Director-General of National Centre for Good Governance

Economist Gyanendra D. Bandgaiyan was appointed Director-General of National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), a think tank on good governance reforms. Mr. Bandgaiyan, ex-chief economist of the United Nations Development Programme, has been appointed for a period of three years which is extendable by another two years or up to 60 years of age, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The 54-year-old Bandgaiyan, a former IAS officer of the Union Territories cadre, hails from Madhya Pradesh. The NCGG, an autonomous institution under the administrative control of the DoPT, is the apex think tank of the country that guides and helps implement good governance reforms through research, policy analysis, advocacy and capacity building.

Commercial ties between New Delhi and Tehran

Iran’s leading banks will soon open branches in India to energise commercial ties between New Delhi and Tehran. The decision was amongst a slew of commercial measures taken by the India-Iran Joint Commission that met for the first time since Iran and the P-5+1 grouping struck a deal to end sanctions on Iran. After the meeting led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Iranian Finance Minister Ali Tayebnia India decided to allow the Pasargan Bank and Parsian Bank of Iran to set up branches in New Delhi and Mumbai. A major beneficiary of normalisation of banking channels between two sides will be India which has just begun settling more than $6.5 billion energy-related pending payment, with Iran. Currently both Pasargan and Parsian conduct their transactions through the UCO bank of India,” convenor of the Indo-Iran Economic Cooperation Council which was launched by Dr. Tayebnia during his visit. After the U.S. and western powers in 2011 blocked payment channels to increase pressure on Iran, the Reserve Bank of India created a channel for payment via Turkey. The two countries also discussed measures to boost logistic services, including allowing freight forwarding companies (numbering around 5,500 in India) to take advantage of the rupee payment mechanism and the insurance cover that are currently available only to exporters and importers. As freight forwarders are neither part of the rupee payment mechanism nor are given the insurance cover on Iran-related transactions, they are now forced to route cargo meant for Iran through Dubai and China and Russia, Samir Shah, Chairman, Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India. India and Iran have decided to hold preliminary discussions for a preferential trade agreement (PTA). The PTA is meant to ensure that both the countries will cut or eliminate duties on certain mutually agreed products to increase bilateral trade. A Joint Working Group will hold meetings to look at the feasibility of the PTA. Sources also said Iran has sought investments from India in several sectors including engineering, agro-processing, petrochemicals, tea, pharmaceuticals and irrigation, besides infrastructure building— power and railways. In the past few months Iran has shown a special interest in exporting its crude to Indian refineries that are equipped to handle Iranian crude that has a high sulphur content.

Deepak Mohanty Committee on Medium-term Path on Financial Inclusion

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Report on Medium-term Path on Financial Inclusion submitted by 14-member committee headed by RBI Executive Director Deepak Mohanty. 

RBI had constituted the committee in July 2015 to examine the existing policy regarding financial inclusion and the form a five-year (medium term) action plan. It was tasked to suggest plan on several components with regard to payments, deposits, credit, social security transfers, pension and insurance. Key recommendations Augment the government social cash transfer in order to increase the personal disposable income of the poor. It would put the economy on a medium-term sustainable inclusion path. Sukanya Shiksha Scheme: Banks should make special efforts to step up account opening for females belonging to lower income group under this scheme for social cash transfer as a welfare measure. Aadhaar linked credit account: Aadhaar should be linked to each individual credit account as a unique biometric identifier which can be shared with Credit information bureau to enhance the stability of the credit system and improve access. Mobile Technology: Bank’s traditional business model should be changed with greater reliance on mobile technology to improve ‘last mile’ service delivery. Digitisation of land records: It should be implemented in order to increase formal credit supply to all agrarian segments through Aadhaar-linked mechanism for Credit Eligibility Certificates (CEC). Nurturing self-help groups (SHGs): Corporates should be encouraged to nurture SHGs as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Subsidies: Government should replace current agricultural input subsidies on fertilizers, irrigation and power by a direct income transfer scheme as a part of second generation reforms. Agricultural interest subvention Scheme: It should be phased out. Crop Insurance: Government should introduce universal crop insurance scheme covering all crops starting with small and marginal farmers with monetary ceiling of Rs. 2 lakhs. Multiple Guarantee Agencies: Should be encouraged to provide credit guarantees in niche areas for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). It would also explore possibilities for counter guarantee and re-insurance. Unique identification of MSME: It should be introduced for all MSME borrowers and information from it should be shared with credit bureaus.

51st Jananpith award 2015

Eminent Gujarati litterateur Raghuveer Chaudhary has been selected for the 51st Jnanpith award. Mr. Chaudhary is the fourth Gujarati litterateur to bag this prestigious award after Uma Shankar Joshi (1967), Pannalal Patel (1985) and Rajendra Shah (2001). About Raghuveer Chaudhary Born: 5 December 1938 in Bapupura near Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He is novelist, poet, critic and a Gandhian and his talent has been influenced by works of Gowardhan Ram Tripathi , Kaka Kalelkar and Suresh Joshi. His work: He has authored more than 80 books and some of his notable novels include Amrita, Venu Vatsala, Purvarang and Laagni Samjyaa Vinaa Chuuta Padvanu. He also had worked as a columnist for numerous newspapers such as Sandesh, Janmabhumi, Nirikshaka and Divya Bhaskar. He was a teacher at the Gujarat University until his retirement in 1998. Awards and Honours: He has received numerous accolades including Sahitya Acadmi Award for his novel Trilogy Uparvaas in 1977. About Jnanpith Award Jnanpith Award is one of the prestigious literary awards in country and its name has been taken from Sanskrit words Jnana and Pitha which means knowledge-seat. It was instituted in 1961 and is presented annually by Bharatiya Jnanpith trust founded by the Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain family. It is bestowed upon any Indian citizen who writes in any 22 official languages of India mentioned in VIII Schedule of Constitution of India. Prior to 1982, the award was only given for a single work by a writer. But after 1982, the award is given for lifetime contribution to Indian literature. Award Carries: Includes cash prize of 11 lakh rupees, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Saraswati.

