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


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DOD, Financial Protection Bureau Underscore Partnership

They signed a joint statement of shared principles

By Lisa Daniel American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 - Defense Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officials attended a Pentagon ceremony here today where they signed a joint statement of shared principles that underscores their partnership to protect the finances of service members. Robert L. Gordon III, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, and Holly Petreaus, who heads the office of service members affairs for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, prepare to sign a joint statement of principles for protecting service members and their families from financial and consumer fraud and abuse during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 4, 2012. DOD photo by Steven Wood  Robert L. Gordon III, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy who signed for the department, said the ceremony was another example of the DOD and the bureau coming together to protect service members."This is just the beginning," Gordon said, "... as we think of novel and new ways to form a great partnership for our community." Holly Petraeus, who signed for the bureau and leads its office of service member affairs, said the ceremony was "an outward expression of what we're already doing." Petraeus, wife of retired Army Gen. David H. Petraeus who now serves as CIA director, said it was important to put on paper DOD's and the bureau's shared interests. As spelled out in the statement, those include: -- Protecting service members and their families from illegal consumer financial practices and products; -- Enabling the department and the bureau to provide input to each other to reduce financial risk for service members and their families; -- Working together to address consumer financial concerns of military members and their families; -- Reducing risk in the small-dollar lending market; and -- Supporting financial literacy among service members and their families. The statement says the department and bureau will work together to monitor market trends directed at service members and their families, coordinate consumer protection measures, identify risky small-dollar loans, and identify ways to improve laws related to financial protection of military members and their families. "We feel that financial fitness is part of resilience and it's part of readiness for our service members and their families," Gordon said. Too often, Petraeus said, scam artists prey on service members and their families and many have learned how to get around the language of the law. Service members and their families, she said, should take any concerns about financial and consumer protection to their installation's financial or legal offices. "That can hold off a lot of trouble," Petraeus said.

Biographies: Robert L. Gordon IIIRelated Sites: Military One Source Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Related Articles: Agencies Create Database to Protect Troops, Quell Swindlers

Press Release // Freedom Fast:

Third day of hunger strike for internet freedom
Aseem Trivedi and Alok Dixit from Save Your Voice completed the third day of their hunger strike to support annulment motion against IT Rules-2011 in Rajya Sabha. We started this hunger strike on 2nd May and we will carry on until we get any satisfactory response from the government and the opposition regarding the annulment of IT Rules-2011.
Government has enacted laws that give it a free pass to censor our Facebook posts, listen to every Skype conversation we have, monitor our tweets or blogs oraccess private photographs and documents we store online, or track our location using our mobile phones or surveil all of your online activity. We want to tell our government that they cannot use vaguely defined laws and loopholes to take away our freedom of speech and expression.
IT Acts are unconstitutional: On 11th April 2011, the Government notified the new Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 prescribing various guiding principles to be observed by all internet related companies. These rules will:
1. Lead to a clamp down on the freedom of speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution of India by providing for a system of censorship/self-censorship by private parties;
2. Adversely affect the right to privacy of citizens by allowing Government agencies to access their information;
3. Will severely hamper the growth of internet penetration in India, and consequently lead to a slowdown of economic growth;
4. Limit the growth of various IT related industries and services (in particular cyber cafes, search engines and bloggers).
In addition, mandatory data retention would force the Internet Service Provider to create vast and expensive new databases of sensitive information about an individual. That information would then be available to the government, in secret and without any court oversight.
Annulment Motion in Rajya Sabha: Sh. P. Rajeev, Hon'ble Member of the Rajya sabha has moved an annulment motion to get these rules abolished and the motion has been admitted and is expected to come up in this budget session. The Bangalore MP Rajeev Chandrashekar has spoken in Parliament in support.  It’s also interesting to note that a professor of chemistry of the Jadavpur University was arrested recently along with his neighbour for allegedly posting a cartoon on a popular social networking site and forwarding emails, cases were booked under the IT ACT as well.

Thanks,

Save Your Voice Team,

www.saveyourvoice.in,

www.facebook.com/saveyourvoice

Contact no: 09717900302, 09810659060, 09336505530, 07499219770 


Courtesy: kracktivist

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.

