for the management and maintenance of the tourism assets created with the assistance from the Central Government. Regular and periodic inspection and review of the centrally funded projects by the senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism constitutes the key oversight mechanism to ensure quality implementation and timely completion. The impact and effectiveness of various schemes are evaluated by independent professional agencies.
RAILWAYS TO ENCOURAGE ‘PPP’ MODEL FOR NON CORE SECTORS
It has been decided to invest Rs. 2,00,000 crore for the modernization, capacity increase and completion of new projects of Indian Railways during the 11th Five Year Plan. This was stated by the Minister of Railways Shri Lalu Prasad while addressing the students and faculty members of International Business School, INSEAD, during his current visit to Singapore this week. He said that Indian Railways have decided to invite Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the non core sector for setting up of logistic parks, wagon investment schemes, wagon leasing schemes and also to participate in the setting up of more than 7000 agricultural outlets throughout the country. He said that Indian Railways would encourage the introduction of PPP model for setting up of new factories for production of wagons, coaches and locomotives. The Minister said that Indian Railways is going to upgrade 26 major railways stations as world class stations throughout the country including four metropolitan cities. There will be separate departure and arrival facilities for passenger to decongest existing crowds at station complex besides other modernized passenger amenities like world class waiting/rest-rooms, multi-level parking, malls etc. Shri Lalu further said that after earning a surplus of Rs 25,000 crore during the year 2007-08 and with its operating ratio of 76 per cent, the Indian Railway have shown achievement which is much better than several top fortune 500 world companies. He said that after taking new initiatives in freight sector, Indian Railways have carried 238 million tonnes of additional freight and earned more than Rs. 14,000 crore additional freight revenue. In view of the increasing demand for freight and to reduce the congestion on existing railway lines, the Indian Railways have decided to construct Dedicated Freight Corridors. In the first phase, the western corridor from Delhi to Mumbai and eastern corridor from Ludhiana to Kolkata will be constructed and in the second phase, Dedicated Freight Corridor will be constructed to link other parts of the country which would result in bringing out new revolution in the field of rail freight transportation. He said for ‘turnaround of Indian Railway’, the credit goes to its 14 lakh employees who in a team spirit worked with full dedication and made Indian Railways to earn billions despite reduction in passenger fares. The Minister said that this great turnaround was achieved without retrenching any employee and without increasing the passenger fare, rather the fares have been reduced. Shri Lalu Prasad said that our vision is to make Indian Railways world’s number one railway network and the days are not far away when the Indian Railways will be the best railways in the world. The Railway Minister is currently on a week-long tour to Singapore and Malaysia.
Index of Six Infrastructure Industries (Base: 1993-94=100) -- March 2008
The Index of Six core-infrastructure industries having a combined
weight of 26.7 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base
1993-94 stood at 279.8 (provisional) in March 2008 and registered a growth
of 9.6% (provisional) compared to a growth of 10.5 % in March 2007.
During April-March 2007-08, six core-infrastructure industries registered a
growth of 5.6% (provisional) as against 9.2% during the corresponding
period of the previous year.
Crude Oil
Crude Oil production (weight of 4.17% in the IIP) registered a growth of -
0.3% (provisional) in March 2008 compared to a growth rate of 3.2% in
March 2007. The Crude Oil production registered a growth of 0.4%
(provisional) during April-March 2007-08 compared to 5.6% during the same
period of 2006-07.
Petroleum Refinery Products
Petroleum refinery production (weight of 2.00% in the IIP) registered a
growth of 0.0% (provisional) in March 2008 compared to growth of 13.4% in
March 2007. The Petroleum refinery production registered a growth of 6.5%
(provisional) during April-March 2007-08 compared to 12.9% during the
same period of 2006-07.
Coal
Coal production (weight of 3.2% in the IIP) registered a growth of 9.3%
(provisional) in March 2008 compared to growth rate 10.6% in March 2007.
Coal production grew by 6.0% (provisional) during April-March 2007-08
compared to an increase of 5.9% during the same period of 2006-07.
Electricity
Electricity generation (weight of 10.17% in the IIP) registered a growth of
3.6% (provisional) in March 2008 compared to a growth rate 8.0% in March
2007. Electricity generation grew by 6.3% (provisional) during April-March
2007-08 compared to 7.3% during the same period of 2006-07.
Cement
Cement production (weight of 1.99% in the IIP) registered a growth of 9.3%
(provisional) in March 2008 compared to 5.5% in March 2007. Cement
Production grew by 8.1% (provisional) during April-March 2007-08
compared to an increase of 9.1% during the same period of 2006-07. .
Finished (carbon) steel
Finished (carbon) Steel production (weight of 5.13% in the IIP) registered a
growth of 21.8% (provisional) in March 2008 compared to 16.6% (estimated)
in March 2007. Finished (carbon) Steel production grew by 5.1%
(provisional) during April-March 2007-08 compared to an increase of 13.1%
during the same period of 2006-07.
National Mission for Manuscripts
The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) is the first consolidated national effort for reclaiming India’s inheritance of knowledge contained in the vast treasure of manuscripts. Manuscripts, which contain centuries of accrued knowledge in such areas as philosophy, sciences, literature, arts and the pluralistic faith systems of India are more than just historical records. They represent the collective wisdom and experience of generations of thinkers. The Mission was established in 2003 with the objective of creating a national resource base for manuscripts, scattered across the country. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts is the nodal Agency for its implementation.
With a view to restore Indian manuscripts, in terms of both physical conservation and digitization, as well as to promote access through research and publication, the Mission operates through a national network of institutions and manuscript repositories. The number of centers (category-wise) are as follows:
Total No. of Manuscript Resource Centres (MRC-s)-45
Total No. of Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCC-s)-35
Total No. of Manuscript Partner Centres (MPC-s)-42
Total No. of Manuscript Conservation Partner Centres (MCPC-s)-300
The major achievements of the Mission since its inception are:
Documentation of Manuscripts
· Total electronic data of manuscripts on the web=10 lakh
· Total data stock (hard data+electronic data)= About 24 lakh
· No. of repositories (institutions and private collections)-25,000
National Survey of Manuscripts
· No. of States surveyed=16
(Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Delhi, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar under Pilot Survey)
· Survey preparation underway in Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Pondicherry, Goa, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar and Jharkhand
Post Survey (Documentation)
No. of States where Post-Survey was conducted = 8
(Orissa, Bihar, Manipur, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Himachall Pradesh)
Total data documented through post survey – 5.10 lakhs
Conservation
· Established network of 33 Manuscript Conservation Centres and more than 300 Manuscripts Conservation Partner Centres (MCPC-s)
· 2 field labs established (Leh and Guwahati)
· Evolved Basic Standards for Conservation of Manuscripts Preventive conservation
· Preventive Conservation Workshops-10
· Curative conservation workshops-5
· Curative conservation training for MCC staff-3
· Workshop on rare support materials (on Parchment and Ivory, Metal, Sanchipat and Cloth)-4
· Support services to repositories – undertaken in 7 different collections
· 4 research projects initiated in collaboration with NRLC
Digitisation
· Digitized manuscripts of Orissa; Kutiyattam Manuscripts of Kerala; Siddha Manuscripts of Tamil Nadu and selected Jaina manuscripts
· Total No. of folios digitized = 25,00,000
· Total DVDs received = 8,000
Research & Publication
· Lecture Papers:
Tattvabodha vol. 1, Co-published with Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi
· Seminar Papers:
1. Samrakshika vol 1 (Indigenous Methods of Manuscript Conservation), Co-published with D.K. Printworld, Delhi
2. Samikshika vol. 1 and II (Buddhist Literary Heritage in India: Text and Context), Munishiram Manoharlal, Delhi
· Critical Editions
Kritibodha vol. 1, Vadhula Grhyagamvrttirahasyam or Narayana Miura critically edited by Braj Bihari Chaubey, 2006, Co-published with D.K. Printworld, Delhi
· Catalogues
The World is Sacred, Sacred is the World-the Indian Manuscript Tradition by B.N. Goswamy, 2006, National Mission for Manuscripts and Niyogi Books, New Delhi
Vijnananidhi: Manuscript Treasures of India, 2007, National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi
· Newsletter, Kriti Rakshana, 13 issues published since August 2005
· Basic Standards for Conservation of Manuscripts
· Basic Standards for Digitisation of Manuscripts (1st and 2nd Volumes)
Public Outreach
· Exhibition of Indian manuscripts (The Word is Sacred, Sacred is the Word) at Frankfurt Book Fair 2006
· Tattvabodha Lectures: 38 lectures held in New Delhi and 11 in other centers across the country
· Theatre in Education programme for school children in 10 schools in Delhi; 11 districts of Andhra Pradesh and one day workshop at National Archives, New Delhi
· University Level Debate programme held in 4 cities (Varanasi, Ujjan, Ahmedabad, Guwahati) covering 15 states
· 3 Seminars were held in Kolkata, Sagar and Delhi
Manuscript Studies
(Manuscriptology & Palaeography)
· Basic Course on Manuscriptology & Palaeography - 10
For 2-3 weeks and about 400-470 students participated
· Advance Course on Manuscriptology & Palaeography - 6
About 40-45 days and about 160-170 students participated. Most of the participants are from the MRCs, Gurukuls and Universities.
