South Korea is the sixth most heavily urbanized country in Asia mainly due to concentration of jobs and social infrastructure in cities, a recent report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said.
The report which was released here yesterday checked 48 Asian-Pacific countries in 2009 showed six countries with more than 80 per cent of their population living in urban areas, with the figure for South Korea hitting 81.5 per cent.
The country's high percentage is mainly attributed to concentration of employment opportunities, educational and social infrastructures in cities such as Seoul and a lack of incentives to attract people to rural areas. Seoul is home to more than one-fifth of the country's 49 million people.
Countries such as Palau, Brunei Darussalam and the Marshall Islands had urbanization rates of over 70 per cent, while the percentage of the total population living in cities in Japan and Taiwan stood at 66.5 percent and 59.1 per cent each. This placed the two countries in 11th and 16th place among the countries checked.
China's urbanization rate stood at 46.6 per cent last year, coming in 22nd, with India coming in 34th with just 29.4 per cent of its population living in urban areas, the report said.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Preserve Pulicat
AARDE Foundation, in association with Indian Maritime Foundation & Ocean Conservancy, USA, has arranged for an International Coastal Clean-Up at Pulicat (also called Pazhverkadu) on September 3. It is a joint effort by volunteers from Chennai and the people of Pulicat.
Pulicat is the second largest brackish-water eco-system in India after Chilka Lake in Orissa. Shared by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the million-year-old ecosystem is fed by rivers such as Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi. Commercial fishery is the major source of income for people in the surrounding areas. The lake is the third most important wetland on the eastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds during the spring and autumn seasons.
The rich history and the rich bio-diversity of Pulicat Lake calls for careful conservation and this requires concerted action. The International Coastal Clean-up is aimed at encouraging active participation in conservation.
The clean-up calls for volunteer participation to make the initiative a success. They will be picked up at 5.30 a.m. on September 3 from Loyola College, Nungambakkam.
First renewable energy-based mini-grid system
On Jluy 1, 2011, a renewable energy-based smart mini-grid system, the first of its kind in the country, was formally commissioned on the campus of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in Gurgaon.
The system, which uses advanced digital and control techniques, has been designed and developed by TERI, with support from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and others.
A smart mini-grid is an intelligent electricity distribution network, operating at or below 11KV, to provide electricity to a community. The smart mini-grids use advanced sensing, communication and control technologies to generate, manage, distribute and utilise electricity at the local distribution levels more intelligently and effectively. The system intelligently manages and balances multiple loads through inter-connected energy resources, providing rapid responses to network disturbances, minimising outages and preventing black-outs. The electricity is supplied by a diverse range of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and typically include small conventional generators such as diesel gensets, and/or a range of renewable generators such as solar PV, micro-hydro power plants, wind turbines, biomass etc.
These smart mini-grids can be wisely used to strengthen the country’s electricity sector and also enhance the performance of rural electricity supply systems.
The system, which uses advanced digital and control techniques, has been designed and developed by TERI, with support from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and others.
A smart mini-grid is an intelligent electricity distribution network, operating at or below 11KV, to provide electricity to a community. The smart mini-grids use advanced sensing, communication and control technologies to generate, manage, distribute and utilise electricity at the local distribution levels more intelligently and effectively. The system intelligently manages and balances multiple loads through inter-connected energy resources, providing rapid responses to network disturbances, minimising outages and preventing black-outs. The electricity is supplied by a diverse range of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and typically include small conventional generators such as diesel gensets, and/or a range of renewable generators such as solar PV, micro-hydro power plants, wind turbines, biomass etc.
These smart mini-grids can be wisely used to strengthen the country’s electricity sector and also enhance the performance of rural electricity supply systems.
Intel develops world’s smallest data centre
Chip maker Intel is showing off what they are calling the world’s smallest data centre. Dubbed as “Cloud-in-a-Box” system, the Intel unit is designed to be used as a demonstration tool to illustrate the power and efficiencies of cloud computing. Intel is powering the unit with Xeon processors, but they are also promoting several other security and optimisation technologies like Intel AES New Instructions for more efficient encryption, Intelligent Power Node Manager to better control power needs for increased server density and Intel's Virtualisation Technology.
