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Civil Services
INDEX
Mentor LOKPAL BILL
A DRAMA UNFOLD..
January: 2012

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LOKPAL BILL
A Drama Unfold
would have given the Lokpal consti- as it seeks to create an autonomous
tutional status. On December 22, the and independent Lokpal at the Cen-
government introduced the Bill tre and Lokayuktas in the States with
along with the Constitution (116th powers of superintendence and di-
Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. rection over investigation and pros-
However the UPA government didn’t ecution of public servants accused
put it to vote in the Upper House. of corruption. Yet, it failed to secure
This Bill incorporated some of the the requisite support in the Lok
recommendations of the Parliamen- Sabha because members found a
tary Standing Committee on Person- huge gap between its object and the
The Jan Lokpal Bill campaign began nel, Public Grievances, Law and Jus- provisions of the Lokpal and
in January 2011 in the backdrop of tice. This was a completely new Bill Lokayuktas Bill.
the publicity that accompanied the as the government had withdrawn
several mega-scams that surfaced its previous Lokpal Bill, which it in- During the debate in Parliament, the
in 2010, notably those relating to the troduced in the Lok Sabha on August opposition was critical of the
Commonwealth Games and the 4, 2011, and later referred to the government's control over the selec-
telecom spectrum allocations. It Standing Committee. The Standing tion and removal of members of the
caught the public imagination with Committee tabled its report on De- Lokpal. But the Standing Commit-
Anna Hazare's fast at Jantar Mantar cember 9, 2011. The August Bill did tee report shows that it wanted to
in New Delhi in April 2011. That not propose to confer constitutional dilute the provisions with regard to
forced the UPA government to con- status on the Lokpal. The Standing selection and removal in the Bill that
stitute a joint drafting committee for Committee recommended constitu- was introduced in August. That Bill
a Lokpal bill. The civil society repre- tional status so that the Lokpal had had proposed a nine-member selec-
sentatives in the committee pro- higher stature and increased legiti- tion committee, five of whom would
posed a bill called the Jan Lokpal macy. The committee believed that have been government nominees.
bill, which became the basis for dis- constitutional status would enhance The Standing Committee recom-
cussions. The basic principles on the legal and moral authority of the mended a four-member selection
which the bill was drafted were Lokpal institution and also insulate committee comprising the Prime
culled from the United Nations Con- the basic principles of the Lokpal Minister, the Speaker of the Lok
vention against Corruption, which from the vicissitudes of ordinary or Sabha, the Chief Justice of India
required all countries to put in place transient majorities. (CJI), an eminent Indian nominated
anti-corruption investigative agen- unanimously by the Comptroller and
cies that would be independent of Yet, the Lok Sabha, which passed the Auditor General (CAG), the Chief
the executive government and would Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill with a Election Commissioner (CEC) and
have the jurisdiction to investigate few amendments, rejected the Con- the Chairman of the Union Public
all public servants for corruption. stitution (116th Amendment) Bill, Service Commission (UPSC), and the
The Lok Sabha passed a historic which required two-thirds majority Leader of the Opposition in the Lok
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, but of the House present and voting for Sabha. The December Bill proposes
defeated a parallel Constitution its passage. The object of the Con- five members, of whom three should
(116th Amendment) Bill, which stitution Amendment Bill is laudable be government nominees – the

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Prime Minister, the Speaker, the says, shall refer a preliminary in- case for preliminary inquiry to the
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok quiry against Group A, B, C and D CBI (other than Group A, B, C and D
Sabha – and the CJI or a judge of the employees to the Central Vigilance officers). The Bill also provides that
Supreme Court nominated by the CJI, Commission (CVC). The Bill further the Lokpal shall exercise general
and one eminent jurist nominated by says that after conducting the in- superintendence over the CBI (simi-
the President. Had the government quiry, the CVC shall submit a report lar to the CVC's supervision cur-
accepted the Standing Committee's to the Lokpal in the case of Group A rently). These additional dilutions in
recommendation, it could have and B employees and proceed ac- the later Bill, according to critics,
dented somewhat the opposition's cording to specified procedure in the reduce the Lokpal to just a post of-
criticism. case of Group C and D staff. The fice.
CVC, according to the current Bill,
Though the Bill kept the CBI with the shall send periodic reports to the The committee recommended that
government, it allowed the Lokpal to Lokpal on its cases. the Lokpal conduct only the prelimi-
have its own anti-corruption inves- nary inquiry and that it be authorised
tigative body. It eliminated the need The Rajya Sabha witnessed a sordid to initiate it suo motu. In such cases,
to get prior sanction for investiga- drama. Several parties which had the inquiry would have to be done
tion from the government. It provided walked out in the Lok Sabha (the by a five-member Lokpal Bench that
for the confiscation of the assets of Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan is not connected with the suo motu
corrupt public servants and the re- Samaj Party) or had not moved any initiation. More important, the ac-
covery of losses caused by their acts amendments there (the Trinamool cused would not get an opportunity
of corruption from them. But it cre- Congress) moved amendments in to be heard at this stage, though the
ated a terribly cumbersome proce- the Rajya Sabha and their represen- Bill of August allowed that. The later
dure for investigation, by which a tatives delivered fiery speeches op- Bill rejects both these recommenda-
preliminary inquiry and hearing of posing the provisions of the Bill. tions and sticks to the August ver-
the corrupt public servant were made When it became clear that at least sion, which provided that the Lokpal
compulsory before investigation three of the amendments (those re- could initiate an inquiry only on the
could begin. This ended the possi- lating to the selection and removal basis of a complaint by a citizen. The
bility of making surprise raids and of Lokpal members, the CBI being only concession the Bill makes is that
seizures on the premises of corrupt brought under the administrative the Lokpal shall have its own inquiry
public servants or their abettors. The control of the Lokpal, and the dele- wing to conduct a preliminary in-
Bill of August provided that the tion of the chapter on Lokayuktas in quiry on a complaint it has received
Lokpal would have its own investi- the States) were likely to be passed, and has decided can be inquired
gation and prosecution wings. The the government engineered distur- into.
Standing Committee, however, bances in the House, resorted to fili-
sought to dilute this by recommend- bustering and prevented the amend- Under Article 252 or 253
ing instead that the Lokpal conduct ments from being voted upon. And
a preliminary inquiry, after which the the House was prorogued with the Some parties questioned that lokpal
Central Bureau of Investigation Bill hanging in the air.The drama in bill should be brought under article
(CBI) would investigate. Also, the the Rajya Sabha showed that the 253 & not under article 252.
CBI would have autonomy over its government was not even willing to Article 252: Article 252. Power of
investigation. go by the will of Parliament. This Parliament to legislate for two or
gives rise to fundamental questions more States by consent and adop-
The committee also proposed that about the functioning of Indian de- tion of such legislation by any other
the Lokpal will have a supervisory mocracy. State
role over the CBI in cases relating The Bill adds that if a prima facie (1) If it appears to the Legislatures
to Group A and B officers. The Bill case exists against a public servant, of two or more States to be desir-
of December further diluted these the Lokpal may refer it to the CBI for able that any of the matters with
recommendations. The Lokpal, it investigation. Also, it may refer a respect to which Parliament has no