Gurukula
Total 11 scholars are working in six MRCs Kolkata, Srinagar, Mysore, Patna, Ahmedabad, Hoshiarpur
· 4 scholars – 4 texts are being critically edited, almost in Final position
· 7 scholars are doing transcribing
· Transcribed 55 texts from Grantha, Med. Bengali and Sarada to Devanagari as well as prepared an electronic format
· Proposals have been sent to all the Universities in India to introduce the Manuscriptology & Palegraphy courses in their Universities
· About 15-20 Universities have introduced the course on manuscriptology
· Script Teaching in Sharada and Grantha in electronic media format near completion
Other Activities
Prepared proposal and got successful in the inclusion of Rigveda manuscripts preserved at the Bhanderkar Oriental Research Institute in the UNESCO’S, Memory of the World Registar in 2007
With a view to restore Indian manuscripts, in terms of both physical conservation and digitization, as well as to promote access through research and publication, the Mission operates through a national network of institutions and manuscript repositories. The number of centers (category-wise) are as follows:
Total No. of Manuscript Resource Centres (MRC-s)-45
Total No. of Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCC-s)-35
Total No. of Manuscript Partner Centres (MPC-s)-42
Total No. of Manuscript Conservation Partner Centres (MCPC-s)-300
The major achievements of the Mission since its inception are:
Documentation of Manuscripts
· Total electronic data of manuscripts on the web=10 lakh
· Total data stock (hard data+electronic data)= About 24 lakh
· No. of repositories (institutions and private collections)-25,000
National Survey of Manuscripts
· No. of States surveyed=16
(Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Delhi, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar under Pilot Survey)
· Survey preparation underway in Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Pondicherry, Goa, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar and Jharkhand
Post Survey (Documentation)
No. of States where Post-Survey was conducted = 8
(Orissa, Bihar, Manipur, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Himachall Pradesh)
Total data documented through post survey – 5.10 lakhs
Conservation
· Established network of 33 Manuscript Conservation Centres and more than 300 Manuscripts Conservation Partner Centres (MCPC-s)
· 2 field labs established (Leh and Guwahati)
· Evolved Basic Standards for Conservation of Manuscripts Preventive conservation
· Preventive Conservation Workshops-10
· Curative conservation workshops-5
· Curative conservation training for MCC staff-3
· Workshop on rare support materials (on Parchment and Ivory, Metal, Sanchipat and Cloth)-4
· Support services to repositories – undertaken in 7 different collections
· 4 research projects initiated in collaboration with NRLC
Digitisation
· Digitized manuscripts of Orissa; Kutiyattam Manuscripts of Kerala; Siddha Manuscripts of Tamil Nadu and selected Jaina manuscripts
· Total No. of folios digitized = 25,00,000
· Total DVDs received = 8,000
Research & Publication
· Lecture Papers:
Tattvabodha vol. 1, Co-published with Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi
· Seminar Papers:
1. Samrakshika vol 1 (Indigenous Methods of Manuscript Conservation), Co-published with D.K. Printworld, Delhi
2. Samikshika vol. 1 and II (Buddhist Literary Heritage in India: Text and Context), Munishiram Manoharlal, Delhi
· Critical Editions
Kritibodha vol. 1, Vadhula Grhyagamvrttirahasyam or Narayana Miura critically edited by Braj Bihari Chaubey, 2006, Co-published with D.K. Printworld, Delhi
· Catalogues
The World is Sacred, Sacred is the World-the Indian Manuscript Tradition by B.N. Goswamy, 2006, National Mission for Manuscripts and Niyogi Books, New Delhi
Vijnananidhi: Manuscript Treasures of India, 2007, National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi
· Newsletter, Kriti Rakshana, 13 issues published since August 2005
· Basic Standards for Conservation of Manuscripts
· Basic Standards for Digitisation of Manuscripts (1st and 2nd Volumes)
Public Outreach
· Exhibition of Indian manuscripts (The Word is Sacred, Sacred is the Word) at Frankfurt Book Fair 2006
· Tattvabodha Lectures: 38 lectures held in New Delhi and 11 in other centers across the country
· Theatre in Education programme for school children in 10 schools in Delhi; 11 districts of Andhra Pradesh and one day workshop at National Archives, New Delhi
· University Level Debate programme held in 4 cities (Varanasi, Ujjan, Ahmedabad, Guwahati) covering 15 states
· 3 Seminars were held in Kolkata, Sagar and Delhi
Manuscript Studies
(Manuscriptology & Palaeography)
· Basic Course on Manuscriptology & Palaeography - 10
For 2-3 weeks and about 400-470 students participated
· Advance Course on Manuscriptology & Palaeography - 6
About 40-45 days and about 160-170 students participated. Most of the participants are from the MRCs, Gurukuls and Universities.
Gurukula
Total 11 scholars are working in six MRCs Kolkata, Srinagar, Mysore, Patna, Ahmedabad, Hoshiarpur
· 4 scholars – 4 texts are being critically edited, almost in Final position
· 7 scholars are doing transcribing
· Transcribed 55 texts from Grantha, Med. Bengali and Sarada to Devanagari as well as prepared an electronic format
· Proposals have been sent to all the Universities in India to introduce the Manuscriptology & Palegraphy courses in their Universities
· About 15-20 Universities have introduced the course on manuscriptology
· Script Teaching in Sharada and Grantha in electronic media format near completion
Other Activities
Prepared proposal and got successful in the inclusion of Rigveda manuscripts preserved at the Bhanderkar Oriental Research Institute in the UNESCO’S, Memory of the World Registar in 2007
ICT opportunites for all
The key to the information society is universal access. Everyone must have equal opportunity to participate in the digital age. And no one should be denied the potential benefits of new information and communication technologies (ICT), not least because they are hampered by their disabilities. As ICT bring a range of innovations in the workplace, at home and in every facet of our lives, these benefits must also be harnessed for the benefit of persons with disabilities. This year, ITU has adopted the theme: “Connecting Persons with Disabilities: ICT Opportunities for All” to mark World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The World Summit on the Information Society urged Member States to address the special requirements of persons with disabilities along with other marginalized and vulnerable groups in their national e-strategies. A further call was made to encourage design and production of ICT equipment and services adhering to the Universal Design Principle and the use of assistive technologies for research and development to facilitate accessibility to ICT for all, including persons with disabilities. The last World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-06) held in Doha, Qatar in 2006, created a new Special Initiative on “Access to telecommunication services for persons with disabilities”. The Doha Plan of Action endorsed the Tunis Commitment of building ICT capacity for all, including persons with disabilities, through the promotion of universal, ubiquitous, equitable and affordable access to ICT. It encouraged the adoption of universal design and assistive technologies to ensure that the benefits are evenly distributed within societies as well as to bridge the digital divide by creating digital opportunities to harness the full potential for development offered by state-of-the-art ICT. During this year’s WTISD, ITU calls upon all stakeholders (policy makers and regulators as well as operators and industry) to raise awareness on the need to adopt policies and strategies that would meet the ICT needs of persons with disabilities by ensuring that both equipment and services are accessible. This would not only ensure an inclusive information society, but would also enable Member States to meet their obligations under Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2006. Our focus this year on meeting the ICT needs of persons with disabilities is aimed at empowering every citizen with information and knowledge, improving the lines of communication to the remotest and most vulnerable groups, and building an inclusive information society geared towards the advancement of a better, more peaceful and productive world. It is clearly our duty today to provide the opportunities of ICT to all, especially to those of us with disabilities. As we celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we invite all stakeholders – manufacturers, service providers, international organizations, public and non-governmental organizations as well as policy makers – to join us in our endeavour to connect everyone, especially the 650 million or so people around the world who live with disabilities, to the remarkable digital opportunities offered by ICT.
Impact of Women’s Participation in Panchayats
The participation of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) has resulted in both developmental and empowerment outcomes. It has often been observed that women prioritise those developmental needs that seem to be more pressing from their perspective. As opposed to the infrastructural development favoured by men, women have initiated work on plans to bring piped water into the village or to build a middle-school or high school in the village so that their daughters can study there. Women are also seen to be more involved in monitoring the presence of teachers and medical staff in the school or health center, and inspecting nutrition centers under the Integrated Child Development Scheme. They have taken the lead in making efforts for smokeless stoves, crèches, community halls, and have taken the initiative in family and matrimonial matters, counseling abusive and/or alcoholic husbands. Sometimes, women-headed Panchayats have even experienced a dramatic increase in their revenues, sponsoring the auction of village ponds, community forests and village markets for the larger welfare of the community. Above all, it has been observed that women accord great importance to education. The experience of being unable to read agenda papers for minutes, or even to follow the proceedings of Panchatat meetings, has contributed to this awareness of the importance of education, especially for girls. This is why we find many elected women representatives placing high on their agenda the goal of getting a middle-or high-school for girls for the village. As an example: a Sarpanch in Dahod District in Gujarat said that she had proposed setting up a primary school in the village, but was told there was no necessity for it because there were only three children whose parents wanted it. She set about mobilizing support for the school which was established and came to be attended by 300 children. Attendance was at least partly achieved through stiff penalties for non-compliance: a fine of Rs.600 and 6 months in prison for the parents of those children who do not attend. It is notable that until she came to the Panchayat, this woman had not stepped out of the boundaries of her home, or even been a member of any other organization. While the developmental gains of women’s participation in the Panchayats are impressive, the empowerment gains are also considerable. EWRs often report on the open discrimination against them in Panchayats; the domination of meetings by male colleagues, the refusal to pay attention to the opinions and suggestions of women members; and the generally dismissive attitude of (male) officials. Nevertheless, small gains are visible, such as the gradual change in the social custom that women sit separately (with each other) and do not speak in the presence of men. Earlier, the question of ‘who will make the chapattis”? and ‘who will look after the children? Now, not just other women in the household, but sometimes also the men, willingly share household responsibilities. There is a sense that election brings to the family as a whole an enhanced sense of status, expressed in more social respect and invitations to weddings of higher-caste families. Similarly, while there are innumerable examples of scheduled caste women representatives being disallowed from chairing Panchayat meetings, there are also cases where the woman sarpanch has asserted her right to do so, despite being told to make the tea or go home. This increased consciousness of their rights, as well as the ability to perform their functions more effectively than before, is often the result of capacity-building efforts by non-governmental organizations. The pioneering efforts of Mahila Samakhya in Karnataka, for instance, took the form of mobilizing poor, lower caste rural women into sanghas or collectives, preparing them for political participation, training them after the election and generally creating a climate of responsiveness and accountability. Women were particularly encouraged to attend and helped to participate in, the meetings of the Gram Sabha. Other NGOs have helped form associations of women representatives, in the form, for instance, of a State-wide federation of such associations. This facilitates the efficient organization of training programmes, but more importantly it enables peer-learning when women spend several days together, sharing their experiences-of working in the Panchayats as well as of dealings with government officials – with each other. Results from a nationwide survey of women’s participation in Panchayats suggest that a majority of the EWRs report an enhancement in their personal effectiveness and image after being elected.
CONSTITUTION OF EXPERT GROUP ON NREGA
The Ministry of Rural Development has decided to constitute an Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Prof. Moolchand Sharma, Vice-Chairman University Grants Commission for examining institutional mechanisms for the establishment of Ombudsman under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). The other members of the group include Shri Ram Lubhaya, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, Government of Rajasthan, Shri S.M. Vijayanad, Secretary, Rural Development, Government of Kerala, Shri K. Raju Principal Secretary Rural Development Government of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ashk Ali Tak, Member CEGC and Dr. B.D. SHARMA Member CGEC. In addition , the Joint Secretary (NREGA) Ministry of Rural Development and representative from the ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Panchayati Raj and Chief Vigilance Commission will be the others members of the Expert Group. The Expert Group will examine instructional mechanisms for grievance redressal under NREGA in the states. It will recommend an appropriate institutional mechanism for redressal of grievances under the NREG Act. It may also co-opt such members as it may consider necessary. The Expert group will hold its meeting on regular intervals as per requirement. It will also interact with the state governments and other stakeholders to examine all the issues. The ministry of Rural Development will provided requisite support in this regard. The group will submitted its report with in 6th weeks of its constitution. Since NREG Act is in operation in all rural areas of the country form the first of April this year, the Act provides for enhancement of livelihood security for the rural households. Labor intensive works are being funded under the Scheme formulated under the Act for generating employment of 121.64 crore persons day for 3.08 crore households with an investment of Rs. 13,101.50 crores. In the implementation of the progeamme, District P rogramme Coordinators and Programme Officers along with their support staff, Panchayat Raj Institutions, Gram Sabhas, Line Departments and NGOs are involved. Considering the huge scale of the programme and the large number of stake holders involved there is likelihood of malpractices being adopted and complaints and grievances arising due to those malpractices. In fact large number of complaints are being received in the ministry on which State Government are being asked to take remedial action. National level Monitors and Area Officers of the Ministry are also conducting special enquiries on those complaints. However the mechanisms for handling of grievances and complaints need to be further streamlined.