Intel anticipates that by 2015, 2.5 billion people with more than 15 billion devices will access the Internet. By then, online traffic will reach a zettabyte or ‘one million million billion bytes’.
Intel foresees that soon companies will have to develop data centres with smaller footprint, which are at the same time secure and energy-efficient. According to the company, their new technology will cater to this necessity and will help companies to deploy cloud faster than ever before.
The “Cloud Vision 2015”, Intel’s futuristic vision, anticipates an environment where cloud data centres are seamlessly and securely connected, fully automated “with little or no human interaction and client-aware” providing secure access and optimal experience across a range of devices, from smartphones to notebooks.
Intel anticipates that by 2015, 2.5 billion people with more than 15 billion devices will access the Internet. By then, online traffic will reach a zettabyte or ‘one million million billion bytes’.
Intel foresees that soon companies will have to develop data centres with smaller footprint, which are at the same time secure and energy-efficient. According to the company, their new technology will cater to this necessity and will help companies to deploy cloud faster than ever before.
The “Cloud Vision 2015”, Intel’s futuristic vision, anticipates an environment where cloud data centres are seamlessly and securely connected, fully automated “with little or no human interaction and client-aware” providing secure access and optimal experience across a range of devices, from smartphones to notebooks.
Magsaysay Awards, 2011
Harish Hande, from India. He is being recognized for “his passionate and pragmatic efforts to put solar power technology in the hands of the poor, through a social enterprise that brings customized, affordable, and sustainable electricity to India’s vast rural populace, encouraging the poor to become asset creators.”
Nileema Mishra, from India. She is being recognized for “her purpose-driven zeal to work tirelessly with villagers in Maharashtra, India, organizing them to successfully address both their aspirations and their adversities through collective action and heightened confidence in their potential to improve their own lives.”
Koul Panha, from Cambodia. He is being recognized for “his determined and courageous leadership of the sustained campaign to build an enlightened, organized and vigilant citizenry who will ensure fair and free elections — as well as demand accountable governance by their elected officials – in Cambodia’s nascent democracy.”
Hasanain Juaini, from Indonesia. He is being recognized for “his holistic, community-based approach to pesantren education in Indonesia, creatively promoting values of gender equality, religious harmony, environmental preservation, individual achievement, and civic engagement among young students and their communities.”
Tri Mumpuni, from Indonesia. She is being recognized for “her determined and collaborative efforts to promote micro hydropower technology, catalyze needed policy changes, and ensure full community participation, in bringing electricity and the fruits of development to the rural areas of Indonesia.”
Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI), from the Philippines. The organization is being recognized for “their collective vision, technological innovations, and partnership practices to make appropriate technologies improve the lives and livelihoods of the rural poor in upland Philippine communities and elsewhere in Asia.”
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was created in 1957, the year the Philippines lost in a plane crash a President who was well-loved for his simplicity and humility, his passion for justice, particularly for the poor, and his advancement of human dignity. Among the many friends and admirers of the late President around the world were the Rockefeller brothers. With the concurrence of the Philippine government, the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) established the Award to honor his memory and perpetuate his example of integrity in public service and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.
National Green Tribunal
National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a judicial body constituted to try all matters related to environmental issues. The Tribunal is headed by Justice L.S. Panta. The first sitting of NGT was held on July 4, 2011.
UN Millennium Development Goals Report
According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report, as many as 320 million people in India and China are expected to come out of extreme poverty by 2015, while India’s poverty rate is projected to drop to 22%, from 55% in 1990. Those living on less than $1.25 a day are considered extremely poor.
South Sudan formally declares independence
Tens of thousands of South Sudanese danced and cheered as their new country formally declared its independence on July 9, 2011, a hard-won separation from the north that also plunged the fractured region into a new period of uncertainty.
