National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

7/29/2019 National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

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National Commission for Scheduled Tribes : The National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has

informed that Clause (5) of Article 338 A of the Constitution vests with the NCST the duty to investigate and

monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Tribes, to inquire into specific

complaints with respect to deprivation of rights and safeguards and to participate and advise in the planning

process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their

development. Accordingly, the recommendations of the Commission are of two types. One relating to

violation of rights and safeguards and the other relating to socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes.Wherever, the recommendations of the NCST highlight violation of the Constitutional rights and safeguards

provided for the Scheduled Tribes, the Authority concerned is mandated to rectify the violation by accepting

the recommendation of the NCST. As regards recommendation relating to development issues and change of

existing policy or evolving a new policy relating to Scheduled Tribes, such recommendation has to be

examined and considered as per laid down procedure.

Promotion of Tribal Culture :The Ministry of Tribal Affairs runs a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Research &

Training-Grants-in-Aid to Tribal Research Institutes, under which the funds are provided to the State

Governments on 50:50 sharing basis between State and Centre for various activities performed by these

institutes which include, conducting research on different aspects of tribal life including their languages, art

and culture and also setting up of tribal museums for exhibiting tribal artifacts and promotion of tribal culture.

The Ministry organizes annual National Level Festival Prakriti in Delhi and supports State

Governments/Union Territories in organizing tribal festivals in their own environment. The Ministry also gives

National Tribal Awards under which two awards each of Rs.2.00 lakh (preferably one for a male Scheduled

Tribe and other for a female Scheduled Tribe) are given for the Best Janjatiya Achiever covering Sports,

Education, Culture, etc.

Improvement in Conditions of STs: The details of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are:

(i) Post Matric Scholarships for ST students, (ii) Hostels for ST Boys and ST Girls, (iii) Establishment of AshramSchools in Tribal Sub-Plan Areas, and (iv) Research, Information and Mass Education, Tribal Festival and

others.

BRGF Programme The Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj is designed

to redress regional imbalances in development. The funds provide financial resources for supplementing and

converging existing developmental inflows into identified districts so as to bridge critical gaps in local

infrastructure and other development requirements. As per the Progress Reports received in the Ministry,

these funds have been utilised for developmental activities like construction of Anganwadi centres, Panchayat

Ghars, roads, culverts, bridges, community halls, water supply etc.

Steps to Increase Power Generation Capacity in Renewable Energy total installed capacity of power

generation in the country is 2,10,544 MW. This includes 26,267 MW from various renewable energy sources.

The contribution of renewable energy is about 12.45% in the total installed capacity. A target of 30 GW grid

interactive renewable power capacity addition, comprising 15 GW from wind, 10 GW from solar, 2 GW from

small hydro and 3 GW from biomass has been proposed for the Twelfth Five Year plan period. Government

has taken several steps to increase power generation capacity of renewable energy sources. These include:

Fiscal and financial incentives, such as, capital/ interest subsidy, accelerated depreciation, concessional

excise and customs duties;

Preferential tariff for grid interactive renewable power in most potential States.

A minimum percentage for purchase of electricity by distribution companies from renewable energy

sources.

Guidelines by CERC to SERCs for fixation of preferential tariffs.


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Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission to give a boost to deployment solar photovoltaic as well as solar

thermal systems.

Rural Business Hub Scheme : The Rural Business Hubs (RBH) Scheme aims at synergistically linking the

strengths of rural areas/producers with industry and marketing organizations so that rural products reach

wider market and benefits of value addition are shared. The objectives of RBH Scheme are to identify rural

products which have potential for national/ international markets and standardize their quality; to ensure

value addition in rural products and increase production volumes to levels viable for marketing; to promote

Rural Non-Farming Enterprises (RNFE) which utilize local skills and/or resources and promote rural

employment and to foster mutually beneficial relations between the producers and Industrial housesRBH

projects have been sanctioned for various products including metal work, carpets, embroidery, biofuels,

horticultural products etc. The Ministry is not maintaining data base about export of RBH products.

India is spearheading efforts to finalise an agreement for SAARC central banks to establish a currency swap

arrangement as a baseline measure that would provide funds to SAARC states to defend their currencies when

faced by special exigencies.

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill, 2012 providing for reservation inpromotions to SCs and STs in government jobs. 206 members voted in favour while 10 against it.The Bill

required a majority of the total number of members of the House and two-third majority of the members

present and voting. Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Personnel, V. Narayanasamy said that

reservation will be to the extent of 22.5 per cent which is available to SCs and STs under the Constitution.

quota for Muslims in government jobs as per the Sachar Committee recommendations.

Some Questions on Elections, Representation and Democracy: The electoral methodology adopted

and practiced by us is the single member plurality system, otherwise known as the First-Past-the Post

(FPTP) system. The traditional arguments in its favour are that (a) it tends to provide a clear-cut

contest between two or more major parties (b) its working is easy for voters to understand (c) it allows

individuals who are not members of a political party to run as independents (d) it tends to producestable governments and (e) it is likely to produce a strong opposition party.

Despite the above, the system is not universal and critics have commented on its limitations. These

relate to the (i) disconnect between the vote share and the number of seats won (ii) propensity to over-

reward major parties and under-reward smaller parties (iii) likelihood of smaller parties with strong

regional base getting a seat bonus and winning more seats than their corresponding share of the

popular vote.

Suggestions have been made with regard to possible correctives to the present system. Principal

among these are (a) Mixed Compensatory Proportional Representation on the German model and (b)

Second Ballot System to achieve a 50% +1 result. Their merits need to be carefully assessed in terms

of our conditions.

The German model or the List System requires that the overall representation of parties inlegislature be based on the proportion of valid votes (at least 10% of the total) obtained by them. 50%

of the legislators will be elected from territorial constituencies based on FPTP system. This will ensure

a link between the legislator and the constituents. The balance of 50% will be allocated to parties to

make up for their shortfall based on proportion of votes. The party list for the latter will be selected

democratically by its members. To operate this system, each voter will be required to cast two votes,

one for each category. An essential prerequisite of this system is legal regulation of the internal

functioning of political parties. It also requires a more literate electorate.The Second Ballot system involves a run off between the first two contenders in an election if neither of them

obtains less than 50% of the votes cast. It retains most of the advantages of the present system but would ensure

that parties and candidates seek a wider mandate from the electorate, broaden their vote catchments, and therebyminimise appeal to parochial sentiments which is becoming a source of concern in terms of social cohesion.

Eligibility Condition for Disability Pension : Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) is a

component of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Under IGNDPS, central assistance of Rs. 300 p.m.


