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National Policy for Children-2012

India and China: Different Game Plans for Securing Energy

India Backbone Implementation Network

Falkland Islands Dispute

Selected Articles fromSelected Articles fromSelected Articles fromSelected Articles fromSelected Articles fromVarious Newspapers & JournalsVarious Newspapers & JournalsVarious Newspapers & JournalsVarious Newspapers & JournalsVarious Newspapers & Journals 90

Green National Accounting System in India

Index

AUGUST, 2012JUNE, 2013

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National Policy for Children-2012National Policy for Children-2012National Policy for Children-2012National Policy for Children-2012National Policy for Children-2012

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Fundamental Rights [Article15(3)] empowers the State to makespecial provisions for children. TheDirective Principles of StatePolicy (Article 39) in theConstitution specifically guide theState in securing the tender age ofchildren from abuse and ensuringthat children are given opportunitiesand facilities to develop in a healthymanner in conditions of freedomand dignity.....Ensuring survival, healthand nutrition as an inalienable rightof every child and special care forkids caught in sectarian violence aresome of the features of thegovernments Draft National Policyfor Children, 2012. The Women andChild Development (WCD) ministry,which has revised the NationalPolicy for Children for the first timesince it was adopted in 1974, hasnow put the draft policy, whichdefines any individual below the ageof 18 years as child, in publicdomain inviting views before it isfinalised.According to ministryofficials, the policy would guide andinform all laws, policies, plans andprogrammes affecting children and

National Policy for Children-2012disasters etc. Children of women inprostitution, children forced intoprostitution and other abused andexploited children, those affectedby HIV/AIDS, children withdisabilities would also be eligible forstate protection by the state.

The Cabinet approved theNational Policy for Children, 2012which recognises child survival,health, nutrition, education,development and protection asundeniable rights of every child. Asper the National Child Policy everyperson below the age of eighteenyears as a child and that childhoodis an integral part of life with a valueof its own. According to the policy,a long term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusiveapproach is necessary for theharmonious development andprotection of children. The policylays down the guiding principlesthat must be respected by national,state and local governments in theiractions and initiatives affectingchildren, a statement released bythe government here said. The keyguiding principles of the policy are

all other actions of national, stateand local Governments in relation topopulation below 18 years.Amongst the key priorities listed inthe draft are making survival, health,nutrition, development, education,protection and participationundeniable rights of every child. Asper the policy draft, every child hasa right to be safeguarded againsthunger, deprivation andmalnutrition and the State wouldcommit to securing this rightthrough access, provision andpromotion of required services andsupports for holistic nurturing.

The State shall also take allnecessary measures to improvematernal health care secure the rightof the girl child and addressdiscrimination of all forms in schoolsand foster equal opportunity. As perthe draft policy, the state would takespecial protection measures tosecure the rights and entitlementsof children in difficultcircumstances, in particular but notlimited to, children affected bymigration, displacement, communalor sectarian violence, civil unrest,


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the right of every child to life,survival, development, education,protection and participation, equalrights for all children withoutdiscrimination.

The best interest of the childshould be a primary concern in allactions and decisions affectingchildren and family environment asthe most conducive for all-rounddevelopment of children. Thepolicy has identified survival, health,nutrition, education, development,protection and participation as theundeniable rights of every child, andhas also declared these as keypriority areas, the statementreleased here said. The NationalChild policy also strives to createconvergence and co-ordinationacross different sectors and levelsof governance, partnerships with allstakeholders, setting up of acomprehensive knowledge base,provision of adequate resources;and sensitisation and capacitydevelopment of all those who workfor and with children. The Policyreaffirms the governmentscommitment to the realisation of therights of all children in the country.It recognizes every person belowthe age of eighteen years as a childand that childhood is an integral partof life with a value of its own, and along term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusiveapproach is necessary for theharmonious development andprotection of children. The policylays down the guiding principlesthat must be respected by national,state and local governments in theiractions and initiatives affectingchildren. Some of the key guidingprinciples are: the right of everychild to life, survival, development,education, protection andparticipation; equal rights for allchildren without discrimination; thebest interest of the child as a primaryconcern in all actions and decisionsaffecting children; and family

environment as the most conducivefor all-round development ofchildren. The policy has identifiedsurvival, health, nutrition, education,development, protection andparticipation as the undeniablerights of every child, and has alsodeclared these as key priorityareas. As childrens needs are multi-sectoral, interconnected and requirecollective action, the policy aims atpurposeful convergence and strongcoordination across differentsectors and levels of governance;active engagement and partnershipswith all stakeholders; setting up ofa comprehensive and reliableknowledge base; provision ofadequate resources; andsensitization and capacitydevelopment of all those who workfor and with children. A NationalPlan of Action will be developed togive effect to the policy and aNational Coordination and ActionGroup (NCAG) will be constitutedto monitor the progress ofimplementation. Similar plans andcoordination and action groups willbe constituted at the state anddistrict levels. The NationalCommission for Protection of ChildRights and State Commissions forProtection of Child Rights are toensure that the principles of thepolicy are respected in all sectorsat all levels. There is a provision forreview of the policy every five years.The Ministry of Women and ChildDevelopment will be the nodalministry for overseeing andcoordinating the implementation ofthe policy and will lead the reviewprocess.

The Ministry of Women andChild Development on 26 July 2012drafted the National Policy forChildren 2012. The revised draftpolicy reaffirms the governmentscommitment towards children andaddresses new challenges, seekingto realize the full potential ofchildrens rights throughout the

country. It defines a child as aperson below eighteen years of age,and acknowledges the inalienableand inherent rights of the child andaims to realize the full range of childrights for all children in the country.The draft has stated that every childhas a right to be safeguarded againsthunger, deprivation andmalnutrition. According to the draftpolicy, the state is bound to securethe rights and entitlement ofchildren in difficult circumstancessuch as migration, displacement,disasters and communal violence.

The first National Policy onChildren was formulated in 1974.The first policy of 1974 describedchildren as a supremely importantasset and made the stateresponsible for providing equalopportunities for growth anddevelopment of all children. Thepolicy primarily focused on healthand education of the children. TheNational Policy for Children (NPC),1974 was adopted by theGovernment of India on 22 Aug1974. This policy describes childrenas a supremely important asset ofthe nation and makes the Stateresponsible to provide basicservices to children both before andafter birth, and also during theirgrowing years and different stagesof development. The recognition ofthe child as a person with inherentand inalienable rights, made itnecessary to revise the 1974 policyfor introducing rights-basedperspectives to child developmentand protection. Thus, the Ministry ofWomen and Child Development inIndia has taken up the framing of arevised National Policy for Childrenwhich aims to cover the full rangeof child rights.

Features of Features of Features of Features of Features of The National Policy for ChildrenThe National Policy for ChildrenThe National Policy for ChildrenThe National Policy for ChildrenThe National Policy for Children

The Women and ChildDevelopment (WCD) ministry, hasrevised the National Policy for



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Children for the first time since itwas adopted in 1974.

defines any individual belowthe age of 18 years as child,

the policy would guide andinform all laws, policies, plansand programmes affectingchildren and all other actionsof national, state and localGovernments in relation topopulation below 18 years.

As per the policy , every childhas a right to be safeguardedagainst hunger, deprivationand malnutrition and theState would commit tosecuring this right throughaccess, provision andpromotion of requiredservices and supports forholistic nurturing.

The State shall also take allnecessary measures toimprove maternal healthcare secure the right of thegirl child and addressdiscrimination of all forms inschools and foster equalopportunity.

As per the policy, the statewould take special protectionmeasures to secure the rightsand entitlements of children indifficult circumstances, inparticular but not limited to,children affected bymigration, displacement,

communal or sectarianviolence, civil unrest, disastersetc.

Children of women inprostitution, children forcedinto prostitution and otherabused and exploitedchildren, those affected byHIV/AIDS, children withdisabilities would also beeligible for state protection bythe state. The policy has identified the

following as the universal,inalienable and undeniable rights ofevery child, and has also declaredthese as key priority areas:

Survival, Health, Nutrition, Development, Education, Protection and Participation

Nodal AgenciesNodal AgenciesNodal AgenciesNodal AgenciesNodal Agencies

The Ministry of Women andThe Ministry of Women andThe Ministry of Women andThe Ministry of Women andThe Ministry of Women andChild developmentChild developmentChild developmentChild developmentChild development(MWCD)(MWCD)(MWCD)(MWCD)(MWCD) will be the nodalMinistry for overseeing andcoordinating theimplementation of this Policy.