The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, stood next to his old civil war foe, the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who now leads just the north, at a ceremony to mark the birth of the new nation.
Under-developed, oil-producing South Sudan won its independence in a January 2011 referendum, the climax of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of fighting with the north.
Security forces at first tried to control the streets in the south’s dusty capital Juba, but retreated as jubilant crowds moved in overnight and through the day, waving flags, dancing and chanting “South Sudan o-yei, freedom o-yei”.
The North Sudan’s government was the first to recognise South Sudan, hours before the split took place, a move that smoothed the way to the division. The United States, China, India and Britain signalled their recognition of the State on July 9.
However, northern and southern leaders have still not agreed on a list of issues, most importantly the line of the border, the ownership of the disputed Abyei region and how they will handle oil revenues, the lifeblood of both economies.
With the split, the Republic of Sudan lost almost a third of its territory and about three quarters of its oil reserves, which are sited in the south. Sudan now shrinks to being the third largest State in Africa, with about 1.86 million sq km of territory.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Highest number of new born deaths in India: WHO
More new born babies die in India every year than in any other country, despite the number of neonatal deaths around the world witnessing a steady decline, a new study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. New born deaths decreased from 4.6 million in 1990 to 3.3 million in 2009, and fell slightly faster in the years since 2000, according to the study led by researchers from WHO, Save the Children and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The study, which covers a two-decade-period and all the 193 WHO member states, found that new born deaths - characterised as deaths in the first four weeks of life (neonatal period) – account for 41 % of all child deaths before the age of five.
Almost 99 % of the newborn deaths occur in the developing world, with more than half taking place in the five large countries of India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and Congo.
"India alone has more than 900,000 newborn deaths per year, nearly 28 % of the global total," WHO said, adding that India had the largest number of neonatal deaths throughout the study.
Nigeria, the world's seventh most populous country, ranked second in new born deaths – up from fifth in 1990. Three quarters of neonatal deaths around the world are caused by pre-term delivery, asphyxia and severe infections, such as sepsis and pneumonia.
WHO pointed out that two thirds or more of these deaths can be prevented with existing interventions.
The study, which covers a two-decade-period and all the 193 WHO member states, found that new born deaths - characterised as deaths in the first four weeks of life (neonatal period) – account for 41 % of all child deaths before the age of five.
Almost 99 % of the newborn deaths occur in the developing world, with more than half taking place in the five large countries of India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and Congo.
"India alone has more than 900,000 newborn deaths per year, nearly 28 % of the global total," WHO said, adding that India had the largest number of neonatal deaths throughout the study.
Nigeria, the world's seventh most populous country, ranked second in new born deaths – up from fifth in 1990. Three quarters of neonatal deaths around the world are caused by pre-term delivery, asphyxia and severe infections, such as sepsis and pneumonia.
WHO pointed out that two thirds or more of these deaths can be prevented with existing interventions.
White tiger breeding centre to be set up in MP
The Union Government has given 'in-principle' nod to set up a breeding centre for the endangered white tigers in Madhya Pradesh as part of conservation efforts.
The breeding centre will come up at Govindgarh, which has the unique distinction of being the home of white tigers.
"The Central Zoo Authority has initiated action for setting up a conservation breeding centre for white tiger at Govindgarh in Rewa district of the state," an Forest and Environment Ministry official said.
According to reports there are 91 white tigers housed in 21 different Indian zoos.
The government preferred Madhya Pradesh to set up the conservation breeding centre as the last white tiger named Mohan was caught in the forests of Sidhi district (now the Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve) in 1950 and reared by the erstwhile Maharaja of Rewa at Govindgarh.
According to the ministry's Project Tiger documents, there are many white tigers in captivity, though almost all of them have descended from the wild white Bengal tiger Mohan.
The breeding centre will come up at Govindgarh, which has the unique distinction of being the home of white tigers.
"The Central Zoo Authority has initiated action for setting up a conservation breeding centre for white tiger at Govindgarh in Rewa district of the state," an Forest and Environment Ministry official said.