GOVERNMENT’S HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DEAL WITH NAXALISM
Identifying development as the panacea to check the growing menace of Maoist violence in different parts of the country, the Government is laying special emphasis on different people-oriented schemes in the affected areas. It is in this spirit that the Centre has decided to allocate Rs.500 crore during the 11th Plan for development of infrastructure in Naxal-hit areas. The Government’s approach is to deal with Naxalite activities in a holistic manner, in the arenas of security, development, administration and public perception management. The new scheme aims at providing critical mobility to the police by upgrading existing roads and tracks in inaccessible areas and securing camping grounds and helipads at strategic locations in remote and interior areas. The scheme, which is fully funded by the Centre, also seeks to provide security to police stations and outposts by strengthening those at risk of attack due to their dilapidated condition. There have been several incidents of Naxals storming police stations in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa in which personnel have been attacked and arms looted. The scheme envisages provision for critical needs, specific to areas and districts where holistic anti-Naxalite measures are being taken up in a focused manner.
Financial assistance is also provided to affected states for combating Naxalism under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) head. Under this scheme, reimbursement is provided by the Home Ministry to Naxal-affected states for security-related expenditure in respect of ex-gratia payment for civilians and security personnel killed. Rehabilitation of surrendered Naxalites and need-based hiring of weapons, vehicles and communication equipment in emergency situation are also carried out under the scheme. Funds are also provided for transportation, communication and other logistic support for Central Para-Military Forces deployed for anti-Naxalite operations. To ensure that there is no spillover effect of the activities of the Nepalese Maoists into Indian territory, the Home Ministry has reinforced the 1,751 KM Indo-Nepal border with the help of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to further improve management of borders in these areas. To meet the emerging challenges to internal security in the form of Naxalism and terrorism, stress is being laid on modernising the state police force quickly. Considering the inter-State ramification of Naxalite activities, the need for coordination and cooperation among affected states is self-evident, both in terms of uniformity in approach and in terms of ground-level joint police action. Buoyed by the recent success of joint operations against Naxalite hideouts in Bastar by Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra police, the twin strikes by Andhra-Chhattisgarh and Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra helped bust at least four major extremist camps and ‘neutralised’ 17 Maoists. The Centre is now pushing the states to intensify inter-state crackdowns.
At the meeting of the special taskforce on Left-wing extremism held in Lucknow in March 2008, the Centre praised efforts of states such as Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand to jointly take on the Naxalites with intelligence-based precision strikes. A five-day joint area domination operation by Andhra Pradesh’s Greyhounds and Chhattisgarh police on the Bijapur-Khammam border recently successfully ‘neutralised’ 17 Maoists, including dalam leaders, even as a simultaneous joint strike by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra police in western Bastar destroyed extremist camps and led to the arrests of four trainee Maoists.
A word of appreciation also went out for Orissa, which until now was slow on joint operations but recently successfully deployed its special operations group (SOG) to nab the extremists behind the Nayagarh attack. The SOG, along with Andhra Pradesh’s Greyhounds, chased the attackers and recovered over four days almost 70% of the 1,013 weapons looted by the Maoists from the Nayagarh district armoury. After the special strikes against Naxalites’ hideouts in Orissa, the special taskforce headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security), Shri M L Kumawat and comprising senior police officials of affected states felt that such efforts have now become crucial for the success of joint operations by neighbouring states.
The Naxalite movement was confined to West Bengal in the ‘60s, but within a decade it was contained. However, its ideology refused to die down. Rather, it made deep inroads in many other states, so much so that at present nearly a dozen states are facing the problem. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68 per cent of the total incidents and 76 per cent of the total casualties in 2007, as per latest records available with the Union Home Ministry. Higher number of incidents and casualties in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand was mainly due to increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines by Naxalites, attacks on security forces, killings of people who resist Naxalite atrocities, extortion, violence and continuous counter-operations by security forces against Naxalites. In 2007, there were 1,565 incidents of Naxalite violence as against 1,509 in 2006; 236 police personnel were killed as against 157 in 2006; and 460 civilians were killed against 521 in the corresponding period of 2006. However, there has been a decline in the number of incidents and casualties in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. With the Centre-State relation taking its toll on the formulation of national policy to deal with the menace, the Home Ministry is playing the role of facilitator, providing necessary assistance to the affected states – money, manpower and firepower. Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil has himself admitted that it is a “difficulty” before the Government that since law and order is a state subject, the Home Ministry cannot rush forces to affected areas on its own. Experts feel it is time that state governments fall in line on joint inter-state hot pursuit with the help of a joint command.
At the instance of the Prime Minister, an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) was constituted to closely monitor the Naxal situation and evolve strategies to deal with the problem. Headed by the Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil, it has Union Ministers of Finance, Tribal Affairs, Law and Justice, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Environment and Forests as its members. While the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission is the permanent invitee, Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jhakhand, Maharashtra, Orissa and West Bengal are special invitees.
Besides setting up a special Anti-Naxalite Cell in the Home Ministry, the Central Government has deployed 33 Para Military Force battalions on anti-Naxalite duty, approved raising of 40 Battalions of the Central Para-military Forces and sanctioned 25 India Reserve (IR) Battalions. On the development side, Central Government has provided Rs.2,475 crore under the Backward Districts Initiative (BDI) to fill in critical gaps in physical and social development in the Naxal-affected areas. Funds are also given under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Scheme. Under the Backward Districts Initiative (BDI) component of the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana, which covered 147 districts, Rs.45 crore per district has been allocated on a non-lapsable basis. The scheme of BRGF has now been initiated in 250 districts replacing BDI. The Pradhan Manti Gram Sadak Yojana and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme are some other schemes through which the Centre is extending support to the naxal-affected States.
In order to supplement the efforts of the States in providing an effective response to Naxal violence, the Para-Military forces have been deployed on a long-term basis as requested by the affected States. As part of its steps to deal with Naxalism, the Government has been pursuing a clearly defined policy to combat the challenge posed by the problem. Keeping in view that Naxalism is not merely a law and order problem, the policy of the Government is to address the menace simultaneously on political, security, development and public perception management fronts in a holistic manner. Now, there seems to be a subtle shift in the stand of the Centre towards the problem. Rather than taking up the gun, the Government is concentrating on development to wean away misguided youth from the path of violence. Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta has been personally taking stock of some developmental schemes under the Ministries of Rural Development, Human Resource Development, Panchayati Raj, Tribal Affairs and Environment & Forests. These Ministries are directly connected with the development ofinfrastructure, creation of employment and improvement in the quality of life in the rural areas and tribal belts, which have been witnessing violence by Naxalites.
The Union Home Minister strongly feels that since Naxalism is an inter-State problem, the States will have to adopt a collective approach and pursue a coordinated response to counter it while intelligence gathering and sharing have to be given a cardinal priority. Shri Patil has stated this position on the floor of Parliament a number of times and has ruled out any peace dialogue by the affected States with the Naxal groups unless the latter abjured violence and shunned arms. The Centre’s approach is clear that the State Governments will need to accord a higher priority to ensure faster socio-economic development in the affected areas. Distribution of land to the landless poor, speedy implementation of land reforms, development of physical infrastructure likes roads, communication and power and provision of employment opportunities to the youth in these areas are the thrust areas. The Central Government on its part will continue to supplement the efforts and resources of the affected States on both security and development fronts and bring greater coordination between States to successfully tackle the problem. The Centre will also assist in inter-State Joint anti-Naxal operations, supply of Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) and protection of railway infrastructure.
As part of review and monitoring mechanisms, the MHA has a Task Force headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security), a Coordination Centre headed by the Union Home Secretary, a Standing Committee of Chief Ministers of Naxal-hit States headed by the Union Home Minister and an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) to oversee socio-economic development in Naxal-affected areas.
The States on their part have formulated Action Plans to deal with the Naxalite menace. The States have been asked to fine tune them and ensure their effective ground level implementation to maintain constant pressure on Naxalites and to further improve police and development response to successfully counter the challenge. Since Naxalites typically operate in a vacuum created by inadequacy of administrative and political institutions and take advantage of the prevalent disaffection and perceived injustice among the under privileged, the bottom line is that Naxalism should not be treated as a mere law and order problem. Its deep socio-economic dimensions should not be overlooked.
Financial assistance is also provided to affected states for combating Naxalism under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) head. Under this scheme, reimbursement is provided by the Home Ministry to Naxal-affected states for security-related expenditure in respect of ex-gratia payment for civilians and security personnel killed. Rehabilitation of surrendered Naxalites and need-based hiring of weapons, vehicles and communication equipment in emergency situation are also carried out under the scheme. Funds are also provided for transportation, communication and other logistic support for Central Para-Military Forces deployed for anti-Naxalite operations. To ensure that there is no spillover effect of the activities of the Nepalese Maoists into Indian territory, the Home Ministry has reinforced the 1,751 KM Indo-Nepal border with the help of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to further improve management of borders in these areas. To meet the emerging challenges to internal security in the form of Naxalism and terrorism, stress is being laid on modernising the state police force quickly. Considering the inter-State ramification of Naxalite activities, the need for coordination and cooperation among affected states is self-evident, both in terms of uniformity in approach and in terms of ground-level joint police action. Buoyed by the recent success of joint operations against Naxalite hideouts in Bastar by Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra police, the twin strikes by Andhra-Chhattisgarh and Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra helped bust at least four major extremist camps and ‘neutralised’ 17 Maoists. The Centre is now pushing the states to intensify inter-state crackdowns.
At the meeting of the special taskforce on Left-wing extremism held in Lucknow in March 2008, the Centre praised efforts of states such as Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand to jointly take on the Naxalites with intelligence-based precision strikes. A five-day joint area domination operation by Andhra Pradesh’s Greyhounds and Chhattisgarh police on the Bijapur-Khammam border recently successfully ‘neutralised’ 17 Maoists, including dalam leaders, even as a simultaneous joint strike by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra police in western Bastar destroyed extremist camps and led to the arrests of four trainee Maoists.
A word of appreciation also went out for Orissa, which until now was slow on joint operations but recently successfully deployed its special operations group (SOG) to nab the extremists behind the Nayagarh attack. The SOG, along with Andhra Pradesh’s Greyhounds, chased the attackers and recovered over four days almost 70% of the 1,013 weapons looted by the Maoists from the Nayagarh district armoury. After the special strikes against Naxalites’ hideouts in Orissa, the special taskforce headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security), Shri M L Kumawat and comprising senior police officials of affected states felt that such efforts have now become crucial for the success of joint operations by neighbouring states.
