Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Goa Govt launched ‘Krishi Card’ for farmers

Government sets up Inter-ministerial Committee to boost exports from MSMEs

NABARD opens first Farmers’ Club in Kargil

Monday, April 29, 2013

“Lucknow Zardozi” gets GI (Geographical Indication) registration

“Lucknow Zardozi” gets GI (Geographical Indication) registration

April 29th, 2013
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The Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) has accorded the Geographical Indication (GI) registration to the Lucknow Zardozi – the world renowned textile embroidery.
Registered under the brand of Lucknow Zardozi, the registration has been secured by Kalatmak Handicrafts Self Help Group Foundation, Lucknow.
The Zardozi products manufactured in areas in Lucknow and six surrounding districts of Barabanki, Unnao, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Hardoi and Amethi have now become a BRAND and will carry a registered logo to confirm their authenticity. This official recognition will now assist the several stakeholders in product differentiation, checking imitation and deducing more economic benefit from its trade. With GI registration, the craft has gained a global recognition.
  • Lucknow now has the distinction of 3 GI brands viz. “Chikankari“, “Zardozi” and “Dussehri mango.
Zardozi
  • “Zardozi” or “Zar-douzi”
  • Type of embroidery in Iran, India and Pakistan.
  • ‘Zardozi’ is a Persian word that means Sewing with gold string.
  • Zardozi style of embroidery has been in existence in India from the time of the Rig Veda.
  • Zardozi style of embroidery flourished during the Mugal Emperor, Akbar
  • Loss of royal patronage and industrialization led to decline in this style.
  • Zardozi style is at present very popular in the Indian cities of Lucknow, Farrukhabad and Chennai.
Geographical Indications Registry