According to reports there are 91 white tigers housed in 21 different Indian zoos.
The government preferred Madhya Pradesh to set up the conservation breeding centre as the last white tiger named Mohan was caught in the forests of Sidhi district (now the Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve) in 1950 and reared by the erstwhile Maharaja of Rewa at Govindgarh.
According to the ministry's Project Tiger documents, there are many white tigers in captivity, though almost all of them have descended from the wild white Bengal tiger Mohan.
E-Panchayats
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has formulated “e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP)” for implementation of e-governance in Panchayats as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the umbrella of National e-Governance Programme (NeGP). The scheme aims at supporting all the State Governments for making effective use of IT in Panchayats in the process of planning at grassroots level, bring out transparency in the working of the PRIs and also help in increased accountability of these institutions. Internet connectivity is to be provided to the Panchayats by the respective States/UTs by utilizing funds from various schemes, such as Central Finance Commission Grants, State Finance Commission Grants, Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes, etc. As on 31 March, 2011, 1,19,245 Village Panchayats have been provided internet connectivity. It is targeted to provide internet connectivity to all Panchayats by 2012. The total approved cost for the project is Rs.130.39 crore, spread over a period of 5 years (2008-09 to 2012-13), against which the expenditure so far has been Rs.48.66 crore.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj has proposed to provide basic computer literacy to 25,000 Panchayat functionaries under the e-PanchayatMMP during year 2011-12, in collaboration with the Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOECC), an autonomous body under the
Department of Information Technology (DIT).
Ministry of Panchayati Raj has proposed to provide basic computer literacy to 25,000 Panchayat functionaries under the e-PanchayatMMP during year 2011-12, in collaboration with the Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOECC), an autonomous body under the
Department of Information Technology (DIT).
Andhra Pradesh unveils state data centre
In an effort to automate government and citizen services, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched the State Data Centre powered by Wipro Infotech.
Spread across 9,000 square feet, the Data Centre (DC) with a storage capacity of 50 TB, expandable to 200 TB will host applications and data of various state departments.
Wipro was responsible for the complete design, supply and implementation of the physical and IT infrastructure of the data centre, which is a Mission Mode Project under the national e-Governance plan.
Wipro Infotech, the IT business unit of Wipro Limited is managing the operations of the Data Centre on a 24x7 basis.
Speaking at the launch, Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT&C Ponnala Lakshmaiah said the state-of-the-art Data Centre is equipped with complete redundancy and all set to power the state government's technology initiatives for better governance and citizen services.
Wipro Infotech General Manager and Business Head of Government and Defence vertical Vivek Sharma said the State Data Centre is envisaged to establish a robust infrastructure to enable the state government deliver services quickly and effectively to all its stakeholders.
In September 2010, the Andhra Pradesh government awarded the contract for the Data Centre to Wipro Infotech with a sustenance period of 5 years.
Spread across 9,000 square feet, the Data Centre (DC) with a storage capacity of 50 TB, expandable to 200 TB will host applications and data of various state departments.
Wipro was responsible for the complete design, supply and implementation of the physical and IT infrastructure of the data centre, which is a Mission Mode Project under the national e-Governance plan.
Wipro Infotech, the IT business unit of Wipro Limited is managing the operations of the Data Centre on a 24x7 basis.
Speaking at the launch, Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT&C Ponnala Lakshmaiah said the state-of-the-art Data Centre is equipped with complete redundancy and all set to power the state government's technology initiatives for better governance and citizen services.
Wipro Infotech General Manager and Business Head of Government and Defence vertical Vivek Sharma said the State Data Centre is envisaged to establish a robust infrastructure to enable the state government deliver services quickly and effectively to all its stakeholders.
In September 2010, the Andhra Pradesh government awarded the contract for the Data Centre to Wipro Infotech with a sustenance period of 5 years.
