Hindustan Samachar

Nitin Gadkari inaugurates the Sagarmala Development Company: The company will play a major role in realizing India’s maritime potential

2016-12-26T16:37:00.003+05:30

The Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that projects worth Rs. 1 Lakh Crore under Sagarmala programme are at various stages of implementation and development. The Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) has been incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013. The company has an initial Authorized Share Capital of Rs. 1,000 Crore and a subscribed share capital of Rs. 90 Crore.

The main objective of the company is to identify port-led development projects under the Sagarmala Programme and provide equity support for the project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) set up by the Ports / State / Central Ministries and funding window and /or implement only those residual projects which cannot be funded by any other means / mode.

The Cabinet had approved the formation of the SDC under the administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping in July 2016. The company would help in structuring activities, bidding out projects for private sector participation, identifying suitable risk management measures for strategic projects across multiple States / Regions and obtaining requisite approvals and clearances.

The implementation of the identified projects would be taken up by the relevant Ports, State Governments/Maritime Boards, Central Ministries, through private or PPP mode. The Company would act as the nodal agency for coordination and monitoring of all the currently identified projects under Sagarmala as well as other projects emerging from the master plans or other sources.

It would also undertake the preparation of the detailed master plans for the Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) identified as part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP) SDC would be raising funds as debt/equity (as long term capital), as per the project requirements, by leveraging resources provided by the Government of India and from multi-lateral and bilateral funding agencies. It would also aim to increase the scope of private sector participation in project development.

The incorporation of SDC is part of the ambitious Sagarmala Programme by the Government of India which aims to harness India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes. The concept of the Sagarmala Programme was approved by the Cabinet in March 2015.

Government ‘Ease of Doing Business’ meeting aims to raise India’s ranking among top 50 in the World Bank report

2016-12-20T12:58:00.001+05:30

Government of India, in its efforts to improve the business climate of the country and also improve country’s ranking in the World Bank report on Doing Business, held a meeting on 19 December, 2016 under the chairmanship of Finance Minister. Some of the main decision taken during the meeting were -

1. eBiz portal shall be mandated for starting a business which shall include three functions of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Registration for PAN and TAN and also registration for EPFO & ESIC.

2. Ministry of Corporate Affairs, CBDT, Ministry of Labour & Employment will work towards reducing the number of procedures for starting a business to 4 and the number of days to start a business also to 4.

3. Shram Suvidha Portal shall be the only portal for filing the return, challan and making online payment for EPFO & ESIC.

4. Department of Revenue and Ministry of Shipping shall work towards increasing the number of direct delivery consignments to 40 percent by end of this month. The Departments shall also ensure that the cost and time to export and import gets reduced substantially to bring India within top 50 ranks.

5. Ministry of Corporate Affairs shall work with the concerned stakeholders so that the provisions as recently enabled under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code are implemented through NCLT.

6. To further improve country’s ranking in the indicator of ‘Getting Credit’, Department of Financial Services and Ministry of Corporate Affairs shall work towards integrating CERSAI database with ROC Registry of Charges to create a single registry of assets.

7. In the indicator of Enforcing Contracts, Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister mentioned that country ranks poorly at 172 on this indicator and efforts need to be taken on many reforms to bring the country among the top 50 nations. She also mentioned that initiative of eCourts should be expedited for electronic filing of complaints, summons and payments especially in the Commercial Courts.

8. On ‘Construction Permit’, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development mentioned that the procedures shall be brought down to 8 within 60 days. However Hon’ble Finance Minister desired that Department should explore the possibility of commencing the construction on architect’s certification and approval granted only at the time of the occupancy of the building.

Objectives of New Energy Policy

2016-11-21T16:28:00.000+05:30

The National Energy Policy (NEP) aims to chart the way forward to meet the Government’s bold announcements in the energy domain. The four key objectives of the new energy policy are access at affordable prices, improved energy security and independence, greater sustainability and economic growth. The policy is being discussed by NITI Aayog with different stake holders.

The new policy differs from the previous policy while including the issue related to sharp decline of crude oil prices, change in solar energy technology, heightened concern of climate change issues, ambitious target of Renewable energy and rural electrification agenda adopted by the Government.

All the Census villages are planned to be electrified by 2019, and universal electrification is to be achieved, with 24x7 electricity by 2022. Our INDCs target at reduction of emissions intensity by 33%-35% by 2030, achieving a 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, and share of non-fossil fuel based installed capacity in the electricity mix is aimed at above 40% by 2030.

Questions relating to action by Income Tax Department in respect of old currency deposited in banks

2016-11-10T13:31:00.003+05:30

Q.1 A lot of small businessmen, housewives, artisans, workers may have some cash lying as their savings at home, will the income tax department ask questions if the same is deposited in banks?

A.1: Such group of people as mentioned in the question need not worry about such small amount of deposits up to Rs.1.5 or 2 lacs, since it would be below the taxable income. There will be no harassment by Income Tax Department for such small deposits made.

Q.2: Will the Income Tax Department be getting reports of cash deposits made during this period? If so, will the current threshold of reporting requirement of reporting cash deposits of more than Rs.10 lacs will only continue?

A.2: We would be getting reports of all cash deposited during the period of 10th November to 30th December,2016 above a threshold of Rs. 2.5 lacs in every account. The department would do matching of this with income returns filled by the depositors. And suitable action may follow.

Q.3: Suppose the department finds that huge amount of cash above Rs.10 lacs is deposited in a bank account, which is not matching with the income declared, what would be the tax and penalty to be paid on the same?

A.3: This would be treated as the case of tax evasion and the tax amount plus a penalty of 200% of the tax payable would be levied as per the section 270(A) of the income tax Act

Q.4: It is believed that a lot of people are buying jewelry now, how does department plan to tackle this?

A.4: The person who buys jewelry has to give his PAN number. We are issuing instructions to the field authorities to check with all the jewelers to ensure that this requirement is not compromised. Action will be taken against those jewelers who fail to take PAN numbers from such buyers. When the cash deposits of the jewelers would be scrutinized against the sales made, whether they have taken the PAN number of the buyer or not will also be checked.

Why Rahul Gandhi hates Narendra Modi ?

2016-02-19T17:59:00.003+05:30

Not very long ago,the prime minister of India meant nothing to him.He was the supreme authority and Manmohan Singh knew that very well and never dared to question him.He visited the parliament occasionally and never bothered to participate in any kind of discussion.Even the union cabinet ministers had to wait for months to get an audience with him.But this man from Gujrat,Narendra Modi, destroyed all that.The massive electoral defeat changed his world upside down.Now Rahul Gandhi has to go here,there and everywhere.He lands at every spot wherever he can gather some limelight.For these reasons Rahul Gandhi hates Narendra Modi So much. He has become staunch anti Hindu and anti India now.Otherwise he would have never supported the traitors.

Cabinet approves Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015

2015-12-10T12:12:00.007+05:30

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015, as reported by the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha. The Bill will now be taken up for consideration and passing by the Parliament.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill is a pioneering initiative to protect the interest of consumers, promote fair play in real estate transactions and to ensure timely execution of projects.

The Bill provides uniform regulatory environment to ensure speedy adjudication of disputes and orderly growth of the real estate sector. It will boost domestic and foreign investment in the Real Estate sector and help achieve the objective of Government of India to provide ‘Housing for All’ by enhanced private participation.