power to make laws for the States lows a strong central bias. Notices for 187 Amend-
except as provided in Articles 249 Some of the special features of In- ments in Rajya Sabha
and 250 should be regulated in such dia are as follows:
States by Parliament by law, and if Agreement between the States: If
Notice had been given for as many
resolutions to that effect are passed two states agree that the Parliament
as 187 amendments to the Lokpal
by all the House of the Legislatures can legally make laws with respect
and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 including
of those States, it shall be lawful for to the two states, then the Parlia-
from the Trinamool Congress for
Parliament to pass an Act for regu- ment can make laws relating to any
deletion of the entire Part III of the
lating that matter accordingly, and law or set of laws related to the State
Bill regarding establishment of the
any Act so passed shall apply to Laws. This is an extension of the Par-
Lokayuktas. The Biju Janata Dal and
such States and to any other State liamentary legislative as laid down
the Shiromani Akali Dal too had given
by which it is adopted afterwards by by the Article 252 of the Indian Con-
similar notices. By afternoon, the
resolution passed in that behalf by stitution.
Rajya Sabha had received 173
the House or, where there are two
amendment notices. The number
Houses, by each of the Houses of Implementation of Treaties: The
swelled to 187 by evening as an-
the Legislature of that State. Parliament makes laws for the
nounced by the Minister of State for
(2) Any Act so passed by Parliament implementation of treaties, even if
Personnel V. Narayanasamy. Nor-
may be amended or repealed by an the subject falls under the legisla-
mally notices are taken 24 hours in
Act of Parliament passed or adopted tive power of the State, for the big-
advance but on Thursday, notices
in like manner but shall not, as re- ger international interest of the
were accepted till late evening, while
spects any State to which it applies, country. This power has been given
the government took the stand in the
be amended or repealed by an Act to the Union by the Article 253.
House that there were too many
of the Legislature of that State
amendments which “needed consid-
Suggested Amendments: Team
eration.”
Article 253: Article 253. Legislation Anna had suggested 34 amendments
for giving effect to international to rectify the government's Bill, and
Among major amendments were the
agreements Notwithstanding any- pointed out that four of these were
ones given by the Bharatiya Janata
thing in the foregoing provisions of critical to making the Lokpal a work-
Party for deletion of words “not less
this Chapter, Parliament has power able institution. These were that the
than” 50 per cent of members of
to make any law for the whole or any selection and removal procedure
Lokpal belonging to Scheduled
part of the territory of India for should be made independent of the
Castes, Scheduled tribes, Other
implementing any treaty, agreement government; the CBI should be
Backward Classes, Minorities and
or convention with any other coun- brought under the Lokpal's admin-
Women in Clause 3. They also asked
try or countries or any decision made istrative control or, alternatively, the
for deletion of the word ‘Minorities'
at any international conference, as- Lokpal should have its own investi-
in Clause 3 and inclusion of Leader
sociation or other body. gative body; all government ser-
of Opposition in Rajya Sabha on Se-
vants should be brought under the
lection Committee in Clause 4. They
Relation between Union and States Lokpal's investigative ambit; and the
also wanted Lokpal to appoint his
The relation between Union and procedure for investigation should
secretary and not select from a
States is the very bedrock of the In- be in line with the normal criminal
panel given by the government.
dian Federal system. India is a fed- investigation procedure. But the gov-
eral State with a national govern- ernment was adamant in not ac-
The Communist Party of India (Marx-
ment and a government of each con- cepting any of these either, and
ist) gave amendment for replace-
stituent state. Although the structure went on to bulldoze the passage of
ment of eminent jurist on the Selec-
of India is federal in a general way, its Bill. It rejected all the amend-
tion Committee with “an eminent
yet there are certain aspects that are ments moved by the Opposition in
person to be nominated by the Chief
unique to federalism as practiced in the Lower House.
Election Commissioner, Comptroller
India. The Indian government fol-
and Auditor General and Union Pub-




lic Service Commission. They also row - one with a clean and indepen- ness in W. Bengal. But at present,
wanted the Inquiry Wing under the dent CBI under an incorruptible everything she does is to extract the
Lokpal to be replaced by “Investiga- Lokpal. But after an entire year of maximum from the Congress.
tion Wing” with the Central govern- wrangling with the government.
ment providing officers and staff Conclusion
under exclusive jurisdiction of the Meanwhile, the elections in UP are
Lokpal as decided in consultation round the corner, and the Congress India’s politicians again stand dis-
with the Lokpal. The Party gave an- has been expanding its reach with credited in the eyes of people, who
other amendment for inclusion un- some crafty electoral mathematics, are asking questions to which the
der the Lokpal of “any corporate a specialization offered at the politicians, both the ruling party and
body, its promoters, its officers in- Allahabad University. Ajit Singh is the opposition, do not have an an-
cluding Director against whom there already in the bag. He was traded swer. If we truly want to make India
is a complaint of corruption in rela- the lucrative civil aviation ministry corruption free we need to look at
tion to grant of government licence, in return for joining the Congress the new generation. Yes the govern-
lease, contract, agreement or any electoral alliance in UP. Likewise, thement can help — first by cleaning
other action to influence govern- Railway Ministry is being “dangled” up their administration and then by
ment policy through corrupt means.” in front of Mulayam Singh Yadav of punishing corrupt people so severely
They wanted Lokpal to take suo the SP. Doing well in the UP elections that punishment becomes a deter-
motu action in a compliant of cor- will surely serve as a shot in the arm rent to corruption. The government
ruption. for the Congress. First, it might can support and reward honesty —
cause a mental breakdown for reward people who pay taxes in-
Other Angle Mayawati, especially after the elec- stead of harassing them and go af-
tion commission decided to cover ter the people who do not pay taxes
Passing of “Lokpal” Bill seems quite her statues across the state. Sec- and yet lead opulent lives. Reward-
an impossible task,because every ondly, it sets the stage for Rahul ing honesty and penalising dishon-
party to it has its interest.The UPA Gandhi’s coronation as the PM. Be- esty will create an ecosystem that
government summarily “check- sides, it will also give the Congress supports a life of integrity. Let the
mated” the social activists and greater leverage against Didi. honest man be privileged and ac-
drove them into existential crisis knowledged so that people aspire to
while simultaneously reducing the On the other side of this pitched be honest.
Lokpal bill to a maere a game tool. battle is the opportunistic BJP, which
At the moment, the activists will be recently threw open its gates for We need to target schools and col-
happier with the “no bill at all” than Mayawati discards in UP. In contrast, leges; motivate the youngsters to
the current version of the bill tabled the same BJP passed a strong take charge so that they can start
by the government. None of the po- Lokayutkha bill in Uttarkhand. The changing the world around them. We
litical parties wants the Lokpal bill. BJP’s goal is simple - stall the bill, have to stop paying the cop for traf-
Even if individual politicians want it, harp on the government’s incompe- fic offences, and we have to have
they can’t do a thing about it be- tence, and cash in on the general dis- the will to fight each time a bribe is
cause their “High Command” does content in the country, in hope of asked of us. The people of India need
not want it. But the country’s future riding an anti-corruption wave to get the media now — the media that
is at stake. The politicians are out back in power. The battle lines are catapulted the movement to fame
to maintain the status-quo in order drawn. On one side is the Congress needs to open an action line where
to protect their corrupt practices and party and its fickle, calculative al- every act of corruption can be re-
ill-gotten wealth. But Team Anna lies. The leading trouble-maker ported and exposed. Because this
has accepted this mission and is not among the allies is the TMC. The battle can be won, this change can
going to relent until their goals are Congress needs her now and she be made and we do not need regu-
met. Team Anna rallied the masses knows that. Her primary long-term lation to do so.
and raised hopes of a utopian tomor- goal is to put the CPI(M) out of busi-