Geographical Indications Registry is responsible for the administration of laws relating to Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.
  • Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
  • They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
  • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003.
What is a Geographical Indication?
  • It is an indication
  • It originates from a definite geographical territory.
  • It is used to identify agricultural, natural or manufactured goods
  • The manufactured goods should be produced or processed or prepared in that territory.
  • It should have a special quality or reputation or other characteristics
Jurisdiction:
  1. A Geographical Indications Registry with all India jurisdiction operates in Chennai, as per the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.
  2. Under the Act, agricultural, natural or manufactured goods originating or manufactured in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of such goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin and in cases where such goods are manufactured goods, one of the activities of either production or of processing or preparation of the goods concerned takes place in such territory, region or locality, are registrable as Geographical Indications. Whether a particular product is registrable or not is determined by the Registrar of Geographical Indications, on receipt of the application.
Benefits of Geographical Indication
  • It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India
  • Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others
  • It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications which in turn boost exports.
  • It promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.
Who can apply for the registration of a geographical indication?
  • Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can apply:
  • The applicant must represent the interest of the producers
  • The application should be in writing in the prescribed form
  • The application should be addressed to the Registrar of Geographical Indications alongwith prescribed fee.
Registered proprietor
  • Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can be a registered proprietor.
  • Their name should be entered in the Register of Geographical Indication as registered proprietor for the Geographical Indication applied for.
Authorised user
  • A producer of goods can apply for registration as an authorised user
  • It must be in respect of a registered geographical indication
  • He should apply in writing in the prescribed form along with prescribed fee
  • An authorised user has the exclusive rights to the use of geographical indication in relation to goods in respect of which it is registered.
Who is a producer in relation to a Geographical Indication?
The persons dealing with three categories of goods are covered under the term Producer:
  • Agricultural Goods includes the production, processing, trading or dealing
  • Natural Goods includes exploiting, trading or dealing
  • Handicrafts or Industrial goods includes making, manufacturing, trading or dealing.
How long the registration of Geographical Indication is valid?
  • The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years
Can a Geographical Indication be renewed?
  • It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.
What is the effect if a Geographical Indication if it is not renewed?
  • If a registered geographical indication is not renewed it is liable to be removed from the register.
Infringement of the registered Geographical Indication
In following conditions, the GI is deemed to be infringed:
  • When an unauthorised user uses a geographical indication that indicates or suggests that such goods originate in a geographical area other than the true place of origin of such goods in a manner which mislead the public as to the geographical origin of such goods.
  • When the use of geographical indication result in an unfair competition including passing off in respect of registered geographical indication.
  • When the use of another geographical indication results in false representation to the public that goods originate in a territory in respect of which a registered geographical indication relates.
Infringement action
  • The registered proprietor or authorised users of a registered geographical indication can initiate an infringement action.
Can a registered geographical indication be assigned, transmitted, etc?
  • No. A geographical indication is a public property belonging to the producers of the concerned goods.
  • It shall not be the subject matter of assignment, transmission, licensing, pledge, mortgage or such other agreement
  • However, when an authorised user dies, his right devolves on his successor in title.
Can a registered geographical indication or a registered authorised user be removed from the register?
  • Yes. The Appellate Board or the Registrar of Geographical Indications has the power to remove the geographical indication or an authorised user from the register. Further, on application by an aggrieved person action can be taken.
How a geographical indication is different from a trade mark?
  • A trade mark is a sign which is used in the course of trade and it distinguishes goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Whereas a geographical indication is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
Some products with GI Tag (List includes products from 2003-2008)
Tea:
  1. Darjeeling Tea (Name and Logo).
  2. Kangra Tea – Himachal Pradesh
  3. Assam Tea (Application of Assam Tea under process (November 2009)
Agricultural Products:
  1. Navara Rice:Kerala
  2. Palakkadan Matta Rice:Kerala
  3. Malabar Pepper :Kerala
  4. Alleppey Green Cardamom:Kerala
  5. Coorg Green Cardamom:Karnataka
  6. Allahabad Surkha – Uttar Pradesh (Guava)
Coffee:
  1. Monsooned Malabar Arabica Coffee:Karnataka
  2. Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee:Karnataka
Coir Products:
  1. Alleppy Coir : Kerala
Leather :
  1. E I Leather : Tamilnadu
Embroidary:
  1. Kasuti Embroidery : Karnataka
Essential Oils:
  1. Mysore Sandalwood Oil : Karnataka
Handicrafts:
  1. Aranmula Kannadi : Kerala
  2. Bidriware : Karnataka
  3. Channapatna Toys & Dolls : Karnataka
  4. Mysore Rosewood Inlay : Karnataka
  5. Kondapalli Bommallu : Andhra Pradesh
  6. Silver Filigree of Karimnagar : Andhra Pradesh
  7. Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil : Tamil Nadu
  8. Thanjavur Art Plate : Tamil Nadu
  9. Applique – Khatwa Patch Work of Bihar : Bihar
  10. Sujini Embroidery Work of Bihar : Bihar
  11. Sikki Grass Work of Bihar : Bihar
  12. Ganjifa cards of Mysore (Karnataka) : Karnataka
  13. Karnataka Bronze Ware : Karnataka
Horticulture:
  1. Mysore Jasmine : Karnataka
  2. Udupi Jasmine : Karnataka
  3. Hadagali Jasmine : Karnataka
  4. Coorg Orange : Karnataka
  5. Mysore Betel leaf : Karnataka
  6. Nanjanagud Banana : Karnataka
Incense Sticks:
  1. Mysore Agarbathi
Paintings:
  1. Mysore Traditional Paintings : Karnataka
  2. Madhubani Paintings : Bihar
  3. Thanjavur Paintings : Tamil Nadu
Soap :
  1. Mysore Sandal Soap – Karnataka
Textiles & Textile Goods:
  1. Pochampalli Ikat : Andhra Pradesh
  2. Salem Fabric : Tamil Nadu
  3. Chanderi Fabric : Madhya Pradesh
  4. Solapur Chaddar : Maharashtra
  5. Solapur Terry Towel : Maharashtra
  6. Kotpad Handloom fabric : Orrissa
  7. Mysore Silk : Karnataka
  8. Kota Doria : Rajasthan
  9. Kancheepuram Silk : Tamil Nadu
  10. Kullu Shawl : Himachal Pradesh
  11. Madurai Sungudi : Tamil Nadu
  12. Orissa Ikat : Orissa
  13. Srikalahasthi Kalamkari : Andhra Pradesh
  14. Muga Silk : Assam
  15. Ilkal Sarees : Karnataka
  16. Nakshi Kantha : New Delhi
  17. Navalgund Durries : Karnataka
  18. Molakalmuru Sarees : Karnataka
  19. Salem Silk : Tamil Nadu
  20. Kovai Cora Cotton : Tamil Nadu
  21. Arani Silk : Tamil Nadu
  22. Bhavani Jamakkalam (carpet ) : Tamil Nadu
Wet Grinder:
  1. Coimbatore Wet Grinder