The Bill ensures mandatory disclosure by promoters to the customers through registration of real estate projects as well as real estate agents with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The Bill aims at restoring confidence of consumers in the real estate sector; by institutionalizing transparency and accountability in real estate and housing transactions which will further enable the sector to access capital and financial markets. The Bill will promote orderly growth through consequent efficient project execution, professionalism and standardization.

The salient features of the Bill are as under:

1. Applicable both for commercial and residential real estate projects.

2. Establishment of ‘Real Estate Regulatory Authority’ in States/UTs to regulate real estate transactions.

3. Registration of real estate projects and real estate agents with the Authority.

4. Mandatory disclosure of all registered projects, including details of the promoter, project, layout plan, land status, approvals, agreements along with details of real estate agents, contractors, architect, structural engineer etc.

5. Deposit of specified amount in a separate bank account to cover the construction cost of the project for timely completion of the project.

6. Establishment of fast track dispute resolution mechanisms for settlement of disputes through adjudicating officers and Appellate Tribunal.

7. Civil courts jurisdiction prohibited from taking up matters defined in Bill, however, consumer court allowed to hear real estate matters.

8. Promoters barred from changing plans and design without consent of consumers.

9. Provision of Appropriate Government to make rules for the matters specified in the Bill, and the Regulatory Authority to make necessary regulations.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yoiana (PMKSY)

2015-07-02T13:46:00.002+05:30

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to a new scheme the “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana” (PMKSY). It will have an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore over a period of five years (2015-16 to 2019-20). The allocation for the current financial year is Rs. 5300 crore.

The major objective of the PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani), improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system. The scheme also aims at bringing concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies/Research and Financial Institutions engaged in creation/use/recycling/potential recycling of water, brought under a common platform, so that a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire "water cycle" is taken into account and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.

The programme architecture of PMKSY aims at a 'decentralized State level planning and execution' structure, in order to allow States to draw up a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and a State Irrigation Plan (SIP). DIP will have holistic developmental perspective of the district outlining medium to long term developmental plans integrating three components namely, water sources, distribution network and water use application of the district to be prepared at two levels - the block and the district. All structures created under the schemes will be geotagged.

The programme will be supervised and monitored at the national level by an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister with Union Ministers of all concerned Ministries. A National Executive Committee (NEC) is to be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to oversee programme implementation, allocation of resources, inter ministerial coordination, monitoring and performance assessment, addressing administrative issues etc. At the state level the scheme is to be administered by a State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) to be Chaired by the Chief Secretary of the respective States. The committee will have all authority to sanction the project and also monitor the progress of the scheme. At the district level their shall be a district level implementation committee for ensuring last mile coordination a the field level.

It is expected that PMKSY will provide convergence to existing schemes of water management, thus bringing efficiency to the use of water.

Background:

In the last one year, the Government of India has taken several farmer friendly initiatives. These, amongst other things, include the following:

• A new scheme has been introduced to issue a Soil Health Card to every farmer. Soil Health Management in the country is being promoted through setting up of soil and fertilizer testing laboratories. 34 lakh soil samples has been collected and analysis is continuing.

• A new scheme for promoting organic farming "Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana" has been launched to promote organic farming.

• A dedicated Kisan Channel has been started by Doordarshan to address various issues concerning farmers.

• Government is also encouraging formation of Farmer Producer organizations.

• Assistance to farmers, as input subsidy, has been increased by 50 percent in case of natural calamities.

• Norms have been relaxed to provide assistance from previous norm of crop loss of more than 50 percent to 33 percent to farmers afflicted by natural calamities.

• Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various Kharif crops has been increased. Bonus of Rs.200 per quintal has been announced for pulses. Area coverage under pulses has increased over the last year.

Taking it further, today the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval to two new schemes in agriculture sector. These are the PMKSY and Promotion of National Agriculture Market.

National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015

2015-07-02T13:44:00.000+05:30

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for the India’s first integrated National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015. The Policy acknowledges the need for an effective roadmap for promotion of entrepreneurship as the key to a successful skills strategy. The previous National Policy on Skill Development was formulated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2009 and provided for a review after five years to align the policy framework with emerging national and international trends.

The Vision of the Policy is “to create an ecosystem of empowerment by Skilling on a large Scale at Speed with high Standards and to promote a culture of innovation based entrepreneurship which can generate wealth and employment so as to ensure Sustainable livelihoods for all citizens in the country”.

To achieve this Vision, the Policy has four thrust areas. It addresses key obstacles to skilling, including low aspirational value, lack of integration with formal education, lack of focus on outcomes, low quality of training infrastructure and trainers, etc. Further, the Policy seeks to align supply and demand for skills by bridging existing skill gaps, promoting industry engagement, operationalising a quality assurance framework, leverage technology and promoting greater opportunities for apprenticeship training. Equity is also a focus of the Policy, which targets skilling opportunities for socially/geographically marginalised and disadvantaged groups. Skill development and entrepreneurship programmes for women are a specific focus of the Policy. In the entrepreneurship domain, the Policy seeks to educate and equip potential entrepreneurs, both within and outside the formal education system. It also seeks to connect entrepreneurs to mentors, incubators and credit markets, foster innovation and entrepreneurial culture, improve ease of doing business and promote a focus on social entrepreneurship.

Prime Minister to Launch ‘Integrated Power Development Scheme’ at Varanasi

2015-06-27T18:02:00.002+05:30

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be launching Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) on Sunday, 28th June 2015 at Varanasi. The IPDS is one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry of Power and will be at the core attempt to ensure 24x7 power for all.

The Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2014-15, aims at strengthening of sub-transmission network, Metering, IT application, Customer Care Services, provisioning of solar panels and the completion of the ongoing works of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and completion of the Reforms Programme (RAPDRP).

Government of India will provide budgetary support of Rs. 45,800 crore over the entire implementation period of IPDS. Out of the total amount Rs 1,067 crore has been sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh including Rs 572 crore for Varanasi.

The Project envisages converting area overhead lines into underground cabling in the areas around the temples and ghats in the Varanasi city. The Scheme includes upgradation of the electrical assets at Sub – centers, lines and distribution transformers, capacity enhancement and renewal of the old sub – stations and installation of roof-top solar panel in government buildings.

IPDS will help in reduction in AT&C losses; establishment of IT enabled energy accounting / auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption and improvement in collection efficiency.

Railway Ministry Implements 39 Railway Budget Announcements in Just 36 Days of the Current Financial Year Displaying Unprecedented Pace of Implementation

2015-05-06T17:15:00.003+05:30

Though only 36 days have passed in the current financial year 2015-16 (1st April, 2015 to 30th March, 2016), 39 announcements have so far been implemented which are listed below:-

1. New department for housekeeping created. It will address the issue of cleanliness in a more integrated and coordinated manner.

2. Disposable bags for garbage disposal have been started as a pilot project in Mumbai-Amritsar Punjab mail.

3. New non-AC coaches being manufactured in ICF have dustbins from 1st of May, 2015.

4. NIFT, Delhi has been engaged for designing of bedroll etc.

5. 03 new mechanized laundries have been started at Kochiveli, Malda town and Santragachhi to supply clean linen taking total of such laundries to 33. Twenty nine more locations have been identified.

6. Passenger Helpline 138 already functional. It will work as an interface for queries/complaints related to medical emergency, cleanliness, food & catering, coach maintenance, linen etc.

7. Security Helpline 182 already functional to report any unsavoury incidents. This service is very important public service and may play an important role in emergencies like crime against women, onboard unlawful activity, train accidents, medical attention required and fire etc.

8. An application and a portal to redress railway related complaints has been developed where online tracking of complaints is also possible.