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India-Japan
Starting Active Partnership
billion to $15 billion will help India
this month, India, Japan, and the
better manage the rupee's slump United States held their first trilat-
against the dollar. This should also eral strategic dialogue. It is credit-
boost financial cooperation and eco- able that despite the political insta-
nomic and trade ties, which are cur- bility in Japan, and the scandal-in-
rently far below potential. The In- duced paralysis in India, both coun-
dian side wants more Japanese in- tries managed to fit in these high-
The determined effort by India and vestment. For its part, Japan, which level exchanges. It is crucial that
Japan to inject life into their bilat-has just lifted a longstanding ban ongrowing India-Japan ties are viewed
eral relationship is showing positive the export of weapons, will be look- independently of each country's re-
results. The meeting between Prime ing to sell defence hardware to New lations with China. New Delhi and
Minister Manmohan Singh and Japa- Delhi. Beijing are engaged in improving
nese premier Yoshihiko Noda, the relations at various levels, including
sixth of the annual India-Japan sum- Prime Minister Noda reiterated his trade, eventually aiming to amica-
mits, is a marker of the steady gratitude for the substantial support bly resolve the boundary question.
progress. It yielded the first official extended from India in the wake of China is Japan's biggest trading part-
confirmation since Japan's devastat- the Great East Japan Earthquake. ner; the two have a bilateral trade
ing tsunami-earthquake-Fukushima Prime Minister Singh expressed his of $340 billion that neither can af-
meltdown that the country has not hope that Japan will make a full re- ford to endanger. The fears ex-
shut the door on a civilian nuclear covery as early as possible.The two pressed in a section of China's news
deal with India. While Mr. Noda Prime Ministers concurred that, as media that Mr. Noda's visit is part
stressed the importance of learning next year marks the 60th anniversary of a “containment strategy” aimed
the right lessons from Japan's of the establishment of diplomatic at Beijing are needless. The Chinese
nuclear accident, it appears that relations between Japan and India, government has done well to play
negotiations on a deal to assist In- they would make best use of the them down.
dia develop peaceful nuclear energy opportunity to strengthen cultural
will continue. and people-to-people exchanges in History
order to deepen mutual understand-
His pledge of $4.5 billion over the ing at their citizens' level. Exchange between Japan and India
next five years for the development is said to have begun in the 6th cen-
of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Cor- Prime Minister Noda's visit capped tury when Buddhism was introduced
ridor, a commitment of financial as- a year of intense bilateral activity. to Japan. Indian culture, filtered
sistance for two more infrastructure The Foreign Ministers held a strate- through Buddhism, has had a great
projects — Phase 3 of the Delhi gic dialogue in October, followed by impact on Japanese culture, and this
Metro and a biodiversity conserva- talks between the defence minis- is the source of the Japanese
tion project in West Bengal — and ters. In February, the two sides people's sense of closeness to In-
his interest in sharing high-speed signed the Comprehensive Economic dia. After World War II, in 1949, In-
railway technology with India are sig- Partnership Agreement covering dian Prime Minister Jawaharlal
nificant. Japan's enhancement of its trade in goods as well as services; Nehru donated two Indian elephants
currency swap arrangement from $3 it came into effect in August. Earlier to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. This




brought a ray of light into the lives and Prime Minister Singh's visit to manufacturing abilities, whereas
of the Japanese people who still had Japan in October 2008, have led to India has advantages in IT services
not recovered from defeat in the war. the establishment of the "Strategic and bioinformatics. Thanks to
Japan and India signed a peace and Global Partnership between vigorous economic growth in the
treaty and established diplomatic Japan and India" as well as the wake of the economic reforms and
relations on 28th April, 1952. This further strengthening of the bilateralthe “Look East Policy” introduced
treaty was one of the first peace relationship. Most recently, during after 1991, India has successfully
treaties Japan signed after the World Prime Minister Hatoyama's visit to deepened its economic relations
War II. Ever since the establishment India in December 2009, Japan and with the East Asian countries. We
of diplomatic relations, the two India singed the Joint Statement can see a remarkable expansion of
countries have enjoyed cordial rela- "New Stage of Japan-India Strategic India’s economic tie-ups with the
tions. and Global Partnership". ASEAN countries, China and Korea
since the late 1990s, with only
Bilateral Treaties and While India has become the largest IndoJapan relations lagging behind.
Agreements recipient of Japanese ODA since India-China bilateral trade has
2003-04, both bilateral trade in remarkably expanded to be more
goods and Japan’s FDI into India than four times larger than India-
» Treaty of Peace (1952)
have almost stagnated during the Japan bilateral trade.
» Agreement for Air Service (1956) past decade. With major Indian
» Cultural Agreement (1957) exports to Japan being dominated Koizumi’s Visit to India
» Agreement of Commerce (1958) by products of mineral oils, gems & in 2005
» Convention for the Avoidance of jewels, marine products (mainly
Double Taxation (1960) shrimps) and iron ore, India and The significance of visit of Japanese
» Agreement on Cooperation in the Japan have not yet formed such a Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in
field of Science and Technology dynamic international division of 2005 cannot be understated
(1985) labour as can be seen among the considering the fact that this was the
East Asian countries. Japan’s first visit by a Japanese head of state
In the post World War II period, cumulative FDI into India is so far after a hiatus of nearly half a
India's iron ore helped a great deal larger than that of Korea, but as far decade. Prior to that, only two
Japan's recovery from the as electronics appliances are serving Japanese heads of state
devastation. Following Japanese concerned, Japanese companies have visited India with a 10 year gap.
Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi's visit have been overwhelmed by Korean While these statistics amply
to India in 1957, Japan started companies in the Indian market. demonstrate that a regular exchange
providing yen loans to India in 1958, of high-level political visits have
as the first yen loan aid extended India and Japan are highly been a weak link in Indo-Japanese
by Japanese government. Since complementary economies, but their ties, perhaps Prime Minister
1986, Japan has become India's mutual complementarities remained Koizumi’s visit is a landmark one as
largest aid donor, and remains so. underexploited hitherto. Recently, it promises to initiate bilateral
Prime Minister Mori's visit to India however, a new tide has been comprehensive ventures into two
in August 2000 provided the observed in Japan to expand Indo- areas - economic and strategic,
momentum to strengthen the Japan- Japan relations based on mutual which were lying potentially
India relationship. Since then, annual complementarities. Japan has untapped for several years. The
meetings between prime ministers, abundant capital and is highly highlight of the Prime Minister’s visit
including Prime Minister Koizumi's advanced in technological skills and was indubitably the signing of the
visit to India in April 2005, Prime product development while India is ‘Japan-India Partnership in a New
Minister Singh's visit to Japan in endowed with a huge market and Asian Era: Strategic Orientation of a
December 2006, Prime Minister abundant human resources. Japan is Japan-India Global Partnership’ — an
Abe's visit to India in August 2007, outstanding in terms of eight-fold initiative announced