India and Russia strategic partnership

After being in the dark for several years on India’s geopolitical canvas, Russia is making an emphatic comeback as India’s trusted and strategic partner and is on course to reclaiming the position as top supplier of defence hardware. Strangely, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seen as pro-America, who is making it happen. We have had excellent conversations over the past two days and very productive outcomes. It has deepened my conviction that this relationship truly meets the test of a special and privileged strategic partnership,” Mr. Modi said after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week. This visit bridges the widening gulf between the two sides in recent times and plays a role in reaffirming ties with India’s oldest strategic partner. While both sides concluded 16 agreements across sectors, the most visible indicators of the renewed vigour in the partnership are in the defence sector. Russia still accounts for 70 per cent of Indian arsenal, but has in recent years been overtaken by Israel and the U.S. as the biggest hardware suppliers on an annual basis. Russia, however, still is the largest supplier due to spares and support for hardware in the inventory and the committed liabilities for programmes under way. It is no coincidence that the country’s first major project under the government’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ will be the production of Kamov-226T utility helicopters in India. Under the agreement, 200 Ka-226T helicopters will be built in India for which Russian helicopters will partner with India’s Reliance group to execute the program. The Inter-Governmental Agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India is the first project for a major defence platform under the Make in India mission. It is rightly with our most important defence partner,” Mr. Modi said addressing a press conference. While there was no announcement on the deal for five S-400 Triumf air defence systems estimated at $ 5-6 billion, senior defence officials said the process has just begun and price discovery has to be done as there are no other similar systems available in the market.

Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue with Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

The mutual agreement on venue and tentative date for the talks between the two Foreign Secretaries, coincided with India appointing a new High Commissioner, Gautam H. Bambawale to Islamabad. Mr. Bambawale, India’s current ambassador to Bhutan, is one of the experts on China-India ties in the Ministry of External Affairs and is known to enjoy a good working relation with Mr. Jaishankar.

The meeting between Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Chaudhry will be the first stage of the Comprehensive Dialogue Process which was announced by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her visit to Islamabad earlier this month to participate in the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference on Afghanistan. Sources say the decision on Islamabad as the venue for the first Foreign Secretary level talks came after some hard negotiations between the two sides but Pakistanis sent a positive message by agreeing to India’s choice of Mr. Bambawale as the new High Commissioner. However, Pakistan’s position on the Hurriyat Conference will be watched in the run-up to the meeting between the Foreign Secretaries. In recent weeks, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit has met the Hurriyat leaders in New Delhi. High Commission sources have told The Hindu that Mr. Basit is expected to meet some more Hurriyat leaders before the New Year. The meeting of the Foreign Secretaries will determine the way ahead for the structured dialogue between India and Pakistan, which is expected to cover peace and security, Confidence Building Measures, Jammu & Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, economic and commercial cooperation.

National Consumer Day

In India, 24th December is being observed as National Consumer Day. On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President. The enactment of this Act was considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country. This Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services and unfair trade practices. This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities. It should be also noted that World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15th March every year. Some facts about Consumer Protection Act, 1986 It provides consumers with speedy and inexpensive redressal grievances mechanism and specific relief or award of compensation. It recognizes six of the eight rights of the consumer as provided in the UN charter. It envisages following rights of consumers (i) Right to Protection. (ii) Right of Information. (iii) Right of Choice. (iv) Right of Hearing. (v) Right of Redressal. (vi) Right of Education.

Rajya Sabha cleared the Juvenile Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2015

The Rajya Sabha cleared the Juvenile Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2015, lowering the age of a legally defined juvenile from 18 to 16 in the case of heinous crimes. Despite the fact that many parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and, till last week, the Congress favoured sending it to a select committee for consideration, neither Shantaram Naik of the Congress nor Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress moved a motion as had been decided by their parties earlier. The CPI(M) walked out once voting started. The presence of Nirbhaya’s parents in the visitors’ gallery and their protest in the last week or so seemed to have had an effect. Minister for Womenand Child Development Maneka Gandhi said: “We may not be able to do anything about the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya case but we can deter many other boys from doing so.” “I do not want to tell you what to do, but please remember India is watching us and decide if you want to bring in a nuanced Bill which protects children. The Minister said no juvenile would be sent to jail directly. “If juveniles are sentenced to jail, they will be sent to a borstal until they are 21 years old, after which there will be a review.

Air pollution in the national capital is of an “emergency nature,”

Air pollution in the national capital is of an “emergency nature,” the Delhi High Court on Monday observed and said this situation would not have arisen if the authorities had implemented laws and rules in place to prevent environmental degradation. A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva was of the view that while legislations were in place for ensuring maintenance of air quality levels, individuals and departments tasked to enforce the rules, “have not done their work”. It directed officers of all concerned authorities, including Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), that “all the rules have to be followed to the ‘t’ as the situation today is of an emergency nature”. The court, referred to particulate matter-PM 2.5 and PM 10-and said as per the statutory norms their levels are not to exceed 60 microgram per cubic meter per day and 100 microgram per cubic meter per day, respectively. However, as per DPCC monitoring stations, their levels are always far in excess of 400/500. It directed DPCC, represented by advocate Sanjeev Ralli, to “analyse data from 2011 onwards and to provide us a monthly average chart of each pollutant.” Another exercise the panel has been directed to carry out is to give a weekly chart of the pollutants during the months from October to February for all the years from 2011 to 2015. DPCC has also been asked to provide the court with details of action taken by it, against any violations, in the last five years. Meanwhile, on the issue of traffic management to reduce the timings of idling vehicles, the court observed that despite its direction for zero tolerance towards violation of rules, especially by people who jump onto other carriageways to get ahead during traffic snarls, police was doing nothing. “People in Delhi need to be disciplined. Send anyone who changes carriageways to turnaround and go in the opposite direction from which they came, as they do in Mumbai,” the bench said while hearing a PIL initiated by it on the issue of increasing air pollution in Delhi. Delhi Traffic Police, in an affidavit, told the court that it had identified 14 areas in the city which were heavily congested and that, in those places, it had observed zero tolerance for violation of rules.