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Annual Supplement (2013-14) to the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14: Govt declares SEZ reforms to arouse investors’ interest

Saturday, April 27, 2013

First cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ test: India achieves partial success as MTCR proves a key hurdle for India

CISPA bill on cyber security passed by the US House of representatives BUT will certainly be shelved by the Senate

Friday, April 26, 2013

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)

April 26th, 2013
image
Govt. launched a 6-year aspirational agricultural research programme, the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP).
To fulfill the Govt of India’s objectives as expressed in India’s National Policy on Agriculture (NPA), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has started National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), which grants high priority to generation and transfer of agricultural technologies, and proposes innovations in the technology system.
Objectives of NAIP:
Overall Objective: To alleviate the accelerated and sustainable transformation of Indian agriculture in support of poverty easing and income generation via cooperative development and application of agricultural innovations by the public organizations in partnership with farmers groups, the private sector and other stakeholders.
  • NAIP is planned for 6 years to allow time for piloting, learning and then scaling up wherever possible.
Specific objectives/Components of NAIP:
The NAIP will function through four components:
1. Component 1 - The ICAR as the Catalyzing Agent for the Management of Change in the Indian NARS: To build the critical capacity of the ICAR as a catalyzing agent for management of change of the Indian NARS. Component 1 strengthens the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as the catalyzing agent for managing change in the Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS) by focusing on: 1.1 Information, communication and dissemination system; 1.2 Business planning and development; 1.3 Learning and capacity building; 1.4 Policy and gender analysis and visioning; 1.5 Remodeling financial management and procurement systems; and 1.6 Project implementation.
2. Component 2 – Research on Production to Consumption Systems (PCS): To promote production to consumption systems research in priority areas/themes to enhance productivity, nutrition, profitability, income and employment. Thus, Component 2 funds research on production-to-consumption systems.
3. Component 3 – Research on Sustainable Rural Livelihood Security (SRLS): To improve livelihood security of rural people living in selected disadvantaged regions through innovation systems led by technology and encompassing the wider process of social and economic change covering all stakeholders. Thus, Component 3 funds research on sustainable rural livelihood security.
4. Component 4 – Basic and Strategic Research in the Frontier Areas of Agricultural Sciences (BSR): To build capacity and undertake basic and strategic research in strategic areas to meet technology development challenges in the immediate and predictable future. Thus, Component 4 supports basic and strategic research in the frontier areas of agricultural science.
Total Budget for the NAIP:
  • The total budget of NAIP is USD 250 million = USD 200 mn World Bank) + USD 50 mn by GoI).
World Bank will fund US $ 200 million as credit (mostly interest free and a part with negligible interest) and USD 50 million by the Government of India.
The NAIP will be carried out in a decentralized mode. The basic introduction in governance in the system is that the enforcing consortia/ institutions will be helped by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to work with full freedom and accountability and without intervening controls of the project authority once they have entered into partnership and clear agreements with the ICAR.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Kepler-62e, 62f and 69c: Earth-like planets that could host life discovered by NASA