towards strengthening Japan-India certainly a more comprehensive common interests and concerns in
Global Partnership, which include delineation and framework of areas the years to come so that they can
the following: of common interests and concerns. look back at their relations with pride
» Enhanced and upgraded dialogue In a nutshell, it can be stated that and satisfaction at the end of the
architecture, including strengthening there is a unique paradox that has next five decades, when we
of the momentum of high-level defined India-Japan relations at celebrate a hundred years of the
exchanges, launching of a High Level large. On the one hand, there has establishment of relations.
Strategic Dialogue and full been the absence of any major Bilateral trade is expanding in the
utilization of the existing dialogue dispute. On the other, however, what recent years. However, the speed
mechanisms. has been missing is the richness that and scope of expansion are still
» Comprehensive economic could have characterized bilateral limited. Joint Study Group (JSG),
engagement, through expansion of ties. In other words, the relationship composed of government officials
trade in goods and services, to date can be chronicled as one of and representatives of business and
investment flows and other areas of missed opportunities. It is clear that academia from the two countries,
economic cooperation, and the synergy of Indo-Japanese held four meetings after July, 2005.
exploration of a Japan-India cooperation is essential not just to JSG submitted its report to both
economic partnership agreement. Prime Ministers when they met in
further bilateral relations, but for the
greater cause of a more secure Asia- July, 2006, which includes a
» Enhanced security dialogue and
Pacific region. Even though the visit recommendation for launching EPA
cooperation.
by Prime Minister Koizumi was short, negotiations. In December, 2006, the
» Science & Technology Initiative it should be used as bedrock for Prime Ministers of the two countries
» Cultural an academic initiatives furthering bilateral ties. decided to launch immediate
and strengthening of people-to- negotiations for the conclusion of a
people contacts An increased awareness among the bilateral Economic Partnership
» Cooperation in ushering a new general populace of the two nations A g r e e m e n t / C o m p r e h e n s i v e
Asian era as envisaged under the eight-fold Economic Partnership Agreement
» Cooperation in the UN and other initiative is equally crucial as the aiming to complete in substance as
international organization, including extent of media coverage received soon as possible in approximately
early reform of the UN Security by such landmark steps as Koizumi’s two years. Thirteen rounds of
Council visit and need to be highlighted. negotiations were held in New Delhi
» Cooperation in responding to While India’s embarkation on a ‘Look and Tokyo respectively as of July
global challenges and opportunities. East’ policy in the last decade was 2010.
symptomatic of the significance
While this eight-fold initiative India attaches to the region, the time Japan-India Strategic Dialogue on
incorporates many issues addressed has come to exploit the full potential Economic Issues which reviews the
by the two countries in their Joint of interaction with countries like current status of bilateral economic
Declaration of December 2001, it is Japan. The two countries should issues discussed at Summit
work together in the areas of meetings, and undertakes

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coordination as necessary was held 3 times in New Delhi and Tokyo with the negotiations with a view to
respectively as of July 2010 since the Dialogue was launched in July 2007. concluding an Agreement for
In August 2007, the Business Leaders' Forum was held in New Delhi on the Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of
occasion of Prime Minister Abe's visit to India, and the Second meeting Nuclear Energy in a mutually
was held in Tokyo in October 2008. satisfactory manner. With regard to
rare earths, the two Prime Ministers
shared the view that both
Governments should continue their
dialogue in order for Japanese and
Indian enterprises to jointly
undertake industrial activities.
The long-awaited India-Japan CEPA/
Japanese private-sector’s interest in India is rising, and, currently, about EPA was finally signed in February
627 Japanese companies have branches in India. (The figure doubled over 2011, and came into effect in
the last 3 years.) August. Tariffs will be eliminated on
90 per cent of Indian and 97 per cent
of Japanese goods over ten years.
Japan is expected to export more
auto-parts and steel products to
India and import more agricultural
and marine products from India.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the entry into force of the Japan-India National treatment, on the side of
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in August this Japan, is accorded for the
year and the commencement of negotiations on an agreement on social application of approvals for the
security. With regard to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Prime release of generic medicines. Some
Minister Noda announced the intention of the Government of Japan to improvement has been made for the
make available finance totaling 4.5 billion US dollars in the next five years. movement of people, including Yoga
The two Prime Ministers concurred that they would promote participation instructors, English teachers and
of Japanese companies to realize the DMIC. Indian cuisine masters. IndiaJapan
In this regard, both Governments reached an agreement on such issues as bilateral trade will be more than
Japan's involvement with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor doubled to $25 billion by 2014 under
Development Corporation (DMICDC), relaxation of financial restrictions the CEPA/EPA.
so as to promote DMIC projects, allocation of natural gas for DMIC projects,
and early realization of three model projects, namely, seawater desalination What is CEPA ?
at Dahej, Gujarat, a microgrid system using large-scale photovoltaic (PV)
power generation Project at Neemrana Industrial Area in Rajasthan, and The second phase of India’s Look
gas-fired independent power producer (IPP) Project in Maharashtra. The East Policy aims to achieve just that.
two Prime Ministers concurred on the need to strengthen bilateral Against this background, India-
cooperation on infrastructure development in Southern India, improvement Japan ties are appropriately
of connectivity between Chennai and Bangalore, and development of India's positioned for take-off. The
High-speed railway system. Prime Minister Noda pledged that the significance of Prime Minister
Government of Japan would extend ODA loans totaling approximately 1.7 Singh’s visit to Japan can be seen in
billion US dollars (approx. 134.3 billion yen) in total for two projects four areas: conclusion of four years
including for the Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project. The two Prime of negotiations on a Comprehensive
Ministers decided to enhance the earlier bilateral currency swap Economic Partnership Agreement
arrangement from 3 billion US dollars to 15 billion US dollars. Concerning (CEPA), deciding to speed up
civil nuclear cooperation, Prime Minister Singh noted that he understood negotiations on a civil nuclear deal,
Japan's sensitivity well. The two Prime Ministers decided to move forward simplifying visa procedures, and