9. Operation 5 minutes launched i.e. to purchase unreserved tickets within 5 minutes. It has been launched as pilot project on Chennai suburban railway where passengers can buy paperless unreserved tickets on their mobile.

10. Instructions have been issued for differently-abled travelers to purchase concessional E-tickets after one time registration.

11. E-ticketing portal in Hindi is ready for launch.

12. E-catering has been introduced. This is a service where a passenger is able to place an order for a meal, to be served at his seat in the train enroute, through a phone call or an SMS. Presently this service is available in 134 pairs of trains.

13. Online booking of retiring rooms functional.

14. 73 pairs of trains have been identified for introducing hand-held terminals to TTEs. Supply is expected to be received by the end of May, 2015.

15. SMS alert for advance arrival of train at destination functional.

16. Centrally managed railway display network is ready for technology demonstration.

17. Pilot project for providing surveillance cameras has been launched in ICF.

18. On board entertainment has been started on Kalka Shatabdi. It is now being extended to other trains.

19. Instructions have been issued to provide mobile charging facilities in all new general class coaches. Mobile charging facilities will be provided in 3000 existing coaches in 2015-16.

20. Quota for lower berths for senior citizens increased from 2 to 4 per coach.

21. E-concierge services started in 22 railway stations.

22. 05 trains have been identified for augmentation of capacity from 24 to 26 coaches.

23. Instructions issued for TTEs to help senior citizens/pregnant women to get lower berths.

24. Instructions have been issued for reserving middle bay for women & Senior citizens.

25. Perishable Cargo center as Azadpur Mandi inaugurated. This perishable cargo centre will help farmers and consumers in a big way and the ripening of fruits and cold storage facilities at this cargo centre will help the farmers get a good price and good market for their product.

26. New instructions have been issued on 10th April, 2015 to liberalize the private freight terminal policy.

27. All pending recommendations made by Kakodkar committee on safety have been examined by the Railway Board.

28. Kayakalp Council formed. Noted Industrialist Shri Ratan Tata to head this Council. The purpose of the Council is to recommend innovative methods and processes for the improvement, betterment and transformation of the Indian Railways.

29. Taskforce has been constituted for drafting the IT vision for Indian Railways.

30. A committee under Shri Ajay Shankar has been constituted for revamping of the PPP cell.

31. MoU for creating a SPV signed in between Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Coal and Government of Odisha. It will help expedite Railway connectivity projects for coal transportation in Odisha.

32. MoU with LIC signed. It is a landmark achievement with Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) providing highest ever funding of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore for Railways. This move will ultimately help railways growth through augmentation of its financial resources.

33. Rail connectivity to Dighi Port approved through PPP.

34. Instructions issued for organizing training of frontline staffs on soft skills.

35. Negotiations for financing railway projects through World Bank commenced.

36. The process for putting in place a regulator has been initiated.

37. MoU signed for Railway Research Centre at Mumbai University.

38. MOU with National Institute of Designing signed. Under this, Railway Design Centre will be set up in the campus of National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmadabad. This will help improve customer’s happiness by way of better designed coaches and providing cost effective solutions to problems faced by passengers during train travel.

39. MoU for creating a SPV signed in between Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Coal and Government of Jharkhand. It will help expedite Railway connectivity projects for coal transportation in Jharkhand.

Benefits to Middle Class Tax Payers in the Budget 2015-16

2015-02-28T17:51:00.000+05:30

The Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley in his Budget Speech in Lok Sabha today proposed rationalization of various tax exemptions and incentives to reduce tax disputes and improve tax administration. He said, with a view to encourage savings and to promote health care among individual tax payers, it is proposed to increase the limit of reduction of health insurance premium from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 and for senior citizen this limit is increase from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.

For senior citizen above the age of 80 years, not eligible to take health insurance, deduction is allowed for Rs 30,000 toward medical expenditure. Deduction limit of Rs 60,000 on expenditure on account of specified diseases is enhanced to Rs 80,000 in the case of senior citizens.

Additional deduction of Rs 25,000 is allowed for differently-abled persons, increasing the limit from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. It is also proposed to increase the limit of deduction from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.25 lakh in case of severe disability.

The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley also proposed to provide that investment in Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will be eligible for deduction under section 80C of the income-tax and any payment from the scheme shall not be liable to tax.

Limit on deduction on account of contribution to a pension fund and the new pension scheme is proposed to be increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.

Additional deduction of Rs 50,000 will be allowed for contribution to the new pension scheme u/s 80 CCD increasing from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.

Details of tax deductions proposed are as follows: ·

Deduction u/s 80C      Rs 1,50,000

Deduction u/s 80CCD Rs 50,000

Deduction on account of interest on house property loan (Self occupied property) Rs 2,00,000 ·

Deduction u/s 80D on health insurance premium       Rs 25,000

Exemption of transport allowance    Rs 19,200

Total Rs 4,44,200

Rail Budget

2015-02-26T16:30:00.001+05:30

Railway Budget presented today in Parliament proposed measures to make Indian Railways prime mover of Indian Economy once again. It seeks resource mobilization for higher investment, decongestion of heavy haul routes and speeding of trains and project delivery, better passenger amenities and safety, and to make railways a preferred mode of transport for masses.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that all critical initiatives proposed will be pursued in mission mode.
The Budget proposals have set four goals to transform Indian Railways over next five years which are- a sustainable and measurable improvement in customer experience, make rail a safer means of travel, expansion of capacity substantially , modernization of infrastructure and finally to make railways financially self-sustainable. To achieve these goals the budget proposes five drivers which include adopting a medium-term perspective plan consisting ofWhite Paper, a Vision-2030 document and a five year action plan.
Building Partnerships with key stakeholders for long term financing and overseas technology, improving last mile connectivity, expanding fleet of rolling stock and modernization of station infrastructure are included in these drivers.
Railways will also leverage additional resources; envisages investment of Rs. 8.5 lakh crore in
next five years.
No hike in Railway Passenger Fares
Plan Outlay proposed Rs. 1,00,011 crore, increased by 52%
Allocation for passenger amenities up by 67%
Railways to become prime mover of Indian Economy, Five years action plan proposed
Rail Budget seeks resource mobilization for higher investment
Thrust on measurable and sustainable improvement in passenger experience and to make Rail a safer means of travel
Hot buttons, coin vending machines for railway tickets within 5 minutes, e-catering to select meals
from an array of choices
200 more stations to come under Adarsh Station scheme; Wi - Fi to be provided at B category stations
24X7 helplines for attending passenger problems and security related complaints
For the safety of women passengers surveillance cameras in suburban coaches
More General class coaches will be added in identified trains.
The speed of nine railway corridors will be increased to 160 and 200 kmph
Train Protection Warning System and Train Collision Avoidance System to be installed on select routes
77 new projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works proposed
A new department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Objectives of formation of NITI Aayog

2015-02-26T16:19:00.003+05:30

The objectives of formation of NITI Aayog are as follows:

i. To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives. The vision of the NITI Aayog will then provide a framework ‘national agenda’ for the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers to provide impetus to.

ii. To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation.

iii. To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government.

iv. To ensure, on areas that are specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy.

v. To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress.

vi. To design strategic and long term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and monitor their progress and their efficacy. The lessons learnt through monitoring and feedback will be used for making innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections.

vii. To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions.

viii. To create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and other partners.

ix. To offer a platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda.

x. To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their dissemination to stake-holders.

xi. To actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the identification of the needed resources so as to strengthen the probability of success and scope of delivery.

xii. To focus on technology up-gradation and capacity building for implementation of programmes and initiatives.

xiii. To undertake other activities as may be necessary in order to further the execution of the national development agenda, and the objectives mentioned above

Key Points of PM’s address at Economic Times Global Business Summit

2015-01-17T14:13:00.001+05:30

India is a 2 trillion dollar economy today. Can we not dream of an India with a 20 trillion dollar economy?