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per beneficiary is provided to persons with severe or multiple disabilities in the age group of 18-79 years and

belonging to a household living below poverty line (BPL) as per criteria prescribed by Government of India

Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Projects Generate Employment of About 15 Persons Per MW: following

steps to train local persons and create employment in rural areas: Course material for ITIs on Solar Lighting

Systems, Solar thermal systems and small hydro has been developed and disseminated to ITIs through

Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGET), Ministry of Labour and Employment. This material

has been incorporated in two-year regular ITI courses of seven trades namely electrician, electronics, fitter,

turner, sheet metal works, plumber and welder

Projects Under Phase I of JNNSM Completed: Policy guidelines for implementation of various schemes under

Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) are formulated by the Government. Accordingly following

schemes were issued under Phase-I of JNNSM:

1. Migration Scheme for Grid Connected Projects

2. Guidelines for Selection of New Grid Connected Solar Power Projects under Batch-I, Phase-I of JNNSM

3. Guidelines for Selection of New Grid Connected Solar Power Projects under Batch-II, Phase-I of JNNSM

4. Rooftop PV and Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP)5. Off-Grid and Decentralized Solar Application

Development of Minorities: Minorities Rights Day. On 18th

December 1992 the United Nations promulgated

the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic

Minorities in order to strengthen the cause of the minorities. the Ministry further strengthened multi-

pronged strategy for development of minority communities with focus on:

Area development: Prime Ministers 15 Point Programme Multi-sectoral Development Programme

Educational empowerment:

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme

Post Matric Scholarship Scheme

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme

Maulana Azad National Fellowship

Free Coaching and Allied Scheme

Schemes of Maulana Azad Educational Foundation (Maulana Azad National Scholarship for

meritorious girls; Grant-in Aid to NGOs for development of Educational Infrastructure)

Empowerment of Minority Women: Scheme of Leadership Development of Minority Women started from

current financial year.

Economic empowerment: Schemes of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC)

namely, Term Loans, Micro-Finance, Educational Loans which provide loans at concessional interest rates to

minorities.

Strengthening of minority institutions:Scheme for computerization of State Wakf Boards.

Making the Judicial System Five Plus Free: As pendency of cases in various courts continued to be a major

concern of the Ministry of Law & Justice, the focus of pendency reduction drive this year has been to make our

judicial system five plus free i.e. to dispose of cases that are more than five years old. Simultaneously,

emphasis was laid on increasing the number of judges in subordinate judiciary by filling the existing vacancies

and creating additional posts so that disposal of cases is expedited by setting up of additional courts.

National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms: Government has set up a National

Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms with the twin objectives of increasing access by

reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural changes

and by setting performance standards and capacities. TheMission has been pursuing a coordinatedapproach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration which, inter alia,

involves better infrastructure for courts including computerisation, increase in strength of subordinate

judiciary, policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation, re-engineering of

court procedure for quick disposal of cases and emphasis on human resource development. The


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National Mission has a time frame of five years (2011-16) to pursue them.The Mission has taken

several steps in the strategic areas towards fulfilment of its objectives. An Inter-Ministerial Group

(IMG) has been constituted to suggest necessary amendments to the Negotiable Instruments Act,

1881 along with other policy and administrative measures to check increasing litigation relating to

cheque bounce cases. For the re-engineering of court procedures and court processes for early

disposal of cases, a National Court Management System has been notified by the Supreme Court for

addressing the issues of case management, court management, setting measurable standards for

performance of the courts and the National System of Judicial Statistics in the country.Infrastructure development for the subordinate judiciary is a major thrust area for the National

Mission. With a view to enhancing the resources of the State Governments, the Government has

increased the central share by revising the funding pattern from 50:50 to 75:25 (for States other than

North Eastern States) under modified Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of infrastructure

facilities for the judiciary. The funding pattern for North-Eastern States has been kept as 90:10.

e-Courts Mission Mode Project: The project envisages computerisation of 14,249 district and subordinate

courts as well up gradation of the information and communication technology infrastructure of the Supreme

Court and the High Courts in the country, so that citizen centric eServices can be initiated to make justice

delivery more affordable and transparent. Once computerised, the courts are envisaged to provide a host ofeServices to litigants and public at large though a website, such as - case filing, certified copies of orders and

judgments and case status. Similarly, the advocates can access the cause lists online under this project.

Re-engineering Court Procedures and Court Processes: An important aspect of the judicial reforms relates to

re-engineering court procedures and court processes for early disposal of cases. A comprehensive scheme of

National Court Management Systems (NCMS) has been formulated and notified by the Supreme Court of India

on 2nd May 2012. Under the NCMS, a National Framework of Court Excellence (NFCE) is being prepared,

which will set measurable standards of performance for courts addressing the issues of quality, responsiveness

and timeliness. A Case Management System (CMS) will be developed to ensure the user friendliness of the

judicial process to the stakeholders. The National Mission would coordinate with the NCMS and would render

necessary assistance in achieving the goal of reducing pendency in courts.

The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill: The Bill does not seek to infringe on the independence of the

Judiciary which is the hallmark of Indian democracy and which is guaranteed under Constitution. Instead, it

will enhance the accountability without affecting the independence of the judiciary in anyway.

Legal Aid: Unlike many other countries, India has a very progressive legal aid law that provides free legal

services for a wide variety of peoplewomen, children, workers, people living with disability, SCs, STs, those

earning below Rs. 1lakh per annum etc. Legal aid is available for both criminal and civil matters. The Legal

Services Authorities Act is the key legislation to assist the marginalized people in accessing a host of rights and

entitlements. Avenues to access legal aid under the Act are available from the Supreme Court down till thedistrict and taluka level. The Government will now be focusing its efforts to establish Legal Aid Clinics even at

the village level so as to ensure access to justice for the people at their door steps. Paralegals will be trained

across the country to empower and assist the marginalized people in accessing their rights and entitlements, and

to man the legal aid clinics. Good practices from other parts of the world are being studied with a view to adapt

them to our context. With UNDP support, the Ministry of Law & Justice sent 4 delegations to Indonesia, South

Africa, Malawi and Sierra Leone to study good practices on legal aid and empowerment. An international

conference was held on 17-18 November 2012 to discuss this subject. Based on the learnings from the

conference, the Ministry will be exploring mechanisms to work closely with law school based legal aid clinics

so as to utilise the services of law students in providing access to justice for the poor people. The Ministry will

work closely with the National Legal Service Authority and the State Legal Service Authorities to strengthen

the paralegals as an institution in the country.

Gram Nyayalas: The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 has been enacted to provide for establishment of

Gram Nyayalayas at the Inter Mediate Panchayat level by State Governments in consultation with respective

High Courts so that speedy and affordable justice could be provided to the common man at his doorsteps.


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Rural /Urban Unemployment gap In order to tackle the problem of rural and urban unemployment,

Government of India has been making constant efforts to provide gainful employment through normal growth

process and implementing various employment generation programmes, such as,

SwaranaJayantiShahariRozgarYojana (SJSRY); Prime Minister`s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP);

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

(MGNREGA) besides entrepreneurial development programmes run by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium

Enterprises. Government is also providing self employment opportunities in the rural areas through NationalRural Livelihood Mission.