A National Coordination andNational Coordination andNational Coordination andNational Coordination andNational Coordination andAction Group (NCAG)Action Group (NCAG)Action Group (NCAG)Action Group (NCAG)Action Group (NCAG) f o rChildren will monitorprogress and ensure that theprinciples of this Policy are

respected in all sectors at alllevels in formulating laws,policies and programmesaffecting children.

Plans of Action at the nationalPlans of Action at the nationalPlans of Action at the nationalPlans of Action at the nationalPlans of Action at the nationaland state level and state level and state level and state level and state level will facilitateaction on the provisions of thisPolicy. The NCAG willmonitor the progress ofimplementation under thesePlans.

Area of ConcernsArea of ConcernsArea of ConcernsArea of ConcernsArea of Concerns

The policy does not mentionhow it will ensure childparticipation at various levelsof governance.

Neither operational guidelinesto pursue the policy norinstitutional mechanisms interms of making variousministries responsible arementioned in the policy.

No goal and / or target withregard to the Educational,Health, Nutrition andProtection rights of children ismentioned in the policydocument.

The policy does not makeclear commitments onbudgets of various ministries,nor protection of existingspecial entitlements todisadvantaged and vulnerablechildren.

Viresh PrasadViresh PrasadViresh PrasadViresh PrasadViresh Prasad

MCQ Series

India and China: Different Game Plans for Securing EnergyIndia and China: Different Game Plans for Securing EnergyIndia and China: Different Game Plans for Securing EnergyIndia and China: Different Game Plans for Securing EnergyIndia and China: Different Game Plans for Securing Energy


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India and China: Different Game Plans for Securing EnergyThe much hyped energy

rivalry between India and China hasseemingly played a part in the newgreat game in Central Asia. Popularmedia laments Indias sluggishnessin following Chinas footsteps.However, upon closer examination,the two countries arent quiteplaying the same game; theirmotivations and limitations withregard to Central Asia are different,a fact that is often ignored in surfacecomparisons.

China began to take seriousnotice of Central Asia in the late1990s, following a series of criticalevents. Losing energy self-sufficiency and becoming a net oilimporter in1993, the Taiwan Straitcrisis and South China Sea disputeswith the Philippines in 1995-6, allheightened Chinese insecurity aboutrelying on US-controlled oil sourcesand supply routes. Additionally,domestic security was threatened asUyghur separatist movements wererising in Central Asia and spillingover into China. Not only could thelarge untapped energy reserves inCentral Asia be transported directly

over land borders through pipelines,China could take advantage ofAmerican and Russianinattentiveness to influence CentralAsia. India does not share Chinasinsecurity of energy sources orsupply routes being under USinfluence. Thus, the drive to ownenergy resources is not as acute. Aslong as oil reaches the market, it willbe available to India. If India is keenon owning assets, it is to limitChinese control over energy or forlower prices. Unlike China, Indiaalso didnt have major securityconcerns from Central Asia, makingit unnecessary to entrench itself intothe region long-term for stability.However, this security calculus haschanged recently, with terroristbases spreading to Tajikistan afterthe Afghanistan war.

India also faces some majorlimitations compared to the Chineseadvantage in Central Asia. The mostserious limitation is connectivity.While China shares close to 3000 kmin land boundaries with Kazakhstan,Kyrgyztan, India has absolutelynone. Land connectivity can only be

created by traversing throughPakistan and Afghanistan, bothunstable and dangerous. Thus,direct bilateral pipelines andextensive land based trade, whichare the hallmark of Chineseinvolvement, are not really an optionfor India. Central Asia remainslandlocked and thus, sea links arealso limited through Russia, Iran,or China. While the Iranian optionwas most favorable to India, heavyWestern sanctions have madebusinesses weary of trading throughthis route.China entered CentralAsias energy markets in 1997, whenChina National PetroleumCorporation (CNPC) acquired a60.3% stake in Kazakhstans AktobeMunai Gas, gaining access to threeoilfields and an exploration block.By contrast, Indias first acquisitionwas only in 2011 and much smaller a 25% stake in a single oil bloc,the Satpayev. Interestingly, CNPCwas bidding against established oilmajors; the company not onlycleanly outbid every rival, it alsopaid the cash strapped Kazakhgovernment a generous bonus



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upfront and conducted feasibilitystudies on a pipeline to Xinjiang,offering the Kazakhs a non-Russianexport line. This combination ofChinas deep pockets, technologicalexpertise in exploration andinfrastructure and commitment tothe region has eased the path to arapid and impressive range ofacquisitions and partnerships. Chinafollowed a two pronged strategy tobuilding energy security in CentralAsia. First, China acquired energyassets both oil blocs as well as oilcompanies. Second, China used itstechnological prowess to getentrenched in the energyinfrastructure and industry in theregion, thus, creatinginterdependence between Chinaand Central Asia, whether bybuilding pipelines or setting uppetrochemical plants.

India has also made someprogress in energy. Politicalmaneuvering is under way to getIndia acquisition of a second oil blocin Kazakhstans massive Kashaganoilfield. Thought a pipe dream foralmost two decades, theTurkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline took solidshape in May 2012, with the signingof gas sale and pricing agreements.Several geopolitical factors enabledthe signing Americas solidsupport, given the desire to counterIranian, Russian and Chineseinfluences and the New Silk RouteStrategy for Afghanistan; Pakistanscrippling energy and economiccrisis; Indias need for cheapalternatives to LNG andTurkmenistans search for steady

buyers for its gas. However, aconsortium of companies is yet tobe found to finance, build andmanage the pipeline. Given theinsecure environments and difficultterrain of Afghanistan and Pakistan,this is proving more than difficult.Another initiative is the currentlytouted ONGC bid to buyConocoPhillips 8.4% stake in theKashagan oil field. Money andcultural leverage are two other majorlimitations on India vis--vis China.In terms of economic leverage, Indialags behind China in aid, trade aswell as purchasing power of oilcompanies. Indian trade withCentral Asia stands at a meager USD500 million, compared to the USD29 billion of China, Central Asiaslargest trading partner. Indian aid isminiscule at USD 5.4 millioncompares to the hundreds ofmillions given by the Chinese.

Majority of Chineseacquisitions in Central Asia havebeen financed by Chinese oilmajors themselves, who are flushwith profits, compared toperiodically declining profits atIndias ONGC. Culturally, China hasa large Uyghur population with deepties to Central Asia. Chinas growthstory has also branded it favorablyin the minds of Central Asiasleaders. The Indian Mughal dynastymay have originated in Central Asiabut this does not feature heavily oneither the Indian or Central Asianpsyche. At a Track-II dialogue inNew Delhi in 2012, the KazakhAmbassador spoke repeatedly ofthe need to create an attractivenessfor India in the Central Asian mind.

The constraints on Indiawarrant quite a different approachfrom the one being employed byChina. Promisingly, an intelligentstrategy is slowly developing whichis focused on building economicand cultural leverage. It shouldtranslate into greater energy gainsfor India in the future. Indias tieswith Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan andTajikistan have been upgraded tothe level of strategic partnerships.In June 2012, the Indian Ministry ofExternal Affairs (MEA) launched arevamped Connect Central Asiapolicy, largely a soft poweroffensive, focused on increasingconnectivity with Central Asia andrebranding India in the Central Asianpsyche. Innovatively, the MEA hasfocused on air connectivity toincrease trade and people-to-people exchanges, by opening up14 flights per week to operate toCentral Asia countries. As forrebranding India, the MEA has takena path of IT diplomacy andlaunched flagship projects tohighlight Indias technologicalprowess in the region setting upan E-Network connecting theentire region to deliver e-educationand telemedicine, as well as ITtraining centers and universities.

Indias focus is to build adevelopment partnership in theregion, not focused on extractingresources but on developing humancapital. While a clever long-termstrategy that might later translateinto bigger gains in trade andenergy, its effectiveness remains tobe seen.