finding common ground for that civil nuclear energy can be a , As for the destination of Japan’s IT
convergence of interests in securing mutually beneficial area for offshoring, currently 80 per cent of
peace and stability in Asia. CEPA is cooperation. India welcomes Japanese companies offshore to
broader than a free trade agreement Japanese firms to participate in the China and only 25 per cent to India.
because it includes steps to promote expansion of its nuclear industry for For India, Japan accounts for only
greater investment and also peaceful purposes. less than 2 per cent of its total
addresses intellectual property software and IT services exports. As
rights. The CEPA will help address Until recently, Japanese companies for Japanese subsidiaries of IBM and
this imbalance and Japan will have had a negative image about India’s Accenture, they are already fully
to reduce tariffs on 97 per cent of investment environment, which utilizing Indian IT resources through
Indian imports, and India will have constituted a sense of offshoring to their Indian
to reduce tariffs on 90 per cent of “psychological distance” from India. subsidiaries. It will be strategically
goods imported from Japan over the However, the success of Korean more important for Japanese
next decade. Japan will get greater companies in gaining a large share companies to focus on India as an
market access for most industrial of the Indian consumer electronics IT offshore location, especially if
goods, as well as several market indicates that what Japanese they want to go global.
agricultural products such as durian, companies tended to identify as
curry, tea leaves, lumber, shrimp and areas of concern, i.e. adverse The level of people-to-people
shrimp products. India will get investment environment, are not exchange between India and Japan
improved market access in Japan in necessarily critical factors that is still far from satisfactory, which
auto parts, steel panels, and other deterred Korean or Singaporean is exemplified by stagnated student
industrial materials, as well as DVD companies. The number of Japanese exchanges. It should be remembered
players, video cameras and companies in India has increased that there are as many as three
industrial machinery. from 267 in January 2006 to 438 in million Indian Americans, most of
January 2008 and from 550 in whom are professionals, playing an
The two countries began talks on a October 2008 to 725 in October indispensable role in deepening and
civilian nuclear deal in June 2010 but 2010. Their investment value has cementing the relationship between
the subject is too sensitive in Japan more than doubled to 189 billion yen India and USA. Improving the
because India has refused to adhere in 2007-08 and totalled 809 billion scholarship and Japanese language
to the NPT and CTBT as it considers yen in 2008-09, outstripping training schemes for Indian
them discriminatory, even though Japanese FDI into China. students, increasing the number of
India has voluntarily suspended lectures given in English at Japanese
nuclear testing. In late 2009, Prime Japan is globally ranked the second universities, and providing attractive
Minister Singh said that India’s largest IT market with an estimated career paths for Indian graduates to
position on the CTBT could change turnover of $100 billion. Japan is apply for Prospects and Challenges
if Beijing and Washington were to renowned as one of the most for Expanding India-Japan Economic
join the pact. China, India and the competitive nations in Relations enlarged employment
US are three of the nine “Annex 2” manufacturing industries or opportunities in Japanese
states that must ratify the treaty for hardware production. As of 2007, companies are urgently needed for
it to enter into force. Japan thus Japan had a total of 907,990 IT attracting more Indian students to
agreed to start negotiation with engineers and was short of 501,000 Japan. Now is a good time, when
India on a framework for the IT engineers including 360,000 entering a new phase of India-Japan
peaceful transfer of nuclear power professionals. Generally speaking, relations, for us to consolidate our
technologies to India. Prime Japanese companies are inclined relations especially through
Minister Kan agreed to speed up towards in-house procurement and accelerated people-to-people
negotiations, while seeking India’s are rather cautious about overseas exchanges. Number of Japanese
understanding for Japan’s IT offshoring. But when they nationals residing in India: 3,284 (as
sentiments. Both leaders agreed offshore, they prefer to turn to China of October, 2008)




Number of Indian nationals residing Project (Phase 2) (Yen Loan: 146.0
in Japan: 22,335 (as of December, million dollars).
2008). » Transmission System
Modernization and Strengthening
The Japanese economy has been Project in Hyderabad Metropolitan
strained in the aftermath of the Area (Yen Loan: 197.5 million
massive earthquake and tsunami, dollars)
accompanied by radiation leak at
the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Conclusion
We cannot ignore the after effects
of the Great East Japan Earthquake As this year marks the fifth year
on India-Japan economic relations. since the establishment of the
F irst, the number of Indian IT Japan-India Strategic and Global
engineers working in Japan has been Partnership in 2006, with the 60th
reduced from 15,000 to 7,000, since anniversary of the establishment of
many Indian IT engineers have not diplomatic relations next year, this
yet returned to Japan. Further, since State visit by Prime Minister Noda
domestic supply chains have been has impressed on all sides the
damaged by the earthquake and friendly bilateral relationship
given the record appreciation of the between Japan and India, and
yen, Japanese companies are under contributed to further consolidating
even greater pressure to reallocate a trusting relationship at the leaders' Advertise your
their production facilities to level. With regard to bilateral Business Here
emerging economies. relations, the two Prime Ministers [ Contact Us Online ]
shared the view that they should http://upscportal.com/store/contact
All these factors provide a good expand cooperation in the area of
opportunity for further accelerating maritime security in the political and
Japanese FDI into India. The security fields. Substantial progress
following two tasks should be was made in many economic areas,
addressed for further expanding including cooperation for the DMIC,
India-Japan economic relations. infrastructure development in
First, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Southern India including the
Corridor should be started along the connectivity between Chennai and
right line, which will be the Bangalore, enhancement of the
touchstone for future India-Japan bilateral currency swap
collaboration. Second, human arrangement, extension of ODA
exchanges should be promoted by loans including for the Delhi Mass
all means for cementing and Rapid Transport System, joint rare
expanding bilateral relations. earths projects, among others. With
Japanese Aid to India (1,545.7 regard to regional situations and
million dollars) global issues, the two Prime
» Kerala Water Supply Project (II) Ministers also affirmed that the two
(Yen Loan: 273.1 million dollars) countries continue cooperation in
» Delhi Mass Rapid Transport various regional issues in Asia and
System Project (Phase 2) (II) (Yen other international issues such as
Loan: 113.2 million dollars) the global economy and climate
» Gujarat Forestry Development change.




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Suggested readings and many more.
Along with these guidance programmes we are also providing.
Important news and Articles from The Hindu, Times of India and Indian Express on a daily basis.