You will see India as a country of opportunities, unmatched across the world. India can be a role model of growth and cohesiveness for the rest of the world.

The government must nurture an eco-system where the economy is primed for growth; and growth promotes all-round development. Where development is employment-generating ; and employment is enabled by skills. Where skills are synced with production; and production is benchmarked to quality. Where quality meets global standards; and meeting global standards drives prosperity. Most importantly, this prosperity is for the welfare of all. That is my concept of economic good governance and all round development.
Development has to result in jobs. What we need is not just more production, but mass production and production by masses.

Development seems to have become the agenda only of government. It is seen as a scheme. That should not be the case. Development should be everyone's agenda. It should be a people's movement.

Economic development cannot take a nation forward on its own. We need a society and economy which complement each other. We need to take care of the poor, deprived and left behind sections of society.

The ultimate objective of subsidies should be to empower the poor, to break the cycle of poverty, and become foot-soldiers in our war on poverty.

We need to cut subsidy leakages, not subsidies themselves.
सरकारी तंत्र की दो समस्याएं हैं - वे जटिल भी हैं और शिथिल भी; Government systems suffer from two weaknesses. They are complex. And they are slow. We need to change this. Our systems need to be made sharp, effective, fast and flexible. This requires simplification of processes and having trust in citizens. This needs a Policy Driven State.

What is Maximum Governance, Minimum Government? It means government has no business to be in business.

First, we need to focus government on the things that are required of the State. Second, we need to achieve competence in government so that the State delivers on the things it sets out to do.
Reforms are not an end in itself. Reforms must have a concrete objective.

Small acts can drive reforms. What appears minor can actually be vital and fundamental. Generating 20,000 MW of power attracts a lot of attention. That is important. At the same time, 20,000 MW of power can be saved through a people’s movement for energy efficiency. The second is more difficult but is as important as the first. Small indeed, is beautiful.

A major institutional reform is the move away from merely planning, to transforming India. The setting up of NITI Aayog, is a step in this direction.

Laws are the DNA of government. They must evolve with time.
We are committed to achieving the fiscal deficit target announced in the budget.

We are today a nearly 100% banked country.

Financial unity - bringing everyone into the financial system - is one cause which both capitalists and socialists agree on. What, my friends, can be a bigger reform?

The consensus we arrived with States for amending the Constitution to implement GST is a major breakthrough. This alone has the potential to make India competitive and attractive for investment.

Today, India’s cooking gas subsidy is the world’s largest Cash Transfer Programme.

I recently assured Public Sector Banks they will have total autonomy in taking business decisions.

The mantra of independence was Satyagraha. And the warriors were Satyagrahis. The mantra of New Age India must be Swachhagrah. And the warriors will be Swachhagrahis.

People must understand the Clean Ganga program, as an economic activity also. The Gangetic plains account for 40% of our population. They have over one hundred towns, and thousands of villages.

I intend to launch a massive National Program for PDS Computerisation.

Railway stations can become growth points for the nearby villages.

We will link farmers to global markets. We will give the world the Taste of India

Composition of NITIaayog

2015-01-09T18:06:00.003+05:30

NITIaayog : Based on 7 Pillars Of Effective Governance

2015-01-09T18:05:00.001+05:30

Objectives of NITIaayog

2015-01-09T18:02:00.005+05:30

New schemes and projects to be initiated for development

2014-12-12T17:47:00.000+05:30

The Government has decided to take up a number of schemes and projects for the development and welfare of people. Major new schemes / projects announced in the Union Budget 2014-15 include:
· Development of one hundred “Smart Cities”, an allocation of Rs. 7,060 crore provided in 2014-15.
· “Skill India” programme with emphasis on employability, entrepreneur skills, training and support for professions like welders, carpenters, cobblers, masons, blacksmiths, weavers, etc.
· “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana”, a sum of Rs. 1,000 crore has been allocated for this purpose in 2014-15.

· . “Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan”. Subsequently, it was launched on October 2, 2014.

· “Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission” to deliver integrated project based infrastructure in the rural areas, including development of economic activities and skill development. An allocation of Rs. 90 crore has been made in 2014-15.

· “Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana” for electricity feeder separation and strengthening sub-transmission and distribution systems in rural areas. A sum of Rs. 500 crore has been allocated for the scheme in 2014-15.

· Revival of “Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana” from 15 August 2014 to 14 August 2015 for the benefit of senior citizens.

· Scheme on “Safety for Women on Public Road Transport”. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been allocated Rs. 50 crore for pilot testing the scheme.

· Scheme on “Safety of women in large cities”. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been allocated Rs. 150 crore in 2014-15 for this purpose. Setting up “Crisis Management Centres” in all the districts of NCT of Delhi during 2014-15 at all government and private hospitals with funding from the Nirbhaya Fund.

· “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana” a focused scheme for generating awareness and improving the efficiency of delivery of welfare services meant for women. An allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been made for this scheme.

· Programme “Neeranchal” to provide impetus to watershed development. An allocation of Rs. 2,142 crore made in 2014-15.

· “Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya New Teachers Training Programme” with an initial allocation of Rs. 500 crore in 2014-15.

· “Digital India” programme for ensuring Broad band connectivity at village level, improved access to services through IT enabled platforms, greater transparency in Government processes and increased indigenous production of IT hardware and software for exports and improved domestic availability. Special focus under the programme would be on supporting software product start-ups. A provision of Rs. 500 crore has been made in 2014-15 for digital India programme.

· “National Rural Internet and Technology Mission” for services in villages and schools, training in IT skills and E-Kranti for government service delivery. An allocation of Rs. 500 crore has been made in 2014-15 for this purpose.

· “Good Governance” programmes with an allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· Plan scheme to support 600 new and existing Community Radio Stations with an allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· Initiating development of metro rail projects in Lucknow and Ahmedabad. An initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore made in 2014-15.

· Allocation of Rs. 4,000 crore made in 2014-15 for National Housing Bank to increase flow of cheaper credit for affordable housing to the urban poor/ Economically Weaker Sections/Low Income Group segment.

· “Up gradation of Traditional Skills in Arts, Resources and Goods” programme for development of minorities to preserve the traditional arts and crafts.

· “Blue Revolution” for increasing fish production with an allocation of Rs. 50 crore in 2014-15.

· Creation of “Price Stabilisation Fund” with a corpus of Rs. 500 crore to mitigate uncertainties and hardships arising out of price volatility in agriculture produce.

· Setting up of “Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund” with a corpus of Rs. 100 crore.

· Development of “Indigenous Cattle Breed” with an allocation of Rs. 50 crore in 2014-15.

· New Agriculture Universities in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and Horticulture Universities in Haryana and Telangana with an initial allocation of Rs. 200 crore in 2014-15.

· “National Adaptation Fund” for climate change with an allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· Setting up “Indian Agriculture Research Institute” (IARI) like institutes in Assam and Jharkhand with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· “Soil Health Card” scheme to check deteriorating soil health and setting up 100 “Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories” with allocations of Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 56 crore respectively in 2014-15.