Tanvi RatnaTanvi RatnaTanvi RatnaTanvi RatnaTanvi Ratna

MCQ Series



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India Backbone Implementation NetworkIndia has many popular

movements uniting citizens againstwhat they do not want: of whichcorruption is a principal element.The country also needs movementsto unite citizens for what they wantin their habitats and their lives, andto enable them to work together tocreate it. The nascent IBIN is amovement for co-creating ourworlds.

India is a country with no fullstops, Mark Tully observed. And inIndia, no decision is final, thefinance minister lamented at thePlanning Commissions meeting toapprove the 12th Plan. During thePlanning Commissionsconsultations with stakeholders forpreparing the Plan, citizens had saidthey were fed up with foundationstones strewn across the country bypolitical leaders yearning for thelimelight. They want more finishingstones. The sputtering of Indiaseconomic growth rate has rungalarm bells for economists andrating agencies. India must attract

more private investments ininfrastructure and industry. Thoughattracted by the potential of Indiasmarket, investors are turned off bythe difficulties of getting things donein the country. Projects are stuck intardy processes of approval andsnarled in inter-departmentalwrangles.

Consequently, India remainstowards the bottom of evaluationsof countries for ease-of-doingbusiness. The FM has urged IndianPSUs, who have large balancesheets, to get on with capitalinvestments to kick-start revival ofthe economy. The chiefs of IndiasPSUs say they have intentions toinvest but cannot implement them.Recently, they met the PM andexplained their difficulties. Theirprojects are stuck in ministerial redtape at the Centre and lost withinjungles of uncoordinated processesin the states. Very poor coordinationamongst agencies, poorimplementation and leaky deliverysystems are also the root causes of

the unsatisfactory state of Indiashealth, education and other publicservices.

There is a widespread need inIndia to convert confusion intocoordination, contention intocollaboration, and intention intoimplementation. Easier said thandone, many say. It is our culture tobe argumentative, they explain. Anddemocracy makes it difficult to getpeople to work together, they add.If only we had a dictator for adecade to get growth going andthen we can get back to democracy,some wistfully dream. Of course,they have no solution for how awidely-accepted dictator willquickly and peacefully emerge!There has to be a democraticalternative to dictatorship fordiscipline. In a highly diverse as wellas democratic country, such asIndia, consensus is required for allstakeholders to move together,forward and faster. This consensuscannot be commanded.

We need another mechanism


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India Backbone Implementation NetworkIndia Backbone Implementation NetworkIndia Backbone Implementation NetworkIndia Backbone Implementation NetworkIndia Backbone Implementation Network


specifically designed to bringpeople with different perspectivestogether: to listen to one another, todistil the essence of their sharedaspiration for their habitation ortheir organisation, and adopt thecritical principles they will adhereto in the work they must do together.A model of a process for rapidlyimproving a nations capabilities toget things done systematically anddemocratically is available in theTotal Quality Movement (TQM) inJapan. In less than two decades,Japan, that had a reputation for poorquality and low-cost products,became the internationalbenchmark of quality in manyindustries and several of its publicservices too.

IBIN has been modeled on thevery successful Total QualityMovement in Japan which in the1960s and 70s transformed thecapability of Japanese organizationsin the private and public sectors todeliver results. The TQM movementprovided to teams withinorganizations, and to inter-organization teams, techniques andtools with which they could makerapid improvements of processesthereby transforming Japan into thehallmark of quality internationally.The Planning Commission hasstudied best practices forcoordination and implementation inother countries also, such as Korea,Malaysia, Brazil, and Germany.

The architecture of IBIN isalong similar lines as the TQMmovement of Japan. Experience ofother countries, such as South Koreaand, more recently, Malaysia, whichhave systematically improvedcapabilities of coordination andimplementation, has also beenconsidered while developing IBINto fit Indias conditions. The toolsand techniques that will be

deployed by the IBIN movementwill be in some respects similar toTQM, but updated and customisedfor the objectives of IBIN, with itsemphasis on techniques and toolsfor collaboration, coordination andimplementation. They are describedin the 12th Plan document nowawaiting the approval of theNational Development Council. LikeTQM in Japan, it will be formed bya network of many leaders acrossthe country, in the states and inmany sectors. Critics say the changeIBIN seeks will take a long time, andso it may. But if we had started sucha movement, say, 10 years ago, wewould have been in a much betterplace now. Therefore, the soonerand more vigorously we start now,the faster we will shape the futurewe want. This is a time to lead andto act. If not this, then what? If notus, then who? If not now, thenwhen?

The essence of the TQMmovement was the deployment, atseveral levels in many organisations:especially the shopfloor levels, buthigher levels also, even to topmanagement, of simple techniquesfor systems thinking, cooperativeaction and continuousimprovement. These techniqueswere developed by experts incompanies and universities anddisseminated in the country throughindustry and other institutionalnetworks, and through radio,pamphlets, competitions and othermeans of connecting with thepublic.

The movement grew as anetwork: it was not a centrally-managed government programme.There was a principal node in thenetwork: a non-governmental body,the Japanese Union of Scientists andEngineers (Juse), in which manypersons from industry and

academia, and also governmentparticipated to provide a facilitativeleadership to the movement. Withinthe 12th Plan is the description of asimilar transformative process toimprove capabilities in the countryto get things done. This process,described as the India BackboneImplementation Network, or IBIN,can improve results in many sectorsof the economy.

The purpose of IBIN is toimprove implementation of policies,programs, and projects, which the12th Five Year Plan has located asthe critical necessity for acceleratingmore inclusive and faster growth. Ananalysis of projects and schemeshas revealed that the major causesof bottlenecks in implementationare contention amongststakeholders, and poor coordinationamongst agencies. Thesebottlenecks are at many levels in thesystem, at the center, in the states,and in districts and cities too. Theycannot be relieved top down by thePlanning Commission. They requirecollaborative action by stakeholdersand agencies at multiple points.

The IBIN movement willdisseminate techniques and skillsfor collaboration, coordination, andbetter planning through a networkof agencies in the country. Thepartners in the expanding networkalready include more than twodozen institutions such as theAdministrative Staff College of India,the Indian School of Business,SEWA, WISCOMP, UNDP, GIZ, theWorld Bank, FISME and otherbusiness associations. The functionsof a node will be to bring togetherproviders of the skills andtechniques and the agencies thatneed them, and to continuouslydistil good practices anddisseminate them widely.

R K SethR K SethR K SethR K SethR K Seth


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National IssuesNational IssuesNational IssuesNational IssuesNational Issues


DBT Scheme to be ExpandedDBT Scheme to be ExpandedDBT Scheme to be ExpandedDBT Scheme to be ExpandedDBT Scheme to be Expanded

The National Committee onNational Committee onNational Committee onNational Committee onNational Committee onDBT DBT DBT DBT DBT chaired by the Prime Ministerof India, Manmohan Singh met on 5April 2013 and approved expansionof the Direct Benefits Transfers(DBT) to 78 more districts and haveintroduced 3 more PensionSchemes under DBT. With thisapproval DBT will now cover 1/5thof the Country. The next phase ofthe scheme will begin from 1 July2013 and take the number ofdistricts covered under the schemeto 121. States like Uttar Pradesh,Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat,Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal,which were not covered in the firstphase of the scheme, are also

National Issuesall the covered districts. DBTfor pension schemes wouldbe introduced from 1 July2013 along with the rollout ofPhase-II.

Expansion to Post OfficesExpansion to Post OfficesExpansion to Post OfficesExpansion to Post OfficesExpansion to Post Offices:The Scheme would beexpanded to Post Offices aswell as the schemes runthrough their accounts from 1October 2013 by which theplan of introducing the corebanking system to the postoffices will be completed in51 districts.