The Naxalite movement was confined to West Bengal in the ‘60s, but within a decade it was contained. However, its ideology refused to die down. Rather, it made deep inroads in many other states, so much so that at present nearly a dozen states are facing the problem. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68 per cent of the total incidents and 76 per cent of the total casualties in 2007, as per latest records available with the Union Home Ministry. Higher number of incidents and casualties in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand was mainly due to increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines by Naxalites, attacks on security forces, killings of people who resist Naxalite atrocities, extortion, violence and continuous counter-operations by security forces against Naxalites. In 2007, there were 1,565 incidents of Naxalite violence as against 1,509 in 2006; 236 police personnel were killed as against 157 in 2006; and 460 civilians were killed against 521 in the corresponding period of 2006. However, there has been a decline in the number of incidents and casualties in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. With the Centre-State relation taking its toll on the formulation of national policy to deal with the menace, the Home Ministry is playing the role of facilitator, providing necessary assistance to the affected states – money, manpower and firepower. Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil has himself admitted that it is a “difficulty” before the Government that since law and order is a state subject, the Home Ministry cannot rush forces to affected areas on its own. Experts feel it is time that state governments fall in line on joint inter-state hot pursuit with the help of a joint command.
At the instance of the Prime Minister, an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) was constituted to closely monitor the Naxal situation and evolve strategies to deal with the problem. Headed by the Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil, it has Union Ministers of Finance, Tribal Affairs, Law and Justice, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Environment and Forests as its members. While the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission is the permanent invitee, Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jhakhand, Maharashtra, Orissa and West Bengal are special invitees.
Besides setting up a special Anti-Naxalite Cell in the Home Ministry, the Central Government has deployed 33 Para Military Force battalions on anti-Naxalite duty, approved raising of 40 Battalions of the Central Para-military Forces and sanctioned 25 India Reserve (IR) Battalions. On the development side, Central Government has provided Rs.2,475 crore under the Backward Districts Initiative (BDI) to fill in critical gaps in physical and social development in the Naxal-affected areas. Funds are also given under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Scheme. Under the Backward Districts Initiative (BDI) component of the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana, which covered 147 districts, Rs.45 crore per district has been allocated on a non-lapsable basis. The scheme of BRGF has now been initiated in 250 districts replacing BDI. The Pradhan Manti Gram Sadak Yojana and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme are some other schemes through which the Centre is extending support to the naxal-affected States.
In order to supplement the efforts of the States in providing an effective response to Naxal violence, the Para-Military forces have been deployed on a long-term basis as requested by the affected States. As part of its steps to deal with Naxalism, the Government has been pursuing a clearly defined policy to combat the challenge posed by the problem. Keeping in view that Naxalism is not merely a law and order problem, the policy of the Government is to address the menace simultaneously on political, security, development and public perception management fronts in a holistic manner. Now, there seems to be a subtle shift in the stand of the Centre towards the problem. Rather than taking up the gun, the Government is concentrating on development to wean away misguided youth from the path of violence. Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta has been personally taking stock of some developmental schemes under the Ministries of Rural Development, Human Resource Development, Panchayati Raj, Tribal Affairs and Environment & Forests. These Ministries are directly connected with the development ofinfrastructure, creation of employment and improvement in the quality of life in the rural areas and tribal belts, which have been witnessing violence by Naxalites.
The Union Home Minister strongly feels that since Naxalism is an inter-State problem, the States will have to adopt a collective approach and pursue a coordinated response to counter it while intelligence gathering and sharing have to be given a cardinal priority. Shri Patil has stated this position on the floor of Parliament a number of times and has ruled out any peace dialogue by the affected States with the Naxal groups unless the latter abjured violence and shunned arms. The Centre’s approach is clear that the State Governments will need to accord a higher priority to ensure faster socio-economic development in the affected areas. Distribution of land to the landless poor, speedy implementation of land reforms, development of physical infrastructure likes roads, communication and power and provision of employment opportunities to the youth in these areas are the thrust areas. The Central Government on its part will continue to supplement the efforts and resources of the affected States on both security and development fronts and bring greater coordination between States to successfully tackle the problem. The Centre will also assist in inter-State Joint anti-Naxal operations, supply of Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) and protection of railway infrastructure.
As part of review and monitoring mechanisms, the MHA has a Task Force headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security), a Coordination Centre headed by the Union Home Secretary, a Standing Committee of Chief Ministers of Naxal-hit States headed by the Union Home Minister and an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) to oversee socio-economic development in Naxal-affected areas.
The States on their part have formulated Action Plans to deal with the Naxalite menace. The States have been asked to fine tune them and ensure their effective ground level implementation to maintain constant pressure on Naxalites and to further improve police and development response to successfully counter the challenge. Since Naxalites typically operate in a vacuum created by inadequacy of administrative and political institutions and take advantage of the prevalent disaffection and perceived injustice among the under privileged, the bottom line is that Naxalism should not be treated as a mere law and order problem. Its deep socio-economic dimensions should not be overlooked.
SOCIAL SECURITY, SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS – NEW INITIATIVES
The International Labour Day on May 1st commemorates the historic struggle of the working people throughout the world and is recognized in most countries. Its celebration marks the launch of new schemes, review of the ongoing schemes and planning of strategies for the future, to ensure welfare of the working people. India has seen unprecedented economic growth in the past years and if we are to continue with it, efforts would need to be made to increase the number of our skilled workers. At present, they constitute only 5 percent of our total work force. The 55th round of National Sample Survey Organisation Report has revealed that only 5 per cent of the workforce in age group 20-24 years has received training through formal sources.
The introduction of the Unorganized Sector Workers, Social Security Bill, 2007, the launching of the ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ (RSBY), a major programme for upgradation of ITIs and ITCs, the Revised Integrated Housing Scheme (RIHS) 2007-08 for beedi workers etc., expansion of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme to cover 250 districts with an additional $40 million Indo-US joint project on Child Labour in 21 districts, the initiation of concept of the national floor level minimum wage and its revision from Rs. 66/- per day to Rs. 80/- per day, constitution of two Wage Boards - one for Working Journalists and another for Non-Journalist Newspaper Employees, action to provide the skills for youth with lesser educational qualification through the Skill Development Initiative Scheme in areas/clusters which have significant population of Muslims marked the activities and achievements of the Ministry of Labour and Employment during the year 2007.
The ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’, formally launched on April 1, 2008 provides for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- to the BPL workers and their families (a unit of five). The benefits under the scheme would accrue during 2008-09. The proposals prepared by the State Governments have been sent to the Central Government for approval.
For grant of housing subsidy, the Government has revised the Integrated Housing Scheme for beedi workers etc from time to time. To avail a subsidy of Rs.40,000/- per house, the worker’s contribution has been reduced to Rs.5,000/- only, to be paid after the house is sanctioned. The Central subsidy is released in two installments.
Child Labour In pursuance of government’s commitment to eliminate child labour in hazardous areas, the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) scheme has been extended to cover 250 districts. In addition, a $40 million INDUS project (Indo-US joint project) on Child Labour has also been launched in 21 districts. A major activity undertaken under the NCLP is the establishment of special schools to provide non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition, stipend, health care etc. to children withdrawn from employment. About 4.50 lakh children from special schools of NCLPs have been mainstreamed into the formal education system.
Skill Upgradation
The Government has taken up the following new schemes to provide skilled manpower to industry:
· Upgradation of 500 existing ITIs for providing highly skilled labour force in various industrial sectors. 100 ITIs will be upgraded from domestic resources and 400 ITIs through World Bank assistance.
· Upgradation of the remaining 1396 ITIs in Public Private Partnership mode; Establishment of new ITIs and strengthening of existing ITIs in the North Eastern States, Sikkim and J & K.
· Conducting of short term Modular Employable Courses under “Skill Development Initiative”.
In addition, it has also been decided to set up a National Skill Development Mission under which 1500 new ITIs and 50,000 Skill Development Centres are planned in Public-Private Partnership mode.
The Ministry’s proposal for inclusion of new trades under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) for all occupations was approved by the newly constituted National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). The proposal said that there is a need to increase the number of trades from 110 to encompass all sectors of the economy. It also approved DGE&T’s proposal to set up adequate number of ITIs in un-serviced blocks of the country and train the youth belonging to SC/ST, backward classes and minority communities.
To increase employment opportunities in rural areas, the NREGA, introduced in February 2006 has been extended to all the 604 districts in the country.
Wages
In additional to revising the minimum wage from Rs. 66 per day to Rs. 80 per day, the Government has constituted two Wage Boards- one for Working Journalists and another for Non-Journalist Newspaper Employees as per Section 9 and 13(c) of the Working Journalists & Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955. The wage ceiling for the applicability of the Payment of Wages Act 1936 has been increased from Rs. 6500/- to Rs. 10,000/- per month.
ESI Beneficiaries
In its 141st meeting held in December 2007, the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Corporation announced that the ESI Scheme is now catering to social security needs of more than one crore insured persons and their family members; a landmark which has been achieved by the Corporation this year. The ESI Corporation (ESIC) has given its approval in principle for setting up five new hospitals for workers to be located at Raipur in Chattisgarh, Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, Gurgaon in Haryana, Tirunelveli & Tiruupur in Tamil Nadu and Haldia in West Bengal.
A study is being undertaken by the Employee’s State Insurance Corporation on providing Smart Cards to ESI Beneficiaries for their medical treatment. Based on the outcome of the study, a final decision in the matter will be taken.
Year of Industrial Safety and Health
Safety is not merely a concept or practice but it also recognizes the dignity of work and therefore all efforts need to be made for protection and safety of workers who toil for the prosperity of the nation. The latest initiative in labour welfare is the Government’s declaration of the year 2008 as the “Year of Industrial Safety and Health”.. This was announced by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Shri Oscar Fernandes at the “National Seminar on Industrial Safety and Health – Vision 2020 : Challenges and Strategies” held in Delhi recently.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the present working environment in industries results in a lot of physical, physiological and mental stress and strain among industrial workers which underlines the need for preventing and controlling them. Therefore, he suggested that lifestyle management interventions like physical exercise, yoga, meditation and sports should be carried out on regular basis as part of stress management. He said that these facilities should be made available in the premises of the industries as well as workers’ colonies to ensure that all workers can utilize them.
Shri Fernandes said that safety aspects should be given topmost priority while setting up any industrial unit and emphasized that a particular work culture should be developed which is conducive to safety measures. It is imperative to make safety an integral component of industry and this should become part of our culture, the Minister emphasized.
The Secretary Labour and Employment Smt. Sudha Pillai said on the occasion that comprehensive amendments to the Factories Act, 1948 have been taken up and are also under the active consideration of the Government. The Ministry of Labour is also making serious efforts to ratify some of the important ILO conventions related to occupational safety and health. Some of the conventions are even in an advance stage of ratification by the Government, she informed.
In his May Day message Shri Fernandes said, “This day reminds us that if the stakeholders such as workers, employers, Governments and the Civil Society cooperate we can lay a solid foundation for nation-building”.
MEASURES TO CHECK SEXUAL AND VIOLENT CONTENTS IN FILMS
Central Board of Film Certification certifies films as per the provisions of Cinematograph Act, 1952 and Rules and Guidelines framed thereunder. Scenes which are violative of the provisions of the Act, Rules and Guidelines are deleted. While certifying films care is taken to categorise films whose contents are not suitable for minors as ‘A’. The guidelines inter alia stipulate the following.