Smart Cards under RSBY(Rashtriya Swasthya BimaYojana): RSBY the premium is shared in the ratio of 75:25

between Center and State except in case ofNER States and Jammu & Kashmir where it is in ratio of 90:10. The

cost of smart card preparation @ Rs 60/- per card is included in the premium quoted by the Insurance

Companies and this amount is entirely borne by the Central Govt.

Swavalamban Scheme ; Under Swavalamban Scheme, central funds are released to Pension Fund Regulatory

and Development Authority (PFRDA) for making co-contribution against the contribution made by the

beneficiaries. steps to encourage more people to enroll under the scheme and to promote micro pensionsavings amongst the low level income household groups especially in the unorganised sector in the country:

Any worker in the informal sector with an annual savings of Rs.1000 to Rs.12000 is eligible under the

scheme. Governments co-contribution @Rs.1000/- is available till the year 2016-17 for all accounts opened

till 2012-13.

Requirement of Jobs ; A provision under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

(MGNREGA), 2005 has been made to provide at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in

every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled work. Government of

India has also been making constant efforts through normal growth process and implementing various

employment generation programmes, such as, Swarana Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY); Prime

Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and National Rural Livelihood Mission besides

entrepreneurial development programmes run by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises

Electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System

Assistance to Families of Martyrs : Government looks after the welfare of the recipients of

gallantry awards and other ex- servicemen and their families through Zila Sainik Boards

at District level, RajyaSainik Board at State level and Kendriya Sainik Board at Central

level. Directorate General of Resettlement and Kendriya Sainik Board also run several

schemes for rehabilitation, training, employment and welfare of ex-servicemen. Gallantry

award winners / war veterans are also entitled for benefits from these schemes.

Monitoring of Coastal Security National Committee on Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security

(NCSMCS), under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary monitors the progress in respect of coastal security

initiatives

Export of Commodities: The Government is taking steps to encourage exports of agro products including fruits

and vegetable through measures and incentives under Plan schemes of the Commodity Boards and Export

Promotion Councils. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under theadministrative control of the Department of Commerce is also implementing various schemes to extend financial

assistance to the eligible exporters registered with it to boost the overall agriexports. Besides these measures, the

Ministry of Commerce & Industry has put in place various schemes namely Market Development Assistance (MDA),

Market Assistance Initiative (MAI), Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities


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(ASIDE), Vishesh Krishi and Gram Upaj Yojana, Focus Product Scheme, Focus Market Scheme, Town of Export

Excellence, etc. to provide assistance to encourage exports.

The conduct of religious rites and rituals are completely constricted and regulated by the Executive

Officers and by the Trustees appointed by the Government, in violation of the rights guaranteed to the

people who practise and profess the religion and of the religious denominations under Article 14,15 (1),

19(1)(g) 21, 25 and 26 of the Constitution.

North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP): The aim of NERLP are:

(i) Create sustainable community institutions for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), youth groups of men and

women and Community Development Groups.

(ii) Build capacity of community institutions for self governance, bottom up planning, democratic functioning

with transparency and accountability.

(iii) Develop partnership of community institutions for natural resource management, micro-finance, market

linkages and sectoral economic services.

Change in Land Usage Policy of Non-Processing Zones of SEZs: The areas falling within the Special Economic

Zones are demarcated as the processing area for setting up Units for activities, being the manufacture ofgoods, or rendering services; or the area exclusively for trading or warehousing purposes; or the non-

processing areas for activities other than those specified under the above two area categories. Under the SEZ

Policy at least fifty per cent of the SEZ area is to be earmarked for developing the processing area of the SEZ.

The quantum of various authorised activities for creation of social, commercial and industrial infrastructure

including residential housing, commercial area, hospitals, educational institutions etc in the SEZ are decided by

the Board of Approval after an assessment of the functional requirement of the SEZ. Fiscal benefits provided

to SEZ developers and units for processing and non-processing area, in the form of concessions, rebates and

exemptions are intrinsic to the SEZ policy and are provided under the SEZ Act, 2005 and the SEZ Rules, 2006

made thereunder. The fiscal incentives available in the processing area of a SEZ and that available in the non-processing area of the SEZ may differ owing to the fact that units can be set up only in the processing area of

SEZ and not in the non processing area, certain infrastructure is set up in the non processing area and not in

the processing area etc.

Salient Features of the Companies Bill 2011: 1) The Board of every company referred to in sub-section (1),

shall ensure that the company spends in every financial year, at least two per cent of the average net profits of

the company made during the three immediately preceding financial years, in pursuance of its Corporate

Social Responsibility Policy. 2) Punishment for falsely inducing a person to enter into any

agreement with bank or financial institution, with a view to obtaining credit facilities.

3) Provisions relating to audit of Government Companies by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG)

modified to enable C&AG to perform such audit more effectively.

4) the rate of interest on inter corporate loans will be the prevailing rate of interest on dated Government

Securities.

5) Provisions relating to restrictions on non audit services modified to provide that such restrictions shall not

apply to associate companies and further to provide for transitional period for complying with such provisions.

6. (Amendment in Clause 203): Provisions relating to separation of office of Chairman and Managing Director

(MD) modified to allow, in certain cases, a class of companies having multiple business and separate divisional

MDs to appoint same person as chairman as well as MD


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Provisions relating to extent of criminal liability of auditors - particularly in case of partners of an audit firm -

reviewed to bring clarity. Further, to ensure that the liability in respect of damages paid by auditor, as per the

order of the Court, (in case of conviction under Clause 147) is promptly used for payment to affected parties

including tax authorities, Central Government has been empowered to specify any statutory body/authority

for such purpose.

The limit in respect of maximum number of companies in which a person may be appointed as auditor has

been proposed as twenty companies.

Appointment of auditors for five years shall be subject to ratification by members at every Annual General

Meeting.

Provisions relating to voluntary rotation of auditing partner (in case of an audit firm) modified to provide that

members may rotate the partner at such interval as may be resolved by members instead of every year

proposed in the clause earlier.

Whole-time directorhas been included in the definition of the term key managerial personnel.

The term private placement has been defined to bring clarity.

Approval of the Tribunal shall be required for consolidation and division of share capital only if the voting

percentage of shareholders changes consequent on such consolidation.

Clarification included in the Bill to provide that Independent Directors shall be excluded for the purpose of

computing one third of retiring Directors. This would bring harmonisation between provisions of Clause

149(12) and rotational norms provided in Clause 152.

Provisions in respect of removal of difficulty modified to provide that the power to remove difficulties may be

exercised by the Central Government up to five years (after enactment of the legislation) instead of earlier

up to three years. This is considered necessary to avoid serious hardship and dislocation since many

provisions of the Bill involve transition from pre-existing arrangements to new systems.