Nationwide DatabaseNationwide DatabaseNationwide DatabaseNationwide DatabaseNationwide Databasedigitisationdigitisationdigitisationdigitisationdigitisation: The process ofdigitisation in all districts willbe started

National Optical Fibre NetworkNational Optical Fibre NetworkNational Optical Fibre NetworkNational Optical Fibre NetworkNational Optical Fibre NetworkCreation in Gram PanchayatsCreation in Gram PanchayatsCreation in Gram PanchayatsCreation in Gram PanchayatsCreation in Gram Panchayats

The Government of Indiaapproved the project for creation ofNational Optical Fibre Network(NOFN) connecting all the 250000Gram Panchayats (GPs) in thecountry through Optical Cable(OFC). The Union Governmentdecided to fund the project through

covered under phase II. In the samemeeting the committee took adecision to rollout direct benefittransfer of LPG subsidy in a phasedmanner beginning it with onedistrict and expanding to 20 districtsby 15 May 2013. Old age, disabilityand widows Pension Schemes thatis managed by the Ministry or RuralDevelopment was also added to the26 Welfare Schemes under the DBTand will come into force from 1 July2013. Creation of a DBT MissionDirectorate for enabling smoothrollout of schemes, identification ofbottlenecks and handholding of thedepartments and ministries was alsoannounced in the meet. The PrimeMinister has approved creation of apost of Mission Director for DBT.

More Decisions made in theMore Decisions made in theMore Decisions made in theMore Decisions made in theMore Decisions made in theMeetingMeetingMeetingMeetingMeeting

Additional SchemesAdditional SchemesAdditional SchemesAdditional SchemesAdditional Schemesproposed and Approvedproposed and Approvedproposed and Approvedproposed and Approvedproposed and Approved:DBT now covers 26 schemes.The three Pension Schemesmanaged by MoRD (old age,disability and widows) willnow be covered under DBT in


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Universal Service Obligation Fund(USOF).

The State Government on theother hand, will have the role ofproviding free Right of Way (RoW)for laying OFC. The projectenvisaged signing a tripartite MoUfor free Right of Way (RoW) amongthe Union Government, StateGovernment and Bharat BroadbandNetwork Limited (BBNL). 16 States/UTs signed the MoUs on 26 October2012. These states and UTs wereAndhra Pradesh, ArunachalPradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,Karnataka, Manipur, Mizoram,Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh,Uttarakhand and 3 Union Territoriesviz. Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman &Diu and Puducherry. Under theMoUs, 140727 GPs will be facilitatedwith Optical Fibre Network in theseStates and UTs. Tripartite MoU weresigned in the presence of UnionMinister of Communications & ITwith other 10 states and UTs on 12April 2013.

These states and UTs wereAssam, Bihar, Gujarat, HimachalPradesh, Jammu & Kashmir,Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha,Punjab and Andaman & NicobarIslands. In these states and UTs,overall 85731 GPs will get coveredby Optical Fibre Network. BBNLwill start the work in these states andUTs taking OFC to Gram Panchayats.With the availability of NOFN at250000 Gram Panchayats aminimum bandwidth of 100 Mbpswill be available at each of GP andwill lead to proliferation of

broadband services. NOFN projectwill take the technology to grass rootlevel and open new opportunity forthe benefit of masses.

Regulatory Body toRegulatory Body toRegulatory Body toRegulatory Body toRegulatory Body toControl Electronic MediaControl Electronic MediaControl Electronic MediaControl Electronic MediaControl Electronic Media

The High Court of Delhi on 9April 2013 recommended the UnionGovernment of India to constitute aStatutory Regulatory Body to controlElectronic Media. The High CourtBench of Delhi led by JusticePradeep Nandarajog rejected theidea of self-regulation of thebroadcasters. The Court in itsjudgment ruled that stateintervention is necessary to promotethe media environment that ischaracterized by pluralism anddiversity.

The High Court bench addedthat a regulatory body was requiredfor ensuring compliance of theprovisions mentioned under theCable Television Networks(Regulation) Act 1995 and the CableTelevision Network Rules, 1994 bythe media organizations. The courtin its recommendation said that astatutory regulatory body thatconsists of men and women ofeminence from field of law, science,art and culture, literature, historyand social sciences to beconstituted. Security of tenureneeds to be brought into practicefor the members of the regulatorybody to ensure non-interferencefrom the government. The Court

appointed self-regulatory body ofthe Indian Broadcasting Foundation Broadcasting ConsumersComplaint Committee as theregulatory body to look into thecomplaints of violation of programand advertising codes and otherprovisions by the media and give itsruling, until as statutory body isconstituted by the UnionGovernment. The court also ruledthat the decisions of theBroadcasting Consumers ComplaintCommittee shall be treated as thefoundation stone for takingappropriate action against theoffenders.

NUHM Formulated as a Sub-NUHM Formulated as a Sub-NUHM Formulated as a Sub-NUHM Formulated as a Sub-NUHM Formulated as a Sub-Mission under National HealthMission under National HealthMission under National HealthMission under National HealthMission under National HealthMission (NHM)Mission (NHM)Mission (NHM)Mission (NHM)Mission (NHM)

The Ministry of Health & FamilyWelfare in April 2013 formulatedNational Urban Health Mission(NUHM) as a Sub-Mission underNational Health Mission (NHM)which is supposed to be launchedduring the 12th Five Year Plan. Thebasic purpose to launch NationalUrban Health Mission (NUHM) is toaddress healthcare needs of urbanpopulation, particularly urban poor.It is important here to note thatlaunch National Urban HealthMission was a listed scheme under11th Five Year Plan with anapproved outlay of 4500 croresRupees and Expenditure FinanceCommittee (EFC) also approved thescheme in its meeting held on 12September2008. Conversely thescheme could not be launched.


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Aim and Objectives of theAim and Objectives of theAim and Objectives of theAim and Objectives of theAim and Objectives of theNational Urban Health MissionNational Urban Health MissionNational Urban Health MissionNational Urban Health MissionNational Urban Health Mission

National Urban Health Missionis directed towards improvingthe health status of the urbanpopulation particularly slumdwellers and other vulnerablesections by facilitatingequitable access to qualityhealthcare with the activeinvolvement of the urban localbodies (ULBs).

The National Urban HealthMission is intended to cover779 cities and town including7 metros with population offifty thousand and above.

An amount of15143 croresrupees has been approved forthe 12th Five Year Plan 2012-17by the PlanningCommission whereas theMinistry proposed 16955crore rupees for NUHM during12th FYP. However for the year2013-14 approved outlay forNUHM is 1.00 crore only.

New Plastic VoterNew Plastic VoterNew Plastic VoterNew Plastic VoterNew Plastic VoterIdentity Cards to be issuedIdentity Cards to be issuedIdentity Cards to be issuedIdentity Cards to be issuedIdentity Cards to be issued

Election Commission of Indiaon 17 April 2013 announced that itis planning to come up with a driving

license like-hard plastic voter IDcards and replace the long existinglaminated voter identity cards. TheDeputy Election Commissioner,Alok Shukla made thatannouncement at New Delhi thatnew voter cards with colour photoswould be first issued in North-Eastern States, Assam andNagaland.

The Election commission willcharge a fee of 50 Rupees from thepeople who want their ID Cards tobe converted into the Plastic Cards.The choice of getting the VoterCards converted into the hardplastic cards will completelydepend upon the voters will.

Plea Dismissed for BhullarsPlea Dismissed for BhullarsPlea Dismissed for BhullarsPlea Dismissed for BhullarsPlea Dismissed for BhullarsDeath CommutationDeath CommutationDeath CommutationDeath CommutationDeath Commutation

The Supreme Court of India on12 April 2013 dismissed the plea ofDevinder Pal Singh Bhullar theterrorist of Khalistan LiberationForce to dismiss the death penaltyand shift it to life imprisonment.Bhullar faced the sentence of Deathfrom the Supreme Court fortriggering a bomb blast in Delhi in1993, in which 9 people were killedleaving behind 17 injured. TheSupreme Court was hearing thepetition submitted by the Bhullar inwhich he demanded commutationof the death penalty due to longdelay in the decision of thePresident on his mercy petition. Hismercy petition was in row in thePresidents office for eight years,before the President rejected it inthe year 2011. The Supreme CourtBench of two Judges that

comprised Justice G.S. Singhvi andS.J. Mukhopadhya in its ruledeclared that the long delay by thePresident or Governor in disposingthe mercy petition of personconvicted under anti-terror laws orsimilar statutes cannot be a groundfor commutation of death sentence.The Supreme Courts decision hascleared the way for execution ofDevinder Pal Singh Bhullar.