Early intervention for optimal treatment of squint

Every case of squint can lead to loss of stereo vision
Ludhiana, 2nd May, 2011(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) Generally squint is considered important only from the cosmetic point of view. It is true that deviated eyes do not look good on a person’s face. Added to this is the psychological and emotional distress. However this is not the only deficit caused by squint, says Dr Satish Thomas, pediatric ophthalmologist and squint specialist at Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. It can cause decreased vision because of amblyopia if the squint is in one eye. In addition, every case of squint can lead to loss of stereo vision or 3 dimensional vision.  We can have 3D vision only when both the eyes function simultaneously. Children with squint suppress image from one eye in order to avoid double vision, but in the process lose 3D vision.

Squint is best corrected as early as possible after its onset. This is because 3D vision can only be restored if eyes are realigned within about a year of onset, which is before 2 years of age. Amblyopia or lazy eye can only be treated before 7 or 8 years of age. If squint is to be operated only for cosmetic purposes, then timing of surgery does not matter as much. A surgeon can operate and correct squint at any age, but unless it is done very early in life, the patient cannot obtain any binocular vision and 3D perception ability. This is a very important criterion for many professions and careers like sports, surgery, becoming a pilot etc. It is extremely important even for most simple activities like threading a needle. Unfortunately many patients who come to us late have been advised by many doctors that they have to wait until they get older to have squint operated. Most squints do not improve with time and if we wait in the hope of spontaneous improvement, everything will be lost except a chance of straight eyes.
Dr Satish Thomas says that for the last 7 years, ever since he returned from doing fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and squint from Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, he has been earnestly campaigning for early treatment of squint. It is encouraging that over the last few years more and more patients are coming in earlier for treatment. In the last year Dr. Thomas said that he has seen close to 100 new children with squint in the hospital who have been appropriately treated. Twenty of them have been operated upon and many of them have been corrected with appropriate spectacles and occlusion therapy. However, the number of adults coming in with congenital squints is also on the rise. During the last year about 50 adult patients underwent surgery for squint which they had from childhood. This is a reflection of the society’s understanding of the disease which needs to change. Almost all the varieties of primary squint originate in childhood and need to be operated early in life for maximum benefits. 

An appeal from CMC Ludhiana

A 15 year old girl waiting your helping hand 
Ms. Diksha d/o Late Sh. Des Raj (Hosp No: C-7366016) is a 15 year old girl from Himachal Pradesh studying in class IX. She came to CMCH in March 2012 with painful swelling of her right leg. Her investigations confirmed the diagnosis of Osteogenic Sarcoma – a type of bone cancer. This is an aggressive type of cancer but has not spread to the rest of her body. She has a high chance of cure if she completes chemotherapy and surgery. Some patients with this disease may also require Radiotherapy after surgery. The approximate expenditure for the same is Rs 2 lakh over the next 3 months. Her father passed away and she is being cared for by her mother on a pension of Rs 3000/month. 

The patient and her family are very keen for treatment and her relatives are also supporting the family in seeking treatment. She has already received 2 cycles of chemotherapy with good response in the tumour. She is currently admitted in CMC Hospital for managing low blood counts and infection which can happen due to chemotherapy. It would be a great help to the family if any financial assistance can be provided both to deal with the current crisis and to help pay for her definitive treatment. The Medical Oncology Unit at CMCH is providing some of her medicines and chemotherapy drugs at subsidized rates. However, the added expenses need to be met to enable this young girl and the family to get her back to normal life without cancer. 

We appeal to the people of Ludhiana to please come forward and help the family. If anyone is willing to contribute for the same, please contact CMC Medical Oncology helpline numbers – 09780005333/09915851194 or (cmc.oncology@yahoo.com) or Miss. Amarjit, Publicity Manager Ph: 9888588840. Donations can be deposited in the patient’s name in the form of cheque/DD in favour of “CMC Ludhiana Society”. Cash payments will also be accepted at our accounts/billing section. Donors will be eligible for tax exemption.    -Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria    

PM Dedicates Bhatinda Refinery to Nation

This refinery will fulfill a long cherished dream:PM

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh being welcomed by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Prakash Singh Badal, on his arrival at Bathinda Refinery helipad, in Bathinda, Punjab on April 28, 2012. The Governor of Punjab, Shri Shivraj Patil is also seen. (PIB photo)  28-April-2012

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh dedicated Guru Gobind Singh Refinery at Bhatinda to the Nation today. Present on the occasion were the Governor of Punjab Shri Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Parkash Singh Badal, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri S Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri RPN Singh, Union Minister of State (Planning, Science &Technology and Earth Sciences) Shri Ashwini Kumar ji, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Sukhbir Singh Badalji, Shri Chuni Lal Bhagatji, Local Bodies & Medical Education Minister, Government of Punjab, Shri G.C. Chaturvedi, Secretary Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri L.N. Mittal, Chairman Arcelor Mittal, Shri S. Roy Choudhury, C&MD HPCL among other dignatories.

Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister congratulated the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, HPCL, Shri Lakshmi Mittal and his company, HMEL and State Govt on the successful completion of this project. He said, “This refinery will fulfill a long cherished dream of the people of Punjab and will make a big contribution towards economic development of the State.” 

Underling the significance of the 9 Million tonne(MMT)refinery project, the the Prime Minister added that the refinery sector in the country has shown phenomenal growth and India has emerged as a refining hub. From 62 million metric tonnes per annum in 1998, the country’s refining capacity has grown about three and a half times to 213 MMTPA today. “ We have sufficient refining capacity to enable us to export petroleum products,” he stressed. 

He also stated that the challenges we face on the energy front are formidable and underlined the need for adequate supplies of energy at affordable prices. Pointing out that domestic sources of crude oil and gas are inadequate to meet the growing demands, and the imports accounting for about 80% of our crude supplies, the spiraling prices of crude in the international market have put a severe strain on our import bill. He emphasized that that in order to insulate the common man from the impact of rising oil prices, the Government shoulders a sizeable portion of the burden by pricing diesel, Kerosene and domestic LPG below their market prices. 

Calling for steps to conserve our scarce energy resources, Prime Minister cautioned that there is no room for inefficient and wasteful usage of fuel, be it petrol, diesel, kerosene or gas. “We also need to rationalize prices and at the same time ensure that the poor and needy are shielded from the effects of such a rationalization,” he said. 

Union Petroleum Minister Shri S Jaipal Reddy said that a healthy oil and gas sector fuels the economy of a nation. He expressed happiness on India’s emergence as a refining hub with our refining capacity having grown from a meager 0.25 MMTPA at the time of independence to 213 MMTPA today. The Minister described Guru Gobind Singh Refinery as the latest feather in the cap with the commissioning of this state of the art 9 MMTPA refinery of HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL) a joint venture of HPCL and Mittal Energy Investments Pte Ltd. 

He said that the refinery is designed to deliver high grade, environment-friendly petroleum products that would bridge the present gap between supply and demand in the Northern region of India. It is a complex refinery with high Nelson complexity index enabling extraction of highest value from relatively high sulphur, low quality and low priced crudes. 

The Minister further said that with economy growing at about 8% on average, India’s energy needs are increasing at a rapid rate. The challenge is more pronounced since we are highly dependent on imported oil, which accounts for 75% of our total requirement. The country’s oil import bill has already breached the $ 100 billion mark in 2010-11. Meeting the requirements of India's rapidly expanding economy is creating a tremendous surge in the demand for Hydrocarbons. The demand for POL products in India has increased from 129 MMT in 2007-08 to 147 MMT in 2011-12 at an annual growth rate of 4.2 %.

Being aware of the criticality of this sector, he reiterated that his Ministry is fully committed to ensure that the growing demand of the energy sector is fully met. The Minister also said that we have endeavored to come up with policies that provide a stimulus for development of this vital sector. “The two successful Joint Venture refineries commissioned at Bina and now at Bhatinda bear testimony to the rising interest shown in the refining sector of this country,” he added. 

Speaking on the occasion MOS(PNG) Shri R P N Singh lauded the successful completion of the world class refinery within time. He complemented HPCL and their partners along with Govt of Punjab on this historic achievement. The Minister also said that his government has initiated measures to insulate needy from rising global oil prices. Giving out details, he said PSU Oil Marketing Companies has been bearing heavy under-recoveries on sale of sensitive petroleum products o keep prices at affordable levels. Punjab CM also spoke on the occasion and complemented Union Government for its support to the project. He praised the promoters HMEL for setting up the world class refinery in the State. (PIB)   28-April-2012 15:32 IST

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PM'S Speach