Security threat from Coastal Areas: The coastal security issues are regularly reviewed at appropriate levels

with National Committee on Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS), being the apex body for

inter-ministerial and interagency coordination

Land and Colonisation being State subjects, it is the primary responsibility of State Governments to provide

affordable housing to all citizens. However, in order to supplement and complement States initiatives, the

Central Government has been implementing various schemes in this regard like Jawaharlal Nehru National

Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with two components viz., Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and

Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP), Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), Interest Subsidy

Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) and Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP).

Schemes Undergoing for Urban Poor People The Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation is

implementing scheme of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) aimed at providing gainful employment

to the urban unemployed and under-employed poor, by financing the self employment ventures by the urban

poor living below the poverty line, skills training and also through providing wage employment by utilizing

their labour for construction of socially and economically useful public assets. Also, The Jawaharlal NehruNational Urban Renewal Mission (Basic Services to the Urban Poor and Integrated Housing and Slum

Development Programme components), aimed at providing basic amenities and affordable to the urban poor,

especially slum dwellers is being implemented since December, 2005.. Governments vision of creating a Slum-

free India, Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) has been launched on 02.06.2011


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Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Scheme for Low Income Housing In order to address the issues of credit

enablement of Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Group households and to incentivize banks and

financial institutions to provide loans to these segments for housing, Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), launched on

02.06.2011 envisaged the establishment of a Credit Risk Guarantee Fund. Accordingly, the Government has

approved the establishment of a Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust (CRGFT). The Minister stated that under the

Scheme, the Trust will provide guarantee to lending agencies for housing loans extended by them to persons

belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections / Low Income Groups upto Rs. 5 Lakh, without any third partyguarantee or collateral security. The Minister further stated that the lending institutions eligible to avail

benefit of the Guarantee cover under the Scheme are Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks,

Urban Co-operative Banks, Non Banking Financial Companies-Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs), Apex

Co-operative Housing Finance Societies registered under the State Co-operative Societies Act and Housing

Finance Institutions registered with National Housing Bank (NHB). National Housing Bank is the identified

agency for operationalizing CRGF, the Minister added.

Foreign Universities Institutions in India The Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and

Operations) Bill, 2010 permits reputed Foreign Educational Institutions (FEI), which have been offering

educational services for at least 20 years in the country of origin and are accredited in the home country, to

apply to be notified as a Foreign Education Provider (FEP) by the Central Government, based on

recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) or any other body which may replace the

Commission in future. The Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operations) Bill, 2010

requires FEPs to declare in its prospectus, each component of fees, deposits and other charges payable by

students, the percentage of tuition fee and other charges refundable to students, before the commencement

of admission to any of its courses or programmes of study. Any FEI which is not an FEP cannot charge any fee

or admit students and in case it does so, will be liable to a penalty between ten lakh to fifty lakh rupees in

addition to refund of the fee. The prospectus would also contain details of the teaching faculty, their

educational qualifications and teaching experience and information on physical and academic infrastructureand other facilities including hostel accommodation, library etc. Failure to adhere to its disclosure in the

prospectus would result in withdrawal of recognition as FEP. Moreover, once an FEI is notified as an FEP, it will

be subject to the control of the law of the land and regulations of the statutory regulatory body. The Central

Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been identified as the agency for conducting NEET for UG and

National Board of Examinations (NBE) for PG medical courses.

Revamp of Primary Education Government has issued an Advisory to State Governments on the

implementation of section 29 of the RTE Act for initiating curriculum reform, including, (i) formulating age-

appropriate curricula and syllabi in keeping with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) -2005, (ii)

maintaining subject balance, (iii) initiating textbook content and production reform, (iv) ensuring continuous

and comprehensive assessment for learn. The Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced the

scheme of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) in its schools in a phased manner for the

improvement of quality in the schools affiliated to it. The Board has also made the Class X Board Examination

optional for the students studying in Senior Secondary Schools and who do not wish to move out of the CBSE

system after Class X.

Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical Educational Institutions,: The Government has introduced the

Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and

Universities Bill, 2010 and the National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational InstitutionsBill, 2010 for the control of unfair practices and the maintenance of standards in Higher Educational

Institutions including Private Universities in Parliament.


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Learning Outcome of ChildrenNational Council of Educational Research and Training

(NCERT) conducts periodic surveys of learning achievement of children in classesIII, V and VIII. The

objectives of these surveys are to study the learning achievement of students in the main subjects; differences

with regard to gender, location and social groups; the contribution of institutional factors such as school and

teachers on the achievements of students; and to study the effect of home background of students on their

achievement levels. In order to improve the quality of education and learning levels of children,

the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme implements several interventions, which inter alia include the

sanction of more than 19 lakh teachers to improve the Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR), the sanction of 1,94,574

primary school buildings and 1,07,682 upper primary school buildings to improve school infrastructure, annual

in-service training for teachers and regular academic support to teachers and schools through the Block and

Cluster Resource Centres respectively, as well as providing free textbooks to children.

Landless Agricultural Workers under RSBY & AABY; The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) provides

smart card based cashless health insurance, including maternity benefit, cover of Rs.30,000/- per annum on

family floater basis to BPL families, including landless agricultural workers, in the unorganised sector. Similarly

Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) provides insurance cover to the head of family or one earning member of rural

landless households.

Labour Laws Applicable to Casual and Self Employed Work Force The Central labour laws applicable for the

casual labour in the country are broadly The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976,

The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, The

Contract Labour (Regulation and abolition) Act, 1970, The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of

Employment) Act, 1966 and The Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008

onstitutional Amendment Bill for Reservation in Promotion to SCs and STs The Rajya Sabha on Monday

(December 17, 2012) passed the Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012. The Bill

proposes to amend the Article 16 (4A) of the Constitution of India. The existing Article 16(4A) provides forreservation in promotion to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) which are not

adequately represented in the Govt. services. The proposed amendment would amend Article 16(4A) in such a

manner that it would obviate the need of collection of quantifiable data about adequacy of representation

and backwardness of the class for reservation in promotion to the SCs and the STs.

Schemes for Upliftment of OBCs

(i) Pre-Matric Scholarship to the students belonging to OBCs;

(ii) Post-Matric Scholarship to the students belonging to OBCs;

(iii) Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls; and

(iv) Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for the welfare of OBCs.

Setting up of Skill Development Project for Textile IndustryThe Government has a

scheme namely, Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) to cater to skilled manpower needs of

Textile and related segments through skill development training programmes. The scheme envisages

participation of training institutes associated with the Ministry and the private sector as implementing

agencies. The scheme has two Components Component-I for training Institutes within the Ministry and

Component II for private sector. The Government meets 75% of the total cost of the project with balance

25% to be met by the implementing agencies with a provision of enhanced level of government assistance

in certain circumstances. The average cost per trainee to be borne by the Government is limited to Rs.