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

IBIN – ‘India Backbone Implementation Network’ and India@75

IBIN – ‘India Backbone Implementation Network’ and India@75

April 24th, 2013
Montek Singh Ahluwalia (The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission) recently launched the India Backbone Implementation Network (IBIN).
Objective: To improve execution of policies, programs, and projects, which the 12th Five Year Plan has set as the vital requisite for speeding up more inclusive and quicker growth.
What are the major causes of delay in implementation of projects and schemes in India?
  • A study of projects and schemes has brought out that the key reasons of chokepoints in execution are conflict amongst stakeholders, and poor coordination between agencies.
  • These chokepoints are at many stages in the system, at the centre, in the states, in districts and cities too.
Why the need for IBIN?
  • These chokepoints discussed above cannot be eased top down by the Planning Commission.
  • They call for cooperative action by stakeholders and agencies at several points. So, the need for IBIN.
IBIN:
image India Backbone Implementation Network (IBIN).
Modeled on the very successful Total Quality Movement (TQM) in Japan which in the 1960s and 70s metamorphosed the potentiality of Japanese organizations in the private and public sectors to deliver results. The TQM was furnished to teams within organizations, and to inter-organization teams, techniques and tools with which they could make fast improvements of procedures thus transforming Japan into the brand of excellence at international level.
  • IBIN will spread techniques and skills for collaboration, coordination, and improve planning via a network of agencies in India. The partners in IBIN already comprise institutions such as the Administrative Staff College of India, the Indian School of Business, SEWA, WISCOMP, UNDP, GIZ, the World Bank, FISME, etc.
  • The IBIN network will form around nodes. The function of a node will be to draw together suppliers of the skills and proficiencies and the agencies that need them, and to ceaselessly filter good practices and propagate them extensively.
  • The Planning Commission has analyzed best practices for coordination and execution in other countries also, such as Korea, Malaysia, Brazil, and Germany. Planning Commission has brought in various innovations in the 12th Plan to better planning, communication, and execution. These include the use of proficiencies of ‘scenario planning’ for the first time, use of social media for communications with young, and the construct of IBIN.
  • The Planning Commission partnered with India@75 to launch IBIN and incubating it in India@75.
Partnership of Planning Commission and India@75 for IBIN:
  • Planning Commission and India@75 have partnered together to launch IBIN.
  • Objective of Partnership: To assist collaborative movements of change to achieve national goals in important sectors. India@75 will assist in expanding the IBIN network.
  • India@75 is already occupied with flourishing skill development. Planning Commission has partnered with India@75 to set up a cell within India@75 which will be the first node of IBIN.
What is India@75?
  • India@75 is a 3-Dimensional development idea for India which was articulated by Prof C.K.Prahalad and then accepted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on May 8, 2008.
  • Professor Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad (C.K. Prahalad,1941 – 2010), Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in the University of Michigan was the inspirational force behind the India@75 initiative.
  • On September 23, 2007, while celebrating the India@60 (commemorating the 60th year of India’s independence) programme at New York, USA, Prof. C.K.Prahalad articulated the idea of holistic three dimensional development of India to assume adequate economic strength, technological vitality and moral leadership by 75 years of independence i.e. YEAR 2022.
  • India@75 is a path breaking go-ahead that visualizes how India should be in her 75th year of independence and attempts to draw together all stakeholders including the industry, government, institutions, community groups and individuals to transform the vision into a reality.

The National Policy for Children, 2012

The National Policy for Children, 2012

April 24th, 2013
The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the National Policy for Children, 2012.
The National Policy for Children, 2012
  • Reaffirms the government’s dedication to the recognition of the rights of all children in the country.
  • Acknowledges every person below the age of 18 years as a child and that childhood is an integral part of life with a value of its own, and a long term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approach is essential for the pleasant development and protection of children.
  • Establishes the guiding principles that must be respected by national, state and local governments in their actions and initiatives affecting children.
  • As children’s needs are multi-sectoral, interlinked and call for collective action, the policy directs at meaningful convergence and firm coordination across different sectors and levels of governance; active participation and partnerships with all stakeholders; establishing of a comprehensive and authentic knowledge base; supplying of enough resources; and sensitization and capacity development of all those who work for and with children.
Key guiding principles of the National Policy for Children, 2012:
  • Right of every child to life, survival, development, education, protection and participation
  • Equal rights for all children without discrimination
  • Best interest of the child as a principal concern in all actions and decisions affecting children
  • Family environment is the most contributing for all-round growth of children.
Key priority areas the National Policy for Children, 2012:
The policy has identified the following as the undeniable rights of every child, and has also declared these as key priority areas:
  • Survival
  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Education
  • Development
  • Protection
  • Participation
Operation and Supervision of the Policy
  • National Coordination and Action Group (NCAG)  be established in order to supervise the performance of National Policy for Children.
  • A National Plan of Action will be formulated to give effect to the policy.
  • Alike plans and coordination and action groups will be established at the state and district levels.
  • The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights are to ascertain that the principles of the policy are valued in all sectors at all levels. There is a condition for reassessment of the policy every 5 years.
  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the nodal ministry for supervising and coordinating the effectuation of the policy and will lead the review process for the policy.