Important Articles from Press Information Bureau and from various websites of Government Minis-
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National Issues
and Kashmir, Manipur and Andaman Seven Asian countries report an es-
Infant Mortality and Nicobar Islands, the IMR came timated 100,000 or more people liv-
Rate is Declining down by two points while it re- ing with HIV in 2009, collectively
mained static in Lakshdweep and accounting for more than 90 per cent
Infant mortality rate (IMR) has Puducherry. A one point decline was of people with HIV in the region. In-
shown a 3 point decline, dropping reported from Arunachal Pradesh, dia tops the list followed by China,
from 50 deaths per 1,000 live births Goa and Daman and Diu. Impor- Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,
to 47 and moving a step closer to tantly, the government intended to Myanmar and Vietnam, though the
achieving the Millennium Develop- set up facilities such as Special New highest prevalence rate, one per
ment Goals (MDG) target of 30. How- Born Care Units, New Born cent, was observed only in Thailand.
ever, IMR increased by one point in Stabilisation Units and New Born In Asia, the rate of HIV transmission
Kerala, Mizoram and Dadra and Baby Corners at different levels with appears to be slowing down. The
Nagar Haveli. According to the lat- at least one at the district level. The estimated 3,60,000 people who were
est Sample Registration System mother and child tracking system newly infected with HIV in Asia in
(SRS), conducted by the Registrar- had evoked a huge response, with 2010 were considerably fewer than
General of India, the two worst per- 1.32 crore women and 82.6 lakh chil- the 4,50,000 estimated for 2001.
forming States — Madhya Pradesh dren already registered.
and Himachal Pradesh — have Ex-Im Bank of India
shown an impressive 5 point decline. 50 % of HIV Patients in Amendment Bill, 2011
In the former, the figure dropped
Asia live in India
from 67 in 2009 to 62 in 2010 and in
Rajya Sabha approved the Export-
the latter, it was from 45 to 40 . While
India has half of Asia's HIV patients Import Bank of India Amendment
the IMR national average is 47, it
and is way ahead of China in dis- Bill, 2011, on 27 December 2011. It
stands at 51 in the rural areas and
ease burden. It also finds a place in aims at promoting international
31 in the urban regions. However,
the list of 22 countries prioritised for trade by raising the capital funds of
neo-natal deaths continue to be a
preventing mother to child transmis- overseas trading from two thousand
challenge where 34 babies are still
sion infection, according to the lat- crore rupees to ten thousand crore
dying for every 1,000 born.
est UNAIDS report, drafted jointly rupees. The Bill was passed by the
Union Health and Family Welfare
with the United Nations Children's Lok Sabha earlier.
Secretary P. K. Pradhan said Bihar,
Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health
Gujarat, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan,
Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Sikkim and
Organisation (WHO). About 48 lakh Lokpal and Lokayukta
people were living with HIV in Asia Bill, 2011
Tripura had shown a four-point de-
in 2010 and nearly half of them – 49
cline in the IMR. Andhra Pradesh,
per cent to be precise – are in India, The Lok Sabha on 27 December 2011,
Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana,
says the report released on the eve approved the Lokpal and Lokayukta
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi,
of World AIDS Day. The percentage Bill, 2011 with the government mak-
Nagaland, Uttarakhand and
of pregnant women who tested posi- ing it clear that setting up of
Chandigarh have shown a three-
tive for HIV infection in India also Lokayuktas by the states would not
point decline. Similarly, in Jharkhand,
rose from 2 per cent in 2005 t0 23 be mandatory. However, the Consti-
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu
per cent in 2010. tutional Amendment Bill, designed




to confer constitutional status on the licensing rights for. MI17 — the su-
anti-corruption watchdog, fell A bill to Add More per-secret military intelligence de-
through, as the government failed to Scheduled Tribes to partment that analyses data pro-
get two-thirds support for it. vided by India's spy satellites — re-
List passed
lies on software provided by global
The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 software giants Intergraph, Oracle,
Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament on
was approved after the government and Bentley.
22 December 2011 passed the
moved a few other key amend-
bill the Constitution (Scheduled
ments, including keeping the De- Rolta, an Indian company, supplied
Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill,
fence Forces and Coast Guard per- photogrammetry and geographical
2011 to amend the list of Scheduled
sonnel out of the purview of the anti- information system software li-
Tribes and add more tribes from
graft ombudsman and increasing the censed from these firms to the Army
North-Eastern India. The bill includes
exemption time of former MPs from in 1996, integrating them into a
six more tribes namely Thangal,
five to seven years. A number of single package to meet MI17's spe-
Zeme, Mate, Inpui, Liangmai,
amendments moved by the Opposi- cific needs. From then to 2008,
Rongmei from Manipur and substi-
tion, including Corporates, Media things went well — when a new con-
tutes Galo in place of Galong in the
and NGOs receiving donations, were tract for 14 photogrammetry and
list of Scheduled tribes in Arunachal
defeated. The government rejected geographical information system
Pradesh. At present, 26 communities
the opposition's demand to bring CBI packages came up to be signed. The
exist in the list of Scheduled
under Lokpal. earlier contract bound Rolta to pro-
Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, which
vide software “updates and up-
includes Galong as well. The Lok
Regulation of Factor Sabha had passed the Bill on 19
grades” free of cost, as part of a
(Assignments Receiv- maintenance contract. In 2008,
December 2011.
though, the phrasing was changed
able) bill, 2011 Ap-
to just “updates”— freeing Rolta of
proved Indian Army Blinded the obligation to provide the most
by Controversial recent software released by the
Rajya Sabha approved the Regula- Equipment original equipment manufacturer.
tion of Factor (Assignments Receiv- Rolta was paid Rs.506.45 crore for
able Bill, 2011) on 27 December The Indian Army's imagery interpre- equipment purchased between 1998
2011 to help micro, small and me- tation capabilities, critical to provid- and 2008. In addition, it received
dium enterprises.The bill aims at ing information on the locations of annual maintenance contracts for
regulating assignment of receiv- enemy troops and their military as- equipment purchased during this
ables by making provision for regis- sets, have been compromised by period; as of December 2008, their
tration of the rights and obligations flawed contracts placed with a com- cumulative value was Rs. 40.66
of parties to contract. It applies to pany that has failed to provide criti- crore per annum.
all types of industry whether it is cal software upgrades, an investiga-
small, medium or big. It will help tion by The Hindu has found. Docu- But by early this year, highly-placed
mitigate the payment problem of the ments obtained by The Hindu from military sources said, MI17's image-
MSME units. Factors will be regu- the Ministry of Defence show that processing speeds had fallen to just
lated by the Reserve Bank of India. the firm responsible for supplying a seventh of those being obtained
The Lok Sabha had already passed and integrating software used in by the National Technical Research
the bill. critical image intelligence analysis Organisation, which also analyses
was relieved of its responsibility to the same data using similar software
provide free upgrades in 2008 — with the latest upgrades, Intergraph-
and is now on the verge of receiving Erdas. The records of the contract
a Rs.165-crore contract for the sup- negotiation committee, or CNC,
ply of software it may no longer have show a series of questionable deci-