7300 for Component-I and Rs. 7500 for Component-I

The projects under JNNURM are implemented by the State Governments through local bodies/parastatals in

compliance with the codal formalities of the State Governments. Advisories have been issued to the State

Governments for following the proper procedure in implementation of projects.


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Article 371-J The Constitution (118th Amendment) Bill, 2012 seeks to insert a new Article 371-J toprovide special recognition for the six backward districts in north Karnataka: Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur,

Bidar, Koppal and Bellary.

De-notified tribes to get a better deal in 12th Plan : A nation-wide survey of de-notified tribes settlements is to be conducted to form the basis for introducing a suitable

shelter programme for them. They could be entitled to free or subsidised housing under various

government schemes. Over 200 communities were identified by the British as criminal tribes under theCriminal Tribes Act, 1871. However, the Act was annulled after Independence and the communitiesidentified under this legislation were referred to as de-notified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes. There

is no authentic data on these tribes and no census has been conducted. They are found in almost all theStates and belong mostly to the Other Backward Classes category in some large States and in ScheduledCastes and the Scheduled Tribes categories in other States. Some of them are not covered by any of thethree categories. Even those covered under the three categories are often not able to avail the benefits

because either they do not have caste certificates or because quotas are exhausted by non-nomadic/nonde-notified communities in the reserved categories. A number of States have not even prepared lists of thede-notified or nomadic communities. According to the 12th Plan documents, an effective way of extending

developmental support for them will be to provide special and relevant support and facilities for them

within the existing facilities for the ST, SC and OBC categories, as applicable. Access to scholarships andhostel facilities need to be given priority. Also, capacity-building programmes for skill development and

marketing and loans for economic empowerment should be given priority, say the documents. Specificstrategies and mechanisms will also be put in place to ensure flow of funds for the welfare anddevelopment of these tribes. An effective rehabilitative approach, supported with an equally effective planfor the socio-economic development of the de-notified tribes needs to be adopted and implemented,

especially by establishing habitations/villages for them. This will be given emphasis during the 12th Planperiod. A proportion of the current outlay for Indira Awaas Yojana should be earmarked for thesecommunities in addition to the aid to construct dwelling units by receiving priority under the on-goinghousing programmes, the documents suggest. The documents favoured the creation of a cluster

development fund for assisting the de-notified tribes for the construction of houses, for providing land to

them and for creating infrastructure. Skill development initiatives of the States and the Centralgovernment need to give priority to cover the unemployed youth among these tribes with a view toproviding them with employable skills.

Several initiatives taken for Development of Electronics Hardware Manufacturing: the initiatives that

have been taken for the development of electronics (including telecom) hardware manufacturing in the country:

National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2012

National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP-2012)

Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) Scheme

Modified Special Incentive Package (M-SIPS) Scheme

Setting up Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication Units

Preference to Domestically Manufactured Electronic Goods (Preferential Market Access) Notification by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) on 5th October 2012 for Government

Procurement and Government funded projects

Electronics Development Fund (EDF)

Scheme for mandatory registration of identified Electronic Products for meeting specified safety standards

Export Promotion Scheme for ESDM Industry

According Priority Sector Status to IT purchases

Declaring Mobile phones as goods of special importance under the CST Act, 1956

Communication and Marketing

Government Proposes to Amend Forward Contract Act The Government proposes to amend the Forward

Contract (Regulation) Act, 1952 to inter-alia provide for registration of foreign intermediaries / participants incommodity derivatives market. The proposed amendment also provid es for suspension and cancellation of

registration by the Regulator, FM. At present under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952, there is no

restriction on participation by local and foreign institutional investors in commodity futures trading. However,

the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has laid down the policy on foreign direct investment (FDI)


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and foreign institutional investment (FII) in commodity exchanges. Foreign investment is permitted under a

composite (FDI & FII) cap of 49%, under the Government approval route-i.e. through the Foreign Investment

Promotion Board (FIPB). Within this overall limit of 49%, investment by Registered FIIs, under the Portfolio

Investment Scheme (PIS) is limited to 23% and investment under the FDI Scheme is limited to 26%. As regards

participation by institutions such as banks, insurance companies, pension funds, etc. is concerned, there is no

restrictive provision on their participation in the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952. All such entities

however need to be permitted by their respective regulators under relevant laws. The Minister further added that

the functions of futures market are price discovery and price risk management. The participation of Banks andMutual Funds and Foreign Institutional Investors would bring the necessary breadth and depth to enable the

corporate entities to hedge their price risk in Indian commodity markets. These entities may also bring in larger

participation from professionals, which would improve the quality of these markets. Banks themselves will be

able to hedge their price risks arising out of their exposure to commodity traders and processors as a lender.

Their active participation may also promote greater credit flow to farmers.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme being Implemented for Reducing Wastage of Agricultural

Produce Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the component of Entrepreneurship Development

Programme (EDP) of Human Resource Development Scheme emphasizes the processing of agro product into

value added products with a view to reduce the wastage of agricultural produce and increase in the income of

farmers. It requires to train the farmers and prospective entrepreneurs / unemployed youth in an intensivemanner so as to sensitise them to the idea of value addition, food processing and encourage them to establish

food processing industries. With the launch of National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP), a centrally

sponsored scheme during 12th plan (2012-13), the HRD scheme and its all components have been subsumed in

the mission during 2012-13, which is implemented by States including receiving of applications and sanction as

well as release of funds, supervision and monitoring of the scheme.

Achievement of MDGS TargetsMillennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international developmentgoals set by the United Nations which member countries, including India, have agreed to achieve by the year 2015.

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality: Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and otherdiseases. The following steps have been taken by the Government to achieve the MDG indicators in the health

sector in the country. For reducing child mortality, the steps taken include Integrated Management of Neo-natal &childhood illness, training of ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activist) in Home based new borncare, Navajat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, setting up of sick new born care units at district hospitals, promoting

exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding, strengthening routine immunisation programme, focussing onreduction in morbidity and mortality due to Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and Diarrhoeal Diseases, name

based tracking of pregnant women and children, etc. For improving maternal health, the steps taken include

promoting institutional deliveries, strengthening of infrastructure, Strengthening of Essential and EmergencyObstetric Care services, Strengthening Referral Systems, launching of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram,Maternal Death Review, organising village health and nutrition days, engagement of ASHA at community level,

introduction of integrated mother and child health card, etc. The steps taken to control diseases like HIV / AIDs,Malaria and Tuberculosis include early diagnosis and treatment, improving monitoring and evaluation,strengthening human resources, involvement of NGOs, Private sector and community, providing services near to the

doorstep of community, etc.