Universal Commodity Exchange (UCX) – India’s 6th Commodity Exchange goes live

Universal Commodity Exchange (UCX) – India’s 6th Commodity Exchange goes live

April 24th, 2013
India’s 6th countrywide commodity futures trading platform — Universal Commodity Exchange (UCX) went live. The exchange has enrolled over 200 members for trading on its platform which it expects issuance of unparalleled trading code by the markets regulator the Forward Markets Commission (FMC).
  • UCX is based in Mumbai
  • Founder of UCX: Ketan Sheth
The launch of a new exchange UCX, nevertheless, is set to escalate competition among the commodity trading platforms. Interestingly, traders would gain from inter-exchange and inter-contract arbitrage chances.
The commodity futures platforms in India:
Exchange

Product Types
Indian Commodity Exchange Limited (ICEX)clip_image002   Energy, Precious Metals, Base Metals, Agricultural, Fibers, Oils & Oilseed Complex, Minerals, Other Agro Products
Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX)clip_image004   Bullions, Metals, Energy, Oil & Oil Seeds, Spices, Pulses, Fiber, Weather, Plantations, Other
National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX)clip_image006   Plantation Products, Cereals and Pulses, Oil and Oil seeds, Fibres, Guar Complex, Spices, Soft, Metals, Precious Metals, Energy, Others
National Multi-Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (NMCE)clip_image008   Oils and Seeds, Spices, Pulses, Precious Metals, Base Metals, Others
Ace Derivatives & Commodity Exchange Ltd. (ACE)clip_image010   Oil and Seeds, Pulses, Fiber, Others
Universal Commodity Exchange (UCX)clip_image012   Bullion and Metals, Energy, Agricultural