sions led to this outcome. In the sity seats. The approval will come Women in Clause 3. They also asked
fourth meeting of the CNC, one in force from 1 January, 2012. It sug- for deletion of the word ‘Minorities'
member noted that an odd change gests that minorities can get 4.5 jobs in Clause 3 and inclusion of Leader
had been made to the name of the out of every 100 government jobs of Opposition in Rajya Sabha on Se-
software being supplied to MI17: and university seats. As per the data lection Committee in Clause 4. They
“the vendor,” he observed, “had released by the National Commis- also wanted Lokpal to appoint his
added [the] company name ‘Rolta' sion for Religious and Linguistic Mi- secretary and not select from a
in all the software being provided by norities, the OBC population was 52 panel given by the government.
him.” The change of name implied percent of India’s population, of The Communist Party of India (Marx-
that the equipment being supplied which minorities constitute 8.4 per- ist) gave amendment for replace-
was not the same as was purchased cent. Justice Rajinder Sachar Com- ment of eminent jurist on the Selec-
in 1996, which would have necessi- mittee Report-released in November tion Committee with “an eminent
tated fresh acquisition procedures to 2006- had found the minority com- person to be nominated by the Chief
be initiated. munity under-represented in all Election Commissioner, Comptroller
spheres of professional and public and Auditor General and Union Pub-
Free Medicare For Poors life. lic Service Commission. They also
in Maharashtra wanted the Inquiry Wing under the
Notices for 187 Amend- Lokpal to be replaced by “Investiga-
Maharashtra government will spend ments in Rajya Sabha tion Wing” with the Central govern-
Rs. 800 crore on the first phase of a ment providing officers and staff
health scheme for the poor, which Notice had been given for as many under exclusive jurisdiction of the
is slated to benefit nearly 50 lakh as 187 amendments to the Lokpal Lokpal as decided in consultation
families from eight districts, and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 including with the Lokpal. The Party gave an-
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister from the Trinamool Congress for other amendment for inclusion un-
Ajit Pawar said at a function. Under deletion of the entire Part III of the der the Lokpal of “any corporate
the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Bill regarding establishment of the body, its promoters, its officers in-
Arogya Yojana,' any family earning Lokayuktas. The Biju Janata Dal and cluding Director against whom there
below Rs. 1 lakh per annum can get the Shiromani Akali Dal too had given is a complaint of corruption in rela-
free medical treatment and care similar notices. By afternoon, the tion to grant of government licence,
worth Rs. 1.5 lakh a year. Rajya Sabha had received 173 lease, contract, agreement or any
Maharashtra Chief Minister amendment notices. The number other action to influence govern-
Prithviraj Chavan said that no other swelled to 187 by evening as an- ment policy through corrupt means.”
State had implemented such a nounced by the Minister of State for They wanted Lokpal to take suo
scheme on such a wide level. He, Personnel V. Narayanasamy. Nor- motu action in a compliant of cor-
along with the Deputy Chief Minis- mally notices are taken 24 hours in ruption.
ter and State Health Minister Suresh advance but on Thursday, notices
Shetty distributed identity cards to were accepted till late evening, while Courts Can Interfere in
needy families from the city at the the government took the stand in the the Case of
function here. House that there were too many Contractual Job
amendments which “needed consid-
4.5 Percent Quota For eration.” The Supreme Court of India on 20
Minorities Among major amendments were the December 2011 ruled that courts can
ones given by the Bharatiya Janata interfere in the case of contractual
The Union cabinet of India on 22 Party for deletion of words “not less job if the decision taken by the man-
December 2011 approved 4.5 per- than” 50 per cent of members of agement is arbitrary. A bench of the
cent share for minorities within the Lokpal belonging to Scheduled apex court, however, said that scope
27% OBC quota in jobs and univer- Castes, Scheduled tribes, Other of such judicial review is not all per-
Backward Classes, Minorities and




vasive. It said a writ Court is entitled Ancient numbers in the vaamato gatih). The first digit at
to judicially review of the action and land of Ramanujan right looking like the cross is the sym-
determine whether there was any bol for 4. It is followed by the sym-
illegality, perversity, unreasonable- Literary sources in Tamil mention bol for 100 (resembling the Brahmi
ness, unfairness or irrationality that numbers only in words. However, we letter sa) and the last symbol at left
would vitiate the action. The court do have ancient literary references is 8, incised in reversed direction.
passed the order on a petition filed specifically mentioning eN (‘nu- As there is no accompanying text,
by Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd meral') as distinguished from we do not know the significance of
challenging the Orissa High Court's ezhuttu (‘letter of the alphabet,' for the number. The find is still interest-
order. In its order Orissa high court example, Tolkappiyam 655.4, ing for the absence of the place-
asked the grid corporation to rein- Tirukkural 392). But as palm leaf value system. The convention of us-
state one of its employee whose manuscripts decay with time and ing symbols for 10, 100, and 1000 in
contractual job was terminated. hardly last for more than 200 years, expressing the higher numerals was
we have to turn to durable stone or current in Tamil Nadu until the ad-
National Food Security pottery inscriptions to know what the vent of printing and the adoption of
Bill approved ancient Tamil numerals looked like. the international form of Indian nu-
We illustrate two of them here, one merals with place-value system. The
The Union Cabinet of India on 18 from each class (Figs. 1 & 2). The pottery inscription is also good evi-
December 2011 approved a draft oldest stone inscription featuring a dence for widespread literacy, in-
National Food Security Bill that numeral is the Tamil-Brahmi cave cluding numeracy, in the ancient
seeks to give legal entitlement of inscription from Tondur, near Tamil country.
cheaper food-grains to 62.5 per cent Gingee, in Villupuram district, as-
of the country's population. The to- signed to about the 3rd century C.E. Animals also Entitled to
tal financial liability to implement the (Fig. 1). The numeral 3 engraved at Accident Compensation
law would be 3.5 lakh crore rupees, the end of a short two-line inscrip-
as funds will be required to raise tion in the cave is represented by A bench of the Supreme Court in-
agriculture production, create stor- three horizontal parallel lines. The cluding Justices BS Chauhan and TS
age space and publicity among inscription records that the village Thakur on 16 December 2011 ruled
others. The bill aims to provide In- of Agalur gifted three stone beds in that even animals are entitled to
dian citizens access to nutritional the cave chiselled by Mosi. The gift accident compensation. The court
food at affordable prices. This bill was made to the Jaina monks resi- upheld an award of 13.48 lakh ru-
proposes to give a legal entitlement dent in the cave. The village still pees for the death of a temple el-
to food to 75 percent of our rural exists with the same name Agalur, ephant. The animal was hit by a
population and 50 percent of our near Tondur, both of which still have KSRTC (Kerala State Transport Cor-
urban population. sizeable Jaina populations. The nu- poration) bus. The court refused to
meral 3 has the same form as in con- accept the contention that the Mo-
The bill also provides for 7 kg of rice, temporary Prakrit inscriptions in the tor Vehicles Act would be applicable
wheat and coarse grains per person Brahmi script in North India. to human beings and not to animals.
per month to priority households at It clarified that the definition of
3 Rupees, 2 rupees and 1 rupee per A well-preserved pottery inscription property in the Motor Vehicles Act
kg respectively. from Alagankulam near is very inclusive and wide. There-
Rameswaram has only the numeral fore, animal should be included un-
incised in fairly large size (Fig. 2). der this act. The court added that the
The inscription is dated to the 1st or elephant was owned by the temple
2nd century C.E. The number is read and it was God’s property.
408, from right to left, following the
ancient convention of reading the
digits from the right (ankaanaam