Joint Statement of the Eighth BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change
Durban outcome
Ministers reiterated the importance of achieving a comprehensive, balanced and ambitious result in Durban in the context of sustainable development and in accordance with the provisions and principles of the Convention, in particular the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and the Bali Road Map. This result must fully cover negotiations under the two tracks of the UNFCCC: the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA). They emphasized that Durban must advance all aspects of the negotiations, including the establishment of Annex I commitments for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and comparable commitments by non-Kyoto Protocol Annex I parties, the operationalization of Cancun decisions and resolving pending issues not concluded in Cancun. Ministers emphasized the centrality of adaptation and means of implementation as part of a balanced and comprehensive outcome. These are elements needed to ensure balance in the completion of the Bali Road Map and Bali Action Plan. Ministers underlined that
agreeing on the second commitment period is the central priority for Durban, as failure in this regard would generate a challenge to multilateralism and would undermine the rules based multilateral response to climate change under the UNFCCC. Ministers reiterated their support for a transparent and inclusive preparatory process to ensure that Durban takes a major step forward in working towards the perspective of a comprehensive, ambitious, fair and effective outcome, ensuring the full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol.
Kyoto Protocol
Ministers reaffirmed that the Kyoto Protocol is a cornerstone of the climate change regime. They underscored the role of the Kyoto Protocol in ensuring deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries commensurate with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) \ assessments and the 2°C goal recognized in Cancun. They stressed that the continuation of the flexibility mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol, in particular the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), is contingent upon the establishment of quantified emission reduction commitments by Annex I Parties under the second commitment period. They urged Parties to the Kyoto Protocol to work constructively to ensure that there is no gap between the first and second commitment periods. Ministers emphasized that the perspective of Annex I Parties leaving the Kyoto Protocol to present their mitigation contribution under the AWG- LCA can only be the reflection of reduced political will to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. It is hardly conceivable that a country would leave the Kyoto Protocol to do more.
Pending issues to be concluded
Taking note of India´s submission of items to be added to the provisional agenda of the COP, Ministers underlined the importance of addressing pending issues which must be advanced in Durban. This is essential to generate the necessary balance in the climate change negotiations.
Cancun operationalization
Ministers also called for the early operationalization of all the institutions agreed to in Cancun, including the registry for nationally appropriate mitigation actions and international support; the Adaptation
Committee; the Technology Executive Committee, Centre and Network; and the Green Climate Fund, which must provide significant means of implementation for immediate action to tackle climate change. They
highlighted that the extent to which developing countries can implement their actions is dependent on the extent to which developed countries fulfill their commitment to provide sufficient financing, technological support and capacity building for both mitigation and adaptation.
Green Climate Fund
Ministers stressed the importance of ensuring appropriate overview of the Green Climate Fund by the Conference of the Parties, in order to ensure its adequate management and timely disbursements to developing countries. They emphasized that the Transitional Committee should interact with, and be guided by the AWG-LCA.
Financing
Ministers considered work by BASIC experts on a common reporting format for rigorous, robust and transparent accounting of finance by Annex I Parties. A common reporting format for finance is a priority for Durban to enable accounting of performance against the delivery of the quantified finance target of US$ 100 billion per year by 2020. Ministers also underlined the importance of ensuring the scaling up of financing up to and beyond 2020. They reiterated the need to ensure that accounting of finance by all developed countries be consistent, complete, comparable, transparent and accurate. Ministers also stressed
the importance of detailed and comprehensive information on fast start financial flows provided by developed countries, which should be made available officially. They reaffirmed their view that the UNFCCC
Secretariat should publish information on funding already disbursed under fast start financing, as this relates to a multilateral commitment.
MRV
Ministers also reflected on BASIC expert discussions on measuring, reporting and verifying Annex I mitigation. They underscored the need for stringent common accounting rules, with a view to ensuring transparency and comparability of mitigation commitments by all developed countries. They stressed that the rules of the Kyoto Protocol are the reference for the efforts undertaken by all developed countries in this area. They expressed the importance of operationalizing the transparency arrangements by developing countries, based on existing provisions under the Convention. They pointed out the robust contribution already offered by developing countries in emission reductions, which demonstrates a higher level of effort in comparison to mitigation by developed country Parties.