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

GAIL to sell part of its 4.% stake in China Gas Holdings

Thursday, April 18, 2013

K. Kasturirangan High-Level Working Group

K. Kasturirangan High-Level Working Group

April 18th, 2013
K. Kasturirangan-led 10-member panel High-Level Working Group (HLWG) Presented its report on Western Ghats to MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests)
K. Kasturirangan-led 10-member panel High-Level Working Group (HLWG) has prepared a report on Western Ghats which suggests for ban on development activities in 60,000 sq km ecologically sensitive area spread over Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Objective: K.Kasturirangan panel was formed to study and advise Govt on the earlier report of ecologist Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
Some Facts:
  • Around 37% of the total area defined as the boundary of the Western Ghats is ecologically sensitive.
  • This area is of about 60,000 sq km and it spreads over the states of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
What were the key suggestions made by the K. Kasturirangan led HLWG?
  • K.Kasturirangan panel has moved away from the suggestions of the Gadgil panel.
  • The HLWG has suggested a prohibitive regimen on those activities which have the most interference and harmful impact on the environment.
  • The report notes, “environmentally sound development cannot preclude livelihood and economic options for this region… the answer (to the question of how to manage and conserve the Ghats) will not lie in removing these economic options, but in providing better incentives to move them towards greener and more sustainable practices”.
  • Promotion of Ecotourism along the ecologically-volatile Western Ghats to preserve the depleting natural wealth of the area
  • Economically empower the local population
  • Incentivize green growth in the Western Ghats – i.e. supervising forests and bettering their productivity to ascertain inclusive growth and economical gains for local communities; integrating forest accounts into state and national economic assessments; initiating an ecosystem service fund to help villages around the forests; promoting sustainable agriculture and; encouraging ecotourism for local benefits.
  • Establish a Decision Support and Monitoring Centre for Geospatial Analysis and Policy Support in the Western Ghats, which will supervise changes and propose state government on policy reform and all such reports must be in the public domain.
  • High-resolution map, delimiting ecologically sensitive areas, down to each village settlement, must be put in the public domain so that people can be involved in taking decisions about environment.
  • The HLWG report draws upon the basic framework suggested by WGEEP to use remote sensing technologies to demarcate the ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats but with two key differences:-
First: it used satellite data, down to 24 m resolution, as against 9 km used by WGEEP.
This finer resolution was possible because of the collaboration with NRSC/ISRO, which used datasets to distinguish vegetation types over the landscape of the entire Western Ghats.
Second: it distinguishes between the cultural and the natural landscape of the region.
Using remote sensing technology, it has found that the cultural landscape – which includes human settlements, agricultural fields and plantations – covers 58.44% of the region.
The natural landscape ranges over the remaining 41.56 %.
Thus, HLWG has moved away from the suggestions of the Expert Panel, which had recommended a blanket approach consisting of guidelines for sector-wise activities, which would be permitted in the ecologically sensitive zones.
What were the key suggestions made by the Madhav Gadgil led WGEEP earlier?
Earlier, the WGEEP had suggested that:
  • Entire Western Ghats be declared as an ecologically sensitive area.
  • 3 levels of categorization for the regulatory measures for protection would be imposed.
  • Establishment of the Western Ghats Ecology Authority for management of the Ghats.
  • A blanket approach comprising of road map for sector-wise activities, which could be permitted in the ecologically sensitive zones.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD)

Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD)

April 14th, 2013
PJ Kurien – New Chairman of Asian forum of Parliamentarians
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien elected as the Chairman of the prestigious Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD). He replaced Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan as the Chairman of AFPPD. PJ Kurien is also the Chairman of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD)
Established in 1981 as a regional NGO which serves as a coordinating body of 25 National Committees of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
Objective:
  • To generate cooperation and support among the Asian Parliamentarians in different areas like population and development issues.
  • Initiate, promote and support exchange programs among the parliamentarians in Asia and the Pacific.
  • Promote other lawful acts which generate cooperation and support among the Asian Parliamentarians.
Structure:
  • General Assembly - highest decision making body of AFPPD
  • Executive Committee  - provides direction, monitors progress and approves financial and administrative reports.
  • Standing Committee - provide direction on specific programs and actions. 3 Standing committees:
  1. Standing Committee on the Status of Womenadvises the AFPPD on parliamentarians’ activities on the status of women, gender equality and equity,
  2. Standing Committee on Population and Food Securitydeals with issues such as food security, water resources, poverty, environment and climate change
  3. Standing Committee on Male Involvement in EVAW (Elimination of Violence Against Women )offers a role in working together via furnishing information and reinforcing male involvement across the network all over other parliaments.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Direct Benefits Transfer subsidy scheme to extended to 78 more districts in July 2013

National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly

National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly

April 10th, 2013
“National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly” (NPHCE)
NPHCE launched during 11th Plan period by The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare keeping in view the recommendations made in the “National Policy on Older Persons” as well as the State’s obligation under the “Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007”.
Objective:
  • To address various health related problems of elderly people.
  • To provide separate and specialized comprehensive healthcare to the senior citizens at various level of State healthcare delivery system including outreach services.
Some of the key components of the NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were:
Establishment of 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different parts of the country and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres in 100 identified districts of 21 States.
Future plan for NPHCE:
  • Programme being implemented in a phased manner. 100 districts have been selected initally from 21 States in 11th Five Year Plan.
  • Proposal to cover more districts under the programme.
  • Development of 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of India during the 12th Five Year Plan
  • Establishment of National Institute of Aging at AIIMS, New Delhi and Madras Medical College, Chennai.
    Continuation of programme activities in the existing 100 districts and 8 Regional Geriatric Centres.
    Addition of 4 new Regional Geriatric Centres.
    Addition of more districts in a phased manner.