SEPTEMBER CURRENT EVENTS 2011

• Mamata Launches Kisan Credit Card Scheme For Farmers
  
  
  Posted on : Sep 03,2011
  
  The West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee on 19th August launched a Kisan Credit Card scheme for farmers in the State. Talking to reporters, Ms. Banerjee said that, this Kisan credit card will solve the problem of farmers taking loan from outside. She said that the facility of these loans can be availed from the districts head quarters. The loans can be procured from NABARD and Nationalized Banks. The farmers will be able to acquire a loan of 50,000 rupees, at an interest rate of 7%. Under this Mission, all willing farmers including tenant farmers, sharecroppers and oral lessees will get the cards during the current fiscal year. The farmers cultivating their own agricultural lands will be given Kisan credit cards directly while others would be organised in groups for these cards. Official sources said that the Agriculture Department will sponsor loan applications of farmers up to Rs. 50,000 per farmer to the bank branches, which banks have assured these would be processed within 10 days.

• Double Taxation Agreement With Switzerland
  Posted on : Sep 03,2011
  Government has signed a tax information exchange agreement with Switzerland to gain access to banking data in that country. This data will be provided on demand and will be available from 1st of April this year.  This information was given by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee while replying supplementaries in the Lok Sabha on 19th August. The agreement assumes importance in the wake of the reports that some Indians and corporate firms have stashed their black money in Swiss banks.  On Avoidance of double taxation agreement with Switzerland ,he said it will come into force after that country completes the internal process. He said such agreements have been renegotiated with 21 countries and signed with 18 other countries

• Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award Announced
  Posted on : Sep 03,2011
  Mrs Mira Kagti of Assam, Dr. S.A. Thasleem Sulthana of Andhara Pradesh and Dr.Mallika Nadda of Himachal Pradesh have been awarded the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award for the year 2010.  The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva award is given every year to three individuals who make outstanding contribution in the field of Child Protection, Child Development or Child Welfare.  The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award was instituted on 20th August,1994, the 50th Birth Anniversary of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had deep love and concern for children. The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award carries a cash prize of one lakh rupees and a citation each.

• The Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project
  Posted on : Sep 04,2011
  The Centre has sanctioned a 1,500 crore rupee Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project for coastal states to put in place better cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems.  The first phase of the Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project is being launched in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. The major initiatives under the project are to upgrade cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems, cyclone risk mitigation and capacity building in multi-hazard risk management. The government also plans to construct multipurpose cyclone shelters, including shelter-cum-godown, approach roads, bridges to habitation and embankments, including construction and renovation of saline embankments.

• India Georgia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
  Posted on : Sep 04,2011
  India and Georgia on signed a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) to prevent tax evasion and exchange banking information. A Finance Ministry release said, the DTAA agreement provides for business profits to be taxable in the source state if the activities of an enterprise has a permanent establishment there. The DTAA agreement also provides for sharing of information to other agencies with the consent of supplying state. This DTAA Agreement is to provide tax stability to the residents of India and Georgia and will facilitate mutual economic cooperation between the two countries. India has entered into DTAAs with about 70 countries.

• Parliament Approves SBI Subsidiary Amendment Bill Posted on : Sep 07,2011 The Parliament has given its seal of approval to a bill that seeks to improve the performance of the subsidiary banks of the State Bank of India with the Rajya Sabha adopting the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Bank Laws) Amendment Bill 2011 on 30th August. It was passed by the Lok Sabha earlier. The bill amends the State Bank of Hyderabad Act 1956 and the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Amendment bill 2011. The Upper House adopted the bill after incorporating an opposition amendment by voice vote amidst slogan shouting by NDA members protesting against the appointment of Lokayukta in Gujarat.

• Lok Sabha Passes National Academic Depository Bill 2011
  Posted on : Sep 08,2011
  The Lok Sabha on 5th August passed the National Academic Depository Bill 2011 by voice vote amidst din. The Academic Depository Bill seeks to create a national database of academic qualifications in electronic or DMAT format, which will authenticate and reissue certificates. The database will help the administration effectively deal with forged certificates and fake degree rackets. Academic Depository Bill will also enable online verification and easy retrieval of particulars of academic qualifications. Students will also be benefitted from the new provision as they need not worry about spoilage of certificates over time and getting their certificates attested. The database will be established in an electronic format by an identified registered depository, with all institutes, including school boards, the Indian Institutes of Technology, the National Institutes of Technology and polytechnics from different States having linkages to the depository.