Cochin Shipyard became first shipyard in India to build LNG Ship

India has joined select club nations to build Liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships after state owned Cochin Shipyard has received certification in this regard. Cochin Shipyard also became first shipyard in India to get the nod to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide. Key facts In this regard, Cochin Shipyard has signed a license agreement with French technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT). GTT holds patented technology for LNG ships and provides the certification in design engineering and membrane-type containment systems for the transportation and storage of LNG. GTT would provide technology for the cryogenic containment and handling system which is most critical part of an LNG ship as the LNG is carried at a temperature of -163 degrees. This license agreement authorises Cochin Shipyard to use the membrane type technologies of GTT for any liquid gas carriers, more particularly the LNG carriers. With this India joins the league other nations including South Korea, Japan and China building LNG transportation ships. It also opens a new chapter in ship-building technology in India and marks a big step for Make in India.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Amendment Bill, 2015

Parliament has passed The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015. The bill was first passed in Lok Sabha in August 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha in December 2015. Now it will go for presidential assent. Key features of the Bill The bill seeks to amend parent law i.e. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It aims to prohibit the commission of offences against members of the SCs and STs and adds provisions for establishing special courts for the trial cases of such offences and the rehabilitation of victims. Actions to be treated as offences: The Bill adds new categories of actions to be treated as offences committed by non SCs and STs and amends certain existing categories. Impeding certain activities related to voting especially vote or not vote for a particular candidate will also be considered an offence. Addition of new offences: (i) Garlanding SCs and STs with footwear (ii) Compelling to do manual scavenging or dispose carry animal or human carcasses. (iii) Abusing SCs/STs in public by caste name (iv) Disrespecting any deceased SCs/STs person held in high esteem or attempting to promote feelings of ill-will against SCs/STs (iv) Threatening or imposing economic and social boycott. Offences in case of sexual exploiting of SC or ST woman: It will be considered as an offence in case of (i) Using acts, words or gestures of a sexual nature against SC/ST woman. (ii) Touching an SC/ST woman intentionally in a sexual manner without her consent (iii) Practice of dedicating an SC/ST women as a devadasi to a temple. Following activities will be considered an offence: Preventing SCs/STs using common property resources, entering any places of public worship that is open to the public, and entering an education or health institution. In case of any violation of any provisions mentioned in this act the courts will presume that the accused non SC/ST person was aware of the caste or tribal identity of the victim, unless it is proved. Public servants role:The Bill add provision specifying duties of public servants which  includes (i) registering a FIR or complaint (ii) public servant must read out the information given oral complaint by SC/ST person before taking the signature of the victim and giving copy of this information to the victim. It should be noted that parent Act has provision mentioning that public servant (non SC/ST) neglecting his duties related to SCs/STs will be punished with imprisonment for a term of 6 months to 1 year. Establishments of Courts: The Bill adds provision specifying establishment of Exclusive Special Court and Special Court at the district level to try offences mentioned under this Act. Exclusive Public Prosecutor and Public Prosecutor will be appointed for every Exclusive Special Court and Special Court. Rights of victims and witnesses:The bill adds new chapter dealing with the rights of victims and witness. It mentions that it shall be the duty of the state to make arrangements for the protection of victims and their dependents and the witnesses. It also mentions that state should specify a scheme to ensure the implementation of rights of victims and witnesses.

Saudi Arabia has launched Islamic Military Coalition

Saudi Arabia has launched Islamic Military Coalition, a new military alliance of 34 nations mainly Muslim nations to fight terrorism. It has been established in pursuance of the objectives and principles of the charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It calls for all member states to cooperate to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. About Islamic Military Coalition The joint operations centre of the coalition will be established in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The coalition includes nations with large and established armies such as Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt as well as war-torn countries such as Libya and Yemen. Member nations: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Turkey, Benin, Togo, Chad, Djibouti, Tunisia, Sudan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Somalia, Guinea, Comoros, Palestine,  Qatar, Kuwait, Cote d’Ivoire, Lebanon, Maldives, Libya, Mali, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Yemen. The establishment of coalition comes amid international pressure on the Gulf Arab states to do more in the fight against so-called Islamic State. The new alliance will co-ordinate efforts against extremists in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan.

All-India conference of Directors General of Police

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally inaugurated the All-India conference of Directors General of Police (AICDGPs) at Dhordo in white Rann of Kutch region near Bhuj, Gujarat. Three day conference was inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister for Home Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijju and Haribhai Patel. Key facts The annual conference for first time organised out of New Delhi and has been organised by Intelligence Bureau (IB). Director General of Police (DGPs) of all the state and Head of other security agencies are participating in this conference. It will be also attended by IGs of state/UTs, heads of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), IB, Narcotics department and various police training. DGs and IGs of paramilitary forces like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force-CRPF and Central Industrial Security Force are also participating in the conference. Key issues to be discussed: Police Reforms, Radicalisation, Social Media’s effect on Law and Order, security, Disaster management, Women Safety and tourist police, Inter-state police coordination etc.

PM to host high tea for community leaders

Last Christmas in Delhi was mired in controversies over cancelled holidays after the Central government declared December 25 as “Good Governance Day.” This year however, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intends to play if not Santa, then at least a good Samaritan at yuletide. The high tea has been organised for December 29 at the residence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the behest ofthe Prime Minister. Mr. Modi will meet members of the Christian community over high tea to reach out and soothe anxieties after a series of church attacks earlier this year. This is the second such outreach with the community, after Home Minister Rajnath Singh attended a celebratory Christmas dinner organised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India on Thursday evening. “The Prime Minister had earlier met members of various Christian denominations in Delhi in April in the backdrop of attacks on churches in Delhi and elsewhere,” said a source in the government. “Last year, Christmas was also marred by the fact that there was a controversy over celebrating Good Governance Day on December 25 and keeping schools open. This year, the Prime Minister is determined to wipe that slate clean,” said a source. A former Kerala legislator and now member of the BJP is helping to organise the event. “The guest list will be comprise about 150-160 people. Bishops, priests, intellectuals, professionals and prominent public figures from the community have been invited. While it is speculated that pressure from the U.S. government on the intolerance debate raging in India may be behind the event, government sources say that the Prime Minister had attended the celebration of the elevation to sainthood of Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia in February this year and has been meeting members of the community at various times.

Prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2015

Sahitya Academy has announced the names of 23 poets and authors who will be conferred the prestigious 2015 Sahitya Akademi Award. This award has recognised premier works in 23 Indian languages that includes 6 books of short stories, 6 of poetry, 4 novels, 2 books each of essays, criticism and plays and 1 memoir. 23 Awardee’s are: Poetry: Brajendra Kumar Brahma (Bodo), Dhian Singh (Dogri), Ramdarash Mishra (Hindi), K.V. Tirumalesh (Kannada), Kshetri Rajan (Manipuri) and Ram Shankar Awasthi (Sanskrit). Short stories: Kula Saikia (Assamese), Man Mohan Jha (Maithili), Gupta Pradhan (Nepali), Bibhuti Pattanaik (Odia), Maya Rahi (Sindhi) and Volga (Telugu). Novels: Cyrus Mistry (English), Jaswinder Singh (Punjabi) and Madhu Acharya ‘Ashawadi’ (Rajasthani). Essays: Rasik Shah (Gujrati) and A. Madhavan (Tamil). Plays: Uday Bhembre (Konkani), Rabilal Tudu (Santali). Books on criticism: Bashir Bhadarwahi (Kashmiri) and Shamim Tariq (Urdu). Memoirs: Arun Khopkar (Marathi). All 23 awardees were chosen by a distinguished jury representing 23 Indian languages. The final approval was given by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi chaired by its President Dr. Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. They will be presented with awards at a special function during the Festival of Letters – the annual function of the Akademi. The award in Bengali language will be announced later.

PAN का विवरण देना अनिवार्य

1 जनवरी 2016 से उत्पादों अथवा सेवाओं की खरीद से सम्बन्धित 2 लाख रुपए से अधिक की धनराशि वाले सभी सौदों के लिए PAN का विवरण देना अनिवार्य होगा। इन सौदों के लिए भुगतान चाहें किसी भी माध्यम (जैसे नकद, चेक, ड्राफ्ट अथवा क्रेडिट कार्ड)  से किया गया हो, PAN की जानकारी देना अनिवार्य होगा।

वहीं अचल सम्पत्ति (immovable property) की खरीद के मामलों में PAN विवरण देने हेतु सीमा को वर्तमान 5 लाख से बढ़ाकर 10 लाख कर दिया गया है। जहाँ तक होटल अथवा रेस्टोरेण्ट के एक बार के अधिकतम बिल (one-time payment) की सीमा (जिसके लिए PAN विवरण देना अनिवार्य होगा) को भी वर्तमान 25,000 रुपए से बढ़ाकर 50,000 रुपए कर दिया गया है। गैर-सूचीबद्ध कम्पनी (unlisted company) के शेयरों की खरीद अथवा बिक्री के मामलों में भी उक्त सीमा को वर्तमान 50,000 रुपए से बढ़ाकर 1 लाख रुपए कर दिया गया है।

हालांकि नो-फ्रिल बैंक खाते (no-frills bank account), जैसे जन-धन खाते, को खोलने के लिए PAN विवरण प्रदान करने की कोई बाध्यता नहीं होगी।

Indian subcontinent is the“most earthquake-prone areas

Indian subcontinent is amongst the“most earthquake-prone areas in the world and continued collision and seduction of Indian plate cause these tremors.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Earth Sciences Y.S. Chowdary said, “The Indian subcontinent is amongst the most earthquake-prone areas in the world. Earthquakes occur along the Alpine-Himalayan belt, which also runs through the Andaman-Sumatra arc, Indo-Burmese arc and Himalayan arc.”

“The continued collision and seduction of Indian plate cause these earthquakes. A few earthquakes also occur within the peninsular shield region of India, which are grouped under intra-plate category and occur due to internal; deformation of the plate.

वैश्विक मानव विकास रिपोर्ट 2015

वैश्विक मानव विकास रिपोर्ट (Global Human Development Report) का वर्ष 2015 का संस्करण संयुक्त राष्ट्र विकास कार्यक्रम (United Nations Development Programme – UNDP) द्वारा 14 दिसम्बर को जारी किया गया। इसमें भारत को 130वाँ स्थान प्रदान किया गया है तथा इस प्रकार वर्ष 2014 के 131वें स्थान के मुकाबले भारत की स्थिति में एक स्थान का सुधार आया है। इस रिपोर्ट में विश्व के 188 देशों को स्थान दिया गया है। भारत को वैश्विक मानव विकास रिपोर्ट 2015 में 0.609 अंक प्रदान किए गए तथा इस प्रकार भारत का स्कोर मध्यम मानव विकास समूह (medium human development group) के 0.630 अंक के औसत से काफी पीछे रहा। भारत का स्कोर जहाँ बांग्लादेश और पाकिस्तान जैसे पड़ोसी देशों से बेहतर रहा वहीं यह स्कोर नामीबिया, ग्वाटेमाला, ताजिकिस्तान और यहाँ तक की इराक जैसे देशों से भी कम रहा। हालांकि भारत का यह स्कोर दक्षिण एशिया के देशों के औसत 0.607 से कुछ ऊपर रहा। पर यदि लैंगिक विकास सूचकांक (Gender Development Index (GDI) की दृष्टि से देखा जाय तो भारत को हासिल 0.795 का स्कोर बांग्लादेश (0.917), नामीबिया, ग्वाटेमाला और ताजिकिस्तान जैसे देशों को हासिल स्कोर से भी कम रहा। उल्लेखनीय है कि 2015 की वैश्विक मानव विकास रिपोर्ट में नॉर्वे (Norway) को पहला स्थान हासिल हुआ है तथा इसके बाद क्रमश: ऑस्ट्रेलिया (Australia), स्विटज़रलैण्ड (Switzerland) और डेनमार्क (Denmark) का स्थान रहा।