Labelling by Junk Food Companies Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) monitors labels on

various food items by different companies in media as well as on the product labels

Achievements of the Ministry of Labour & Employment ::

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) & Aam aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY): RSBY is aflagship programme of the Government that provides health insurance to unorganized workers to avail

smart card based cashless hospitalization facilities upto Rs.30,000/- Under RSBY the premium is sharedin the ratio of 75:25 between Center and State except in case ofNER Statesand Jammu & Kashmir where it

is in ratio of 90:10. The cost of smart card preparation @ Rs 60/- per card is included in the premium quotedby the Insurance Companies and this amount is entirely borne by the Central Govt.

The Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) was launched on 02.10.2007 with a view to providing insurance

cover to the head of family or one earning member of rural landless households. The scheme is being

implemented through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Under the scheme, the head of thefamily or an earning member of the family is eligible to receive the benefits of Rs. 30000/- in case of


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natural death, Rs.75000/- accidental death, Rs. 75000/- for total permanent disability and Rs. 37500/-

for partial permanent disability.

Coverage of BPL Families Under RSBY In view of the success of the scheme, RSBY has now been

extended to the additional categories of workers, viz. Building and other construction workers

registered with the welfare boards; Street vendors; Licensed railway porters and vendors; MGNREGA

workers who have worked for more than 15 days during the preceding year; Domestic workers;

and Beedi Workers

Child Labour Special Schools Under the National Child Labour Project (NCLP)scheme and Grant-in-Aid

(GIA) Schemes for elimination and rehabilitation of Child Labour and awareness generation among the

Women Labour. funds are released to the NCLP Project Society chaired by District Magistrate, who in

turn allocates the funds to the Child Labour special schools.

Upgradation task of 400 ITIs initiated The scheme, titled, Kaushal Vikas Yojna envisages setting up 3000

ITIs and 5000 SkillDevelopment Centers (SDCs) in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Main aim and

objective of the scheme is to enhance employability of rural youth by providing them relevant skills. The

scheme is under process of approval and no ITI/SDC has been set up under the scheme so far.

States Asked to Act on Welfare Meaures For the Building and other Construction Workers Instructions to theStates for speedy and proper implementation of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of

Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare

Cess Act, 1996 from time to time at appropriate levels.

Unique Facility for EPF members to Download their E-Pass Book

Tikku Committee Report on ESI Tikku Committee was set-up to look into all aspects of career

improvement and cadre restructuring of the doctors of Central Health Service. Some of the

recommendations of Tikku Committee have been implemented in Employees State Insurance

Corporation(ESIC). The doctors of ESIC have been extended service facilities as per Central Health

Service Rules, as adopted by ESIC. All retired doctors of ESIC have been given consequential benefits

wherever applicable, as per ESIC service rules.

Coaching-Cum-Guidance Centres for SC/ST

India Signs MoU with USA on Labour and Employment in the areas of Skill Development, Youth

Employment, Occupational Safety and Health and Mines Safety.

India and European Union Launch Project on Skill Development

Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme(IHSDP)

components ofJawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) are coordinated by the Ministry of

Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. the execution of projects under BSUP and IHSDP are undertaken by the

respective State Governments and their implementing agencies, primarily Urban Local Bodies.

The Government of India advises and helps the States/UT Governments in tackling vector borne diseases,

including dengue, through the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme.

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke

(NPCDCS): As per the programme, opportunistic screening of persons above the age of 30 years for diabetes

& hypertension in various health care facilities viz. District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and

Sub-Centres is being undertaken. Each district in the programme is being supported with Rs.50,000/- per

month for essential drugs and consumables for Diabetes and Hypertension. Diabetic patients are treated in

the Government healthcare delivery system through Community Health Centres and District Hospitals besides

Government Medical Colleges and Tertiary Health Care Institutions. NPCDCS, in addition to early diagnosis ofpersons and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management also promotes awareness

generation for behaviour and life style changes. Drugs are also made available through other Central and

State Government programmes/ schemes. Needy persons are also supported through Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi

(RAN) and Health Ministers Discretionary Grant.


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Universal Health Care:::: The Government of India is implementing a number of programmes to achieve the

goal of universal health care. The most important of these is the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM),

whose main activity is to support states to upgrade their public health facilities to deliver essential health care

services. The NRHM has laid down an Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) for public health facilities- and

now finances the states to achieve these standards. This includes support for closing infrastructure gaps, more

human resources with necessary skills and provision of the necessary equipments, drugs and supplies. here has

been increased public spending primarily in rural areas and EAG and N-E states after the launch of

NRHM, on health systems strengthening, infrastructure development, increased human resource for health,capacity building, communitisation, Mobile Medical Units (MMU) and patient transport systems, drugs and

supplies, RCH interventions including JSY and JSSK etc.Free and universal health care is being provided for a

range of health care services, as mentioned below:

Free Maternal Health services

Antenatal checkups including free investigations and IFA supplementationPost natal careSafe abortion servicesRTI/STI services including investigations and treatment

Free Child Health services

Home Based New born CareFacility Based New born CareNutritional rehabilitationSupplementation, IFA and Vitamin ADiarrhea management including free ORS and ZincPneumonia management including antibioticsUniversal Immunization Programme (UIP)Guarantees free vaccination of children against 7 diseases

Free vaccination (TT) to pregnant womenBasket of vaccines being expanded e.g. Pentavalent, JE

Free Adolescent Health services

Adolescent friendly services through ARSH Clinics

WIFS (Weekly Supplementation of Iron and Folic Acid with Deworming)Sanitary napkins for Menstrual hygiene (in 107 districts, being scaled up)Universal screening of children in govt./aided schools and referral support

Family Planning

Free services including information, supplies and sterilization

Communicable Diseases

Free investigation and treatment for Malaria, Kala azar, Filaria, Dengue, JE and ChikungunyaFree detection and treatment for Tuberculosis including MDR-TBFree detection and treatment for Leprosy

Free detection, treatment and counselling for HIV/AIDS Non Communicable Diseases

Free Cataract surgery for Blindness controlFree Cornea transplantFree Glaucoma/ Diabetic RetinopathyFree spectacles to children (BPL only)Free screening for NCDs (in pilot phase)

JananiShishuSurakshaKaryakram (JSSK)

An initiative launched on 1st June 2011

Guarantees free and no expense delivery including C-section in public health facilitiesEntitlements include free to and fro transport,

Free drugs, consumables, diagnostics, blood and dietSimilar guarantees for sick neonates


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Section 66A deals with punishment for sending offensive messages through a communication

service. Under the provision, any person who sends, by means of a computer resource or acommunication device, (a) any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character; or

(b) any information, which he knows to be false, but for the purpose of causing annoyance,inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill-will,persistently by making use of such computer resource or a communication device; or

(c) any electronic mail or electronic mail message for the purpose of causing annoyance orinconvenience or to deceive or to mislead the addressee or recipient about the origin of suchmessages, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years andwith fine.

Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression to every

citizen. Under Article 19(2), restrictions on freedom of speech are reasonable if they pertain to anyof the listed grounds, such as sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendlyrelations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court,defamation or incitement to an offence

SARAL, a satellite meant for studying the ocean currents and sea surface height

Government takes Several Measures for Growth Revival: The measures being undertaken by the

Government to revive growth in the economy, inter-alia, include better access to finance for manufacturing

sector, fast tracking of large investment projects in the areas of power, petroleum and gas, roads, coal,

strengthening of financial and banking sector, reducing the volatility of exchange rate, etc and using buffer

stocks to moderate food inflation. Certain specific measures taken by the Government to achieve higher growth,

inter-alia, include enhancing the level of investment for agriculture sector including irrigation projects,

promoting Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises sector by way of higher allocation of funds, enhancing

investment in the infrastructure sector focusing on Public Private Partnerships, introduction of a new National

Manufacturing Policy etc. Measures are also being undertaken to facilitate fiscal consolidation and the Mid

Year Economic Analysis 2012-13.

The Government has mergedJanashree Bima Yojana (JBY) and Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) into

one scheme, since both the schemes have similar structure of benefits, premium and target group and are being

implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

Electronic Payment System in Towns and Villages; The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as a move towards

cash less economy, from time to time, has been facilitating the use of electronic payment products by issuing

various Guidelines on Electronic Payment System such as Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), National

Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and National Electronic Clearing Services (NECS) in the country including

in the smaller towns and villages. In addition, other payment systems such as mobile banking, prepaid payment

instruments and mobile wallet also enable electronic payment facility

Traditional Industries Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is implementing a number of

schemes for the development and promotion of khadi and village industries including traditional industries. In

particular, KVIC is implementing a cluster based scheme named Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of

Traditional Industries (SFURTI) for promotion of traditional industries, under which 29 khadi, 47 village

industries inter alia, including 2 leather and 4 carpentry clusters have been assisted by providing them with

improved equipment, common facilities centres, business development services, training, capacity building and

design and marketing support, etc.

Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.: The BRGF is designed

to redress regional imbalances in development. The funds provide financial resources for supplementing and

converging existing developmental inflows into identified districts so as to bridge critical gaps in local

infrastructure and other development requirements. As per the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)

Guidelines, the Annual Action Plans prepared by the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are

consolidated into the District Plan by the District Planning Committee. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj releases

funds for the district on the basis of such District Plan duly forwarded by the concerned State Government. As


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per the Progress Reports received in the Ministry, these funds have been utilised for developmental activities

like construction of Anganwadi centres, Panchayat Ghars, roads, culverts, bridges, community halls, water

supply etc.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) provides financial support to the States under

the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY) for taking up construction of the Gram Panchayat buildings

MPLAD Guidelines : The New Salient Features of the Revised MPLADS Guidelines are as under:-

(i) Assistance to physically challenged persons upto maximum of Rs.10 lakh per year for purchase

of tri-cycles and artificial limbs have been allowed,

(ii) Ambulances/hearse vans under the District Authority/CMO/Civil Surgeon of the district can

now also be operated through private organizations,

(iii) MPs allowed to recommend eligible works upto Rs.10 lakh per year outside the constituency for

Lok Sabha MPs and outside States for Rajya Sabha MPs.

(iv) Release of advances to Government implementing agencies has been changed from the ratio

of50 : 50 to 75 : 25.

(v) Contingency funds of 0.5% have been increased to 2% of the annual entitlement as

administrative expenses.(vi) MPLADS works can also be implemented in areas affected by man-made calamities like

chemical, biological and radiological hazards.

(vii) Mobile Library for Government Educational Institutions/Public Libraries now permissible.

(viii) Works from out of the shelf of MGNREGA projects approved by the Zilla Panchayat for the year

may also be recommended under the MPLAD Scheme. Similarly, convergence of MPLADS funds with

Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) and Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) for

creation of durable sports assets from out of the shelf of PYKKA Projects has been allowed.

(ix) Funds from the MPLAD Scheme can be used for construction of Railway Halt Stations to

facilitate the local community for boarding/deboarding the train.

(x) An MP has been entitled for setting up of MPLADS Facilitation Centre in the Nodal District for

which MPLADS funds not exceeding Rs. 5 lakh being the cost of equipments, furniture, etc. can be

used. The space/room would be provided by DC/DM in the premises of Collectorate/DRDA and the

recurring running expenses will be booked under 2% administrative charges, of which the Nodal District

gets 0.8%.

(xi) MPs may recommend purchase of Books up to Rs. 22 lakh annually for schools/colleges/public

libraries subject to certain conditions.

(xii) One MP One Idea competition introduced for selecting three best innovations in solving local

problems to be held in each Lok Sabha Constituency annually.

Central Sector Schemes for Welfare of STs::

Sl.

No.Name of Schemes*****************************

A ======= Special Area Programs (SAP)1 SCA (Special Central Assistance) to Tribal Sub-Planp

2 Article 275(1) of the Constitution

B ======= Central Sector Schemes(CS)

3Grant-in-Aid to NGOs for STs including Coaching & Allied Scheme and Award for Exemplary

Service


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4 Vocational Training Centres in Tribal Areas

5 Strengthening of Education among ST girls in low literacy Districts

6 Market Development of Tribal Products/ Produce

7 Grant-in-aid to State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations for Minor Forest Produce

8 Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal (PTG)

9 Support to National/State Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporations

10 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for ST Students

11 Scheme of Institute of Excelence/Top class institute

12 National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

C =====Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)13 Scheme of PMS, Book Bank and Upgradation of Merit of ST students

14 Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students studying in classes IX & X

15 Scheme of Hostels for ST Girls and Boys

16 Establishment of Ashram Schools

17 Research Information & Mass Education , Tribal Festival and Others

Primary Education in Tribal Areas;; As per information received from the Ministry of HRD, SSA provides

for opening of new schools, additional rooms and infrastructure like toilets, drinking water, ramps etc, teachers,

teacher training, free text books, special training to mainstream out of school children, two sets of uniforms for

all girls and children belonging to SC, ST & BPL families, school grants, learning enhancement programme

(which includes specific programs for improving learning level like multi lingual education in early grades,

special science and maths inputs etc) and innovation fund for SC, ST children. SSA has also supported the

strengthening of Tribal Welfare Departments schools and ashram shalas.

Storage of Water : Several measures for increasing the storage capacity and proper utilization of water are

taken up by the State Governments viz. construction of dams, check dams and farm ponds and adoption of

better management practices. Government of India supplements the efforts of the State Governments by

rendering technical and financial assistance through programmes like Accelerated Irrigation Benefits

Programme (AIBP), Command Area Development and Water Management Programme, Repair,

Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies and Artificial Recharge to Ground Water.

The WHO qualifies any pregnant woman with a Hb level of less than 11 grams a decilitre of blood asanaemic.