· Setting up “Long Term Rural Credit Fund” in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for providing refinance support to Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks with an initial corpus of Rs. 5,000 crore.

· Launching of “Kisan TV”, to disseminate real time information to the farmers regarding new farming techniques, water conservation, organic farming etc., with an allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· Setting up “National Industrial Corridor Authority” at Pune to coordinate the development of the industrial corridors, with smart cities linked to transport connectivity, drive India’s growth in manufacturing and urbanization with an initial allocation Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· Setting up a Rs. 10,000 crore “Venture Capital” fund to create a conducive eco-system in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector for attracting private capital by way of providing equity, quasi equity, soft loans and other risk capital for start-up companies.

· Establishing “Technology Centre Network” fund to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and agro-industry with a corpus of Rs. 200 crore.

· Setting up a “Trade Facilitation Centre” and a “Crafts Museum” with an outlay of Rs. 50 crore in 2014-15 to develop and promote handloom products and carry forward the rich tradition of handlooms of Varanasi.

· Setting up “Textile Mega-clusters” at Bareily, Lucknow, Surat, Kuttch, Bhagalpur, Mysore and one in Tamil Nadu with an allocation of Rs. 200 crore in 2014-15.

· Setting up a “Hastkala Academy” in Delhi for the preservation, revival, and documentation of the handloom/handicraft sector with an allocation of Rs. 30 crore in 2014-15.

· Starting up a “Pashmina Promotion Programme” and a programme for the development of other crafts of Jammu & Kashmir. A total sum of Rs.50 crore in 2014-15 has been allocated for this purpose.

· Setting up an institution called “3P India” to provide support to mainstreaming Public Private Partnerships with a corpus of Rs. 500 crore.

· Development of “Outer Harbour Project” phase I in Tuticorin at a total cost of Rs. 11,635 crore.

· Development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Kandla and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Mumbai.

· Development of 1,620 kms ‘Jal Marg Vikas’ (National Waterways-I) on river Ganga between Allahabad and Haldia. The project will be completed over six years at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,200 crore.

· “Ultra-Modern Super Critical Coal Based Thermal Power Technology” scheme for promotion of cleaner and more efficient thermal power, with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore for preparatory work.

· Taking up “Ultra Mega Solar Power” projects in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Laddakh in J&K with initial allocation of Rs. 500 crore.

· Launching a scheme of “Solar Power Driven Agricultural Pump Sets” and “Water Pumping Stations” for energizing one lakh pumps with an allocation of Rs. 400 crore in 2014-15.

· 44. Development of 1 MW Solar Parks on the banks of canals with an additional allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.

· Launching of Financial Inclusion Mission to empower the weaker sections of the society, including women, small and marginal farmers and labourers. Subsequently, this scheme called as “Jan Dhan Yojana” was launched on August 15, 2014.

· Construction of a “War Memorial” and a “War Museum”. Allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been allocated for this purpose.

· Construction of a “National Police Memorial”. An allocation of Rs. 50 crore has been allocated for this purpose in 2014-15.

· Creation of 5 tourist circuits around specific themes. A sum of Rs. 500 crore in 2014-15 has been allocated for this purpose.

· Launching of “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive” (PRASAD). A sum of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15 has been allocated for this purpose.

· Launching of “National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana” (HRIDAY). An allocation of Rs. 200 crore has been earmarked for the scheme.

· Setting up an “Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission” called “Namami Gange”. A sum of Rs. 2,037 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.

· “Ghat Development and Beautification of River Front” at Kedarnath, Haridwar, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna and Delhi. An allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been made in 2014-15.

· An “NRI Fund for Ganga” is proposed to be set up for financing special projects.

· Two agri-biotech clusters in Pune and Kolkata are proposed to be established.

· Setting up a sports university in Manipur. An allocation of Rs.100 crore has been made in 2014-15 for this purpose.

· Setting up a National Centre for Himalayan Studies in Uttarakhand with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore.

· Setting up a Central University in Seemandhra. A token provision of Rs.1 crore has been made in 2014-15 for this purpose.

· Setting up Tribal Universities in Seemandhra and Telengana. A token provision of Rs. 2 crore made in 2014-15 for this purpose.

· Setting up IITs/IIMs including upgradation of 5 IITs/IIMs. A fund of Rs. 500 crore has been earmarked for this purpose in 2014-15.

· Setting up IIT, NIT, IIM, IISER and IIIT in Seemandhra. A token provision of Rs.1 crore for each institute has been made in 2014-15.

· Enhancement of sports facility in Jammu & Kashmir. A sum of Rs. 200 crore has been provided for upgrading the indoor and outdoor sports stadiums to international standards.

· A National Sports Talent Search System Programme is proposed. A sum of Rs.50 crore has been set aside for this purpose.

· Promotion of leadership skills through “A Young Leaders Programme” with an initial allocation of Rs.100 crore.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Planning, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

The Minister said that certain new schemes announced post Union Budget 2014-15 include:

· Make in India:

Make in India is a new national program designed to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build best in class manufacturing infrastructure. It focuses on sectors such as automobiles, aviation, bio-technology, chemicals, construction, food processing, defence manufacturing, electronic machinery, mining, oil and gas, ports, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism and hospitality, etc.

· Saansad Gram Adarsh Yojana:

Saansad Gram Adarsh Yojana is a village development programme aimed at instilling certain values in the villages and their people so that they get transformed into models for others. Under this scheme, each Member of Parliament will take the responsibility of developing physical and institutional infrastructure in three villages by 2019 of which one would be achieved by 2016. Thereafter, five such Adarsh Grams (one per year) will be selected and developed by 2024.

Why people are disappointed with AAP and Kejriwal?

2014-12-08T17:45:00.001+05:30

No other politician has betrayed the common man of this country so much as has been done by the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal.If he were a typical politician then his action would have not shocked so many people.He was expected to raise above petty politics and try to eradicate corruption from the system.Inspired by the Lalu-Mulayam brand of politics he too joined the bandwagon of "secular-communal politics" only to garner the bulk votes of a section of society to further his own interest.
This kind of sheer opportunistic behaviour was not expected of him and as a result even his most ardent followers started to part away from him and his party.Now he is left with a very low support base that will barely fetch a few seats for him.That too because Congress is in pathetic condition and those opposed to the BJP are forced to vote for him .If MIM attracts minority votes the way it has done in Maharastra then Kejriwal will be confined in a single digit.

Once Again Kejriwal Nautanki Free........

2014-10-29T13:58:00.002+05:30

Raj Thackerey Of MNS was behaving as if he owned Maharashtra and he would assume the post of chief minister whenever he wished so.Now he has been relegated to nothing and is unlikely to be considered a potent political force in the state.

Arvind Kejriwal suffers from the same symptom.Last time people reposed faith in his party because of his crusade against corruption.But the way he behaved afterwards was simply disgusting.He swore by his children ,that he would not form government with the help from the Congress.But he formed the government with the help from the Congress.

Then he went to Bareli to become a certified secular politician.All his action was contrary to the assurance he had given to the electorate.His own party workers were such aghast with his behaviour that he was publicly slapped several times.

Kejriwal and a few of his techie friends believe that 'AAP Nautanki "would be enjoyed perennially.But people are fed up with him and he is destined to join Raj Thackery after the election result .People are not as fool as these fellow understand.Kar Lo Nautanki Kuch Aur Din.

Ulte Chor Kotwal Ko Dante ?

2014-10-29T13:22:00.000+05:30

Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India had sent government officials to England to defreez the Bank Accounts of Italian Broker Quatochi.