• UNCTAD Trade And Development Report 2011
  Posted on : Sep 08,2011
  The Indian economy is likely to expand by 8.1 per cent in 2011, the fastest growth rate in the world after China, UN agency said on Tuesday.
  In its global release of Trade and Development Report 2011, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 6th september said the India economy will grow by 8.1 per cent in 2011, against to 8.6 per cent in 2010, despite slowdown in developed nations and many other countries.
  According to UNCTAD, only China will surpass India. The East Asian giant is likely to register a growth of 9.4 per cent in 2011 compared to 10.3 per cent in 2010.
  "In South Asia, India continues to pursue rapid economic growth (close to 8 per cent), based mainly on strong domestic consumption and investment, but also on the positive contribution of net exports," the report said.
  UNCTAD's projection for India in 2011 is a tad lower than International Monetary Fund's forecast of 8.2 per cent growth. The government expects the Indian economy to grow by around 8.5 per cent in 2011-12, while the RBI has projected the GDP growth of 8 per cent this fiscal.
  The World Bank had in June said India's economy would expand by 8 per cent in 2011-12, while theAsian Development Bank projected a growth of 8.2 per cent during the current financial year.
  UNCTAD said the global economic growth in 2011 will slow down to 3.1 per, compared to almost 4 per cent last year and added that developing economies could be affected by recession in developed nations

• India Japan Global Partnership Summit
  Posted on : Sep 08,2011
  A three-day India-Japan Global Partnership Summit, IJGPS concluded in Tokyo on 7th september. The policymakers, opinion leaders and business captains will exchange ideas on strengthening economic ties between the two Asian nations, besides greater regional integration. The organiser of the India Japan Global partnership summit, the India Centre Foundation said, India and Japan have great potential for furthering areas of cooperation through joint partnerships and infrastructure and knowledge projects. It said, the India Japan Global partnership summit provides an opportunity to exchange ideas on a prospective roadmap for India and Japan to collaborate with each other and global partners to promote sustainable economic growth and peace in Asia and the rest of the world.

• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Gets Chief Dave Cameron Award 2010
  Posted on : Sep 08,2011
  Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, WCCB, has been selected for Chief Dave Cameron Award 2010 for excellence in Environmental Crimes Enforcement and Education by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). An official release said that the Chief Dave Cameron Award is presented to full-service law enforcement agencies that work to enforce environmental laws and educate the public. The Chief Dave Cameron Award will be presented to the organization next month at the IACP Conference at Chicago, USA. WCCB, is a statutory body of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for combating organized wildlife crime and trans-boundary illegal trade was recently selected for the prestigious Chief Dave Cameron Award award

• Dr Bhupen Hazarikas Birthday Celebrated As Peoples Music Day Posted on : Sep 08,2011 In Assam, a number of functions are being organized across the State today to mark the 86th birthday of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award winning multifaceted genius, legendary singer, poet and cultural icon Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.  The day is also being observed as the ‘people’s music day’ (Gana Sangitor din) all over the State. Music competitions on ‘Bhupendra Sangeet’ have been organized by different cultural organizations to mark the occasion. Dr. Bhupendra Hazarika is at present recuperating from his heart ailment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.  State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has extended warm wishes to Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his 86th birthday. In a message to the music maestro, Mr.Gogoi said, Dr Bhupendra Hazarika had made unparalleled contribution to the State's cultural arena and enriched its national life like few others had done before.  The Chief Minister said, Dr Bhupendra Hazarika has established the State's unique culture through his music in the global arena and his creations will always be a source of endless inspiration for the people of Assam.  Born in 1926 at Sadiya in Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, an extremely academically prolific person, was conferred the highest award of the State Government ‘Asom Ratna’ for the year 2008. Bhupen Hazarika has been the only person in the past 40 years to propagate the better cinema movement for integrating all the seven north-eastern states, including tribal culture.