Decision to Double the NumberDecision to Double the NumberDecision to Double the NumberDecision to Double the NumberDecision to Double the Numberof Judges in next 5 yearsof Judges in next 5 yearsof Judges in next 5 yearsof Judges in next 5 yearsof Judges in next 5 years

The Union Government ofIndia decided to double the numberof sanctioned judges in India in nextfive years to ensure speedy disposalof cases. With this increase in thenumber of judges is expected toreach to a mark of 37000 in next fiveyears.

The Chief Justice of IndiaAltamas Kabir and Law MinisterAshwani Kumar on 7 April 2013during the release of comprehensiveagenda for legal and judicial reformsannounced that the UnionGovernment of India approved thedecision of increasing the judgepopulation ratio from 15.47 permillion to 30 per million. Thecomprehensive agenda wasreleased at the conference of ChiefJustices of High Courts and ChiefMinisters. Increase in the numberof fast track courts for trial ofheinous crimes like offences againstelderly, women and children is alsounder the plan of the centralgovernment.

The funds for development ofthe infrastructure would be releasedunder a centrally sponsored schemeon 75:25 basis. At present there are906 judges in the High Courts ofIndia and is to be increased by 25percent in next three years and 50percent over a period of five years.To deal with small and petty crimesa committee will be constituted bythe Government.


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CCEA approved 12000 CroreCCEA approved 12000 CroreCCEA approved 12000 CroreCCEA approved 12000 CroreCCEA approved 12000 CroreRupees Special Plan for BiharRupees Special Plan for BiharRupees Special Plan for BiharRupees Special Plan for BiharRupees Special Plan for Bihar

The Cabinet Committee on Cabinet Committee on Cabinet Committee on Cabinet Committee on Cabinet Committee onEconomic Affairs (CCEAEconomic Affairs (CCEAEconomic Affairs (CCEAEconomic Affairs (CCEAEconomic Affairs (CCEA) on 18April 2013 approved to continue thespecial plan for Bihar in theremaining four years of the 12th FiveYear Plan. The CCEA approved atotal allocation of 12000 crorerupees for the entire plan period.The Package was approved for Biharunder Backward Region Grant Fund(BRGF) State Component. On thesame occasion the CCEA also gaveits approval to continue the specialplan in Odisha and Uttar Pradeshrespectively.

The regions for which theThe regions for which theThe regions for which theThe regions for which theThe regions for which theapproval was made for the twoapproval was made for the twoapproval was made for the twoapproval was made for the twoapproval was made for the twostates are: states are: states are: states are: states are:

The Plans were approved forthe KBK districts (Kalahandi-KBK districts (Kalahandi-KBK districts (Kalahandi-KBK districts (Kalahandi-KBK districts (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput)Bolangir-Koraput)Bolangir-Koraput)Bolangir-Koraput)Bolangir-Koraput) of Odisha.The CCEA made an allocationof 250 crore rupees per annumin the remaining four years2013-14 to 2016-17 of theTwelfth Five Year Plan

For implementation of thedrought mitigation strategiesin Bundelkhand region of UttarPradesh and Madhya Pradeshfor the remaining four years2013-14 to 2016-17 of theTwelfth Five Year Plan thespecial package wasapproved by the CCEA. A totalallocation of 4400 crorerupees for the entire TwelfthFive Year Plan period wasapproved by the CCEA.

Background of BackwardRegion Grant Fund (BRGF)

The BRGF, aims towardscatalyzing the developmentprograms in the backward areas. Itwas approved by the CCEA inAugust 2006. In its present form, theBRGF has two components, namelydistrict component covering 272backward districts in 27 states(including 22 additional districtscovered in 2012-13) and statecomponent, which includes thespecial plan for Bihar, the specialplan for the KBK districts of Odishaand the special plan for West Bengal(covered in 2011-12) andBundelkhand Package (covered in2009-10).

Ministry of I&B Reconstituted theMinistry of I&B Reconstituted theMinistry of I&B Reconstituted theMinistry of I&B Reconstituted theMinistry of I&B Reconstituted theCentral Press AccreditationCentral Press AccreditationCentral Press AccreditationCentral Press AccreditationCentral Press AccreditationCommitteeCommitteeCommitteeCommitteeCommittee

The Ministry of Information &Broadcasting reconstituted theCentral Press AccreditationCommittee (CPAC) on 4 April 2013.The function of CPAC is to approvethe applications for accreditationfrom the media, which is India aswell as foreign.

Members of Central PressMembers of Central PressMembers of Central PressMembers of Central PressMembers of Central PressAccreditation CommitteeAccreditation CommitteeAccreditation CommitteeAccreditation CommitteeAccreditation Committee

Members of Central PressAccreditation Committee include:

Himanshu Chatterjee (IndianFederation of WorkingJournalists)

B.M.Sharma (All India Smalland Medium NewspapersFederation)

Pramod Mathur (WorkingNews CameramensAssociation)

Surinder Kapoor (NewsCameramens Association)

Coomi Kapoor (Editors Guildof India)

Shazi Zaman(IndianBroadcasting Foundation)

Swaraj Thapa (PressAssociation)

Manoranjan Bharati (NewsBroadcasters Association)

Supriya Prasad (BroadcastEditors Association)

Mangipudi Aruna (Associationof Small and MediumNewspapers of India)

Thyagaraja (Indian Federationof Small and MediumNewspapers)

Geetartha Pathak (IndianJournalists Union)

Jagdish Yadav (Association ofAccredited NewsCameraman)

Padmadhar Pati Tripathi (AllIndia Journalists WelfareAssociation)

Radhey Sham Sharma (AllIndia Newspaper EditorsConference)

Subhash Nigam (NationalUnion of Journalists)The tenure of Central Press

Accreditation Committee will betwo years from the first meetingonwards.

Novartis Patent Plea Rejected forNovartis Patent Plea Rejected forNovartis Patent Plea Rejected forNovartis Patent Plea Rejected forNovartis Patent Plea Rejected forCancer Drug Called GlivecCancer Drug Called GlivecCancer Drug Called GlivecCancer Drug Called GlivecCancer Drug Called Glivec

The Supreme Court of India on1 April 2013 rejected the plea ofNovartis, the Swiss drug maker, topatent the updated version ofcancer drug called Glivec. A benchof justices Aftab Alam and RanjanaPrakash Desai dismissed the patentplea to Novartis on the basis thatthere was no inventiveness ornovelty in the new version of thedrug. In its ruling, the SupremeCourt of India declared that becausethe application for patent on beta-crystalline salt did not meet anyinventiveness or novelty standard,therefore the companys plea forpatent was dismissed. Thejudgement implied that patents inIndia would only be granted tocompanies that were involved ingenuine inventions. Litigativepatenting would be dismissed.


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Glivec is used for the treatment ofchronic myeloid leukaemia alongwith certain other kinds of cancers.The cost of this drug is around 2600US dollar per month. The generic ofGlivec is equivalent to 175 US dollarin India.

BackgroundNovartis had filed a patent

application for the new version ofthis drug in 2006. ComptrollerGeneral of Patent and Design deniedthe patent on the grounds that onlycertain changes were made to itsexisting drugs under sections 3(d)and 3(b) of the Indian PatentLaw. Novartis then challenged thisrejection of patent application forGlivec. Subsequently, the patentapplication was also rejected byIntellectual Property AppellateBoard. In 2009, Novartis took its fightto the Supreme Court of India.

Section 3 (d) and 3 (b) of IndianSection 3 (d) and 3 (b) of IndianSection 3 (d) and 3 (b) of IndianSection 3 (d) and 3 (b) of IndianSection 3 (d) and 3 (b) of IndianPatent Law explainedPatent Law explainedPatent Law explainedPatent Law explainedPatent Law explained

Section 3 (d) of Indian PatentLaw restricts the patents foralready-known drugs unlessand until there is superiority ininvention in terms of efficacy.

Section 3 (b) of Indian PatentLaw restricts patents for thoseproducts which are againstthe public interest, and alsodo not show advanced valueover the products whichalready exist.