The recent decision of the United Nations General Assembly to grant Observer status for the European

Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is highly commendable. CERN is the first physical sciencesresearch organisation to become an Observer.


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Major Achievements & Highlights of Department of Youth Affairs:

I. National Youth Policy, 2012; Draft National Youth Policy2012 envisages to put in place acomprehensive strategy to ensure the fullest development and realization of the potential of the

youth, in the context of future socio-economic growth.

II. NEHRU YUVA KENDRA SANGATHAN: NYKS is the largest grassroots level voluntary organization,

one of its kind in the world. Achievements of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan are as under:

(i) Skill Up-gradation training programme for women: The training is provided to improveagriculture practices, sericulture, and floriculture, cutting and tailoring, shoe making,traditional handicrafts of the area. The training is also provided in agro-based projects

depending upon the local needs. The reputed institutes/organisations like ATDC, NSDC,

NCVT, KVK, Agricultural Universities are associated for the training

(ii) Skill Development Training Programme (SDTP) under ATDC & NSDC: The SkillTraining in SMART courses

(iii) Skill Development training of NYC Volunteers through KVK: training in the field of AnimalHusbandry, Sericulture, Soil Testing , Bee- keeping, Nursery Management, Vegetable

Cultivation, Value added courses in agriculture , milk and milk products organic farming etc.

(Vermiculture is a big word that simply means "worm farming and its related products)

(iv) Silver Jubilee of NYKS and Quami Ekta Diwas on 19th

November, 2012(v) Awareness and Education for the Prevention of Drug Abuse & Alcoholism in the States

of Punjab and Manipur

(vi) 70 Skill Up-gradation Training Programmes for Women in the State J & K:(vii) Skill Development and Vocational Training for Youth: NYKS in collaboration with NSDC

has been activity involved in conduct of various programmes/activities for skill

development and vocational training of Youth under Youth Employability Skill (YES)

Project. The youth including NYC Volunteers have been provided Skill Training in various

fields like computer applications, Information Technology,

Beauty Parlour, Hotel Management etc. The course provide secure future employment to

the Youth.

(viii) Skill Development of Volunteers through Tata Motors (NEEV) Under the programme theyouth is provided training in sales, marketing skills, product knowledge and process clarity

by Accenture and then work for Tata Motors

(ix) World Environment Day: 5th June(x) World Population Day: 11th July(xi) Mentor Youth Club The objective is to build a strong and effective network of youth clubs

in the country. The Mentor Youth Club work to make non functional/ inactive clubs active,

provide support and guidance to youth clubs and develop a strong& dependable network of

self supporting/self reliant youth clubs. Each of these Mentor Youth Club is being provided

a onetime grant of Rs. 10,000/- for development of infrastructure. 20,000 office bearers of

these 10,000 Mentor Clubs are being provided five day long capacity building training to

enhance their understanding about effective planning, management and administration ofYouth Clubs so that they become active partners in village development programme.

iii) NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS): opportunity to work with the people in the villagesand slum dwellers. The scheme seeks to achieve its objectives through twin approach i.e. Campus

to Community and College to Village.

IV. National Programme for Youth Adolescent Development(NPYAD): Tenzing Norgay National

Adventure Award, 2011 were conferred on four individual for Land , Air and Water Adventure and one

for Life time achievement during a gliterring ceremony held on 29.8.2012 at RashtrapatiBhawan.

V. RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (RGNIYD): RGNIYD is an apex

research and training institute dedicated to Youth Development in the country.

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (IC):

VII. YOUTH HOSTEL: Youth Hostels are built to promote youth travel and to enable the young people

experience the rich cultural heritage of the country. The construction of the Youth hostels is a joint venture of

the Central and State Governments. While the Central Government bears the cost of construction, the State

Governments provide fully developed land free of cost with water, electricity and approach roads. Youth

Hostels provide good accommodation for the youth at reasonable rates


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JNNURM JNNURM was launched on 3rd December, 2005 with the objective of reforms driven and fast track

development of cities across the country, with focus on bringing about efficiency in urban infrastructure, service

delivery mechanisms, community participation and accountability of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

and Parastatalagencies towards citizens. It has two components, namely, the Urban Infrastructure and

Governance (UIG) and the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns

(UIDSSMT). JNNURM is a reform linked Scheme for provisioning of urban infrastructure and services in

urban centers. In this, the second and subsequent installment of ACA is released for projects subject to

utilization of 70% of grants and achievement of reforms according to the timelines agreed to by the States andLocal Bodies. The Mission has completed its normal tenure in March 2012. Extension of two years has been

given for completion of ongoing projects & reforms only till March 2014

Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) :::

The honour of Akademi Fellow has been conferred since 1954 and Akademi Award since 1952. They not

only symbolize the highest standard of excellence and achievements on a national basis, but also recognize

sustained individual work and contribution to the practice and appreciation of the arts through

performance, teaching and scholarship. The honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of Rs

3,00,000/- (Rupees threelacs) and Akademi Awards carry Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lac),

besides Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

INITIATIVES TO AUGMENT FODGRAINS STORAGE CAPACITY With a view to incentivizing

the creation of storage capacity further, the Government initiated the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee

(PEG) Scheme which aims to construct storage godowns through private entrepreneurs, Central

Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Assessment of additional

storage capacities under the scheme is based on overall procurement/consumption levels and the storage

space already available. Under the PEG Scheme, FCI guarantees a 10 years usage of storage capacities to

the private investors and 9 years to CWC and SWCs.

NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY BILL, 2011; Government of India has introduced National Food

Security Bill, 2011 in the Parliament (Lok Sabha) with the objective to provide for food and nutritional

security, in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food ataffordable prices to people to live a life with dignity. The Bill provides for coverage of upto 75% of the

rural population, with at least 46% population belonging to priority households and upto 50% of the urban

population, with at least 28% population belonging to priority households for receiving subsidized

foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The Bill also contains provisions for

nutritional support to women and children besides provisions for meals to special groups such as destitute

and homeless, emergency and disaster affected persons and persons living in starvation.

Indian Coast Guard Station Mayabunder, the first CG Station in the North Andaman Islands

Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill:As per the existing regulatory framework, banks in India are

allowed to trade in financial instruments (shares, bonds and currencies) in the securities market. But theBanking Regulation Act, 1949 prohibits banks (domestic and foreign) from trading in goods. Section 8 ofthe Act states: no banking company shall directly or indirectly deal in the buying or selling or bartering ofgoods, except in connection with the realisation of security given to or held by it. However, banks are

allowed to finance commodity business and provide fund and non-fund-based facilities to commoditytraders to meet their working capital requirements. Banks also provide clearing and settlement services forcommodities derivatives transactions. But banks cannot trade in commodities themselves. In addition to

banks, mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are notallowed to trade in Indian commodity futures markets.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Documents

Transcript of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes