Our SAD-BJP Govt. has made several efforts-Grewal

Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 2:02 PM
Now several Industrial houses are keen to invest in Pb.
Ludhiana ( Bhukhari Kalan ) , 4 January 2013: (Seven Seas News Nettwork):

Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal Former Vice Chairman Punjab Small Industry and Export Corporation ( PSIEC ) said that our SAD-BJP Government has made several efforts to boost the industrial sector in Punjab state. Grewal said that due to these efforts of SAD-BJP Government as result several business houses are keen to invest in our Punjab. In a press conference here with local media persons at induction furnace (CI and SG casting mills) Grewal Alloys Bhukhari Kalan Ludhiana, he said that no one other state in India can compete the Industry and people of Punjab in Industry for their good efforts of Fine quality , Finely furnished , High luster , High durability , High performance , High efficiency , High tensile strength , Corrosion resistant , Dimensionally accurate , Long life , Low maintenance , Reliable , Competitive prices , Competitive prices , Longer life  with Pocket friendly prices in Punjab. Grewal said that punjabi's are enlisted as leading manufacturer and supplier of a wide array of industrial CI casting products. These CI Casting Products are widely applicable in various automobile industries as well as in other locomotives industries. He said that Punjab's industrial CI castings product are precisely engineered to meet the exact demand and requirement of our huge clients. He said that Punjab Industry is offering the clients a comprehensive array of CI Casting Products. These are used in a large number of projects of town planning and renovation. The range of products of Punjab Industry is corrosive resistant material and is completely defect free as punjabi's culture. Grewal said that our Industry in Punjab amongst the prominent industries that manufacture and supplier CI Casting Products that are sturdily constructed in our industry using high grade raw material. These are very cost-effective and have a long functional life. CI castings are in conformation with industry standards and are highly resistant to corrosion. Apart from this, these castings can easily be availed at industrial leading rates. Grewal said that our Punjab Industry with the help of our finest expertise we are able to offer CI Casting Products to our valuable clients. These are very cost effective and have a long functional life. CI Casting Products are in conformation with industry standards and are highly resistant to corrosion. He said that Punjab Industry is offering the customers high quality CI Casting Products, which are highly appreciated by our customers. These CI Casting Products are manufactured by fine quality material, which ensures its best quality. Our range of Steel Castings are available at market leading prices. Grewal said that Punjab has years of experience in manufacturing of world class CI Casting Products which are made up with genuine raw material in order to ensure long lasting performance and durability. It is our consistent hard work of years that has proven our capability to meet the requirements of special purpose CI Casting Products, these are high production and reliability. Grewal said that the investments in Punjab in the new year 2014 would provide a fillip to the industrial sector. He stated that adding the infrastructure in the state would be developed for benefit of the existing and new industries in the state. He said that for the better traffic movement in state all highways in Punjab would be of four or six lane. He said that the better infrastructure will also help in increasing business activities in our State. Grewal said that the big industrial business houses from other states and abroad are now prepared to make huge investments in our Punjab state.

Speech by the President of India

05-March-2013 17:35 IST
Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Kumudini welfare trust of Bangladesh 
I am delighted to be here with you at Kumudini and the Bharateshwari Home for Girls. You have put up an extraordinary performance which combines beauty with elegance, discipline and physical fitness. I am truly impressed and overwhelmed by your talent and hard work.

Looking at all of you I can see that Bangladesh has a very bright future. Each of you will one day go forth into the outside world. The training and education that you are receiving here will equip you to become proud and productive citizens of your motherland. You will be the makers of a new Bangladesh. To everybody you are the representatives of the youth who aspire to see a beautiful future. Our greetings to you, the youth of Bangladesh. In the last speech of my visit to this wonderful country, I am quoting a few verses from a poem by Gurudeb Rabindranath: 

Where the world is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up
By narrow domestic walls.... 

Bangladesh has taken rapid strides in the field of education and women’s empowerment. A growing number of girls are now attending school. I congratulate the Government of Bangladesh for taking far reaching initiatives in the field of education such as compulsory primary education, free education for girls up to class ten, stipends for female students and distribution of free text books. 

Women’s education is an essential pre-requisite for building a healthy and safe society. This however cannot be done by governments alone, and I am therefore glad that the Kumudini Trust has joined the national effort to impart quality education to girls in Bangladesh. 

I take this opportunity to remember, with profound respect, Shri Ranada Prasad Shaha , one of the greatest philanthropists of this country. He and his family had dedicated themselves to the service of the suffering and the needy. One of Shri Ranada Prasad’s priorities was to establish a hospital for the poor so that they, especially women, could receive free treatment. To spread female education, he established schools that were dedicated to girls, giving them a well - rounded education and moulding them into socially responsible women. It is sad that not only Shri Ranada Prasad Shaha but also his family suffered considerably in the days before the creation of Bangladesh. We respect them for their bravery and pay homage to their memory. It is a tribute to him that the Kumudini Trust and its affiliated bodies have grown from strength to strength, and have served the nation so well. The Kumudini hospital and medical college have been carrying out charitable work for the most needy and destitute. You are fortunate to be studying in an institution which symbolizes the highest values of selfless service. 

As a small token of support of the Government of India for your efforts, I am happy to announce that we will fund the upgradation of the sewerage system of your Complex which, I understand, has been a long pending need. In addition, we will also fund the construction of an advanced waste water treatment plant system. I am happy to be informed that the project will significantly change the landscape of the Complex and that the land saved from the installation of the waste water treatment system will be gainfully used for agriculture and other productive purposes. 

I recall that some of you had met me as part of a Youth Delegation that visited Delhi last year. Today, I am happy to be here to meet you and to see, for myself, this remarkable institution. 

I am deeply impressed by what I have seen and have no doubt that you will be outstanding citizens of Bangladesh. 

I wish each one of you the best of success and a bright future. 
***
KR/SK

Christian Council welcomes concern for women

Also wants rise in Budget allocations for religious minorities

NEW DELHI, 1 March 2013:(*M Madhu Chandra):The Union Budget for 2013-2014 has conclusively shown that till religious minorities get a special component plan on the pattern of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, there will be little actual devolution of funds for their development, Christian Council president Rev Dr. Joseph D’Souza has said.
The Budget allocations for the next financial year fall far short of expectations, especially of the Christian community, India’s second largest minority, Council secretary General s Dr. John Dayal said.
While presenting the annual general budget, finance minister P Chidambaram allocated welfare sub plans Rs. 41,561 crore to the scheduled castes and Rs. 24,598 crore to the Tribals – which cannot be diverted and must be spent for the designated purpose.
However, Government data shows that a large component of budget allocations for religious minorities in the past have remained unspent. There is little indication in the budget how the government intends to ensure that the moneys are spent on the target communities and specially to the Christian community, which has not got its fair share of these funds, Dr. Dayal said. The community must be assured that it will get its share of funding on a pro rata basis, specially in area development schemes and scholarships.
The finance minister has allocated Rs. 3,511 crore to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, a notional increase of 12% over the budget estimates of last. Year. The government has also allocated Rs 160 crores to the Rs 750 crore corpus of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, the main vehicle to implement education schemes and channelised funds to non-government organisations for the minorities, but this alone does not increase direct support to disadvantaged children desirous of education.
In actual terms, only the pre-matric scholarship sees a real increase from Rs 540 crores to Rs 810 crores. The post matric scholarship sees only a small increase from Rs 405 to Rs 450 crore. Both schemes need much more resources, apart from funding to make them known to small towns and village populations.
The Christian community is the least benefited by the Multi Sectorial Development Programme in selected minority Districts, a scheme that benefits only one minority group. And even here has been reduced sharply from the Rs 1,077.60 crore in 2012 budget to Rs 887 crore in the 2013-2014 crores. This scheme will benefit the Christian community only when it is sharply focused on the population figure for minorities at the block level. A block level focus will benefit Christians in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Punjab, apart from areas is many other states which are currently left out.
The Christian Council has, however, welcomed Mr. Chidambaram’s gender budget of Rs. 97,134 crore and child budget Rs. 77,236 crore in 2013-14. Dr. D’souza said women belonging to most vulnerable groups, including single women and widows, will be to some extent helped in living a life of self-esteem and dignity. It is good that the ministry of women and child development had been asked to design schemes to gender discrimination especially at the work place.
Released for publication. For further information, please contact John Dayal at +919811021072
The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

M Madhu Chandra is the Regional Secretary – AICC
Mobile Number is--9774303076

The Post-Budget Press Conference

Shri P. Chidambaram addressing

The Union Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram addressing the Post-Budget Press Conference, in New Delhi on February 28, 2013. (PIB)

28-February-2013

A gift on women day

27-February-2013 18:49 IST
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace 
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women

Courtesy Photo

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 26th February 2013. Lok Sabha has passed it in September 2012.Sexual Harassment at workplace is a violation of women’s right to gender equality, life and liberty. It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages women’s participation in work, thereby adversely affecting their economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. However, there is no domestic law to address this issue except a few provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Supreme Court Guidelines in the case of Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan. The increasing work participation rate of women has made it imperative that a comprehensive legislation focusing on prevention of sexual harassment as well as providing a redressal mechanism be enacted.
The salient features of the Act are as follows:
(i)        It defines “sexual harassment at the workplace” in a comprehensive manner, in keeping with the definition laid down in the Vishaka judgment, and broadening it further to cover circumstances of implied or explicit promise or threat to a woman’s employment prospects or creation of hostile work environment or humiliating treatment, which can affect her health or safety.
(ii)       The definition of “aggrieved woman”, who will get protection under the Act is extremely wide to cover all women, irrespective of her age or employment status, whether in the organised or unorganised sectors, public or private and covers clients, customers and domestic workers as well.
(iii) While the “workplace” in the Vishaka guidelines is confined to the traditional office set-up where there is a clear employer-employee relationship, the Act goes much further to include organisations, department, office, branch unit etc in the public and private sector, organized and unorganized, hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, sports institutes, stadiums, sports complex and any place visited by the employee during the course of employment including the transportation.
(iv)      Definition of employee covers regular/temporary/ad hoc/daily wage employees, whether for remuneration or not and can also include volunteers. The definition of employer includes the head of the Government department/organisation/institution/office/branch/unit, the person responsible for management/supervisions/control of the workplace, the person discharging contractual obligations with respect to his/her employees and in relation to a domestic worker the person who benefits from that employment.
(v) The redressal mechanism provided in the Act is in the form of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and Local Complaints Committee (LCC). All workplaces employing 10 or more than 10 workers are mandated under the Act to constitute an ICC. The ICC will be a 4 member committee under the Chairpersonship of a senior woman employee and will include 2 members from amongst the employees preferably committed to the cause of women or has experience in social work/legal knowledge and includes a third party member (NGO etc) as well.
(vi)  Complaints from workplaces employing less than 10 workers or when the complaint is against the employer will be looked into by the LCC. A  District Officer notified under the Act will constitute the LCC at the district level. LCC will also look into complaints from domestic workers.
(vii) LCC will be a five member committee comprising of a chairperson to be nominated from amongst eminent women in the field of social work or committed to the cause of women, one member from amongst women working in block/taluka/tehsil/manicipality in the district, two members of whom at least one shall be a woman to be nominated from NGOs committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues related to sexual harassment provided that at least one of the nominees should preferably have a background in law or legal knowledge. The concerned officer dealing with the social welfare or women and child development shall be an ex officio member.
(viii)  A complaint of sexual harassment can be filed within a time limit of 3 months. This may be extended to another 3 months if the woman can prove that grave circumstances prevented her from doing the same.
(ix) The Act has a provision for conciliation. The ICC/LCC can take steps to settle the matter between the aggrieved woman and the respondent, however this option will be used only at the request of the woman. The Act also provides that monetary settlement shall not be made a basis of conciliation. Further, if any of the conditions of the settlement is not complied with by the respondent, the complainant can go back to the Committee who will proceed to make an inquiry. 
(x)  The Committee is required to complete the inquiry within a time period of 90 days. On completion of the inquiry, the report will be sent to the employer or the District Officer, as the case may be, they are mandated to take action on the report within 60 days.
(xi) In case the complaint has been found proved, then the Committee can recommend action in accordance with the provision of service rules applicable to the respondent or as per the rules which will be prescribed, where such service rules do not exist. The committee can also recommend deduction of an appropriate sum from the salary of the respondent or ask respondent to pay the sum. In case the respondent fails to pay such sum, district officer may be asked to recover such sum as an arrear of land revenue.
(xii) In case the allegation against the respondent has not been proved then the Committee can write to the employer/district officer that no action needs to be taken in the matter.
(xiii) In case of malicious or false complaint then the Act provides for a penalty according to the Service Rules. However, this clause has a safeguard in the form of an enquiry prior to establishing the malicious intent. Also, mere inability to prove the case will not attract penalty under this provision.
(xiv) The Act has provisions for providing reliefs to the aggrieved woman in the interim period including leave and transfer during the pendency of the inquiry.
(xv) The Act prohibits disclosure of the identity and addresses of the aggrieved woman, respondent and witnesses. However, information regarding the justice secured to any victim of sexual harassment under this Act without disclosing the identity can be disseminated.
(xvi) The Act casts a responsibility on every employer to create an environment which is free from sexual harassment. Employers are required to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the employees about the provision of this legislation and display notices regarding the constitution of Internal Committee, penal consequences of sexual harassment etc.
(xvii) An employer will be liable to a fine of Rs 50,000 in case of violation of his duties under the Act and in case of subsequent violations the amount of fine will be double together with penalty in the form of cancelation of his licence, withdrawal or non-withdrawal of the registration required for carrying out his activity.
(xviii) In case of domestic worker the procedure is different considering the nature of employment. A domestic worker can approach the LCC in case of any complaint. If the complainant wishes then conciliation may be carried out. However, in other cases if the complaint is proved prima facie then the LCC can forward the complaint to the police for registering the case and taking appropriate action under the relevant provision of IPC. 
(xix) Regarding monitoring, the Act provides that the State Governments will monitor implementation and maintain data for all State Government establishments as well as private establishments in their territory. For establishments of the Central Government this duty is cast on the Government of India.  All ICCs have to submit Annual reports to the employer who inturn will submit it to the district officer. All LCCs shall submit their annual report to the district officer. The district officers will submit the report annually to the State Governments.
(xx) The Central and State Governments are mandated to develop relevant IEC and training materials and organise awareness programmes to advance the understanding of the public on the provisions of this Bill.
(xxi) The Central Government will provide financial assistance to the States to meet the expenditure of fee and allowances payable to the members of the Local Complaints Committee. (PIB)  Sexual Harassment prevention Bill passed
***

The PM at Hyderabad

Meeting the bomb blast victims at Yashoda Hospital

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meets the bomb blast victims at Yashoda Hospital, in Hyderabad on February 24, 2013. The Chief Minister of Hyderabad, Shri Kiran Kumar Reddy and the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Porika Balram Naik are also seen. (PIB photo)  24-February-2013   The PM at Hyderabad

A total Chakka Jam

Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 4:30 PMThe protestors included large number of women

Peoples power at Ludhiana.....................................Photo by Rector Kathuria

Ludhiana(Rector Kathuria); On a call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions and various independent federations, unions and associations, the workers affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), INTUC, BMS, CTU, TUCC and CITU observed strike today in their respective industries and other institutions. Thereafter they gathered at Bus stand and organized a massive protest rally in support of their demands. The unions of workers of Punjab Roadways and PRTC  had already struck work and so there was a total Chakka Jam at the bus stand since 12.00 midnight.
The protestors included large number of women, construction workers, industrial workers, Public health workers,  contractual workers, Corporation workers, University employees, private hospital employees, roadways  and others sections of workers and employees. Todays’s protesat rally  was presided over by Com Om Parkash Mehta - AITUC, Com Jatinder Pal Singh of CITU and  Shri Swaran Singh of INTUC, Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh Nageshwar Singh of BMS, Shri Sham Narain Yadav of TUCC . Speaking on the occasion state leaders Com Bant Brar – General Secretary AITUC Punjab, Com Raghunath Singh, General Secretary of CITU Punjab,  Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh. Swaran Singh- President INTUC Punjab, Hari singh Sahni-TUCC  demanded minimum wages to be fixed by the Punjab Govt. @ for unskilled workers Rs 10,000, Semi Skilled 15,000, Skilled workers 20,000 per month, end to contractual and out sourcing and filling up of all govt. and semi govt. posts on regular basis, to disband the new pension policy effective from 1.1.2004 and implement the same old pension scheme on all employees.  They cited low wages in the state as major reason for the shortage of labour in the state. They demanded all anti worker acts recently promulgated by the Punjab government to be withdrawn with immediate effect. The speakers said that the labour laws in the state are being flouted by both public and private sector with impunity. The contractual workers in both the sectors be regularized hence forth.  These must be implemented in letter and spirit. They deplored that under the process of so called globalization and privatization at the diktat of the world bank and International Monetary Fund ,  the economic policies of both central and state governments there has been accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, while vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. Latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families in India own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees where as 70% are forced to live on meager spending of Rs. 16.60  per day.  Speaking on the occasion Com. Tarsem Jodhan, Com D P Maur, Com Ram Lal, Jagdish Chand and Gurjeet Singh Jagpal, Gulzar Singh Gorea opposed FDI in banks, LIC and retail as this will hit the job situation hard for the employees and also the production in the small scale sector. They also demanded  regular jobs and equal wages for ASHA, Aanganwadi and mid day meal workers. They warned that if the govt. does not change its economic policies benefitting the rich and the corporate sector, then more militant agitations   are on the anvil. Others who addressed include Com Bhagirath Paliwal, Suresh Sood, Gurnam Gill, Laddoo shah, Haniuman Prasad Dubey, Samar Bahadur, Gurnam Sidhu, Kameshwar Yadav, Sarbjit Singh Sarhali, Manjeet Singh Buta, Charan Dass, Amarnath Kumkalan, S K Tiwari and Rajesh Kumar Sharma

Imposition of Property Tax

Aam Aadmi Party staged a Dharna Rector Kathuria and SK Gogna

The Aam Aadmi party members today  outside the Corporation office and met  Municipal Commissioner Mr. Rakesh Verma to protest against the levying of the new property tax and have submitted an ultimatum of 5 days for removal of the tax in the district. The citizens of Ludhiana gathered in large numbers to support the Aam Aadmi party protest against 

Property tax.    

According to the District Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party Mr. Balbir Aggarwal, “The administration instead of focusing on providing better basic amenities to the people, is focusing on thinking up new means of imposing taxes and newer ways of corruption. Projects like removing encroachments from city roads and providing proper sanitation and good roads should be the priority of the local administration and not the desire to find new ways to burden

the common man”.

Aam Aadmi members had a long meeting with the officials of the Corporation including the Municipal Commissioner in which they provided proofs of how public money was being pilfered and if the government stopped all that corruption it would have no need to impose new taxes on the Citizens of Ludhiana.

Aam Aadmi party members including District Convenor Mr. Harjot Singh, Mr. Balbir Aggarwal, Mr. Gulshan Kumar, Mr. Suresh Aggarwal, Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Mr. Mohit Mittal, Mr. Raman, Mr. Manjeet Singh, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Mr. Kanav Vats, Mr. Ajay Mittal and Mr. Raghuveer Singh thanked the people of Ludhiana for wholeheartedly supporting the protest against Property tax.

The Party Spokesman Dr. S. S. Butter informed that the party volunteers will be setting up awareness camps in most areas of the city to make people aware about this new tax and also launch an extensive signature campaign against it starting from tomorrow to try and force the District Administration to revoke its decision.

Imposition of Property Tax

Protest today against sexual assault at Jal Vihar

Rapist also apparently tried to murder her 
Gayatri of Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT), Delhi, informs of yet another awful crime that took place yesterday in Jal Vihar, in New Delhi . FAT runs a Tech Centre for girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Jal Vihar is one such basti. One of the girls from the Tech Centre was sexually assaulted yesterday; the guy attempted to rape her when she was home alone. He also apparently tried to murder her after that. Luckily, she survived and was taken to AIIMS. The guy turns out to be the brother of two other girls who also come to the Tech Centre. He was caught in Badarpur.
Gayatri and her colleague Asha are right now in AIIMS trying to get more information about the status of the young girl.
The young women of the Tech Centre know who he is and are very angry that this has happened in their own basti. They want to do a protest in Jal Vihar tomorrow afternoon, to discuss this with members of their own community, and register their anger.
Date: February 6, 2013
Venue: Jal Vihar bus terminus
Time: 2pm
Contact numbers: Gayatri – 9999971179 and Asha – 9968252342
Please do join in large numbers to show solidarity to the young women and to support them in their right to (among other things) safety, mobility and education. (Courtesy: Kractivist)
Protest today against sexual assault at Jal Vihar

A letter from Namita Bhandare

Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 12:43 PM
We have a long fight ahead. But we will win

Photo courtesy Facebook

Dear Rector,
Yesterday was a sad day as we woke up to the heartbreaking news of the death of the 23-year-old medical student who was subject to a brutal gang rape, beaten and then dumped on the road on the night of December 16. 
Today, we share the same feelings of sorrow, hopelessness, anger and frustration. Yet, I believe that while this is a time for grief, this is also a time for action. This is a time to say: enough. 
Our petition has gathered over 88,000 signatures. It is important to make every voice count and to send a strong message that we will not continue to tolerate sexual violence against women. 
Tomorrow, at 10 am, I am going to the office of Justice J.S. Verma who is the head of a three-person committee that will submit its findings and recommendations on issues of safety of women. I will be submitting our petition with all the signatures (yes, all 2,700+ pages!). 

It is important to keep this campaign going. I am writing to you once again to request you to sign this petition and forward this email to your friends and family.

The Justice Verma Commission is accepting submissions until January 5. We don't have a lot of time. If you would like to make additional suggestions, please leave a comment as 'reasons for signing this petition'. I will be collecting all the comments and submitting them to the committee.

We have a long fight ahead. But we will win. 

With warm regards,

Namita Bhandare via Change.org
A letter from Namita Bhandare 
PS:  Help us reach out to more people by forwarding this email to your friends or share it on Twitter and Facebook.

Govt.of India Wall Calendar for 2013 Released

Calendar a Vital Tool to Reach the “Aam Aadmi”- Manish Tewari

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari addressing at the release of the official calendar 2013, brought out by the DAVP, in New Delhi on December 14, 2012. (PIB Photo)

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari addressing at the release of the official calendar 2013, brought out by the DAVP, in New Delhi on December 14, 2012. (PIB Photo)

The Government of India’s Wall Calendar for 2013 was released today in the presence of Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari along with Minister for Telecommunications and IT, Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and PMO, Shri V. Narayanasamy. Justice Markandey Katju, Chairman PCI and Secretary (I&B), Shri Uday Kumar Varma were also present on the occasion.  The theme of the calendar is based on “Bharat Nirman and other flagship schemes of the Government”.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari said that the calendar as a tool of communication played an important role in disseminating information regarding the policies of the Government. This was despite the fact that media platforms were enhancing their reach through digital means of communication. The calendar ensured that the benefits of the flagship schemes reached the doorstep of the “Aam Aadmi” especially as the objective was to showcase images of rights, “Haq for the common man”.  This initiative of the Government was a step to make the people aware of policies that aimed to achieve inclusive growth in the governance process.  Shri Tewari further added that the people residing in rural areas always have the passion for wall calendars hence the calendar brought out by the Government can serve as an important source of information for them.

Earlier, Shri Kapil Sibal and Shri V. Narayanasamy highlighted the initiatives taken by the Government to promote the rights and entitlements of the common people through the various flagship schemes.

 Over the years DAVP had been successful in developing a composite broadbased social advertising brand the “Bharat Nirman” which caters to disseminating information of various flagship and other welfare programmes and the achievements of Government of India. The visual portrayal in the 2013 Calendar too is based on this composite branding.

The Calendar designed and printed by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting depicts the various flagship programmes of the Government of India. The theme of the calendar is: ‘Bharat Nirman- Sabka hit, Sabka Haq’.

This year’s calendar portrays in colourful images the regime of Rights (Haq) for the common man (aam aadmi) by encouraging the intended beneficiaries to claim the benefits under the Bharat Nirman and other flagship schemes of the Government of India.
January month displays the ‘AADHAR’ based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme being implemented in 51 districts from January 2013.The scheme ensures the intended beneficiaries to receive full benefit of the central government programmes.
February month shows the PM’s New 15-point Programme for welfare of Minorities. This programme provides various facilities to minorities to seek equitable share in economic activities, including education.
March month represents the ‘Sarva Shikha Abhiyan’, a prominent program which provides primary and upper primary education for children with new intervention as uniform, transport facility.
April month is dedicated to a unique scheme, Mid Day Meal Scheme nurturing crore of children with hot cooked meals in schools.11.85 lakh schools have been provided with kitchen devices.
May month exhibits one of the most popular scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which has benefited more than five crore families in the year 2011-12.
Universal Immunization program is the key depiction of June month. About 2.5 crore children got the benefit of free vaccination. 
Literacy and education are the key to human resource development. July month is dedicated to ‘Saakshar Bharat Abhiyan’ launched in 372 districts. This mission will empower the seven crore illiterates is 1.6 lakh village panchayats to impart functional literacy.
Healthy mothers and children build the brighter present and future of the nation. The month of august presents ‘Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram’ benefiting one crore pregnant women with all free medical services.
September month page is dedicated to empowerment of schedule castes through Schedule Castes Empowerment Program which provides benefits to 48 lakh students, including new scholarship schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is the theme of October month. Through this scheme over 46 thousand habitations have been connected through all- weather roads.
Power is the basis of development. November month throws light on Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. This scheme completed electrification of one lakh villages till October 2012.
The well renowned scheme Indira Awas Yojana covers the December page of the calendar. (PIB)    14-December-2012 18:08 IST
CP/ST

IFFI-2012

Shri Dnyanesh Moghe (Director) film “Digant”, Ms Sunanda Bhat (Director) film “Ningal Aranaye Kando” and Dr. Biju, (Director) film “Akashathinte Niram”, at a press conference, during the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2012), in Panaji, Goa on November 26, 2012. (PIB)
26-November-2012

Dhaka to hand wanted separatist leader to India

Despite trade disputes and water-sharing spats, the two South Asian neighbours made remarkable strides in security co-operation in recent years.
By Shahriar Sharif for Khabar South Asia in Dhaka
October 20, 2012

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) member scans a stretch of the India-Bangladesh border August 13th on the outskirts of Agartala in India's northeastern state of Tripura. The two nations are finalising an extradition treaty allowing each to turn over wanted criminals and terrorists. [Jayanta Dey/Reuters]

Bangladesh and India are drawing closer to inking an extradition treaty that would formally enable them to hand over wanted criminals and terrorists sheltering in their respective countries. The home secretaries of India and Bangladesh held two days of talks in Dhaka Monday and Tuesday (October 15th-16th) to share final drafts of the long-awaited treaty.

But even without such formal mechanisms and despite their differences on many other fronts, the two neighbours have shown a willingness to co-operate on certain security issues because violence has affected both countries so deeply.

In late September, more than two weeks before the latest round of extradition talks, Bangladesh announced it planned to hand over wanted separatist leader Anup Chetia, who has been languishing in a Bangladeshi prison for more than a decade.

"We are going to repatriate Anup Chetia by this December, and the process has already started," Bangladesh Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir recently confirmed to Khabar South Asia.

Leader of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), Chetia was arrested in Dhaka in 1997 and sentenced in 2000 to five years in prison for illegal entry and possession of fake passports. He has remained in custody in Bangladesh ever since.

A member of the Indian delegation attending the recent talks in Dhaka voiced his country's pleasure at the decision.

"We are happy with the proactive attitude of Bangladesh towards countering terrorism in this region," Shambhu Singh, joint secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, told Khabar. It has finally agreed to hand over Anup Chetia to us by the end of 2012 and sought some time to finalise and sign the extradition treaty with India."

Even if the treaty is not signed by December due to technical and legal complications, Chetia's transfer could well go ahead via an informal mechanism.

He could be released along the border and immediately picked up by the Indian Border Security force (BSF) members, who would be alerted beforehand by Bangladesh authorities.

This unwritten formula has been applied in the past two years to more than two dozen wanted terrorists handed over to the authorities in both countries.

To reciprocate Dhaka's gesture, New Delhi expressed its willingness to deal with Bangladeshi fugitives living in India.

"We're also working to catch the criminals and will take appropriate action," BSF chief U. K. Bansal told reporters in Dhaka last month after meeting his Bangladesh counterpart.

Bangladesh has particularly sought the extradition of Risaldar Moslehuddin and Captain Majed, both believed to be hiding in India. In 1998 they were sentenced to death in absentia along with ten others for murdering Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founder and father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Although bilateral disputes over trade tariffs, border issues and water sharing remain unresolved, Dhaka and New Delhi have made considerable progress in fighting terrorism.

"Terrorism is not an India or Bangladesh problem. It is now an issue afflicting the entire South Asia and even the world," Mohiuddin Ahmed, a former diplomat, told Khabar.

"It is in their own self-interest that they have come together to fight the menace, despite the fact that they have not been able to resolve some major bilateral issues."

Another area where the two countries have made some progress is in fighting drug smuggling. In recent times, India, acceding to Bangladesh's request, has dismantled many illegal factories along its border manufacturing Phensedyl, a syrup widely used as an intoxicant by Bangladeshi youth.

"We gave them a list of 79 illegal Phensedyl manufacturing factories across the border last year and India has dismantled most of them," Mohammad Iqbal, Director General of Narcotics Control Department, told Khabar.

He said this year another list of 62 such factories has been given to Indian authorities, who promised to take action.

"Their co-operation has really helped us a lot to crack down on Phensedyl use among the youth largely because the smuggling of the syrup has been drastically reduced," Iqbal told Khabar.

Chandan Das in Jamshedpur contributed to this article.

Dhaka to hand wanted separatist leader to India 

Punarjot organizes State Level function//Subhash Malik*

Mass Thanks Ceremony of 299  Eye Donors of 2012 

Punarjot Eye Bank Society organizes a State level special mass thanks ceremony of Eye Donors of 2012 at Merry Land Resort for giving gift of sight to corneal blinds.


Mr. Subhash Malik, Hon. Secretary of the society welcomed the chief guest Bhagat Chunni Lal, Hon.  Cabinet Minister, Medical Education & Research, Pb. and other guests came from different parts of Punjab. Mr. Malik give the details of work done by the society and thank the eye donor families to restore the vision of needy on selfless basis. He also told that our society is no.1 in collection and transplantation of cornea in Northern India.


At the occasion the chief guest, Bhagat Chunni Lal, Hon. Cabinet Minister, Medical Education & Research, Pb inaugurated the event by lightning Punarjot lamp and all candles were ignited from Punarjot lamp in sweet memory of all eye donors from almost whole of Punjab in 2012. Hon. Minister appreciated the work done by the society by giving the facility of free corneal transplantation and announced a grant of Rs. 2 lacs to the society for this noble cause of eye donation.


Dr. Ramesh, Medical Director of the society while thanking the chief guest told that Para-medical staff can play a vital role to spread the message of eye donation at the time grief to the family as most of the family forgets the eyes even the diseased have pledged during lifetime. Dr. Ramesh thanked the electronic and print media for their support in this noble cause. Dr. Ramesh thanked the eye donation families, motivators and different by different associates working in the eye donation movement in different parts of Punjab.


At this occasion students of college of Nursing DMCH & CMCH, Guru Teg Bahadur college of Nursing, Dr. Mohan Kaur institute of Nursing, Arvindoo College of commerce and Management and All Saints college of medical sciences participated in the Declamation, Skit and Rangoli competition on the theme of Eye Donation under the dynamic guidance of Dr. Ranbir Singh Sekhon. Dr. S.M. Bhatti, Principal, CMCH and Dr. G. S. Bajwa, HOD (Eye), DMC Ludhiana selected the winners of the competition.