It is a well known fact that the said broker was a very close friend of Gandhi family.The account had money which was credited for BOFORS deal.The moot question however is that why Indian government would bother to send its officials to England so that the account is defreezed in order to enable the Italian broker to withdraw the money ?

It is logical and safe to assume that a major part of that booty must be meant for someone who was such powerful that Manmohan Singh had no choice but to obey the order .The government came out with some bizarre justification and the issue died down because newer scams unearthed in the meanwhile.

A German Magazine had named the same powerful family having Swish Bank account.But as is the case in India LAWS are only meant for ordinary mortals.Big and powerful are never caught.Now when the government of Narendra Modi is showing the intent to catch the thieves,those who have been indulging in corruptions are crying hoarse.They are now accusing the present government of covering up.Ulte Chor Kotwal Ko Dante ?

Arun Jaitely has been disappointing so far ......

2014-10-28T17:55:00.000+05:30

Narendra Modi has galvanised the nation .He has ignited hope and aspirations that finally India will be able to get rid of MAFIAS" who have been able to appropriate all the benefits meant for poor and downtrodden for themselves by dubious means .

People of India expect Narendra Modi to usher in a different kind of politics.Politics of development is the need of the hour and they yearn for that.

But the man trusted most by Narendra Modi,Arun Jaitely is falling short of that expectation .The way Arun Jaitely has handled the BLCK MONEY issue is shocking for millions of BJP supporters.

First on retrospective tax issue ,Jaitely disappointed many.Now on Black Money issue he had to take U-Turn after the Supreme Court forced him to do so.This has certainly eroded the credibility of this government.

Mr. Jaitely must be advised and told to not indulge in "Politics Congress Style" any further .Narendra Modi should take note of this and ask Arun Jaitely to concentrate on the job assigned to him .
Arun Jaitely is known for maintaining fine balance and having good equations with other party leaders.All those who held high hopes from Arun Jaitely would be feeling disappointed and let down.

“Japan Plus” constituted to fast track Japanese investments

2014-10-09T17:39:00.002+05:30

The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) has set up a special management team to facilitate and fast track investment proposals from Japan. The team, known as “Japan Plus”, will comprise representatives from Government of India and METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), Government of Japan.

An outcome of the recently concluded visit of the Prime Minister of India to Japan, the mandate of the “Japan Plus” team runs through the entire spectrum of investment promotion – research, outreach, promotion, facilitation and aftercare. The team will support the Government of India in initiating, attracting, facilitating, fast tracking and handholding Japanese investments across sectors. The team will also be responsible for providing updated information on investment opportunities across sectors, in specific projects and in industrial corridors in particular. In addition, the “Japan Plus” team will identify prospective Japanese companies, including, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and facilitate their investments in India.

The “Japan Plus” team will also provide assistance to DIPP in undertaking regular benchmarking studies, identifying bottlenecks and areas of concern in sectors of interest to Japanese companies, and analyzing their impact on industrial development production in India.

“Japan Plus” has been operationalized w.e.f. October 8, 2014. “Japan Plus” will be coordinated by Mr. Kenichiro Toyofuku from METI and will comprise of four Indians and two Japanese officials. “Japan Plus” can be reached at japanplus@nic.in and at k.toyofuku@nic.in

Government has also constituted a Core Group chaired by Cabinet Secretary on India-Japan Investment Promotion Partnership. This group will comprise of Chairman, Railway Board; Foreign Secretary and Secretaries of DIPP, Economic Affairs, Expenditure, Financial Services, Revenue, Commerce, Urban Development, Electronics and Information Technology and others. The Core Group will be serviced by Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion. This Core Group will co-ordinate and closely monitor the process to ensure that investments from Japan as envisaged in India–Japan Investment Promotion Partnership are facilitated in various sectors and opportunities of investment and technology transfer are fully exploited.

During the recent visit of the Prime Minister to Japan, the India–Japan Investment Promotion Partnership, as part of the Tokyo Declaration for India – Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership was announced. Under this Investment Promotion Partnership, Japan has offered to invest in India approximately 3.5 trillion Yen (US $ 33.5 Billion) by way of public and private investment and financing including Overseas Development Assistance, over the next five years.

India has been rated as the top investment destination by JBIC for the long term. Japan is the 4th largest FDI contributor to India, with major interests in pharmaceuticals, automobiles and services sectors and accounts for 7.46% of total FDI equity inflows into India. As per the JBIC survey report on overseas business operations by Japanese manufacturing companies, 90% of the respondents voted “future growth potential of local market” as the top reason for India’s attractiveness. India is an attractive investment destination for Japanese companies, with 1,072 Japanese companies having 2,542 business bases in India. Over the last decade, the number of Japanese establishments in India have increased by 11 times, reflecting the positive sentiments of Japanese investors for Indian market.

Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to USA

2014-10-01T12:21:00.002+05:30

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the President of the United States of America Barack Obama met this morning. Marking their first bilateral summit, the President recognized the Prime Minister’s historic election victory in the largest democratic election ever held.

The two leaders extolled the broad strategic and globalpartnership between the United States and India, which will continue to generategreater prosperity and security for their citizens and the world. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the priority India accords to its partnership with the United States, a principal partner in the realization of India’s rise as a responsible, influential world power. Given the shared values, people-to-people ties, and pluralistic traditions, President Obama recognized that India’s rise as a friend and partner is in the United States’ interest. Theyendorsed the first "Vision Statement for the Strategic Partnership” as a guide to strengthen and deepen cooperation in every sector for the benefit of global stability and people’s livelihoods over the next ten years. They committed to a new mantra for the relationship, "ChaleinSaathSaath: Forward Together We Go.”

The two leadersrecognized that the bilateral relationshipenjoys strong support in both countries, which has allowed the strategic partnership to flourish even as the governments change.Welcoming the wide range of collaborative activities undertaken to improve their citizens’ lives, both leaders agreed to revitalize the existing partnership and find new areas for collaboration and mutual benefit.

Economic Growth

Noting that two-way trade has increased fivefold since 2001 to nearly$100 billion, President Obama and Prime Minister Modicommitted to facilitate the actions necessary to increase tradeanother fivefold.President Obama and Prime Minister Modi recognizedthat U.S. and Indian businesses have a critical role to play in sustainable, inclusive, and job-led growth and development.

In order to raise investment by institutional investors and corporate entities, the leaders pledged to establish an Indo-U.S. Investment Initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Treasury, with special focus on capital market development and financing of infrastructure. They pledged to establish an Infrastructure Collaboration Platform convened by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Commerce to enhance participation of U.S. companies in infrastructure projects in India.

In this context, the U.S.government welcomes India`s offer for U.S. industry to be the lead partner in developing smart cities in Ajmer (Rajasthan), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh).The Prime Minister will welcome two trade missions in 2015 focused on meeting India’s infrastructure needs with U.S. technology and services.

They also committed to a new partnership to advance the Prime Minister`s goal of improved access to clean water and sanitation for all. USAID, through the Urban India Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Alliance, will serve as knowledge partner to help leverage private and civil society innovation, expertise, and technology, such as with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to support the Prime Minister`s 500 Cities National Urban Development Mission and Clean India Campaign.

The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s ambitious plan to extend basicfinancialservices to all its citizens, giving them powerful tools to manage their finances and more fully participate in India`s growing economy.The President and Prime Minister underlinedthe important contribution that U.S. locomotive technology, equipment to monitor rail system assets, and U.S. best practices can play in modernizing India’s vast railway network, including accessing programs of U.S. Trade and Development Agency in this work.