• ‎26 Climatic Zones To Be Turned As Tourist Spots
  Posted on : Sep 09,2011
  Centre has said that 26 climatic zones across the country will be turned into advantageous tourist spots for increased tourist inflow. Talking to reporters in New Delhi the Union Tourism Minister Mr.Subodh Kant Sahai said that his ministry is eyeing just half percent of the world tourists to be diverted to India which is an exponential five to six million people. For this, the minister said, infrastructure are being developed in public private partnership. Mr.Sahai informed that he is in consultation with state governments for creating a land bank for constructing budget hotels. Mr. Sahai added that his ministry has taken another initiative to hold business to business events on annual basis from the next year. The mart will be organised either in Hyderabad or Delhi.

• Prevention And Control Of Non Communicable Deseases
  Posted on : Sep 10,2011
  Entire country will be covered under the Prevention and control of non-communicable deseases cancer, diabeties and heart diseases in the next five-year Plan. Addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee, attached to his ministry, the Health Minister, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad said that 100 districts are being covered under the Prevention and control of non-communicable deseases programme at present. The Health Minister said that over 50 percent deaths in the country occur due to these diseases which are non-communicable in nature. Mr. Azad asserted that early detection and timely treatment of such non-communicable diseases will lead to increase in the cure rate and also reduce the risk factor

• Declaration On Green Economy And Sustainable Mountain Development
  Posted on : Sep 19,2011
  In Nepal , 150 policy makers, scientists, and development experts from the world’s mountain regions have endorsed the Kathmandu Declaration on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development.  The declaration was the outcome of the three-day International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development held in Kathmandu that concluded on 10th september.  According to Press release, the key recommendations in the Kathmandu Declaration on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development included the recognition of benefits deriving from mountains, incorporation of the value of ecosystems services in national development planning and decision making, the establishment of global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services they provide, the establishment of favourable conditions for improving markets for mountain ecosystem goods and services, access to resources and property rights for mountain women, indigenous communities, and marginalised groups.

• The National Hindi Diwas Awards
  Posted on : Sep 23,2011
  Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is among 57 institutions and individuals who bagged award on National Hindi Diwas on 14th september. The National Hindi Diwas awards were conferred at an impressive function by the President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Vigyan Bhavan on 14th september.In National Hindi Diwas awards first prize was bagged by Labour Ministry, second prize by Law Ministry and third prize by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.  Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil said that new softwares are being developed for propagation and popularization of Hindi language. She said that Hindi is playing a vital role in preserving and protecting one thousand seven hundred dialects and languages. Mrs. Patil said that Hindi plays an important role in ensuring inclusive development in the country. The President said that the government has taken a series of measures for the promotion of Hindi language and is providing additional incentives for use of Hindi to translate technical writings.  Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram urged the Heads of the Department of Central government to work relentlessly for the propagation and promotion of Hindi. Minister of State for Home, Mr. Jitender Singh and M. Ramachandran were also present on the occasion.

• Govt Invites Comments On Draft Of National Food Security Bill
  Posted on : Sep 23,2011
  Government has invited public comments on the draft of National Food Security Bill. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food Distribution today placed the draft National Food Security Bill on its website. The salient features of the National Food Security Bill include the coverage of three fourth of the rural population and half of urban households.  Proposed monthly entitlement for each person in the bill is 7 kilogram of food grains. The Government has also proposed three rupees a Kg rice while two rupees a Kg wheat for the priority households.  The National Food Security Bill also includes legal right for the people living in starving conditions to take home ration. The Ministry has prepared the draft after consultations with various departments including National Advisory Council and Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister

• National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences Bangalore Bill 2011
  Posted on : Sep 23,2011
  The Cabinet approved Amendments to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010. The Amendments are based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare. The Minister said that the salient features of the proposed amendments in National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010include the nomination of Institute's President by Central government and provision of seven persons of whom one will be non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 7lh December last year for declaring NIMHANS, Bangaluru as an institution of national importance. In another decision, the cabinet approved the proposal of Finance Ministry to withdraw the reduced interest rate of 9 per cent with regard to National Small Saving Fund loans. The proposal also has the provision for State governments to revert to 9 per cent interest rate as and when it compiles with the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management targets. The Union Cabinet also gave its nod for laying the Action taken Memorandum on the recommendations contained in the 16th Annual report of the National Commission for Minorities for the year 2008-09 in both the Houses of Parliament. The recommendations were examined in consultation with various Ministries and departments before finalising. In another decision, cabinet approved the promulagation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing Amendment regulation 2011 by the President. The approval will strengthen the coastal security in the coastline of islands in an effective manner as registration of all fishing vessels will be streamlined.