Anti-social activities such as violence are not glorified and justified.
Pointless or avoidable scenes of violence, cruelty and horror, scenes of violence primarily intended to provide entertainment and such scenes as may have the effect of desensitizing or dehumanizing people are not shown.
Human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity, or depravity;
Words with dual meaning as obviously cater to baser instincts are not allowed;
Scenes degrading or denigrating women in any manner are not presented;
Scenes showing sexual perversions shall be avoided and if such matters are germane to the theme, they shall be reduced to the minimum and no details are shown.
The number of films which were refused certification during the last three years and those in which cuts were given are as under:
Year
No. of films refused certification
No. of films certified with cuts
2005
18
473
2006
59
453
2007
11
395
Anti-social activities such as violence are not glorified and justified.
Pointless or avoidable scenes of violence, cruelty and horror, scenes of violence primarily intended to provide entertainment and such scenes as may have the effect of desensitizing or dehumanizing people are not shown.
Human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity, or depravity;
Words with dual meaning as obviously cater to baser instincts are not allowed;
Scenes degrading or denigrating women in any manner are not presented;
Scenes showing sexual perversions shall be avoided and if such matters are germane to the theme, they shall be reduced to the minimum and no details are shown.
The number of films which were refused certification during the last three years and those in which cuts were given are as under:
Year
No. of films refused certification
No. of films certified with cuts
2005
18
473
2006
59
453
2007
11
395
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES MUST BE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE GIRL CHILD : PM
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that every elected representative must consider it his duty to be active participant in the national campaign for saving the girl child. He said this while addressing the National Meeting on “Save the Girl Child” in New Delhi today. Describing the practice of female foeticide as most inhuman, uncivilized and reprehensible, Dr. Singh underlined that the societal discrimination against women begins in our very homes. “It begins even before the girl child is born. The patriarchal mindset and preference for male children is compounded by unethical conduct on the part of some medical practitioners assisted by unscrupulous parents who illegally offer sex determination services,” he added. Stressing the need for social awareness and strict enforcement of the Pre Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostics Techniques Act, he urged all concerned to help in putting an end to this practice adopted by misuse of otherwise life saving modern technology. Dr. Singh asked the Ministry of Health to focus on orienting the million plus elected representatives of the panchayats and urban local bodies and use them as the medium for fighting this practice. He told the Ministry of Women & Child Development that it should enlist the support of women panchayat leaders and women's Self-Help Groups to strengthen the nutrition programme in our country. Urging the participation of every citizen in empowering the girl child, the Prime Minister said that the action must begin at home, in our families and in our communities. “I do not say this as the Prime Minister of India. I say this as the proud father of three daughters. I wish for every girl in our country what I wish for my own daughters,” Dr. Singh added. The National Meeting on “Save the Girl Child” has been organised by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The inaugural session was also addressed by Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Smt. Renuka Choudhury, Minister of State for Women & Child Development and Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare. The meeting is being attended by Health Ministers of various States and the stake holders. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address on the occasion: “I would like to compliment the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for taking this very important initiative to focus public attention on a very major societal and developmental issue of our times - the neglect of girl children in our country. India has a mixed record in action designed for the advancement of our women. On the one hand we are one of the few countries of the world that gave women political power through universal adult suffrage soon after Independence. We also reposed faith in the potential of women in our public life. Today our local bodies have over a million women representatives. This is more than the number of elected women representatives in the entire rest of the world put together. But, this momentous action for political empowerment has not been carried over into many other spheres of our nation’s life. Our record in female literacy is far from satisfactory as the last Census recording only 54% female literacy in the country. The last Census again showed a declining child sex ratio. Multiple deprivations all with roots in the oppressive structure of patriarchy have resulted in a bias against girls and against women. This is a national shame and we must face this challenge squarely here and now. No nation, no society, no community can hold its head high and claim to be part of the civilized world if it condones the practice of discriminating against one half of humanity represented by women. We are an ancient civilization and we call ourselves a modern nation. And yet, we live with the ignominy of an adverse gender balance due to social discrimination against women built into our societal structures. The focus in today's meeting is on the declining child sex ratio in the country. But, it is important to remember that gender related deprivation is an interlocked situation. Female illiteracy, obscurantist social practices like child marriage or early marriage, dowry, poor nutritional entitlements, taboos on women in public places all make the Indian women and especially the Indian girl child extremely vulnerable. Child sex ratio statistics in the 0-6 age group for the past four decades have been showing a continuous decline. The decline in girls per 1000 boys from 962 in 1981 to 927 in the year 2001 is indeed alarming. This indicates that growing economic prosperity and education levels have not led to a corresponding mitigation in this acute problem. In fact, the census figures illustrate that it is some of the richer states of the country where the problem is most acute and these States include Punjab which had only 798 girls, Haryana 819, Delhi 868 and Gujarat 883 girls per 1000 boys in the 2001 Census. As early as 1990, my esteemed friend, Prof. Amartya Sen brought to the attention of the world the fact that we have a situation in the world where more than 100 million women were missing. These missing women were geographically located in South Asia, West Asia and China. In Europe, the United States and Japan, women outnumber men substantially. The major difference is that women in these countries suffer little discrimination in basic nutrition and health care. It is nutrition and health care that become equalizers. I am happy that today we are discussing this important issue in the presence of both Ministers of Health and Women & Child Development in India. And we may consult a productive action to deal with this terrible onslaught on our civilization. Societal discrimination against women begins in our very homes. It begins even before the girl child is born. One of the most inhuman, uncivilized and reprehensible practices is the practice of female foeticide. The patriarchal mindset and preference for male children is compounded by unethical conduct on the part of some medical practitioners assisted by unscrupulous parents who illegally offer sex determination services. We must overcome this great problem through social awareness and strict enforcement of the Pre Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostics Techniques Act. I earnestly urge all concerned to help in putting an end to this practice adopted by misuse of otherwise life saving modern technology. Some of the State Governments which are especially vulnerable to this problem have taken positive actions on the issue. Schemes such as the Dikri Bachao campaign of Gujarat, Girl Child Protection Scheme of Tamil Nadu, Devi Rupak Scheme of Haryana, Ladli campaign of Delhi and the scheme for cash incentive to panchayats for improving the village sex ratio of Punjab are good steps. These achievements need to be built upon depending on the results that are on the horizon. But it is not government alone that can address this problem. Though Government must be active in mobilizing public opinion in this regard. We need active civil society involvement in the national campaign to save the girl child. Let the Ministry of Health focus on orienting the million plus elected representatives of the panchayats and urban local bodies and use them as the medium for fighting this practice. The Ministry of Women & Child Development should enlist the support of women panchayat leaders and women's Self-Help Groups to strengthen the nutrition programme in our country. Action to protect the girl child has to be on the agenda of every elected leader in our country. This is not to say that only women should be part of this campaign. I do believe, every elected representative must consider it his duty to be an active participant in this national campaign. There has to be much greater focus on female literacy because the adverse sex ratio that we have today has to be challenged fundamentally in the minds of our people. The Chairperson of UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, has recently urged that we must reorient the National Literacy Mission to focus on female literacy. Female literacy has considerable multiplier effects in all areas of empowerment of our girls and our women. In conclusion, I wish to say that we need concerted and multi pronged societal action to address the several contributing factors in the predicament of the Indian girl child. We need to strengthen legislative enforcement, basic health care and nutrition and reorient national literacy and school education programmes to give greater focus to women and the girl child. We need to mobilize leaders of civil society, particularly the religious leaders, for a nationwide campaign for ending all types of discrimination against our women built into our societal structures. I would like to assure you that our government stands fully committed to support any action programme that is developed in this grey area of national concern. I urge every citizen to step forward and help in empowering the girl child in every possible way. The action must begin at home, in our families, in our communities. I do not say this as the Prime Minister of India. I say this as the proud father of three daughters. I wish for every girl in our country what I wish for my own daughters. With these words, I wish your deliberations all success. We are dealing with a challenging, burning societal issue. May your path be blessed.”
PSLV SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES TEN SATELLITES
In its thirteenth flight conducted from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C9, successfully launched the 690 kg Indian remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2A, the 83 kg Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nanosatellites for international customers into a 637 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). PSLV-C9 in its ‘core alone’ configuration launched ten satellites with a total weight of about 820 kg.
The important flight events included the separation of the first stage, ignition of the second stage, separation of the heatshield at about 125 km altitude after the vehicle had cleared the dense atmosphere, second stage separation, third stage ignition, third stage separation, fourth stage ignition and fourth stage cut-off.
The 690 kg main payload, CARTOSAT-2A, was the first satellite to be injected into orbit at 885 seconds after lift-off at an altitude of 637 km. About 45 seconds later, Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) was separated after which all the nano satellites were separated in sequence. The initial signals indicate normal health of the satellites
CARTOSAT-2A
CARTOSAT-2A is a state-of-the art remote sensing satellite with a spatial resolution of about one metre and swath of 9.6 km. The satellite carries a panchromatic camera (PAN) capable of taking black-and-white pictures in the visible region of electromagnetic spectrum. The highly agile CARTOSAT-2A is steerable along as well as across the direction of its movement to facilitate imaging of any area more frequently.
Soon after separation from PSLV fourth stage, the two solar panels of CARTOSAT-2A were automatically deployed. The satellite’s health is continuously monitored from the Spacecraft Control Centre at Bangalore with the help of ISTRAC network of stations at Bangalore, Lucknow, Mauritius, Bearslake in Russia, Biak in Indonesia and Svalbard in Norway.
High-resolution data from CARTOSAT-2A will be invaluable in urban and rural development applications calling for large scale mapping.
Indian Mini Satellite (IMS -1)
Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1), flown as an auxiliary payload on board PSLV-C9, is developed by ISRO for remote sensing applications. Weighing 83 Kg at lift-off, IMS-1 incorporates many new technologies and has miniaturised subsystems. IMS-1 carries two remote sensing payloads - A Multi-spectral camera (Mx Payload) and a Hyper-spectral camera (HySI Payload), operating in the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The spatial resolution of Mx camera is 37 metre with a swath of 151 km while that of HySI is about 506 metre with a swath of about 130 km. The data from this mission will be made available to interested space agencies and student community from developing countries to provide necessary impetus to capacity building in using satellite data. The versatile IMS-1 has been specifically developed to carry different payloads in future without significant changes in it and has a design life time of two years.
Nano Satellites for International Customers
Eight Nanosatellites from abroad are carried as auxiliary payloads besides IMS-1 as well as CARTOSAT-2A. The total weight of these Nanosatellite payloads is about 50 Kg. Six of the eight Nanosatellites are clustered together with the collective name NLS-4. The other two nanosatellites are NLS-5 AND RUBIN-8. NLS-4, developed by University of Toronto, Canada consists of six nano-satellites developed by various universities. Two of them - CUTE 1.7 and SEEDS - are built in Japan, while the other four - CAN-X2, AAUSAT-II, COMPASS-1 and DELPHI-C3 are built in Canada, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands respectively. NLS-5 is also built by University of Toronto and RUBIN-8 is built by Cosmos International, Germany. The eight nanosatellite payloads of PSLV-C9 are built to develop nano technologies for use in satellites as well as for the development of technologies for satellite applications.