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act

Continuing its hard stance against NGOs and associations that receive foreign funds, the NDA government on Monday notified new rules that require them to give an undertaking that the acceptance of foreign funds is not likely to affect the “sovereignty and integrity of India or impact friendly relations with foreign state and does not disrupt communal harmony.” Under the annual returns category, also known as Form FC-4, the NGOs have been asked to give an undertaking that the foreign funds are utilised in such a way that it does not affect the “security, strategic, scientific or economic interest, public interest, freedom or fairness of election to any legislature or harmony between religious, social, racial, linguistic group, caste or communities.” Earlier this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the registration of Greenpeace under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) on the premise that it had compromised the country’s “economic security” by allegedly orchestrating protests at coal plants and other development projects. The Ministry has also suspended the registration of the Gujarat-based social activist Teesta Setalvad’s Sabrang Trust. Sixteen foreign donors are now under the Ministry’s “prior-permission” category including the U.S.-based Ford Foundation that funded Sabrang Trust. As reported by The Hindu earlier, the government has dropped the clause that would have made it mandatory for NGOs to declare their social media accounts like Twitter handle and Facebook pages. But the Ministry has decided to keep the clause mandating banks to inform it of all foreign funds coming to an NGO account within 48 hours. In June this year, the Ministry put up draft amendment rules and sought the suggestions of stakeholders. On Monday, the amended Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules, 2015, were notified. Under them, all dealings with NGOs will now be online. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated the portal for online filing of returns and details by NGOs.

Black hole Spinning

The term “black hole” conjures up images of a stellar object from which nothing can escape. This is only true of small black holes, and supermassive black holes, which are millions of times as massive as the Sun can actually beam out energy from matter falling into it in the form of intense radiation. Further, if the black hole is spinning, the radiation can beam into galaxies that are millions of light years away and shape them. Now, a team of researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics has discovered magnetic fields on the event horizon — which is the surface surrounding the black hole from beyond which light cannot escape — of such a supermassive black hole, which they have published in the journal Science. It had been discovered some time ago that a supermassive black hole exists at the centre of our galaxy — the Milky Way. This black hole is now known as Sagittarius A-star. Astronomers detected the magnetic field using the powerful Event Horizon Telescope, which is a global array of radio telescopes that link together to function as one giant unit. Geared for very high detail observations, the Event Horizon Telescope will have a resolution of 15 arc-seconds. This is equivalent to being able to see a golf ball on the moon, according to a release from the Centre for Astrophysics. High resolution is needed as black holes are really compact objects. Sagittarius A-star, for instance, is about four million times as massive as the sun, yet its event horizon is only 8 million miles across. Being located 25,000 light years away, this would measure only 10 micro-arc seconds across. The interesting thing is that the intense gravity of Sagittarius A-Star warps light and magnifies its event horizon so that it appears larger — about 50 arc-seconds, which can be easily resolved by the Event Horizon Telescope. As Sagittarius A-star spins away furiously, matter encircles it in the form of an accretion disc. The team found magnetic fields in some regions near the black hole which are highly disorderly, in the form of loops and whorls, like spaghetti, whereas in other regions it is more orderly, presumably the places where jets of radiation are emitted. The magnetic fields were also seen to fluctuate at time scales of about 15 minutes.

Modi hosts Abe at ‘Ganga aarti’

Patrons swear they have never seen such a spruced up Dashaswamedh Ghat in a long time. The occasion was historic as the Prime Ministers of two nations came together to witness the finest ritual that Varanasi has to offer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, wearing a brown Nehru jacket, looked in sync and displayed a great deal of camaraderie as they sat together on a chahbutra, a raised platform converted into a stage, with the Ganges to their right. The two leaders were seen constantly talking to each other. They stood up together and turned to each side of the stage to acknowledge loud cheers from the crowd. Mr. Modi raised his arm to wave to the people while Mr. Abe smiled. “Kyoto last year, Kashi this year...cultural bonds between India and Japan during Shinzo Abe’s visit,” the PMO’s tweet had set the stage for a grand event. Another tweet by Mr. Modi had announced that a convention centre would be built in Varanasi with Japanese assistance. “This is a great gesture & I thank PM Shinzo Abe forit,” he tweeted. The two leaders arrived at the ghat at around 5:50 p.m. to loud cheers. They walked under a gate ornamented with flowers, over the red carpet and then down the steps of the ghat, where they performed the Ganga Stuti ritual and ‘jal abhishek.’ Sanskrit mantras reverberated at the venue, illuminated by LED lights. The shikaras of the temples glowed with different coloured light under the shade of flowers. The festive atmosphere belied the heavy deployment of security forces, including central paramilitary forces and navy personnel at the venue. The music system was installed after special permission from the Allahabad High Court. Then to the accompaniment of musical instruments began the Ganga Aarti song. Conch shells were blown followed by the chanting of ‘Har, Har Mahadev.’ Among the dignitaries present at the event were Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Union Ministers Manoj Sinha and Kalraj Mishra. Earlier, Mr. Modi and Mr. Abe landed in Varanasi at around 4 p.m. and were received with garlands and music at the Babatpur airport by the Chief Minister and Governor Ram Naik.

India and the U.S. haver potential cooperation under Defence Technology

India and the U.S. have identified 17 new areas for potential cooperation under Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), a flagship scheme launched in 2012 that aims to enhance bilateral strategic partnership, particularly in high technology. Concluding his four-day tour of the United States, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he and his counterpart Ash Carter had agreed to closely monitor the progress of the DTTI. Mr. Parrikar did not divulge details of the new areas identified for cooperation, but said these covered radar systems and UAVs among other things. The Minister said some private companies have expressed interest in manufacturing fighter aircraft in India, and India has sought the U.S. government position on the issue before proceeding further. “Mr. Carter said in such cases, they could consider in-principle approvals before getting into technical details,” Mr. Parrikar told reporters at the end of his visit. The Minister said, of the six items that were earlier considered under DTTI, two were found unsuitable but the other four were making good progress. The Ministers expressed satisfaction over progress made by two joint working groups – one on aircraft carrier technology cooperation and the other on jet engine technology. “Secretary Carter informed Minister Parrikar that in light of the strengthening relationship between the United States and India, the DoD has updated its policy on gas turbine engine technology transfer to India,” a joint statement said. The change in policy is expected to allow U.S. companies working with their Indian counterparts to submit transfer requests for technology.

