May 2012 National Affairs

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on 28 May 2012 quashed the 4.5 per cent sub-quota for minorities carved out of the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs by the Union government. A high court division bench of Chief Justice Madan Lokur and Justice P V Sanjay Kumar observed that the Union government’s move was based on religious lines and not any other consideration. The court was hearing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by backward classes leader R Krishnaiah against the sub-quota. The Union Government will move to the Supreme Court against the high court verdict.

The Union Government of India on 1 June 2012 announced to constitute an implementation panel to look into the ways of implementing the Dharmadhikari committee report on Air India and Indian Airlines merger. The implementation panel will also suggest the issues including pay, allowances and career progression structure. The four-member Dharmadhikari committee constituted in January 2012, on integration of nearly 29000 employees of Air India and Indian Airlines.

Bihar bans Manufacture and Sale of Gutka and Paan Masala

Nitish Kumar led Bihar government has imposed a ban on the manufacture, sale and storage of Gutka and Paan Masala in the state for one year, with immediate effect.

Officials in the chief minister’s office said the health department had issued a notification to this effect.

As per an order issued by the commissioner of food safety-cum-secretary, health, the manufacture, sale, distribution and storage of all the gutka and paan masala containing tobacco and nicotine would be banned in the state for the next one year under the Food Safety and Standards (Regulation) Act 2011 “in the public interest”.

Surface-to-air Akash missile test fired

Two days after its successful trial, India today again test-fired the indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile from the test range at Chandipur near Balsoer.

"The user specific trial, which formed part of the country's routine air defence exercises, was conducted from the ITR," said a Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) official associated with the ‘Akash’ missile project.

To re-validate the technology and operational efficacy of the anti-aircraft missile, Defence forces conducted the trial with logistic support provided by the ITR.

E-waste volume set to reach eight lakh metric tonnes: Government

E-waste generated in the country is expected to reach eight lakh metric tonnes, marking an increase of nearly five-and-half times of the same generated in 2005, the government told the Rajya Sabha today.

In a written reply to the House, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said, "Based on a survey by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), it is estimated that 1.47 lakh metric tons of e-waste was generated in the country in 2005, which is expected to increase to about 8 lakh MT by 2012."

On steps taken by government to tackle import of such waste, she said, "Import is permitted only for recycling or recovery or reuse with the permission of the Environment Ministry or the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)."

Reforms in Biotechnology Sector

Minister of State for Planning, Science &Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Ashwani Kumar stated in Rajya Sabha today Govt. proposes to bring reforms in the regulatory framework in the bio-technology sector.

In reply to a question he said that currently research import, export, manufacture and use of all biotechnology products and processes involving genetically engineering are regulated through a elaborate food and environmental safety assessment under EPA Act 1986 (Rules 1989) administered under the Ministry of Environment and Forest. 

National Judicial Commission

The proposal for setting up of National Judicial Commission has been on the anvil since 1990. But despite the recommendations of various Commissions including the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission, the proposal has not reached a logical conclusion.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bills moved in 1990 as well as 2003 lapsed on both the occasions due to dissolution of the House. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice said that currently, appointment of Judges to High Courts and Supreme Court is based on Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts prepared in 1998.

India Post Celeberates 25 Years of Speed Post Service

Shri Kapil Sibal ,Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology today inaugurated the two day annual conference of Heads of Circle of the Department of Posts. A special cover to mark 25 years of Speed Post was also released by the Minister on the occasion. The Minister gave away prizes to top three Postal Circles for generating highest rate of revenue growth in Speed Post during 2010-11, on the occasion.

While Karnataka Circle walked away with the first prize and DG Post’s Rolling Trophy, Jammu and Kashmir Circle and Jharkhand Circle secured the second and third position respectively. Speed Post is the premium Express Mail Service of India Post. It was launched in August, 1986 to meet the “felt-need” of the developing Indian economy. It offers a time-bound and assured delivery of letters, documents and parcels up to 35kg across the nation and around the world.

Government pension scheme for Indians abroad

The Indian government is promoting a new Pension and Life Insurance Fund (PILF) scheme in a bid to provide financial security to poor Indians working abroad.

Indian embassies have been told to help those wanting to subscribe to PILF, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said here while launching the pilot scheme Tuesday.

Railway Budget 2012

Passenger fares increased marginally. The increase will be by 2 paise per km for suburban and ordinary second class; 3 paise per km for mail/express second class; 5 paise per km for sleeper class; 10 paise per km for AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier and First Class; 15 paise per km for AC 2 tier and 30 paise per km for AC I.

Minimum fare and platform tickets to cost Rs 5.

50 per cent concession in fare in AC-2, AC-3, Chair Car & Sleeper classes to patients suffering from 'Aplastic Anaemia' and 'Sickle Cell Anaemia'.

Extending the facility of travel by Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to Arjuna Awardees.

Travel distance under 'Izzat Scheme' to increase from 100 kms to 150 kms.

SMS on passenger mobile phone in case of e-ticket to be accepted as proof of valid reservation.

Higher Education Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students

Under the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, out of 82,000 fresh scholarships available every year, 50% scholarships are given to girl students, fulfilling other requirements under the scheme. For graduates Rs. 10,000 per annum for first three years and for post graduates Rs. 20,000 per annum is admissible under the scheme. There is no fresh selection at post graduate level. Students pursuing professional courses would get Rs. 10,000 per annum for first three years and Rs. 20,000 per annum for 4th and 5th year. The Scholarship under the scheme is renewed from year to year up to post graduate level in the same stream.

Bihar moots new plan to increase green cover

Patna: The Bihar government is considering a proposal to launch Vrikshpal (guards of plants) scheme in rural areas under which a Vrikshpal will be given maintenance rights for 30 years over a unit of 350 trees planted on government land in the vicinity of villages.