The function was attended by Sh. R.K. Verma, commissioner and Sh. P.S. Bhullar, Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Sh. Parveen Bansal, President BJP, Distt. Ludhiana, S. Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, counselor, S. Inderjit Singh Gill, owner of the resort, Dr. Subash Bansal, President, Optical association Punjab, Mohd. Sadique and Hakam Bakhtariwala renown singers.

*Mr. Subhash Malik is contributing his services to the humanity as the Hon. Secretary of The

Punarjot Eye Bank Society. His Contact Number is: 93575-06505

India’s Informal Economy and Foreign Investment

Amanpreet Singh Chhina                                                                            06 July 2012 

Oxford: Depreciating value of Indian rupee has raised enthusiasm among foreign investors/NRIs to invest in India; however, without seriously analysing the fact that 80 percent businesses in India are based in informal economy and huge amount of black money is involved in the real estate and private sector. Generally, the purchasse of any property in India involves 60 to 70 percent of black money and therefore the seller faces many obstacles to bring that investment back to the foreign country. “Many foreign investors are facing money laundering inquires by the investigating officers in foreign countries” said Makhan Singh (NRI), Solicitor Advocate of England and Wales.
In India, growth in informal sector is much higher than formal sector and even the Prime Minister of India is not sure about the actual GDP of the country. It is estimated that illegal transactions in the property sector alone generate about Rs. 2,000 crores of black money in a year in India, assuming that there are about fifty lakh transactions in urban property every year. Necessary steps should be taken by the Government of India to match government value of the property with fair market value to clamp down black money and money laundering in the country. It must be remembered that a simple ‘Welcome Back’ slogan by the Prime Minister of India will not attract back Indian professionals and investors unless a corruption free infrastructure and business environment (single-window clearance) is provided. GOI should develop policies to combat money laundering and black money issues so that foreign investor or NRI’s can invest in India.

A S Chhina on FDI

 India’s Informal Economy and Foreign Investment

Manpreet Singh Badal announces party set-up

*Birdavinder appointed Chief Spokesman
*Bhagwant Mann will be YPP President

 Chandigarh: People’s Party of Punjab president  S. Manpreet Singh Badal has today announced his Party’s set-up. At the State level S.Birdavinder Singh Ex-Deputy Speaker Punjab  has been appointed Chief spokesman , Sh. Bhagwant Maan has been appointed President of the YPP ( Youth People’s Party)  while S. Yadwinder Singh Bhutter and S.Davinderjit Singh Dhose will be Vice-President of YPP.  Ex Senior additional advocate general Sh. S.S.Bhinder will head Legal Wing and Sh. Kuldeedp Singh Dhose will be President of the Kissan Wing.  Mrs. Ranjit Kaur Bhatti will head the Women Wing of the Party. In a press statement issued today by the Party’s Press Secretary S. Arunjot Singh Sodhi, Dr. Navjot Singh Dahiya has been made President of the Medico Wing and S. Nirmaljeet Singh Nimma, Ex-MLA is the head of SC/ST Wing. Sh. Sitar Bhatti will head Minorities’ Wing and Col. Surjeet Singh Firochechi will be President of Ex-Servicemen Wing. S. Amanpreet Singh Chhina will head NRI Wing and Sh. Vibhor Garg will be the President of the Parwassi Mazdoor Wing. Sh. Satpal Adampur, IRS (Retd.) will be the President of Retired Officers &Employees Wing of the Party.  
According to press statement S. Manmohan Singh Gumtala will be District president of Shri Amritsar Sahib , Kulwant Singh Lohgarh Barnala, Sukhdev Singh Chahal Bathinda, Pardeep Singh Sibiya Faridhkot, Jagmeet Singh Sahota ‘Bawa’ Fatehgarh Sahib,Sukhpreet Singh Randhawa Fazilka, Jai Jeet Singh Johal Ferozpur, Hardyal Singh Gajnipur Gurdaspur, Bhupinder Singh Pappu Azrram Hoshiarpur,Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya Jallandhar Urban, Baba Rajinder Singh Johal Jallandhar Rural,Kuldeep Singh Cheema Kapurthala, Er. Jagdeep Singh Jagraon Ludhiana Rural, Munish Gupta Ludhiana Urban, Dr Ranider Singh Bhana Moga,Jagjit Singh Honey Fattanwala Mukatsar, Dr Jaspal Singh Bhinder Pathankot, Avtar Singh Harpalpur Patiala Rural, Joga Singh Chaparr Patiala Urban, Balwant Singh Gill Ropar, Harmanjit Singh Dicky Sangrur and Vijaypal Chaudhary will be district president of Shri Tarn Taran Sahib.District presidents of Mohali , Mansa & SBS Nagar will be announced later. First meeting of all State and District presidents will be on 10th May at Chandigarh said Sodhi.  

PM's address for NCTC Meeting

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) meeting in Delhi
Following is the text of Prime Minister’s address:

“I welcome you to this very important meeting on the very important issue of operationalising the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).


As all of you know, we had initially intended to discuss this issue in the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security held on 16th April, 2012. But in view of the importance of the matter and concerns raised by some Chief Ministers, we have decided to have a meeting exclusively on this important subject. It’s my sincere hope that as a result of your deliberations today, we will make further progress in improving our counter-terrorism architecture and our operational and institutional capabilities to deal with this menace. I also hope that today's discussions will take place in a spirit of harmony and cooperation, which are essential in tackling the challenge of terrorism.


I would like to reiterate what I have said before. It is not our Government's intention in any way to affect the distribution of powers between the States and the Union that our Constitution provides. The establishment of the NCTC is not a State versus Centre issue. The primary purpose behind setting up the NCTC is to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts throughout this vast country, as the Intelligence Bureau has been doing so far. The NCTC should be a vehicle of our combined efforts to reach the shared goal of curbing terrorism and eradicating militancy.


Terrorism is today one of the most potent threats to our national security. There can be no disagreement on putting in place an effective counter terrorism regime with efficient mechanisms and response systems both at the national level and at the State level. Neither the states nor the Centre can fulfill this task alone. The closest cooperation and coordination is therefore necessary to meet the threats that emanate from within and outside our borders.


I believe that it is the responsibility of the Centre to give form and shape to a cohesive national approach and strategy based on information gathered globally and from all the states of our Union. On their part, the states should use their expertise, knowledge and machinery to secure their own territories and work in coordination with the Centre and other States.

Since 26/11, we have diligently strengthened our counter terrorism capabilities both in the States and at the Centre. I believe that today the State and Central Police and intelligence agencies are working in harmony and in close coordination. These efforts have resulted in several noteworthy successes. The State Police forces have achieved some excellent results in the recent past. On the whole there is broad agreement on the strategy and measures that we must adopt to counter terrorism in all its multifarious dimensions in India, including cross-border terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and religion based terrorism. However, much remains to be done.


Our government remains committed to working with the State governments and providing them all possible help in combating terrorism. We have been providing financial assistance to the States and helping them train State police and intelligence agencies. We are also implementing schemes on border management and on coastal security, and the scheme for modernization of state police forces. Our government will continue and strengthen these efforts.


The antecedents of the NCTC lie in the recommendations by a Group of Ministers and by the Administrative Reforms Commission, commencing from the lessons learnt in Kargil. It is our belief that the NCTC, in its design and its operational aspects, will supplement the counter-terrorism capabilities of the States and not supplant them. The NCTC mechanism will give each state agency an ability to see the bigger picture of terrorist threats and thus would enhance their counter terrorism capability and access to resources to tackle them.


But for the NCTC to function smoothly and effectively, it is very important that we have a fairly broad consensus on its powers and its functions. We would like the State governments to be with us in this important initiative, which we believe would strengthen our counter-terrorism efforts. We remain open to the suggestions of Chief Ministers. We would like to benefit from their vast knowledge, wisdom and experience.


In preparation for our discussions, the Ministry of Home Affairs has circulated drafts for the Standard Operating Procedures for the Standing Council and for the exercise of operational powers under section 43 A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Both drafts reflect the detailed provisions for Centre-State coordination in both the organizational set-up of NCTC and in its proposed powers and functions.
With these words, I wish you success in your deliberations and I look forward to an open discussion today. May today's deliberations enable us to continue working together to put in place even more effective counter-terrorism architecture in our country. (PIB) 05-May-2012 11:52 IST


*****

RTE Breached

 Delhi Govt. schools reluctant to admit children

These 25 complaints regarding denial of admission in Government schools in Jahangirpuri, Delhi-33 written by the students/parents on 2/3 May 2012 are addressed to  Advocate Ashok Agarwal .  

S. No.	Name of Child with Address & Phone No.	Class  and School in which admission is sought
1.	Chanda  R/o. 19/23 Bhaghanand Colony, Bhalswa Jahangirpuri Delhi. M- 9899265805	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
2.	Khushbu R/o. 320 Kalander Colony, Bhalswa Dairy, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M-  9868318503	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
3.	Neeta R/o. Sadhyanand, Jahangirpuri.     M- 8826122867	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
4.	Sanam R/o. 199-C-D Park, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M- 8447124379	Class-VII, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
5.	Kripali R/o. 199, Bhalswa Dairy, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M- 7503505200	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
6.	Uma R/o. Vinsnakpuri, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M- 9540022457	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
7.	Geeta R/o. Bhalswa Dairy-228, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M- 7563565200	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
8.	Khushi R/o. 317, Kalander Colony, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M- 8860223395	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
9.	Saira R/o 193-C-D Park, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M-9873419692	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
10.	Bhawna R/o B- Block, H No. 24, Gali No. 24, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Delhi. M- 8750768854	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
11	Rukhsar R/o N/38 C-D- Park, Jhuggi No. 127, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
12	Zakir  R/o. N/38 C- D Park, Jhuggi No. 127, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
13	Aarti R/o. 101 Sadhyanand Colony, Bhalswa , Delhi. M-9999219350	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
14	Shadab R/o. N/38 C-D Park, Jhuggi No. 152	Class-VIII, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
15	Rakesh R/o.	Class-IX, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
16	Kishan R/o. N/38 C- D Park, Jhuggi No. 146.	Class-IX, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
17	Sahil R/o. N/38 B 263 C-D- Park, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
18	Deepika R/o. N/38 C-D- Park Jhuggi No. 128.	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
19	Rubina R/o. K-552, Jahangirpuri. M- 9891173273	Class-VIII, K- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
20	Tamanaa R/o. K- 552, Jahangirpuri. M-9891173273	Class-VIII, K- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
21	Shobha R/o 1157, K- Block, Jhuggi. M-9871285226	Class-VI, K- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
22	Shravan Kumar R/o. B-171, Jahangirpuri, M-9582747274	Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
23	Radha R/o. A – 1528, Jahangirpuri, M-9278691740	Class-IX, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
24.	Nur Salim R/o. B-881, Jahangirpuri,	C-I, B-Block, MCD, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
25	Rashid R/o. B-496, Jahangirpuri,.	Class-VI, A- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.