Equitable access to sustainable development
Ministers welcomed the work undertaken by BASIC experts on “a framework for equitable access to sustainable development”, as requested at the 6th BASIC Ministerial Meeting. This work will serve as a valuable contribution to the body of scientific knowledge informing policy development.
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+)
Ministers recognized the importance of enhancing action to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, enhance removals by forests and sustainable forestry management practices, on the basis of
scaled up international financing and technology transfer. They also underlined important additional benefits that REDD+ can offer to sustainable development in areas such as biodiversity protection.
Dangers of unilateralism
Ministers expressed their concern with unilateral climate change measures, planned or implemented, which generate negative impacts on other countries. They expressed their strong concern with the decision of the European Union to include the aviation sector in the EU Emission Trading System, including flights to and from its territory by non- european companies
G77 and China
Ministers emphasized the importance of G77 and China unity and its key role in climate change negotiations. They noted the clear demonstrations by the G77 and China of leadership and willingness to contribute to a strong global effort. They decided to maintain the “BASIC-plus” approach, in order to enhance the transparency of its meetings. They also praised the role played by the South African incoming COP Presidency and its efforts to organize inclusive, high-level consultations on climate change, which will contribute to a successful and ambitious outcome in Durban.
Rio +20
The Ministers also had an opportunity to discuss the perspective for the Rio+20 Conference in 2012. In this regard, they stressed the important role of BASIC countries in ensuring success of Rio+20, as well as the Durban Conference on Climate Change and the New Delhi Conference on Biodiversity. This is a clear sign of their firm commitment to advance multilateral solutions to global problems.
Ninth Meeting of Ministers
Ministers welcomed the offer of China to host the Ninth BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change on the 31st of October and the 1st of November. A meeting of experts will be held alongside this Ministerial meeting.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
SCHEDULE OF EXAMINATIONS
A.P. Public Service Commission have decided to conduct the written examinations at Hyderabad centre for recruitment to various posts as per the following schedule.
Name of the recruitment & Notifn. No. Date of Exam.
Child Development Project Officers in WD & CW Dept. {08/10 (Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Technical Assts.-Geophysics in Ground Water Sub-Service {08/10 (Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Engineers in A.P. Ground Water Dept. {08/10 (Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Electrical Inspectors in A.P. Electrical Inspectorate Service {08/10 (Ltd.) & 10/10 (Genl.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Public Relations Officers in A.P. Information & Public Relations Sub-Service {11/10 & 15/11(Spl. & Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Dy. Inspectors of Survey in A.P. Survey Settlements and Land Records Sub-Service {18/10 (Genl.)} - 08/10/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Inspectors of Fisheries in A.P. Fisheries Sub-Service {08/11(Genl.)} - 08/10/2011 FN & AN
Asst. B.C. Welfare Officers, Asst. Social Welfare Officers & Asst. Tribal Welfare Officers in respective Services {04/11 (Genl.)} - 23/10/2011 FN &AN
Name of the recruitment & Notifn. No. Date of Exam.
Child Development Project Officers in WD & CW Dept. {08/10 (Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Technical Assts.-Geophysics in Ground Water Sub-Service {08/10 (Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Engineers in A.P. Ground Water Dept. {08/10 (Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Electrical Inspectors in A.P. Electrical Inspectorate Service {08/10 (Ltd.) & 10/10 (Genl.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Public Relations Officers in A.P. Information & Public Relations Sub-Service {11/10 & 15/11(Spl. & Ltd.)} - 20/09/2011 FN & AN
Dy. Inspectors of Survey in A.P. Survey Settlements and Land Records Sub-Service {18/10 (Genl.)} - 08/10/2011 FN & AN
Asst. Inspectors of Fisheries in A.P. Fisheries Sub-Service {08/11(Genl.)} - 08/10/2011 FN & AN
Asst. B.C. Welfare Officers, Asst. Social Welfare Officers & Asst. Tribal Welfare Officers in respective Services {04/11 (Genl.)} - 23/10/2011 FN &AN
Monday, August 29, 2011
Preservation of Ecology
Exploitation of minerals like iron-ore, coal and others does adversely affect wildlife and forest reserves in country. However, to minimize adverse impacts of mining on environment and ecology, permission accorded by the Ministry of Environment & Forests under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for mining is subject to compliance of appropriate safeguards.