Evergreening ofEvergreening ofEvergreening ofEvergreening ofEvergreening ofPatent Rights- An IssuePatent Rights- An IssuePatent Rights- An IssuePatent Rights- An IssuePatent Rights- An Issue

Evergreening of the patentrights refers to the strategy adoptedby certain innovators for havingrenewed their patent rights on theproducts by incorporating onlyminor changes. These minorchanges may include adding newformulations or mixtures.Evergreening is done by theinnovators when the patent is on theverge of expiry. A victory in this

patent fight would have givenmonopoly of Glivec to Novartis for20 years.

National Policy forNational Policy forNational Policy forNational Policy forNational Policy forChildren-2012 Approved by theChildren-2012 Approved by theChildren-2012 Approved by theChildren-2012 Approved by theChildren-2012 Approved by theUnion Cabinet of IndiaUnion Cabinet of IndiaUnion Cabinet of IndiaUnion Cabinet of IndiaUnion Cabinet of India

The Union Cabinet of India on18 April 2013 approved the NationalPolicy for Children, 2012. The policywas approved to reaffirm thecommitment of the Governmenttowards the realization of the rightsof the Children in the Country as itrecognized that every person below18 years in age as a child.

Guiding principles laid down byGuiding principles laid down byGuiding principles laid down byGuiding principles laid down byGuiding principles laid down bythe Policy includesthe Policy includesthe Policy includesthe Policy includesthe Policy includes

The right of every child to life,survival, development,education, protection andparticipation;

Equal rights for all childrenwithout discrimination;

The best interest of the childas a primary concern in allactions and decisionsaffecting children

Family environment as themost conducive for all-rounddevelopment of childrenThe set principles makes it

mandatory for Governments at alllevels, National, State and Local torespect the children in all theiractions and initiatives that affectsthem. The policy has identifiedsurvival, nutrition, health,development, education, protectionand participation as undeniablerights of every child, and these havebeen recognized as the key priorityareas.

For development of a childFor development of a childFor development of a childFor development of a childFor development of a childmulti-sectoral, interconnected andmulti-sectoral, interconnected andmulti-sectoral, interconnected andmulti-sectoral, interconnected andmulti-sectoral, interconnected andcollective effort is required to becollective effort is required to becollective effort is required to becollective effort is required to becollective effort is required to beput forward and thus the Policyput forward and thus the Policyput forward and thus the Policyput forward and thus the Policyput forward and thus the Policyaims at:aims at:aims at:aims at:aims at:

Purposeful convergence andstrong coordination acrossdifferent sectors and levels ofgovernance

Active engagement andpartnerships with allstakeholders

Setting up of a comprehensiveand reliable knowledge base

Provision of adequateresources

Sensitization and capacitydevelopment of all those whowork for and with childrenTo give effect to the Policy the

Union Government has decided todevelop a National Plan of Actionand constitute a NationalCoordination and Action Group(NCAG) for fine monitoring of theprogress of implementation of theplan. For monitoring andimplementation of the policy at stateand district level, same type ofaction groups will be constituted bythe Government.

Responsibilities Given toThe National Commission for

Protection of Child Rights and StateCommissions for Protection of ChildRights are made responsible toensure that the principles of thepolicy are respected in all sectorsat all levels. The Government hasalso created a provision ofreviewing the Policy after every fiveyears. The Ministry of Women andChild Development will be the nodalministry for overseeing andcoordinating the implementation ofthe policy and will lead the reviewprocess.

A Surrogate Mother and HerA Surrogate Mother and HerA Surrogate Mother and HerA Surrogate Mother and HerA Surrogate Mother and HerHusband Have No Right overHusband Have No Right overHusband Have No Right overHusband Have No Right overHusband Have No Right overChildChildChildChildChild

A Delhi court on 11 April 2013ruled that a surrogate mother andher husband cannot have any rightover a child conceived anddelivered through artificial means.The court ruled that definition ofterm surrogacy in guidelines laiddown by Indian Council of MedicalResearch itself recognizes that theintended parents are parents


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genetically related to the child andnot the surrogate mother or herhusband.

Additional Senior Civil JudgeSonu Agnihotris remarks camewhile declaring a single womanfrom the UK as the biological motherof a boy delivered by an Indianwoman acting as a surrogate mother.The court passed the order on a suitinitiated by the UK national who,after having received the custody ofthe child from the surrogate mother,moved the court praying for adecree declaring her as thebiological mother of baby boy to putto rest her apprehension that infuture, the surrogate mother or herhusband might claim custody of theboy.

Army to launch a New Scheme ofArmy to launch a New Scheme ofArmy to launch a New Scheme ofArmy to launch a New Scheme ofArmy to launch a New Scheme ofOld Age Homes for ex-Old Age Homes for ex-Old Age Homes for ex-Old Age Homes for ex-Old Age Homes for ex-ServicemenServicemenServicemenServicemenServicemen

Bikram Singh, the Chief ofArmy Staff on 7 April 2013announced that the Army hadprepared a new scheme, underwhich an old-age home will beopened in every command. Thescheme is designed for providing ahome to elderly ex-servicemen, whohave no one to look after themduring their old age. At present, thearmy is running an old age home onexperiment basis near Chandigarh inPanchkula.

About the SchemeUnder the proposed scheme,

the ex-servicemen willing to availthe services of the old-age homeswill have to pay for the same fromtheir pensions, as the servicesoffered under the scheme are notfree.

SOI filed compliant of violatingthe Indian Policy Guidelines ofMapping against Google

Delhi Police on 4 April 2013launched an inquiry against theInternet Giant Google over itscontest Mapathon 2013, following acomplaint received by the Survey ofIndia. The Mapathon contest wasconducted by Google in February-March 2013. As per the compliantfrom Survey of India (SOI), theactivity of Mapathon 2013 violatedthe National Map Policy and likelyjeopardizes the national securityinterest. The participants of thecontest, being unaware of the lawof the land would have violated thelaw. A letter was also written toGoogle Indias Office by theAdditional Surveyor-General ofIndia R.C. Padhi asking the internetgiant to stop its activity of mapuploading, as the activity is againstthe Indian Policy Guidelines. Surveyof India is the only body that hasbeen provided, the power ofmapping and surveying thenation. The Preamble of theNational Map Policy, 2005 statesthat, the responsibility forproducing, maintaining anddisseminating the topographic mapdatabase of the whole country,which is the foundation of all spatialdata vests with the Survey of India.

Mapathon 2013 ContestMapathon 2013 ContestMapathon 2013 ContestMapathon 2013 ContestMapathon 2013 Contest

Mapathon 2013 was a contestcreated by Google in which it askedthe Indian Citizens to map theirneighbourhood and send the same

to Google for being uploaded on thesearch engines. Rewards to the 1000best entries were also announcedby Google. The contest wasconducted from 12 February to 25March 2013.

Terms and Conditions Mentionedin the Mapathon 2013 Contest

The Mapathon 2013 clearlymentioned in its terms andconditions that the individualsthemselves were responsible fortheir submissions and consequ-ences that may arise after the mapsand content provided by them wereposted on the search engines. Thisexercise of the individuals directlylands the individuals into trouble forviolating the law of the land,unknowingly if they map somerestricted areas that may hamper thesecurity of the nation.

DAC Approved Major Changes inDAC Approved Major Changes inDAC Approved Major Changes inDAC Approved Major Changes inDAC Approved Major Changes inDPP to Encourage IndianDPP to Encourage IndianDPP to Encourage IndianDPP to Encourage IndianDPP to Encourage IndianDefence IndustryDefence IndustryDefence IndustryDefence IndustryDefence Industry

The Defence AcquisitionCouncil (DAC), the apex decisionmaking body of the MoD, took aseries of decisions on 20 April 2013,including amendments to DefenceProcurement Procedure (DPP) withthe objective of infusing greaterefficiency in the procurementprocess and strengthening thedefence manufacturing base inIndia.

Following are the highlights ofFollowing are the highlights ofFollowing are the highlights ofFollowing are the highlights ofFollowing are the highlights ofthe amendments to the DPP-2011:the amendments to the DPP-2011:the amendments to the DPP-2011:the amendments to the DPP-2011:the amendments to the DPP-2011:

1.1.1.1.1. Prioritisation of VariousCategories for CapitalAcquisitions under DefenceProcurement ProcedurePreference for indigenousprocurement in the DefenceProduction Policy 2011 hasnow been made a part of DPPthrough an amendment thatprovides for a preferred orderof categorisation, with globalcases being a choice of lastresort.


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2.2.2.2.2. Release of Public Version ofLong Term IntegratedPerspective Plan (LTIPP)The DAC has approved therelease of a public version ofits 15-year perspectivedocument (LTIPP), outliningthe Technology Perspectiveand Capability Roadmap(TPCR) against LTIPP 2012-2027. The TPCR will provideuseful guidance to the IndianDefence Industry for boostingits infrastructural capabilitiesand directing its R&D andtechnology investments.

3.3.3.3.3. Maintenance ToT (MToT) nolonger through NominationMToT has been hithertoreserved largely for OFB andDPSUs through thenomination process. A DPPamendment has beenapproved that does away withnomination by Department ofDefence Production andfacilitates selection of MToTpartners by Indian bidders.This measure is expected tohave a positive impact onprivate sector participation inmaintenance, repairs andoverhaul work.

4.4.4.4.4. Simplification of Buy & Make(Indian) ProcedureThe DAC has approved anamendment furthersimplifying this complexcategory. Its procedures have

been brought on par withother categorisations,resulting in faster processingof cases under this category.

5.5.5.5.5. Clear Definition of IndigenousContentIncreased indigenisation isimportant for our ArmedForces, in order that they haveaccess to reliable supplychains in times of urgent need.Indigenous content has nowbeen defined in anunambiguous manner,providing requisite clarity anda common understanding.

8.8.8.8.8. Licensing for Dual Use ItemsThe Ministry has categoricallyclarified to DIPP that dual-useitems will not requirelicensing, thereby bringingadded clarity to the licensingprocess.

9.9.9.9.9. Consultations on SecurityGuidelines for Indian DefenceIndustryDraft Security Guidelines thatwill apply to all licenseddefence industries have beencirculated for consultationswith various stakeholders. It isexpected that a completesecurity framework for Indianprivate industriesparticipating in defence caseswill be in place in the nearfuture.

10.10.10.10.10. Resolution of Tax-relatedIssuesResolution of deemed exportsstatus for certain defenceprojects and rationalisation oftax and duty structuresimpinging on the Indiandefence industry has beentaken up by the MoD with theMinistry of Finance.

11.11.11.11.11. Funds for MSMEs in theDefence SectorThe Defence ProductionPolicy 2011 requires thesetting-up of a fund to providenecessary resources fordevelopment of defenceequipment. In order to ensureregular supply of funds toMSMEs involved inmanufacturing of defenceproducts, SIDBI has decidedto earmark an amount of 500crore rupees for providingloans, and further, a fund of 50 crore rupees for equitysupport out of IndiaOpportunities Fund managedby its subsidiary, namely,SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd.

12.12.12.12.12. Efficiency and Transparencyin Defence Procurement

6. Ensuring faster progress inMake and Buy & Make (Indian)casesThe Ministry has a limitednumber of acquisition casesunder Make and Buy & Make(Indian) categories, with anestimated value of 120000crore rupees. Instructionshave been issued for speedierconclusion of these cases.

7.7.7.7.7. Defence Items ListIndian defence industry wasopened up in May 2001 for 100percent private sectorparticipation subject tolicensing. The Defence ItemsList has been finalised by theMinistry and sent to DIPP fornotification, which will bringrequired clarity in the licensingprocess.


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A stipulation to freeze theSQRs before the Acceptanceof Necessity (AoN) stage hasbeen accorded, and thevalidity of AoN has also beenreduced from two years toone year. These measures areexpected to expedite theacquisition process andincrease transparency.

13.13.13.13.13. Enhanced Delegation ofFinancial PowersThe financial powers ofService Chiefs/ DG CoastGuard have been enhancedfrom 50 crore rupees to 150crore rupees for capitalacquisition cases.

14.14.14.14.14. Powers to DACApproval for all deviationsfrom the DefenceProcurement Procedure willhenceforth be sought from theDefence Acquisition Councilinstead of the DefenceMinister.

President of India Appointed twoPresident of India Appointed twoPresident of India Appointed twoPresident of India Appointed twoPresident of India Appointed twoJudges to the Supreme Court ofJudges to the Supreme Court ofJudges to the Supreme Court ofJudges to the Supreme Court ofJudges to the Supreme Court ofIndiaIndiaIndiaIndiaIndia

Chief Justices of High Courtsof Punjab and Haryana as well asMadhya Pradesh, Justice ArjanKumar Sikri and Justice SharadArvind Bobde respectively on 10April 2013 were elevated as Judgesof Supreme Court, in order of theirseniority by the President of India.

The appointment of judges willcome into effect from the date theyassume charge of their respectiveoffice. The President of Indiaexercised powers conferred to himby Clause 2 of Article 124 of theConstitution of India forappointment of the judges.

Article 124: Establishment andconstitution of Supreme Court

Clause 2: Every Judge of theSupreme Court shall be appointedby the President by warrant under

his hand and seal after consultationwith such of the Judges of theSupreme Court and of the HighCourts in the States as the Presidentmay deem necessary for thepurpose and shall hold office untilhe attains the age of sixty-five years.

Competition Commission of IndiaCompetition Commission of IndiaCompetition Commission of IndiaCompetition Commission of IndiaCompetition Commission of Indiaamended the Combinationamended the Combinationamended the Combinationamended the Combinationamended the CombinationRegulationsRegulationsRegulationsRegulationsRegulations

The Competition Commissionof India (CCI) amended theCombination Regulations with aview to further simplify the filingrequirements and bring aboutgreater certainty in the applicationof the Act and the Regulations. Theprovisions of the Competition Act,2002 relating to regulation ofcombinations have been in forcewith effect from 1 June 2011. Thesewere subsequently amended on 23February 2013 with a view to relaxcertain requirements in regard tofilings by corporate entities forcombinations that are unlikely toraise adverse competitionconcerns.

The highlights of the majorchanges in the CombinationRegulations are as following:

The Regulations now do notrequire a notice to be filed foracquisition of shares or votingrights of companies if theacquisition is less than fivepercent of the shares or votingrights of the company in afinancial year, where theacquirer already holds morethan twenty five percent butless than fifty percent of theshares or voting rights of thecompany.

In a step which wouldsignificantly reducecompliance requirements, theprovision for giving notice isnow dispensed for mergers/amalgamations involving twoenterprises where one of theenterprises has more than fiftyper cent (50%) shares orvoting rights of the otherenterprise. Similarly, therequirement of giving notice isalso dispensed for merger oramalgamation of enterprisesin which more than fifty percent (50%) shares or votingrights in each of suchenterprises are held byenterprise(s) within the samegroup.

To provide clarification on thenature of intra-groupacquisitions for which noticehas to be given, Item 8 ofSchedule I is amended to statethat the relaxation would notapply where the acquiredenterprise is jointly controlled.

To avoid repetition and tohave one category ofexemption for acquisition ofcertain current assets likestock-in-trade, raw materialsetc., Item 5 and Item 9 ofSchedule I are clubbed andprovided as one categoryunder Item 5.

India Post to Establish ThirdIndia Post to Establish ThirdIndia Post to Establish ThirdIndia Post to Establish ThirdIndia Post to Establish ThirdAutomated Mail ProcessingAutomated Mail ProcessingAutomated Mail ProcessingAutomated Mail ProcessingAutomated Mail ProcessingCentre in HyderabadCentre in HyderabadCentre in HyderabadCentre in HyderabadCentre in Hyderabad

India Post in the last week ofMarch 2013 decided to establishthird Automated Mail ProcessingCentre in Hyderabad by April2013. The Automated MailProcessing Centre is the 60 croreRupees centre which will come upnear international airport atShamshabad. The centre will havethe capability to sort 30000 mails perhour. This will bring down thedelivery time of the mails. The


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department will deliver 1.75 croreletters, 2.7 lakhs of parcels as wellas 1.9 crore money orders per day.Earlier, India Post had establishedtwo Automated Mail ProcessingCentres in Kolkata and Delhi.