The leaders discussed their concerns about the current impasse in the World Trade Organization and its effect on the multilateral trading system, and directed their officials to consult urgentlyalong with other WTO members on the next steps. Theleaders committed to work through the Trade Policy Forum to promote a business environment attractive for companies to invest and manufacture in India and in the United States. Agreeing on the need to foster innovation in a manner that promotes economic growth and job creation, the leaders committed to establish an annual high-level Intellectual Property (IP) Working Group with appropriate decision-making and technical-level meetings as part of the Trade Policy Forum. They recognized in particular the contribution of the Indian and U.S. Information Technology (IT) industry and the IT-enabled service industry in strengthening India-U.S. trade and investment relations.

The two leaders committed to hold public-private discussions in early 2015 under the Commercial Dialogue on new areas of cooperation, including innovation in advanced manufacturing. In order to share best practices in manufacturingand work toward greater harmonization of standards, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership program will start a dialogue with Indian counterparts. The two countriesplan to work expeditiously through several joint initiatives to facilitate greater confidence in cross-border trade and investment.

The President also offered to support the Prime Minister to achieve his goal of preparing young Indians for 21st century jobs through new partnerships to share expertise and global standards for skills development in India, including by reinvigorating the Higher Education Dialogue.

The leaders look forward to the annual U.S.-India Economic and Financial Partnership in early 2015.They also welcomed the expansion of the partnership in oversight of financial institutions, including between Reserve Bank of India and the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of Currency.They also agreed to reinvigorate the India-U.S. CEO Forum, and welcomed India`s offer to host the Forum for the second time in early 2015.

Energy and Climate Change

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implement fully the U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement. They established a Contact Group on advancing the implementation of civil nuclear energy cooperation in order to realize early their shared goal of delivering electricity from U.S.-built nuclear power plants in India. They looked forward to advancing the dialogue to discuss all implementation issues, including but not limited to administrative issues, liability,technical issues, and licensing to facilitate the establishment of nuclear parks, including power plants with Westinghouse and GE-Hitachi technology.

Recognizing the critical importance of increasing energy access, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving resilience in the face of climate change, President Obama and Prime Minister Modi agreed to a new and enhanced strategic partnership on energy security, clean energy, and climate change. They agreed to strengthen and expand the highly successful U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) through a series of priority initiatives, including anew Energy Smart Cities Partnership to promote efficient urban energy infrastructure; a new program to scale-up renewable energy integration into India’s power grid; cooperation to support India’s efforts to upgrade its alternative energy institutes and to develop new innovation centers; an expansion of the Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) program to unlock additional private sector investment and accelerate the deployment of cost-effective, super-efficient appliances; and the formation ofa new Clean Energy Finance Forum to promoteinvestment and trade in clean energy projects.

Both leadersare committed to working towards a successful outcome in Paris in 2015 of the conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including the creation of a new global agreement on climate change.

The leaders recalled previous bilateral and multilateral statementson the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). They recognized the need to use the institutions and expertise of the Montreal Protocol to reduce consumption and production of HFCs, while continuing to report and account for the quantities reduced under the UNFCCC. They pledged to urgently arrange a meeting of their bilateral task force on HFCs prior to the next meeting of the Montreal Protocol to discuss issues such as safety, cost, and commercial access to new or alternative technologies to replace HFCs. The two sides would thereafter cooperate on next steps to tackle the challenge posed by HFCs to global warming.

They launched a new U.S.-India Partnership for Climate Resilience to advance capacity for climate adaptation planning, and a new program of work on air quality aimed at delivering benefits for climate change and human health.

They also launched a new U.S.-India Climate Fellowship Program to build long-term capacity to address climate change-related issues in both countries. The President and Prime Minister instructed their senior officials to work through the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue, U.S.-India Joint Working Group on Combating Climate Change, and other relevant fora to advance these and other initiatives.

The leaders welcomed the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Export-Import Bank and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, which would make up to $1 billion in financing available to bolster India’s efforts to transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient energy economy, while boosting U.S. renewableenergy exports to India. The two leaders reiterated the importance of conserving India`s precious biodiversity and agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration on national parks and wildlife conservation.

Defense and Homeland Security Cooperation

The Prime Minister and the President stated their intention to expand defense cooperation to bolster national, regional, and global security. The two leaders reaffirmed that India and the United States would build an enduring partnership in which both sides treat each other at the same level as their closest partners, including defense technology transfers, trade, research, co-production, and co-development.

To facilitate deeper defense cooperation, they welcomed the decision to renew for ten more years the 2005 Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationshipand directed their defense teams to develop plans for more ambitious programs and activities. The two leaders also agreed to reinvigorate the Political-Military Dialogue and expand its role to serve as a wider dialogue on export licensing, defense cooperation and strategic cooperation.

The leaders welcomed the first meeting under the framework of the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative in September 2014 and endorsed its decision to establish a Task Force to expeditiously evaluate and decide on unique projects and technologies which would have a transformative impact on bilateral defense relations and enhance India`s defense industry and military capabilities.

The President and Prime Minister welcomed cooperation in the area of military education and training, and endorsed plans for the United States to cooperate with India`s planned National Defence University. They also decided to expand military-to-military partnerships including expert exchanges, dialogues, and joint training and exercises. They also committed to enhancing exchanges of civilian and military intelligence and consultation.

The leaders agreed to intensify cooperation in maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and unimpeded movement of lawful shipping and commercial activity, in accordance with accepted principles of international law. To achieve this objective, the two sides considered enhancing technology partnerships for India`s Navy including assessing possible areas of technology cooperation. They also agreed to upgrade their existing bilateral exercise MALABAR.

The leaders reaffirmed their deep concern over the continued threat posed by terrorism, most recently highlighted by the dangers presented by the ISIL, and underlined the need for continued comprehensive global efforts to combat and defeat terrorism.The leaders stressed the need for joint and concerted efforts, including the dismantling of safe havens for terrorist and criminal networks, to disrupt all financial and tactical support for networks such as Al Qaeda,Lashkar-e Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the D-Company, and the Haqqanis. They reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.

They pledged to enhance criminal law enforcement, security, and military information exchanges, and strengthen cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance. Through operational cooperation through their law enforcementagencies, they aimed to prevent the spread of counterfeit currency and inhibit the use of cyberspace by terrorists, criminals, and those who use the internet for unlawful purposes, and to facilitate investigation of criminal and terrorist activities. The leaders also committed to identify modalities to exchange terrorist watch lists. President Obama pledgedto help India counter the threat of improvised explosive devices with information and technology. The leaders committed to pursue provision of U.S.-made mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles to India.

The President and Prime Minister looked forward to easing travel between their two countries, as India introduces visa-on-arrival for U.S. citizens in 2015 and works toward meeting the requirements to make the United States’ Global Entry Program available to Indian citizens.

High Technology, Space and Health Cooperation

Fundamental science and high technology cooperation has been a critical pillar of the strategic partnership, the two leaders confirmed, and they looked forward to renewing the Science and Technology Agreement in order to expand joint activities in innovative technology. The Prime Minister welcomed the United States as a partner country, for the first time, at India’s annual Technology Summit in November 2014.In addition, they committed to convene the ninth High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). They planto launch new partnerships to source and scale innovation for the benefit of citizens in both countries and to harness innovation to solve global development challenges.