Forest and Environment Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the scheme, the first of its kind in the country, would be helpful in protection and maintenance of trees planted on government land.
“If a Vrikshpal remains steady and sincere and his/her work is found to be satisfactory then the maintenance rights will be extended for another 30 years,” he added.

Vidya Balan receives her Best Actress National Award

Talents from India’s $2-billion Indian movie industry received from Vice President Hamid Ansari the 59th National Film Awards across various categories here on Thursday. Veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee was also honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award, highest honour in Indian cinema at the event.Regional cinema dominated the award function, while Bollywood maintained a low key this year.

Top honours, including best feature film, best direction and best actor titles, were bagged by regional talents, while Bollywood’s bold and beautiful Vidya Balan kept the Hindi film industry in the reckoning by receiving the best actress trophy for The Dirty Picture.
Vidya came on the dais in a rose pink-coloured sari with her hair neatly tied in a bun to receive the award.

Soumitra Chatterjee to receive Dada Saheb Phalke Award

Legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee who has portrayed a versatile rage of lead characters in films by Satyajit Ray, has been selected for been selected for highest film honour. He will receive the 2011 Dada Saheb Palke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema.

After the National Award, the government announced four front runners for the coveted honour – Pran, Manoj Kumar, Vyjathimala and Soumitra Chatterjee. The veteran actor made his film debut with Ray’s 1959 film ‘Apur Sansar’ and went on to act in several other masterpieces like – Devi, Charulata and Ghore Baire.

Chatterjee, 77 has worked alongside most of the stalwarts of the industry, including legendary actor, Bengali matinne idol Uttam Kumar and some of the best directors of the country. Besides Ray, his work with other directors includes – Tapan Sinha’s Kshudito Pashan and Mrinal Sen’s Mahaprithivi.

Sukma collector likely to be freed by Maoists today

The 12-day long hostage crisis in Chhattisgarh is expected to end on Thursday as the Naxals have said they will be releasing Sukma District collector Alex Paul Menon before the public in Tadhmetla.

Negotiators B D Sharma and G Hargopal on 3rd may  morning left the state capital for Chintalnaar, from where they are slated to move to the jungles inside Tadhmetla.

The mediators are then likely to escort the IAS officer to Raipur for a medical check-up.
The breakthrough in the hostage crisis is likely after four rounds of talks between the Raman Singh government and Maoist-appointed mediators.

High-security registration plates for vehicles launched in Delhi

The ambitious High Security Registration Plates project has been launched in the Capital.

According to Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, implementation of the HSRP project involves installation of tamper-free number plates on vehicles which will help in checking vehicle thefts.

As per the new order, all newly registered vehicles will have to get the HSRP in the first phase. Subsequently, the old/existing vehicles will be covered from June 15.

The HSRP is made of 1 mm thick aluminium, has a retro-reflective sheet, a chromium based hologram and an India in-scripted hot stamping foil. It will have a unique laser code of minimum seven digits and embossed registration number. Other features of HSRP are that it will have self-destructive windshield sticker and a non-reusable snap lock.

SAARC nations to emulate India’s poll practices

India’s success in holding elections through electronic systems including the use of EVMs, has caught the fancy of Pakistan and other SAARC countries, which have expressed the desire to emulate it in their respective areas.

As heads of poll management bodies of SAARC countries got together to evolve solutions to common problems at the ongoing 3rd conference of heads of election management bodies of SAARC nations here, India showcased its use of modern technology for strengthening democracy and election management systems.

India made a presentation on use of technology in election management which generated encouraging response from Election Commissions of SAARC countries.

Platform ticket to cost Rs 5 from May 1

Get ready to shell out Rs 5 instead of Rs 3 for entering railway platforms across the country as the increased platform ticket rate will come into effect from Tuesday, May 1.

The hike in platform ticket was announced in the Rail Budget in Parliament and accordingly the new rate of platform ticket would be Rs 5 instead of Rs 3, a senior Railway Ministry official said.

The increased rate of platform tickets will be charged on tickets issued from May 1. A platform ticket is valid for two hours.

Proposals to increase train fares across the board along with platform ticket were announced by the then Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi in the budget.

Government allows use of MPLAD funds to build railway halt stations

Members of Parliament can now use funds provided under the MPLAD scheme for construction of railway halt stations.

"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme...can be used for construction of railway halt station to facilitate the local community for easy access to railways and boarding or de-boarding from the train," Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena said in a statement here.

Under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the district collector works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency.

Green signal from ISRO for Railway's internet in train proposal

Surfing the Internet in trains without using data card seems to be a distinct possibility now as the Railways have got the much-awaited clearance from space agency ISRO for using the satellite for the purpose.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has given the clearance for using the frequency from KU band for using the satellite for Internet, said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding it will be for the first time that Internet will be operational in moving trains through satellite.

Though Railways had proposed two years back to provide Internet in trains, the project could not take off due to the absence of ISRO clearance.

"ISRO's clearance for using frequency from satellite for Internet is mandatory. Now that we have got the clearance, work on the project will commence soon," said the official.

April 2012 National Affairs

President Pratibha Patil on 18 April 2012 released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the birth centenary of President R. Venkataraman at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The release of the stamp marked the end of year-long centenary celebrations organised from December 2010 onward to celebrate the life of India's eighth President, R. Venkataraman.

The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 gave its approval to the introduction of a Bill seeking an amendment in the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 to include registration of marriages as well, so that the existing administrative mechanisms will be able to carry out such registration of marriages in accordance with the specified procedures and be able to maintain necessary records and statistics for registration of marriages also.