Mr. Parrikar’s visit demonstrated the growing trust between the two countries in the sensitive area of defence, according to Mukesh Aghi, president of the U.S. India Business Council (USIBC) that is spearheading wide range of bilateral cooperation. Mr. Parrikar interacted with Indian and U.S defence companies at the USIBC. His itinerary also included a visit to U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), the Pentagon,and a visit with Secretary Carter to observe flight operations aboard theaircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. "Minister Parrikar's first trip was a success on form, symbol and generated enough hope on substance," said Aparna Pande, Director, Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia at Hudson Institute, Washington. "We know the political leadership in both countries wants the relationship to move ahead. But for that to happen the bureaucracies need to come closer together. It also needs closer ties not only between governments but also between the private sectors of both countries. America's closest ties are with those countries where the defence relationship is strongest and India would benefit by developing this aspect of the relationship as well."

India and Japan signed on double taxation

India and Japan have signed a Protocol for amending the existing convention for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to income taxes. The existing Convention for avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion was signed between both countries way back in 1989. The protocol was signed by Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia behalf of India while Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan signed on behalf of the Government of Japan. Key highlights Protocol provides for internationally accepted standards for effective exchange of information on tax matters. It includes sharing of bank information and information without domestic tax interest. Facilitates sharing of the information received from Japan of Indian resident with other law enforcement agencies with authorisation of the competent authority and vice versa. Under it both countries shall assist each other in the collection of revenue claims. It further provides for exemption of interest income from taxation in the source country. This exemption will be with respect to debt-claims insured by the Government or Government owned financial institutions.

वित्तीय राजधानी मुम्बई

14.7 अरब डॉलर मूल्य की इस परियोजना के तहत देश की वित्तीय राजधानी मुम्बई (Mumbai) को गुजरात के सर्वप्रमुख शहर अहमदाबाद (Ahmedabad) से जोड़ा जायेगा। जापान ने इस परियोजना की 80% लागत के लिए अपनी तरफ से सस्ती दर पर ऋण प्रदान करने का प्रस्ताव भी दिया था। जापान की अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सहयोग एजेंसी (JICA) ने 505 किलोमीटर लम्बे मुम्बई-अहमदाबाद बुलेट ट्रेन कॉरिडोर के लिए अपना अध्ययन जुलाई 2015 में सम्पन्न कर इसका प्रस्ताव केन्द्र सरकार को भेज दिया था। इसके तहत इस रूट पर सफर करने में वर्तमान सात घण्टे के बजाय बुलेट ट्रेन से मात्र दो घण्टे का समय लगेगा। केन्द्रीय कैबिनेट ने इस परियोजना को स्वीकृति जापानी प्रधानमंत्री शिंजो एबे (Shinzo Abe) की भारत यात्रा के ठीक एक दिन पूर्व कर जापान को देश में बुलेट ट्रेन तथा हाई स्पीड परियोजनाओं के क्षेत्र में बढ़त प्रदान कर दी है। उल्लेखनीय है कि चीन भी भारत में बुलेट ट्रेन तथा हाई स्पीड परियोजनाओं के क्षेत्र में काफी दिलचस्पी दिखा रहा है। वैसे जापान की इस परियोजना के सम्बन्ध में आधिकारिक घोषणा जापानी प्रधानमंत्री की भारत यात्रा के दौरान की जायेगी।

Thai arms supplier extradited to India

A Thai citizen, suspected to be a key intermediary for northeastern rebel groups for arms procurement, has been extradited to India.

The interrogation of 59-year-old Wuthikorn Naruenartwanich alias Willy could throw fresh light on how Chinese arms are finding their way into the hands of insurgents in northeast of India. Indian agencies believe that he could also provide details of the engagement of Chinese agencies with Indian insurgent groups.

Willy “was extradited from Thailand and brought to India in compliance of the extradition order passed by a criminal court in Bangkok Thailand on 31.03.2014,” the National Investigation Agency said in a statement. Willy’s extradition was delayed by his appeal against the extradition order in an appellate court in Bangkok which was rejected on November 4.

Willy is accused in a criminal conspiracy for illegal procurement of sophisticated arms and ammunitions from China, for supply to Indian insurgent groups. The details of Willy’s role emerged after NIA arrested senior leader of Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM) Anthony Shimray, a nephew of NSCN founder T. Muivah and IM faction’s chief arms procurer. Shimray was arrested in 2010 in Patna, when he had come to India from Bangkok via Nepal.

According to NIA, Shimray had negotiated several times with Willy to fix a deal to the tune of US $1.2 million (approx Rs. 7.8 crore) to procure arms and ammunitionfor NSCN (IM) and other insurgent groups in the northeast.

“For this deal, US $800,000 was paid by accused Anthony Shimray to co-accused Wuthikorn Naruenartwanich @ Willy. NIA had filed a charge sheet in this case on 26.03.2011 against four accused persons” including Shimray and Willy under sections 120B, 121A, 122 of IPC and 16, 17, 18 and 20 of unlawful activities (prevention) act.

For long there have been Chinese signatures visible in the activities of northeastern insurgent groups. While several of them have regularly been to China, or taken shelter in the communist country, many of the arms and ammunitions used by northeastern groups were also suspected to be from China. In a tight state controlled arms bazaar, it was impossible for individuals to operate without state sanction, Indian agencies always believed.

An NIA report based on Shimray’s interrogation had clearly said the Chinese intelligence agencies are actively engaged with the Indian rebel groups. He purportedly said the Chinese agents in 2009 offered to sell surface-to-air missiles to the Naga rebels for $1 million. The deal fell through as the Naga group could not raise that money.

Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between India and United Kingdom

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between India and United Kingdom in the energy sector. Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Under the MoU the areas of cooperation are The main focus will be on the electricity market structure and the integration of renewable energy into the grid. Market reforms, regulatory structures and market competition in the distribution and supply of electricity. It includes incentives and regulations for Renewable Energy deployment. Promotion of energy efficiency practice and policies including vehicular fuel efficiency and industrial energy efficiency. The integration of renewable energy into the grid. It includes off-shore wind energy and solar energy and Tidal energy. Promotion of smart grids, energy storage and new energy technologies along with off-grid renewable energy services. It also includes capacity building of renewable energy institutions. The MoU will provide a framework for technical assistance in the energy sector along with in-kind grant and other support through relevant projects initiated by UK. The programme under MoU would help to improve energy security and reliability of supply at both centre and state levels. It would also improve energy access and facilitate sustainable economic growth. MoU between India and Indonesia The Union Cabinet also approved MoU between India and Indonesia in the field of new and renewable energy. It was signed in Jakarta during the visit of Vice President M. Hamid to Indonesia in November 2015. The MoU seeks to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional framework to promote and encourage technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues.

निगोशिएबल इन्स्ट्रूमेण्ट्स (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2015

निगोशिएबल इन्स्ट्रूमेण्ट्स (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2015 को लोकसभा द्वारा इसी वर्ष मानसून सत्र के दौरान पारित किया गया था। इस विधेयक को राज्यसभा द्वारा पारित किए जाने के बाद यह विधेयक भारतीय संसद द्वारा पूर्णतया पारित हो गया है।
इस विधेयक के द्वारा सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के उस निर्णय को पलटा जा रहा है जिसमें कहा गया था कि चेक बाउंस होने के मामलों में मुकदमा वहीं दायर किया जा सकता है जहाँ चेक जारी करने वाला बैंक स्थित है। इस विधेयक ने यह व्यवस्था कर दी है कि ऐसे मामलों में मुकदमा वहाँ दर्ज किया जायेगा जहाँ चेक को भुगतान के लिए प्रस्तुत किया गया है। इस विधेयक ने यह प्रावधान भी किया है कि चेक बाउंस से सम्बन्धित मामले उन्हीं न्यायालयों में दायर किए जा सकेंगे जिनका अधिकार क्षेत्र चेक से भुगतान प्राप्त करने वाले व्यक्ति के बैंक पर है। माना जा रहा है कि निगोशिएबल इन्स्ट्रूमेण्ट्स (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2015 का प्रभाव चेक बाउंस से सम्बन्धित 18 लाख से अधिक लम्बित मामलों पर पड़ेगा।

PM releases commemorative coins

 Mr. Modi released two commemorative coins of Rs. 125 and Rs. 10 denomination as part of the 125th birth anniversary year celebrations of B.R. Ambedkar.

The coins were issued on his death anniversary, which is being observed as “Mahaparinirvan Divas of Babasaheb Ambedkar“.

Addressing a gathering at his residence, the Prime Minister said that there were only a few individuals who remain alive in public consciousness, even 60 years after their death.

He said the more one recalls Ambedkar’s thoughts, in the context of issues currently faced by India, “the more we come to respect his vision and his approach to inclusiveness“.

The Prime Minister said that while his contributions towards social justice have been recognised, his economic thoughts and vision are still not fully understood, and these need to be appreciated.

Mr. Modi said Ambedkar and the Constitution of India should always be discussed and talked about in this country, and the observance of Constitution Day on November 26, was a step in that direction.

He appreciated Ambedkar’s vision on subjects such as women empowerment, India’s federal structure, finance and education, a press release issued by Prime Minister’s Office said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitleyand Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot were present onthe occasion.

Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah  welcomed the talks between National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan in Bangkok, stating that holding the dialogue away from media glare can lead to “quiet progress”.

“Good to see India and Pakistan resume the dialogue process,” Mr. Omar wrote on microblogging site twitter.

“Perhaps this is the way quiet progress will be made away from each other’s capitals and the glare of media driven expectations,” he tweeted.

The working president of opposition National Conference was reacting to a sudden breakthrough in Indo-Pak ties, wherein National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan held talks in the Thai capital on Sunday on a wide gamut of bilateral ties including terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir, and agreed to take forward the “constructive” engagement.

Mr. Omar noted the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Paris recently was more than courtesy meeting.

“Clearly Paris was more than the officially termed courtesy meeting,” he said.

The NC leader added that it was a challenge to ensure that the dialogue process between the two countries was protected from incidents specifically aimed at derailing it.

“Now thechallenge is to make sure the Indo-Pak dialogue process is ring-fenced fromincidents designed specifically to derail it,” he said.

Illegal remittances scaled down to Rs 3,200 crore in BoB case

The total amount of illegal overseas remittances made through a Bank of Baroda branch on the pretext of imports, which is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, has been scaled down from Rs. 6,172 crore to about Rs. 3,200 crore.

“The bank had initially quoted overseas remittances to the tune of Rs. 6,172 crore, based on an internal audit. Following a review, the bank then brought it down to Rs. 5,100 crore. However, the latest figure stands at Rs.3,200 crore,” said an officer.

The agencies are investigating the transactions made through 59 bank accounts that were opened with an Ashok Vihar branch of Bank of Baroda here, allegedly in conspiracy with two bank officials. The money was transferred to Hong Kong and Dubai.

Most of the accounts were in the name of import firms, which had furnished fake addresses. Investigations revealed that identification papers of slum dwellers, drivers and street vendors were used to set up these shell companies, for which they were paid Rs. 10,000-15,000 a month.

The agencies found that unscrupulous exporters resorted to trade-based money laundering to get undue duty drawback incentives. They would overvalue their goods and send them to their conduits in the same country as that of end buyers. The middlemen would transport the goods to the end buyers, for which they would get genuine payments. However, using inflated invoices, they would pay extra amount to their Indian accomplices, on the basis of which the exporters claimed duty drawback.

The arrangement resulted in deficit of funds on the part of the middlemen and to overcome the shortfall, the differential would be pushed into the banking system through small undetectable deposits made by entry operators in a large number of accounts in India. Once into the banking channel, the total amount would be diverted to the current accounts of shell companies.

Ramanujan’s gift: solutions to elliptic curves

As numbers go, 1729, the Hardy-Ramanujan number, is not new to math enthusiasts. But now, this number has triggered a major discovery — on Ramanujan and the theory of what are known as elliptical curves.