• Abhishek Singhvi Reappointed As Chairman Of Lokpal Standing Committee
  Posted on : Sep 25,2011
  Mr. Abhishek Singhvi has been reappointed as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances and Law and Justice, paving the way for early consultations over the Lokpal Bill.  The 31-member Standing Committee is among the several Parliamentary Committees reconstituted by Speaker Meira Kumar in consultation with Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari. The Standing Committee has been asked to give its report within three months. The term of the earlier Standing Committee headed by Mr. Abhishek Singhvi was over on the 31st of last month. While the Rajya Sabha has renominated most of the members on this Standing Committee as also on other Committees, the Speaker decided the composition from the Lower House in consultation with political parties.

• SAARC Energy Ministers Review Draft On Energy Cooparation
  Posted on : Sep 23,2011
  The 4th SAARC energy ministers meeting on 15th september reviewed the draft SAARC inter governmental framework agreement on Energy co-operation.  Addressing a press conference at the end of day long ministerial level conference, Bangladesh’s state minister for energy Mohammad Enamul Haque said the draft SAARC inter governmental framework agreement on Energy co-operation was reviewed and it is expected that the agreement will be finalized soon. 
  The ministerial meeting also adopted the SAARC Regional Energy Trade study. 
  The ministers also decided to conduct studies for technical standardization and Harmonisation to facilitate electricity exchange among the Saarc nations. Earlier addressing the inaugural session in the morning, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed on the need for SAARC member countries to collectively address the challenge of energy needs. She said, that as we embark on ensuring regional
  economic integration and inter-dependence, there is a huge potential to share knowledge, technology and resources in the energy sector to facilitate sustainable development.  Union Power Minister Sushil kumar Shinde who led the Indian delegation at the meeting said that the countries in the region are taking some concrete steps to establish basic inter-connections on a bilateral basis which will form the building blocks of the ultimate goal of a regional grid-connectivity. He also expressed India’s willingness to share its best practices and energy efficiency programmes with the member countries.

• Mission Purna Shakti To Empower Women
  Posted on : Sep 26,2011
  With the aim to empower women, MOS for women and child development Krishna Tirath on 17th september launched Mission Purna Shakti from Pali in Rajasthan. She said that women are playing an important role in development of the country and govt. is committed for educational,social and financial empowerment of women. 
  She stressed on the need of education among rural women. Mission Purna Shakti will work through active participation of women and govt will provide training and assistance in skill development through self help groups.  These groups would provide special training to women for marketing their products. Mission Purna Shakti project will help in confidence building in women and provide chances of self employment.

• National Conference On Agriculture For Rabi Campaign 2011
  Posted on : Sep 27,2011
  The two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2011 concluded with a resolve to accord high priority to boost food production. The aim is to achieve the target of 245 million tonnes of food grains in the next Rabi season.
  According to an official release, the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign reviewed production prospects during current Kharif season and strategy for the Rabi season. It sought cooperation of states in proper implementation of the new programmes and initiatives taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to improve the productivity of various crops.
  Expressing concern on the reports of fertilisers continuing to be sold above MRP, it urged states to exercise utmost vigilance to prevent smuggling of fertilisers. National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign also called upon the states to take proactive measures for infrastructure development in agriculture, diversification, reducing post-harvest losses, adoption of new techniques to maximise production and profitability of the agriculture sector.

• World's first desert geopark opens in China BEIJING: The world's first desert geopark opened has opened in China, authorities said. The geopark was opened Monday in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, reported Xinhua.  Geoparks are places where rare geological landforms are preserved in an undisturbed state and where low impact recreation, scientific research, and educational activities can be pursued.  The Alxa desert geopark has a total planned area of 630.37 square km, a statement said.  The park will function as a museum and a scientific research area, allowing tourists and scientists to examine the formation and evolution of the Alxa desert.  In August 2009, the park was added to the Unesco Global Geoparks Network (GGN), where it was listed as the world's only desert geopark.