In its twelve consecutively successful flights so far, PSLV has repeatedly proved itself as a reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle. It has demonstrated multiple satellite launch capability having launched a total of sixteen satellites for international customers besides thirteen Indian payloads which are for remote sensing, amateur radio communications and Space capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1). PSLV was used to launch ISRO’s exclusive meteorological satellite, KALPANA-1, into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) in September 2002 and thus proved its versatility. The same vehicle will be used to launch Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, India’s first mission to Moon during this year.
Bharat Nirman
Bharat Nirman which has been conceived as a time bound business plan by the Government for development of rural infrastructure is to be implemented over a period of 4 years i.e. 2005-06 to 2008-09 with the total estimated investment of Rs.1,74,000 crore. Bharat Nirman comprises of six components i.e. Irrigation, Rural Roads, Rural Housing, Rural Drinking Water Supply, Rural Electrification and Telephone Connectivity. Three components namely, Rural Roads, Rural Housing and Rural Water Supply are being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development with the estimated investment of Rs.85,000 crore. These components have well defined targets and the progress is closely monitored accordingly.
Rural Roads
Under Rural Roads component of Bharat Nirman, it is proposed to connect all habitations with population of 1000 persons or more in the plain areas and all habitations with population of 500 persons or more in the hill States, tribal and the desert areas with an all-weather road by 2009. During the period 2005-09, it is targeted to construct 146185 km. of rural roads connecting 66802 habitations and upgrade 194130 km. of existing rural roads. So far upto September, 2007, construction of 48215 km. of rural roads was completed providing connectivity to 16444 habitations. In addition, 60934 km. of existing rural roads have been upgraded. Projects for connecting 16968 habitations are in progress. So far, projects costing Rs.59482 crore have been sanctioned and an amount of Rs.24711 crore has been spent under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana upto September, 2007.
To achieve the time bound targets of Bharat Nirman, all efforts have been made for provision of adequate funds under the scheme. While the total expenditure for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was Rs.6607.83 crore for the period 2000-04 (four years), it stepped up to Rs.3077.45 crore during 2004-05, Rs.4091.66 during 2005-06 and Rs.7304.27 crore during 2006-07. During the current year (2007-08), the allocation has been enhanced to Rs.11,000 crore & Rs.6104.07 crore has already been released upto October, 2007. Assistance from the World Bank and the Asian Development bank (ADB) has been taken to augment the resources for the scheme. About Rs.9000 crore would be made available being assistance from World Bank and ADB. For ensuring adequate funding, a special window has been created under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) of National Bank for Agricultural Rural Development (NABARD) for financing rural road projects under Bharat Nirman. About Rs.16500 crore would be mobilized from the special window of NABARD.
"Rural Roads" being a State subject, projects under the programme are executed by State/UT Governments through their own agencies i.e. SRRDA (State Rural Roads Development Agency) for monitoring, financial management and coordination at the State Level and Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) for programme implementation at the district level. Central agencies have also been engaged for execution of projects under the programme in Bihar and Tripura.
All efforts are being made by the Government to ensure achievements of targets under Bharat Nirman (rural roads components) within the announced time frame i.e. by 2009. The State Governments have been advised to enhance their institutional and contracting capacity for accelerating the pace of implementation of projects under the scheme. The Ministry of Rural Development has also taken adequate steps to ensure quality and transparency in execution of projects under the programme. The 3-tier quality control mechanism as prescribed in the PMGSY programme guidelines has been strengthened.
Standard Bidding Document (SBD) has been prescribed to facilitate open tender and award of works under PMGSY. Necessary amendments have been made in the Standard Bidding Document to facilitate augmentation of contracting capacity in States. A web-based on-line monitoring system (web address – www.omms.nic.in and www.pmgsyonline.nic.in has been developed to facilitate timely monitoring of works under PMGSY. Monitoring modules include connectivity status, Physical and Financial progress, Account and Quality monitoring etc. The entire database has been placed in the Citizen's domain for ensuring transparency in programme implementation.
Citizen information boards are displayed in local language at prominent locations in the benefited habitations indicating the volume of materials used in each layer of the pavement. In order to enhance transparency and accountability in the programme implementation, all State Governments have been recently advised to arrange joint inspection of on-going as well as completed works under PMGSY with MPs, MLAs and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions. As per the arrangements made, the Superintending Engineer concerned of the zone/region will request the MP and the Zilla Pramukh representing that zone/region once in six months to select any PMGSY project(s) for joint inspection. The schedule of joint inspection will be fixed as per the convenience of MP/Zilla Pramukh. The Executive Engineer incharge of a division will request MLA/Chairperson of the Intermediate Panchayat concerned once in three months for joint inspection of any PMGSY project(s) as per their choice and according to their convenience. Similarly, the Assistant Engineer in charge of the sub-division will request the concerned Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat once in two months to select any PMGSY project(s) for joint inspection as per his convenience.
Rural Housing
Under Bharat Nirman, 60 lakh houses are envisaged to be built over the period of four years i.e. from 2005-06 to 2008-09. During the period of 2005-08 (upto Sept., 2007) the reports available reveal that 36.81 lakh houses have already been constructed. During the first two years of Bharat Nirman, 30.50 lakh houses were constructed against the target of 29.74 lakh houses. However, for 2007-08 the target of construction of 21.27 lakhs houses has been fixed in view of the enhanced central allocation of Rs.4032.70 crores for the year. An amount of Rs.1993.84 crore as central share has since been released in this year and as per the information received from State Govts., 6.31 lakh houses have been constructed upto September, 2007.
To ensure transparency in the process of selection of beneficiaries, the States/UTs have been advised to prepare permanent IAY waitlists for each Gram Sabha to display it in ascending order based on the score of the BPL households as worked out through BPL Census 2002. The guidelines have also been issued to the States/UTs to paint the permanent IAY waitlist on the wall of the Village Panchayat, keep its printed copies with every panchayat and also post this list on the websites of the districts. This exercise is to be completed in a time bound manner. Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Gujarat, Punjab, Nagaland, have prepared the waitlist. The remaining States/UTs are near to the completion of this process. In order to ensure strict monitoring, the system of online reporting of the progress of the implementation of the programme by the DRDAs has been introduced.
Rural Drinking Water Supply
During the Bharat Nirman period, 55,067 uncovered habitations, about 3.31 lakh slipped-back habitations (reassessed) were to be covered and 2.17 lakh quality-affected habitations were to be addressed. Tackling Arsenic and Fluoride contamination have been given priority. There have been impressive achievements during the first two years of Bharat Nirman. In 2005-06, against the target of 56,270 habitations to be covered, 97,215 habitations have been covered. Similarly, in 2006-07, against the target to cover 73,120 habitations, 1,07,350 habitations have been covered. In addition, 31,135 quality-habitations have been addressed with projects during 2006-07 to tackle water quality problems.
As on 1.4.2007, the number of habitations remaining to be tackled are, 29,534 un-covered habitations, 1,74,782 slipped-back habitations and 1,66,693 quality-affected habitations. These remaining habitations are proposed to be covered/ addressed during last 2 years of the Bharat Nirman period. Keeping in view the progress in last two years, during 2007-08, 1.55 lakh habitations are planned to be covered. During the first six months of 2007-08 it is reported that 2,982 un-covered, 23,645 slipped-back and 3,283 quality-affected habitations have been covered. In addition, projects to tackle water quality problems in 9,210 quality-affected habitations have been approved for implementation.
Under Bharat Nirman, financial allocation to rural drinking water has been increased substantially. During the period 2000-2004, annual average allocation was Rs.2198 crore for rural drinking water supply. However, under Bharat Nirman, in 2005-06, allocation for rural drinking water was raised to Rs.4060 crore, which was further enhanced to Rs.4,560 crore in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the allocation for rural drinking water supply has been further raised to Rs.6,500 crore, out of which Rs.2,991 crore has been spent.
To empower the village community for having access to safe drinking water, National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme has been launched in 2005-06, under which 5 persons in each village Panchayat are to be trained for testing their own drinking water sources by using simple test kits provided under the programme. For this purpose 100% financial assistance is provided by the Government of India. To tackle water quality problems, revised Sub-Mission Programme on Water Quality was launched in 2006-07 for providing focused attention and Government of India provides project-wise funds. Online reporting system has been introduced to strengthen monitoring mechanism and transparency whereby State Governments have been urged to report the physical and financial progress online on monthly basis and update the habitation wise data on yearly basis.
Besides, providing safe drinking water in the rural habitations, the Government is also committed to enhance the sanitation facilities in these areas. As per 2001 Census, 21.8% rural habitations had sanitation facilities, which have now gone up to 48.51%. Government has planned to achieve the objective of Total Sanitation Coverage by the year 2012. During 2005-06 and 2006-07, more than 195.39 lakh toilets for individual households have been constructed, besides, constructing 2.20 lakh school toilets. During the current year i.e. 2007-08 more than 51.17 lakh toilets for individual households have already been constructed. An incentive approach of Nirmal Gram Puraskar has been launched from 2005. 40 PRIs. were given award in 2005, which went upto 770 PRI's in 2006 and to about 5000 in 2007. This programme has got major boost in the last two years. The achievements of the country are appreciated by various international agencies.
BUDGET - RELIEF FOR FARMERS AND SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH
Presenting the Fifth consecutive Union Budget 2008-09 in the Parliament, the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram gave an unprecedented complete waiver of all loans for small and marginal farmers. A Rs. 60,000 crore debt relief package, benefiting four crore farmers. He also announced an increase in spending on social sector schemes, relief to income-tax payers, a new insurance scheme for workers in the unorganized sector, setting up of institutes of higher learning and 6000 high-quality model schools, and provision of Rs. 16,000 crore to cover all rural districts under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
Relief to Farmers
Under the debt waiver and relief package, small and marginal farmers (with holdings up to 2 hectare), there will be a complete waiver of all loans overdue on December 31, 2007 and which remained unpaid until February 29, 2008. For others, there will be a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme. Under the OTS, a rebate of 25 per cent will be given against payment of the balance 75 per cent. Loans re-scheduled in 2004 and 2006 through special packages and those re-scheduled in the normal course will also be eligible for a waiver or an OTS. The debt relief scheme will be implemented by June 30, 2008 and these farmers will also be entitled to fresh farm loans from banks in accordance with normal rules. The total value of overdue loans being waived is estimated at Rs. 50,000 crore and the OTS relief at Rs.10,000 crore. The scheme is likely to benefit about three crore small and marginal farmers and one crore other farmers.