Government launched IBIN forGovernment launched IBIN forGovernment launched IBIN forGovernment launched IBIN forGovernment launched IBIN forEffective Implementation of itsEffective Implementation of itsEffective Implementation of itsEffective Implementation of itsEffective Implementation of itsCore ProgrammeCore ProgrammeCore ProgrammeCore ProgrammeCore Programme

The Planning Commission ofIndia on 19 April 2013 launched IBIN(India Backbone Implementation

Network) for effective implantationof its core programmes and policies.IBIN will address the need toimprove implementation of policiesand programmes chartered out inthe 12th Five Year Plan as criticalnecessity for accelerating moreinclusive and faster growth. IBIN willhelp resolve the issues bysystematically converting -Confusion to coordination,contention to collaboration andintentions to implementation across

India. In fact, Planning Commissionof India has introduced severalinnovations in the 12th Planincluding the use of techniques ofscenario planning for the first time,use of social media forcommunications with youth, and theconcept of IBIN. The IBINmovement will also disseminatetechniques and skills forcollaboration, coordination, andbetter planning through a networkof agencies in the country.


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Iran began Production at TwoIran began Production at TwoIran began Production at TwoIran began Production at TwoIran began Production at TwoUranium Mines and a YellowUranium Mines and a YellowUranium Mines and a YellowUranium Mines and a YellowUranium Mines and a YellowCake PlantCake PlantCake PlantCake PlantCake Plant

Iran announced on 9 April 2013that it has begun production at twouranium mines and a yellow cakeplant. The announcement markedthe National Nuclear TechnologyDay. The Saghand 1 and 2 uraniummines in the central city of Yazd willextract uranium from a depth ofabout 350 yards while the ShahidRezaeinejad plant at Ardakan canproduce 60 tonnes of yellow cakeor the raw uranium. Iran declaredthe plants open for productiondespite western powers opposingIrans nuclear program. The latesttwo-day talks on Irans nuclearprogramme held in Kazakhstan

International IssuesBan Ki-Moon, the UN SecretaryGeneral announced on 7 April 2013to look into the allegations of bothsides of the conflict. Syria in March2013 asked UN to investigate the useof chemical weapons by the rebelsin the village of al-Assal.

Whereas, United Nationsdeclared that it wanted toinvestigate all the reports related tothe use of chemical weapons inSyria not only the one that thegovernment claimed to be used bythe rebels. Syria rejected theproposal of UN because as per therules of the country granting anaccess to the investigators from UNto the whole country meantviolation of Syrian sovereignty butwas ready to grant access to Khan

ended without agreement in Tehranon 6 April 2013. Iran stated in thetalks that it would not compromiseon its right to enrich uranium.

Multi-billion Dollar Plan forMulti-billion Dollar Plan forMulti-billion Dollar Plan forMulti-billion Dollar Plan forMulti-billion Dollar Plan forPoverty Alleviation in IndianPoverty Alleviation in IndianPoverty Alleviation in IndianPoverty Alleviation in IndianPoverty Alleviation in IndianStatesStatesStatesStatesStates

The World Bank in the secondweek of April 2013 announced amulti-million dollar four-year planthat is to be initiated in seven low-income states of India to bring downthe poverty levels. The WorldBanks Country Partnership Strategyfor India proposed to lend 3 billionto 5 billion US dollars every year fora period of next four years. Therecognized states are Chhattisgarh,Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh,Odisha, Rajasthan, and UttarPradesh. The states have beenidentified depending upon thenumber of poors that live in thesestates.

Syria rejected UN ProposalSyria rejected UN ProposalSyria rejected UN ProposalSyria rejected UN ProposalSyria rejected UN Proposal

Syria on 8 April 2013 rejectedthe proposal of United Nations toprobe the reports of possible use ofChemical Weapons in the country.


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International IssuesInternational IssuesInternational IssuesInternational IssuesInternational Issues


al-Assal where it had reported thepossible use of chemical weapons.

Cyber Information Sharing andCyber Information Sharing andCyber Information Sharing andCyber Information Sharing andCyber Information Sharing andProtection Act Passed in USProtection Act Passed in USProtection Act Passed in USProtection Act Passed in USProtection Act Passed in US

The US House ofRepresentatives passed the CyberInformation Sharing and ProtectionAct, also called CISPA on 18 April2013. The aim of CISPA is to fightwith the cyber threats, by enablingthe law enforcers to get access tothe web data. The CISPA waspassed by 288-127 vote out of which92 were the Democrats. It will nowmove to the Senate and then toObamas desk. The bill will enablethe private entities to share thepersonal information of thecustomers with any governmentbody, which also includes NationalSecurity Agency. It is important tonote that this was the second timethat the US House ofRepresentatives passed the CISPA.Senators had earlier rejected thefirst draft of this bill on the groundsthat it wasnt providing enough forprotecting the privacy. TheAmerican federal agencies hadwarned that hackers motivated bythe money or acting as the part offoreign governments were causinga major threat to China. In themeanwhile, CISPA is also supportedby the technology firms such asTechNet computer industry lobbygroup and CTIA wireless industrygroup. The ones that oppose the billare Reddit and Facebook. TheCISPA could fail once again in theSenate in case veto power of Obamais used. The White House actuallywants certain amendments in thebill so that just a little amount of datais handed in the investigations.

Background of CISPA The Cyber Intelligence Sharing

and Protection Act (CISPA) isbasically a proposed law inUS, according to which theInternet traffic information canbe shared between certaintechnology and manufacturingcompanies as well as the USgovernment. The purpose ofthis bill is to enable USGovernment in investigatingthe cyber threats as well asmaking sure about the securityof networks against the cyberstacks.

CISPA was first introduced inthe Senate on 30 November2011 by the U.S.Representative MichaelRogers along with 111 co-sponsors. It was passed by theUS House of Representativeson 26 April 2012 but the USSenate did not pass this bill.

The advisers of Obamaadvised him to use his vetopower against the bill on thegrounds that it lackedconfidentiality as well as civilliberties safeguards.

CISPA was then re-introducedin the House in February 2013.It was passed again by the USHouse of Representatives on18 April 2013.

New Anti-Blasphemy LawDemands of Islamists Rejected inBangladesh

The Prime Minister ofBangladesh Sheikh Hasina rejectedthe demands of Islamists for newanti-blasphemy law, according towhich the people who defame Islamor Prophet Muhammad would bepunished. Sheikh Hasina declaredthat the laws which were existingearlier were sufficient for punishingpeople who insulted the religion. Itis important to note that a lot ofIslamists in Bangladesh rallied in

Dhaka for demanding the deathpenalty for people who were guiltyof blasphemy. The Islamists gavethree-week ultimatum toBangladeshi Government formeeting the demands whichincluded tough punishments to theatheist bloggers too.

What is Blasphemy?What is Blasphemy?What is Blasphemy?What is Blasphemy?What is Blasphemy?

Blasphemy is an act bysomeone to insult or disrespectreligious deity or show irreverenceto holy persons or religion orthings.

Blasphemy law in Bangladeshunder Penal Code 1980

Bangladesh was a secular statein 1971 and became the Islamiststate in 1988. However, the secularpenal code is used in Bangladeshsince 1980. Under ChapterXV (Offences Relating toReligion) of the Bangladesh PenalCode 1980, Section 295 (Injuringor defiling place of worship, withintent to insult the religion of anyclass), Section 295 A (Deliberateand malicious acts intended tooutrage religious feelings of anyclass by insulting its religion orreligious beliefs) and Section298 (Uttering words, etc., withdeliberate intent to wound religiousfeelings) are related to blasphemyand describe punishments as well.

China, Russia and Pakistan heldChina, Russia and Pakistan heldChina, Russia and Pakistan heldChina, Russia and Pakistan heldChina, Russia and Pakistan heldtalk on Afghanistan Situationtalk on Afghanistan Situationtalk on Afghanistan Situationtalk on Afghanistan Situationtalk on Afghanistan Situation

The Diplomats from Russia,China and Pakistan on 3 April 2013in Beijing held talks on the issue of


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coordination between theirpositions on Afghanistan. Thediplomats from the three nationsbacked the Shanghai CooperationOrganisation (SCO) that is groupingto play a great role in Afghanistanafter the withdrawal of NATOForces in 2014.

These talks were held toenhance coordination. The talk ofthe three nations in Beijing was afollow up of the India, China andRussia meet that was held inMos

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