The anecdote goes that once when Hardy visited Ramanujan who was sick, Hardy remarked: “I had ridden in taxicab number 1729, and it seems to me a rather dull number. I hope it was not an unfavourable omen.” To this Ramanujan had replied, “No, it is a very interesting number. It is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways.”

Yes, 1729 = 9³ + 10³ and also 1729 = 12³ +1³

This story is often narrated to explain Ramanujan’s familiarity with numbers but not more than that. Recent discoveries have brought to light that it was far from coincidence that Ramanujan knew the properties of 1729. There are now indications that he had, in fact, been looking at more general structures of which this number was but an example.

Mathematicians Ken Ono and Andrew Granville were leafing through Ramanujan’s manuscripts at the Wren Library in Cambridge University, two years ago, when they came across the equation 9³ + 10³ = 12³ +1³, scribbled in a corner. Recognising the representations of the number 1729, they were amused at first; then they looked again and found that there was another equation on the same page that indicated Ramanujan had been working, even then, on a famous seventeenth century problem known as Fermat’s Last Theorem (proved by Andrew Wiles in 1994).

“I thought I knew all of the papers there, but to my surprise, we found one page with near misses to the Fermat equation,” writes Dr Ono, who is also a Ramanujan scholar, in an email to this correspondent. Having a sneaking suspicion that Ramanujan had a secret method that gave him his amazing formulas, Dr Ono returned to Emory University and started working on these leads with his PhD student Sarah Trebat Leder.

“Together we worked backwards through Ramanujan’s notes, and we figured out his secret…[Ramanujan] arrived at the formulae on this page by producing a much more general identity. One which I recognised as a K3 surface (a concept that mathematician Andrew Wiles used for solving Fermat’s last theorem), an object that mathematicians did not discover until the 1960s,” notes Dr Ono.

Ramanujan died in 1920, long before mathematicians discovered the K3 surfaces, but from research done by Ono and Trebat Leder, it transpires that he knew of these functions long before. Dr Ono continues, “Ramanujan produced so many mysterious formulas, which can be misunderstood at first glance. We have come to learn that Ramanujan was perhaps the greatest anticipator of mathematics. His bizarre methods and formulas have repeatedly offered hints of the future in mathematics. In this case, we have added to Ramanujan’s legend.”

Commentingon their own work on this, he says, “He [Ramanujan] anticipated the theory of K3 surfaces before anyone had the merest glimpse. These surfaces are now at the forefront of research in mathematics and physics. In addition to adding to Ramanujan’s legacy, Sarah and I were able to apply his formulas to a problem in number theory (finding large rank elliptic curves), and his formulas immediately set the record on the problem. We hardly had any work to do. Ramanujan’s formula was a gift to us.”

Nestle India declares interim dividend of Rs.154 crore

The FMCG major Nestle India, recovering after the lifting of ban on its popular instant noodles Maggi, today declared a second interim dividend for 2015 at Rs.16 per share, amounting to Rs.154.26 crore.

The Board of the company, in a meeting held on Friday “declared second interim dividend of Rs. 16 per equity share for 2015 on the entire issued, subscribed and paid-up share capital of the company of 96,415,716 equity shares of the nominal value of Rs.10 each,” Nestle said in a BSE filing.

“The second interim dividend for 2015 will be paid on and from December 23,” it added. The company follows January-December financial year.

Earlier, on May 15, Nestle India had declared an interim dividend of Rs. 14 per equity share for the year. It was paid from June 2.

Nestle India relaunched Maggi noodles in the market on November 9, after fulfilling conditions set by Bombay High Court, which lifted ban imposed by the FSSAI and Maharashtra FDA.

Nestle India shares were trading 0.35 per cent up at Rs. 5,857 per scrip during afternoon session on BSE.

Centre to set up 12 petrochemical complexes

Government is working on a policy to establish 12 more petrochemical complexes in order to have one complex in each 16 refineries, a move which could entail few lakh crore of investment, Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar said.

At present, there are four Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) or petrochemical complexes in the country. A PCPIR is usually a delineated area for manufacturing various types of petrochemical compounds. “..instead of four there will be 16 investment regions and we would be able to milk the entire crude to the last drop,” he said at the National summit on Indian Chemical Industry organised by Assocham.

“We will try to ensure that these petrochemical complexes will be accompanied by the processing industries,” he added. PCPIRs are currently present in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

Speaking at the same event, Chemicals Secretary Surjit Chaudhary said that the government was working on a policy to have at least one petrochemical complex in each refinery which could result in an investment of few lakh crore. As per the PCPIR policy, the Centre has to ensure the availability of external physical infrastructure linkages to these regions including rail, road connectivity to national highways, ports, and telecom connectivity.

Agreement with Germany in the field of solar energy

The Union Cabinet has approved an agreement with Germany to expand bilateral cooperation in the field of solar energy between both countries. In this regard, Union Cabinet has approved a MoU which was signed in October 2015 between both countries during Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to India. It was signed to expand bilateral development cooperation in the field of Solar Energy by increasing use of solar energy through technical and financial cooperation in India. Under the agreement Germany will provide concessional loans to India in the range of 1 billion Euros over the next five years i.e. till 2020. Concessional loans will be provided through Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW), a German government-owned development bank. The loan funds of KfW will be also utilized for providing soft loans to the end-users through partner banks. The bilateral cooperation between the two countries will help India meet some part of its ambitious target generating 100 GW solar power generation capacity under the National Solar Mission (NSM) by 2022. MoU for Capital Goods Sector Union Cabinet also has approved MoU between India and Germany which has been signed for implementation of Make in India campaign for Capital Goods Sector. It was signed between Department of Heavy Industries and Germany’s Fraunhofer Gesellschaft which is a leading organisation in Europe for applied industrial research. The objective of MoU is to provide platform to various PSUs and capital goods sector units in order to have easy access to capabilities and expertise of Fraunhofer. It would help for identifying and plugging technology gaps in Indian PSUs in line with 12th Five Year Plan.