Expressing the hope that the target of agricultural credit for 2007-08 would be exceeded, the Finance Minister has set the target of Rs. 280,000 crore farm credit in 2008-09. Short-term crop loans will continue to be disbursed at interest rate of 7 per cent per year.
Rejuvenated Agricultural Sector
With more investment flowing into the irrigation sector. Under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, the outlay has been raised from Rs 11,000 crore last year to Rs. 20,000 in 2008-09. The Government will establish the Irrigation and Water Resources Finance Corporation with an initial capital of Rs. 100 crore. This Corporation will mobilize resources for major and medium irrigation projects.
Initiatives for rejuvenating the agricultural sector include setting up of 500 soil testing laboratories, introduction of crop insurance scheme for plantation crops and support to cooperative sector reforms.
Housing
Keeping in mind the higher cost of construction of houses by the poor, the subsidy per unit for new houses sanctioned under Indira Awas Yojana after April 01, 2008 is being enhanced from Rs. 25,000 to Rs.35,000 in plain areas and from Rs.27,500 to Rs.38.500 in hilly/difficult areas. The subsidy for upgradation of houses goes up from Rs. 12,500 per unit to Rs.15,000. Loans up to Rs.20,000 per unit under the Indira Awas Yojana will be available at the interest rate of 4 per cent.
Calling the education and health sectors ‘the twin pillars on which rests the edifice of social sector reforms’, the Finance Minister announced 20 per cent increase in budget allocation for education and 15 per cent for the health sector.
Education
A model school programme with the aim of establishing 6,000 high quality model schools has been announced. Mid-day meal scheme is to be extended to upper primary classes in Government and Government-aided schools in all blocks of the country. Nehru Yuva Kendras will be opened in all the 123 districts which presently do not have an NYK. In higher education, three IITs are to be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan; two IISERs at Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram; two Schools of Planning and Architecture at Bhopal and Vijayawada; and one Central University in each of the hitherto uncovered States. To encourage children to take up science and R&D, scholarships will be given to students under a new scheme, Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE).
Highlighting the need for launching a world class skill development programme in mission mode, the budget seeks to establish a non-profit corporation. The Government will put Rs. 1,000 crore as initial equity in the corporation. Continuing the scheme of upgradation of ITIs, the budget provides Rs.750 crore for upgrading 300 more ITIs in 2008-09.
Health
In the Health sector, under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, every worker in the unorganized sector falling under the BPL category and his family will get health cover of Rs. 30,000. For the elderly, a National Programme for the Elderly is to be started in 2008-09.
The budget provides for Rs. 1,000 crore for the Aam Admi Bima Yojana that provides insurance cover to poor households. This will cover one crore poor households in addition to the one crore likely to be covered by September 30 this year. Funds have also been enhanced for the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. This Scheme has been expanded from November 19 last year to include all persons over 65 years falling under the BPL category.
Allocations for the Flagship Programmes have been enhanced. Provision has been made to expand the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to cover all 596 rural districts. For providing potable water to schools in water deficient habitations, provision for installing stand-alone systems is being made under the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission.
Welfare Schemes
Schemes benefiting SCs and STs exclusively have been provided Rs. 3,966 crore and for schemes where at least 20 per cent of the benefits are earmarked for SCs and STs, the budget provides Rs. 18,983 crore.
The schemes announced for the welfare of the minorities include a multi sectoral development plan to be drawn for each of the minority concentration district and a scheme for modernizing Madrassa education. The allocation to the Ministry of Minority Affairs has been doubled to Rs. 1,000 crore.
Child Welfare
The budget has a number of initiatives for women and children. The allocation to the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been enhanced by 24 per cent to Rs. 7,200 crore. For the first time, a statement on child related schemes has been introduced in the budget. The total expenditure on schemes for child welfare would be of the order of Rs. 33,434 crore. Rs.11,460 crore has been provided for 100 per cent women specific schemes and Rs. 16,202 crore for schemes where at least 30 per cent is earmarked for women-specific programmes. LIC is being asked to extend the Janashree Bima Yojana to cover all women Self Help Groups that are credit-linked to the banks.
North-East
The North-Eastern region continues to receive special attention in this year’s budget also. The total budget allocation for this region has been raised by over Rs. 2,000 crore to Rs. 16,447 crore. The government proposes to identify the urgent need of border areas in the north-east and address them through a special mechanism, and for this a Rs. 500 crore fund is being established.
Tax Benefits
The Finance Minister has raised the income tax exemption limit from Rs. 1,10,000 to Rs. 1,50,000, thus giving every assessee a relief at minimum of Rs. 4,000. The tax rate will be 10 per cent for the income slab between Rs. 1,50,001 and Rs. 3,00,000 and 20 per cent between Rs. 3,00,001 and Rs. 5,00,000. For income of Rs. 5,00,001 and above the income tax rate will be 30 per cent. The exemption limit for women assessees has been increased to Rs. 1,80,000 and in case of senior citizens to Rs. 2,25,000. The Finance Minister has not proposed any change in corporate income tax and in the rate of surcharge. A person paying medical insurance premium for his parents will be allowed an additional deduction of Rs. 15,000 under Section 80D. Justifying the changes in the slabs for personal income tax, Shri Chidambaram said that moderation will beget revenues and fairness will beget compliance.
The Finance Minister has brought four more services under the service tax net. They include asset management service provided under ULIP, services provided by stock/commodity exchanges and clearing houses, right to use goods in cases where VAT is not payable, and customized software. He also clarified that money changers, persons running games of chance and tour operators using contract carriage vehicles are liable to service tax. He, however, increased the threshold limit of exemption for small service providers from Rs. 8,00,000 per year to Rs. 10,00,000. He said 65,000 small service providers will go out of the tax net.
Indirect Taxes
On the indirect taxes front, the Finance Minister has made no change in the peak rates of customs duty. The customs duty on project imports has been reduced from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent. He has proposed to impose a 4 per cent special countervailing duty on a few specified projects in the power sector. Duty on steel melting scrap and aluminum scrap has been reduced from 5 per cent to nil. Customs duty on certain life saving drugs and on the bulk drugs used in the manufacture of such drugs has been reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent and also to totally exempt them from excise duty or countervailing duty. Specific parts of set top boxes and specified raw materials for use in IT and electronic hardware industry have been fully exempted from customs duty. Specific machinery for manufacturer of sports goods, vitamin pre-mixes, mineral mixtures and phosphoric acid used for manufacture of cattle and poultry fields have been given duty concession.
In order to support domestic fertilizer production, customs duty on crude and unrefined sulphur has been reduced from 5 to 2 per cent. Export duty on chrome ore has been increased from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 per metric tonne to conserve chrome ore. The Finance Minister has proposed to reduce the general CENVAT on all goods from 16 per cent to 14 per cent. Excise duty on all goods produced in the pharmaceutical sector has been reduced from 16 per cent 8 per cent. Excise duty on buses and their chassis, small cars, two and three wheelers has been reduced from 16 per cent to 12 per cent. Water purification devices, flush doors, specified packaging material and breakfast cereals will attract excise duty at 8 per cent. Anti AIDS drug, Atazanavir has been totally exempted from excise duty. To encourage cold chain facilities, the Finance Minister has proposed to exempt excise duty on refrigeration equipment above two tonne refrigeration, utilizing power of 50KW and above.
Bulk cement will now attract excise duty of Rs. 400 per metric tonne or 14 per cent ad valorem, whichever is higher. Cement clinkers will be liable to excise duty of Rs. 450 per metric tonne. Excise duty of packaged software has been increased from 8 to 12 per cent. An excise duty of one per cent on polyester filament yarn, called NCCD, has been removed and imposed on cellular mobile phones.
Other Outlays
Emphasizing that there has been an unmistakable boom in investment, the Finance Minister said the Government will provide Rs. 16,436 crore as equity support and Rs. 3,003 crore as loans to Central Public Sector Enterprises. The corpus of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund is proposed to be raised to Rs. 15,000 crore during the coming year. Shri Chidambaram said that there has been some moderation in the index of production of the six core infrastructure industries as well as in the overall index of industrial production from April to December, 2007. He said the decline has been somewhat sharp in the case of consumer goods.
The Finance Minister has provided Rs. 5,500 crore for the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, Rs. 800 crore for the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Project and increased the outlay on National Highway Development Programme from Rs. 10,867 crore to Rs. 12,966 crore. The outlay on Technology Upgradation Fund run by the Ministry of Textiles has been increased from Rs. 911 crore in the current year to Rs. 1090 crore. Rs. 340 crore has been allocated for the cluster approach to development of the handloom sector. In order to scale up both infrastructure and production, the Finance Minister proposes to take up six centres for development as mega clusters. They include Varanasi and Sibsagar for handlooms, Bhiwandi and Erode for powerlooms and Narsaspur and Moradabad for handicrafts. An initial provision of Rs. 100 crore has been made for the mega clusters.
Recognizing that exports have come under some pressure due to appreciation of the Rupee, the Finance Minister said the Government has given relief to exporters in three tranches of over Rs. 8000 crore and Rs. 8351 crore in the form of interest cost of market stabilization bonds. He said the Government is sensitive the needs of the exports sector and will continue to respond sympathetically as the situation demands.
On the capital market front, he announced some measures to expand the market for corporate bonds. He said, the requirement of PAN will be extended to all transactions in the financial market, subject to suitable threshold exemption limit.
The Finance Minister has provided Rs. 624 crore for the commonwealth games, Rs. 75 crore to ICCR to promote India’s music literature, dance, art and films, Rs. 50 crore to the National Tiger Conservation Authority to raise and deploy a special protection force.
The allocation for the defence has been raised by 10 per cent from Rs. 96,000 crore to Rs. 105,600 crore. The total plan expenditure will be Rs. 243, 386 crore and the non-plan expenditure is estimated at Rs. 507,498 crore. The fiscal deficit for 2008-09 has been estimated at Rs. 133,287 crore which is 2.5 per cent of GDP. He said, significant liabilities of the Government on account of oil, food and fertiliser bonds are currently below the line. He said, after the obligations on account of the Sixth Central Pay Commission become clear, he would request the Thirteenth Finance Commission to revisit the roadmap for fiscal adjustment.