5 Girls Gailed as ‘icons' polyclinics. Initially, 227 polyclinics Kalam Favours
by President had been approved by the Union Linking of Rivers
Cabinet of India. Later, in 2008 an-
The girls, with little education and other 199 polyclinics were sanc- Former President of India A.P.J. Abdul
almost no support, turned down tioned, out of which 20 are func- Kalam advocated interlinking rivers
marriage proposals and faced the tional and 179 polyclinics are in vari- and dams to form a smart national
anger of their families and the com- ous stages of implementation. Dur- water grid management scheme as
munity. Their stories of courage im- ing the year 2010-11, a total of 89 India cannot afford civil war or con-
pressed the President so much that lakh patients attended the polyclin- flict over water. He said rivers, wa-
she got them invited to the ics. With the commissioning of all terways and water resources must
Rashtrapati Bhavan. They earned the sanctioned polyclinics, the en- be nationalised on the lines of roads
praise from the President, who de- tire fraternity of Ex-Servicemen and power sectors. “Water is now
scribed them as “icons” and asked would be covered comprehensively. in the control of States. It has to be
them to share their stories and en- linked by forming a national water
courage girls to say no to under-age Cable Television Net- grid management just like National
marriages. For Afsana and Sunita, works Regulation Act Highways and power grid,” he said.
it was their second meeting with the amended Inaugurating ‘Agricon 2011', a con-
President who encouraged them to ference on agriculture R&D trends
campaign against child marriage The Lok Sabha on 13 December 2011 2020, organised by CII, he said, “Wa-
among their peers. unanimously passed a Bill to further ter cannot be a [source of] conflict
amend theCable Television Net- in India. India cannot afford to have
While education opens up new av- works Regulation Act, 1995. It re- a civil war on water when we have
enues for the girl child, an early places a Presidential Ordinance of to work unitedly for development.
marriage brings with it a cycle of 25 October, 2011. As per the Nation is bigger than the individual
misery, poor health and poverty, she amendments, there will be a check parties (political parties) and States.
said. A young mother with children on objectionable contents. Indian rivers have to be operated by
often become victim of poor health Doordarshan will be able to provide the Army, Navy or the armed forces
and mortality. She urged the district more free-on-air channels in the for equitable distribution of water to
authorities to create more aware- DTH mode to audiences across the double food production.”
ness of what the girls have done by country. Cable TV operators violat-
taking them on a tour of their dis- ing the provisions of the Bill will face About 170 million hectare arable
trict during their school holidays to penalty. land will be reduced to 100 million
inspire others. hectare due to increasing population
The legislation will reduce depen- growth and afforestation and envi-
10 % of the Group B Posts dence on the television rating points, ronmental preservation activities, Dr
in Paramilitary Forces to TRP. By 2014, the entire cable net- Kalam said and urged agricultural
work will be digitized. Those Cable scientists and technologists to work
Ex-Servicemen
operators who will violate the Cable with organisations such as IFFCO to
enhance average productivity per
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs Television Network Regulation
hectare from 1.1 tonnes to 3.4
agreed to fill 10% of the Group ‘B’ Act,1995 Government will have the
tonnes of the available land for cul-
posts in Central Paramilitary Forces right to consider about the continu-
tivation with less need of water. Re-
from among Ex-Servicemen. Pres- ity of the Licence of those cable op-
ferring to precision farming project
ently, the scheme caters to 38 lakh erators. Till date, this kind of provi-
of the State, he said by doing the
beneficiaries including 12 lakhEx- sion was not in existence in the form
right thing, in the right place at the
Servicemen and over 26 lakh depen- of Act.
right time, Tamil Nadu had created
dents. This scheme is currently be-
a great awareness among the farm-
ing implemented through 247
ers which gave higher productivity,




market access and made farmers as Karnataka Now Third in moves, displaces, damages or de-
entrepreneurs. Sugar Production stroys any pipeline, shall be punish-
able with rigorous imprisonment of
When the entire nation was strug- Karnataka has now emerged as one a term which shall not be less than
gling to achieve even two per cent of the top sugar producing States in one year, but which may extend to
growth in agriculture, Gujarat the country, after Maharashtra and three years and shall also be liable
posted seven to nine per cent over Uttar Pradesh. The State's sugar pro- to fine. Section 16 provides that of-
the past six years. The Gujarat gov- duction has shot up to 37.14 lakh fence under sub-section 15 shall be
ernment was able to do it by imple- tonnes, an increase of 12.25 lakh deemed to be cognizable under the
menting mission mode action. Dr. tonnes in just under a year, accord- Cod of Criminal Procedure,
Kalam also cited Bihar's experience ing to reports received in the State 1973. The proposed amendments
in doubling the productivity and said headquarters about a fortnight ago. provide for higher quantum of pun-
“these experiences clearly show that The sugar year commences in Octo- ishment in terms of imprisonment
‘we can do it', but what we need is ber and ends in September. Even and provision for death penalty in
a mission mode approach across the sugar recovery has improved dra- rare cases where the Act of sabo-
nation with respect to agriculture; matically, and Karnataka now stands tage is dangerous and is likely to
and we need a creative leadership second, after Maharashtra. Sugar cause death of any other person. The
who has a vision for leading the sec- recovery is the yield of sugar for ev- Bill further proposes to amend sec-
ond green revolution for the next 10 ery tonne of sugarcane crushed in tion 16 of the aforesaid Act to make
years.” factories. The average recovery in the offences under sub-section (2),
the State is now 10.95 per cent. It is (3) of section 15 of the said Act to
Mullaperiyar Dam’s 11.50 per cent in Maharashtra and be cognizable and non-bailable. The
Water Level Should Not 9.7 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. It was amendment to the act was neces-
sary to prevent pilferage of petro-
Exceed 136 Feet a happy augury that Karnataka had
emerged as the third largest sugar leum by organized gangs and sabo-
producer in the nation. It was only teurs.
The Supreme Court of India directed
Tamil Nadu to ensure that the water some years ago that the State over-
level in the Mullaperiyar dam does took Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Supreme Court direction
not exceed 136 feet but declined to Nadu. It now has almost 60 sugar for Night Shelters for
entertain Kerala’s plea for reducing factories, a quantum jump over the Homeless People
the level to 120 feet. A five-Judge past decade. Sugarcane production
Constitution Bench, headed by Jus- in the State has increased from 228 The Supreme Court directed state
tice DK Jain gave the order. The Su- lakh tonnes to 339.03 lakh tonnes governments to build adequate num-
preme Court asked Tamil Nadu and in just about a year although the ber of night shelter to ensure that
Kerala to maintain restraint on their area under sugarcane has only mar- no homeless person has to sleep
statements on the Mullaperiyar dam ginally increased. under sky this winter. A bench of jus-
row. Urging for sanity and sensitiv- Amendments to the Petroleum and tices Dalveer Bhandari and Justice
ity, the court lamented that they were Minerals Pipeline Act Dipak Misra asked the governments
adding fuel to the fire instead of The Lok Sabha on 12 December 2011 to file their detailed report by 3
dousing it. The Bench also asked the passed the amendments to the Pe- January 2012 on the status of night
Centre to clarify its position on Tamil troleum and Minerals Pipelines (Ac- shelters, which are operating in their
Nadu's plea for deployment of Cen- quisition of Right of User in Land) states. The bench, which passed
tral Industrial Security Force to pro- Act, 1962. The Bill aims to make separate orders for different states,
tect the dam from possible vandal- provisions for sufficient deterrence asked the Chief Secretaries to en-
ism. to criminals from committing the sure construction of sufficient num-
offence of pilferage or sabotage. The ber of shelters for the homeless and
existing sub-section (2) of section 15 poor people.
provides that whoever willfully re-



Civil services mentor january_2012

Civil services mentor january_2012

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