The President welcomed India’s contribution and cooperation on high-energy physics and accelerator research and development with the U.S. Department of Energy. The President thanked the Prime Minister for his offer to have U.S. institutionspartner with a newIndian Institute of Technology.

The leaders committed to partner on the Digital India initiative, with the goal of enhancing digital infrastructure, deploying e-governance and e-services, promoting industry collaboration, and digitally empowering India’s citizens.The President welcomed India`s proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN, or Knowledge) under which India would invite and host upto 1,000 American academics each year to teach in centrally-recognized Indian Universities, at their convenience.

The two leaders exchanged congratulations onthe successful entry into orbit of their respective Mars missions, which occurred two days apart. They welcomed the establishment and planned first meetingof the NASA-ISROMars Joint Working Group under the U.S.-India Civil Space Joint Working Group. The leaders also look forward to the successful conclusion of a new agreement to support the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, to be launched in 2021.

The United and India also intend to start a new dialogue on maintaining long-term security and sustainability of the outer space environment, including space situational awareness and collision avoidance in outer space.

The President and Prime Minister recognized the extensive ongoing cooperation in the health sector which they will put to use in preventing the spread of the Ebola virus. The President welcomed India’scontribution to the UN Fund and donation of protective gear to the effort against Ebola, and thanked the Prime Minister for encouraging Indian-owned businesses in West Africa to contribute to the fight against Ebola. The Prime Minister also offered to deploy Indian expertise in the fight against Ebola, including by investing its resources in producing modelling of the spread of the disease, jointly producing rapid deployable diagnostics, and considering joint training of response personnel.The United States stands ready to amplify India`s efforts to achieve a further reduction in preventable child and maternal deaths, including replicating India`s successful approaches in other countries.

The leaders agreed to launch a new phase of the India-U.S. Vaccine Action Program to develop affordable vaccines for dengue, malaria, and tuberculosis, and the establishment of an adjuvant development center. They also agreed in principle to initiate cooperative activities to increase capacity in cancer research and patient care delivery, including by developing collaborative programs for and with India`s upcoming AIIMS-National Cancer Institute. The President welcomed India’s offer to take a leading role in the Global Health Security Agenda.

Global Issues and Regional Consultations

Highlighting their shared democratic values, the President and Prime Minister recognized the critical role that women play in India and the United States, as shown by India’s "BetiBachao, BetiPadhao” ("Save Daughters, CelebrateDaughters, Educate Daughters”)initiative. They looked forward to holding a Women Empowerment Dialogue in order to exchange best practices to enhance the role of women in their countries, and they asserted zero tolerance for violence against women.

As a critical step in strengthening global nonproliferation and export control regimes, the President and Prime Minister committed to continue work towards India’s phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group. The President affirmed that India meets MTCR requirements and is ready for membership in the NSG. He supported India’s early application and eventual membership in all four regimes.

As active participants in the Nuclear Security Summit process, the United States and India welcomed progress toward reducing the risk of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons or related materials, and noted their shared commitment to improving nuclear security nationally and globally. They reviewed their bilateral dialogue on nuclear security and endorsed working through India’s Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership to reinforce safe and secure use of nuclear energy worldwide. They also pledged to strengthen their efforts to forge a partnership to lead global efforts for non-proliferation of WMDs, to reduce the salience of nuclear weapons in international affairs, and to promote universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament.

Noting India’s "ActEast” policy and the United States’ rebalance to Asia, the leaders committed to work more closely with other Asia Pacific countries through consultations, dialogues, and joint exercises. They underlined the importance of their trilateral dialogue with Japan and decided to explore holding this dialogue among their Foreign Ministers.

The President and Prime Minister emphasized the need to accelerate infrastructure connectivity and economic development corridors for regional economic integration linking South, Southeast, and Central Asia. The President reiterated that the United States, through its New Silk Road and India-Pacific Economic Corridor, is promoting the linkage of India to its neighbors and the wider region to enable a freer flow of commerce and energy.

The President and Prime Minister noted the success of their countries’ collaboration on agricultural innovation in three African countries.They announced a new agreement to expand joint development initiatives in third countries in a range of sectors, including agricultural productivity, clean energy, health, women’s empowerment, and disaster preparedness. They also look forward to continuing the productive cooperation in Afghanistan on promoting women’s economic empowerment.

The Prime Minister and the President reaffirmed their shared interest in preserving regional peace and stability, which are critical to the Asia Pacific region`s continued prosperity. The leaders expressed concern about rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes, and affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea. The Prime Minister and President called on all parties to avoid the use, or threat of use, of force in advancing their claims. The two leaders urged the concerned parties to pursue resolution of their territorial and maritime disputes through all peaceful means,in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

India and the United States pledged to consult closely on global crises, especially unfolding events in Syria and Iraq. The two leaders committed to exchange information about nationals returning from these conflict zones, and to seek cooperation in protecting and responding to the needs of civilians stranded in the middle of these conflicts.

Recognizing the importance of their respective strategic partnerships with Afghanistan, the leaders asserted the importance of a sustainable, inclusive, sovereign, and democraticpolitical order in Afghanistan, and committed to continue close consultations and cooperation in support of Afghanistan’s future.

They stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve the serious concerns of the international community regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and called on Iran to comply with its UN Security Council-imposed obligations and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The two leaders expressed concerns over the continued development by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, including its uranium enrichment activities. They urged DPRK to take concrete actions toward denuclearization and other goals, as well as to comply fully with all its international obligations, including all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to fulfill its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks.

The President expressed appreciation for the contributions of Indian peacekeepers to global peace and stability for the past 60 years, and welcomed the partnership with India to train third country peacekeepers at India’s training center in New Delhi. The President reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and both leaderscommitted to ensuring that the Security Council continues to play an effective role in maintaining international peace and security as envisioned in the United Nations Charter.

The President also affirmed his commitment to enhancing India`s voice and vote in international financial institutions, and ensuring that resources are made available and are used creatively through multilateral development banks for infrastructure financing.

The President thanked the Prime Minister for the gracious invitation to return to the great nation of India. In conclusion, the two leaders affirmed their long-term vision for a resilient and ambitious partnership through the first "Vision Statement for the Strategic Partnership,” which they will hold up as the guiding framework for their governments and people.

‘Punarjagaran’- Mass Awakening Campaign for youth to be launched on 2nd October, 2014

2014-10-01T12:19:00.001+05:30

Ministry of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports has decided to launch ‘Punarjagaran’- Mass Awakening Campaign for Youth Participation in Nation Development across India from 2nd October 2014. ‘Punarjagaran’ aims at creating awareness among youth and empower them to become active partners in nation building activities.

The programme will be launched simultaneously from four districts which are situated at extreme tips of India - Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, (South), Leh in Jammu and Kashmir (North), Okha in Gujarat (West) and Roing in Arunachal Pradesh (North East) and will culminate on 25th September 2015 at Mathura (UP).

The yearlong Campaign also aims to make aware and educate youth on key issues in thematic areas, provide information on the avenues for skill development, encourage and empower them with the spirit of nationalism and volunteerism. The thematic areas of the campaign are encouraging Nationalism, promoting “Swachh Bharat, Shramadaan” and popularizing the recently launched “Jan Dhan Yojana”.

It has been assessed that from Leh (J&K) and Okha (Gujarat) to Mathura (UP) the campaign will traverse through 20/21 districts each thus making a total of 40 districts, whereas in case of campaign from Kanyakumari and Roing to Mathura a total of 60 districts will be covered. Therefore, under this campaign youth from a total of 100 districts will be covered.