INDIA:GENERAL BUDGET 2008-09
BUDGET 2008-09 HIGHLIGHTS
RS. 60,000 CRORE AGRICULTURAL DEBT RELIEF PACKAGE; COMPLETE LOAN WAIVER FOR SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS; 4 CRORE FARMERS TO BENEFIT
RS.2,80,000 CRORE TARGET SET FOR FARM CREDIT IN 2008-09; SHORT TERM CROP LOAN TO CONTINUE AT 7 PER CENT INTEREST
IRRIGATION AND WATER RESOURCES FINANCE CORPORATION TO BE SET UP; RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO BE STARTED
RS.3, 966 CRORE FOR SCHEMES FOR SCs AND STs; RS. 18,983 CRORE FOR SCHEMES EARMARKING 20 PER CENT FUNDS FOR SCs AND STs
MULTI-SECTORAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR ALL 90 MINORITY CONCENTRATION DISTRICTS
ALL WOMEN SELF HELP GROUPS CREDIT-LINKED TO BANKS TO BE COVERED UNDER JANASHREE BIMA YOJANA
NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME TO COVER ALL 596 RURAL DISTRICTS
A NATIONAL PROGRAMME TO BE LAUNCHED FOR THE ELDERLY
RASHTRIYA SWASTHYA BIMA YOJANA FOR WORKERS UNDER BPL CATEGORY IN UNORGANIZED SECTOR
A STATEMENT ON CHILD RELATED SCHEME INTRODUCED IN THE BUDGET FOR THE FIRST TIME
MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED TO UPPER PRIMARY CLASSES IN ALL BLOCKS
SPECIAL MECHANISM FOR NORTH-EASTERN BORDER AREAS
GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH 16 CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES
3 IITs, 2 IISERs AND 2 SCHOOLS OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE TO BE ESTABLISHED
6,000 HIGH QUALITY MODEL SCHOOLS TO BE OPENED
NEW SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR PROMOTING INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE
EACH DISTRICT TO HAVE A NEHRU YUVA KENDRA
SCHOOLS IN WATER DEFICIENT HABITATIONS TO HAVE DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
SUBSIDY ON HOUSES UNDER INDIRA AWAS YOJANA INCREASED FROM RS. 25,000 TO RS. 35,000 IN PLAIN AREAS AND FROM RS. 27,500 TO RS. 38,500 IN HILL/DIFFICULT AREA
RS. 1000 CRORE PROVIDED FOR AAM ADAMI BIMA YOJANA
ALLOCATION UNDER INDIRA GANDHI OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME INCREASED FROM RS. 2392 CRORE TO RS. 3443 CRORE
RS. 32,667 CRORE PROVIDED FOR FOOD SUBSIDY UNDER PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
RS. 1000 CRORE PROVIDED FOR ESTABLISHING A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Rs. 750 CRORE ALLOCATED FOR UPGRADING 300 ITIs
SIX MEGA-CLUSTERS PLANNED FOR HANDLOOMS, POWERLOOMS AND HANDICRAFTS
GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE RS. 16,436 CRORE AS EQUITY SUPPORT AND RS. 3,003 CRORE AS LOANS TO CENTRAL PUBLIC SECTOR ENTERPRISES
BACKWARD REGION GRANT FUND RETAINED AT RS. 5,800 CRORE; BIHAR, ORISSA AND UTTAR PRADESH TO GET NEARLY 45 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION LIMIT HIKED TO RS. 1.5 LAKH; 10 PER CENT TAX FOR INCOME BETWEEN RS. 1.5 LAKH AND RS. 3 LAKH; 20 PER CENT BETWEEN RS. 3 LAKH AND RS. 5 LAKH. INCOME ABOVE RS. 5,00,001 TO ATTRACT 30 PER CENT INCOME TAX
EXEMPTION LIMIT FOR WOMEN TAX PAYERS INCREASED TO RS. 1,80,000 AND FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TO RS. 2,25,000
NO CHANGE IN CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATES AND SURCHARGE
NO CHANGE IN THE PEAK RATE OF CUSTOMS DUTY
CUSTOMS DUTY ON PROJECT IMPORTS SLASHED FROM 7.5 PER CENT TO 5 PER CENT
DUTY ON STEEL AND ALUMINNUM SCRAP ABOLISHED
EXCISE DUTY ON PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR REDUCED FROM 16 PER CENT TO 8 PER CENT
SMALL CARS, TWO AND THREE WHEELERS, BUSES AND THEIR CHASSIS TO COST LESS
NON FILTER CIGARETTES TO COST MORE, EXCISE ON NON FILTER CIGARETTES WILL BE AT PAR WITH FILTER CIGARETTES
FOUR MORE SERVICES BROUGHT UNDER SERVICE TAX NET
THRESHOLD LIMIT OF EXEMPTION FOR SMALL SERVICE PROVIDERS INCREASED FROM RS. 8 LAKH TO RS. 10 LAKH
CUSTOMS DUTY ON CRUDE AND UNREFINED SULPHUR BROUGHT DOWN FROM 5 TO 2 PER CENT
EXPORT DUTY ON CHROME ORE INCREASED FROM RS. 2000 TO RS. 3000 PER METRIC TONNE
CENVAT ON ALL GOODS REDUCED FROM 16 TO 14 PER CENT
CENTRAL SALES TAX PROPOSED TO BE REDUCED TO 2 PER CENT FROM APRIL 08
EXCISE DUTY ON BULK CEMENT BROUGHT ON PAR WITH PACKAGED CEMENT; CLINKERS TO ATTRACT EXCISE DUTY OF RS. 450 PER METRIC TONNE
PAN MADE COMPULSORY FOR ALL TRANSACTIONS IN THE FINANCIAL MARKET SUBJECT TO SUITABLE EXEMPTION LIMIT
ALLOCATION FOR DEFENCE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT FROM 96,000 CRORE TO RS. 105,600 CRORE
REVENUE DEFICIT ESTIMATED AT RS. 55,184 CRORE
FISCAL DEFICIT PEGGED AT 2.5 PER CENT OF GDP
RS. 60,000 CRORE AGRICULTURAL DEBT RELIEF PACKAGE; COMPLETE LOAN WAIVER FOR SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS; 4 CRORE FARMERS TO BENEFIT
RS.2,80,000 CRORE TARGET SET FOR FARM CREDIT IN 2008-09; SHORT TERM CROP LOAN TO CONTINUE AT 7 PER CENT INTEREST
IRRIGATION AND WATER RESOURCES FINANCE CORPORATION TO BE SET UP; RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO BE STARTED
RS.3, 966 CRORE FOR SCHEMES FOR SCs AND STs; RS. 18,983 CRORE FOR SCHEMES EARMARKING 20 PER CENT FUNDS FOR SCs AND STs
MULTI-SECTORAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR ALL 90 MINORITY CONCENTRATION DISTRICTS
ALL WOMEN SELF HELP GROUPS CREDIT-LINKED TO BANKS TO BE COVERED UNDER JANASHREE BIMA YOJANA
NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME TO COVER ALL 596 RURAL DISTRICTS
A NATIONAL PROGRAMME TO BE LAUNCHED FOR THE ELDERLY
RASHTRIYA SWASTHYA BIMA YOJANA FOR WORKERS UNDER BPL CATEGORY IN UNORGANIZED SECTOR
A STATEMENT ON CHILD RELATED SCHEME INTRODUCED IN THE BUDGET FOR THE FIRST TIME
MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED TO UPPER PRIMARY CLASSES IN ALL BLOCKS
SPECIAL MECHANISM FOR NORTH-EASTERN BORDER AREAS
GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH 16 CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES
3 IITs, 2 IISERs AND 2 SCHOOLS OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE TO BE ESTABLISHED
6,000 HIGH QUALITY MODEL SCHOOLS TO BE OPENED
NEW SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR PROMOTING INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE
EACH DISTRICT TO HAVE A NEHRU YUVA KENDRA
SCHOOLS IN WATER DEFICIENT HABITATIONS TO HAVE DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
SUBSIDY ON HOUSES UNDER INDIRA AWAS YOJANA INCREASED FROM RS. 25,000 TO RS. 35,000 IN PLAIN AREAS AND FROM RS. 27,500 TO RS. 38,500 IN HILL/DIFFICULT AREA
RS. 1000 CRORE PROVIDED FOR AAM ADAMI BIMA YOJANA
ALLOCATION UNDER INDIRA GANDHI OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME INCREASED FROM RS. 2392 CRORE TO RS. 3443 CRORE
RS. 32,667 CRORE PROVIDED FOR FOOD SUBSIDY UNDER PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
RS. 1000 CRORE PROVIDED FOR ESTABLISHING A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Rs. 750 CRORE ALLOCATED FOR UPGRADING 300 ITIs
SIX MEGA-CLUSTERS PLANNED FOR HANDLOOMS, POWERLOOMS AND HANDICRAFTS
GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE RS. 16,436 CRORE AS EQUITY SUPPORT AND RS. 3,003 CRORE AS LOANS TO CENTRAL PUBLIC SECTOR ENTERPRISES
BACKWARD REGION GRANT FUND RETAINED AT RS. 5,800 CRORE; BIHAR, ORISSA AND UTTAR PRADESH TO GET NEARLY 45 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION LIMIT HIKED TO RS. 1.5 LAKH; 10 PER CENT TAX FOR INCOME BETWEEN RS. 1.5 LAKH AND RS. 3 LAKH; 20 PER CENT BETWEEN RS. 3 LAKH AND RS. 5 LAKH. INCOME ABOVE RS. 5,00,001 TO ATTRACT 30 PER CENT INCOME TAX
EXEMPTION LIMIT FOR WOMEN TAX PAYERS INCREASED TO RS. 1,80,000 AND FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TO RS. 2,25,000
NO CHANGE IN CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATES AND SURCHARGE
NO CHANGE IN THE PEAK RATE OF CUSTOMS DUTY
CUSTOMS DUTY ON PROJECT IMPORTS SLASHED FROM 7.5 PER CENT TO 5 PER CENT
DUTY ON STEEL AND ALUMINNUM SCRAP ABOLISHED
EXCISE DUTY ON PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR REDUCED FROM 16 PER CENT TO 8 PER CENT
SMALL CARS, TWO AND THREE WHEELERS, BUSES AND THEIR CHASSIS TO COST LESS
NON FILTER CIGARETTES TO COST MORE, EXCISE ON NON FILTER CIGARETTES WILL BE AT PAR WITH FILTER CIGARETTES
FOUR MORE SERVICES BROUGHT UNDER SERVICE TAX NET
THRESHOLD LIMIT OF EXEMPTION FOR SMALL SERVICE PROVIDERS INCREASED FROM RS. 8 LAKH TO RS. 10 LAKH
CUSTOMS DUTY ON CRUDE AND UNREFINED SULPHUR BROUGHT DOWN FROM 5 TO 2 PER CENT
EXPORT DUTY ON CHROME ORE INCREASED FROM RS. 2000 TO RS. 3000 PER METRIC TONNE
CENVAT ON ALL GOODS REDUCED FROM 16 TO 14 PER CENT
CENTRAL SALES TAX PROPOSED TO BE REDUCED TO 2 PER CENT FROM APRIL 08
EXCISE DUTY ON BULK CEMENT BROUGHT ON PAR WITH PACKAGED CEMENT; CLINKERS TO ATTRACT EXCISE DUTY OF RS. 450 PER METRIC TONNE
PAN MADE COMPULSORY FOR ALL TRANSACTIONS IN THE FINANCIAL MARKET SUBJECT TO SUITABLE EXEMPTION LIMIT
ALLOCATION FOR DEFENCE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT FROM 96,000 CRORE TO RS. 105,600 CRORE
REVENUE DEFICIT ESTIMATED AT RS. 55,184 CRORE
FISCAL DEFICIT PEGGED AT 2.5 PER CENT OF GDP
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