Comprehensive study to assess impact of mining, industrial and other developmental activities on wildlife and forests reserves in the country has not been undertaken by the Ministry. However, to obtain the Environment Clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, projects, including mining and industrial projects, covered in the Schedule to the EIA Notification 2006 are required to undertake Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study to assess impact of the project on biological aspects likely to be caused by the project. On the basis of the EIA study, the Ministry of Environment & Forests while according environment clearance stipulates appropriate mitigative measures to minimize adverse impacts of such project to preserve ecology.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Sanjay Dhotre and Shri Subhash Bapurao Wankhede in Lok Sabha.
Comprehensive study to assess impact of mining, industrial and other developmental activities on wildlife and forests reserves in the country has not been undertaken by the Ministry. However, to obtain the Environment Clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, projects, including mining and industrial projects, covered in the Schedule to the EIA Notification 2006 are required to undertake Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study to assess impact of the project on biological aspects likely to be caused by the project. On the basis of the EIA study, the Ministry of Environment & Forests while according environment clearance stipulates appropriate mitigative measures to minimize adverse impacts of such project to preserve ecology.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Sanjay Dhotre and Shri Subhash Bapurao Wankhede in Lok Sabha.
State-Wise Minor Ports
Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan informed the Lok Sabha today in a written reply to a question that as per the records available with the Ministry of Shipping, state-wise break-up of Non – Major Ports (Minor Ports) are as follows:
Gujarat - 41 Lakshadweep - 10
Maharashtra - 48 A & N Islands - 23
Karnataka - 10 Tamilnadu - 15
Andhra Pradesh - 12 Goa - 5
Orissa - 13 Daman & Diu - 2
Kerala - 17 Pondicherry - 2
West Bengal - 1
The Minister further stated that the Union Government is responsible for development of 12 Major Ports wherein loading and unloading of cargo from large ships is done.
As per Indian Ports Act, 1908, the responsibility for development and promotion of such ports vests with the respective State Governments, the Minister added.
Protection of White Tiger
The Government has formulated new strategy for protection of white tigers in the country. The Central Zoo Authority has accorded ‘in-principle’ approval for conservation breeding of white tiger in Madhya Pradesh.
As per Central Zoo Authority, there are 91 white tigers housed in 21 different Indian zoos as on March, 2011.
The Central Zoo Authority has initiated action for the setting up a conservation breeding centre for white tiger at Govindgarh in Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) through the State of Madhya Pradesh
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Ganesh Singh in Lok Sabha.
As per Central Zoo Authority, there are 91 white tigers housed in 21 different Indian zoos as on March, 2011.
The Central Zoo Authority has initiated action for the setting up a conservation breeding centre for white tiger at Govindgarh in Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) through the State of Madhya Pradesh
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Ganesh Singh in Lok Sabha.
National River Policy
Due to rapid growth in population and urbanization, the demand for water in the country has increased significantly. Thus there is an urgent need for national policy for sustainable use of river water. Government of India has, therefore, undertaken review of the National Water Policy, 2002 to ensure sustainable and equitable development. A drafting committee has been set up by the Ministry of Water Resources to draft a new National Water Policy taking into account the feedback received during consultation meetings held with the Members of Parliament, Academia, Experts & Professionals, Non-Governmental Organization, Corporate Leaders and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments. The Central Government initiated the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in the year 1985, which was later expanded to the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). The Plan presently covers 39 rivers in 185 towns spread over 20 states. Creation of infrastructure for sewage management and disposal is also being undertaken through other central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, as well as under state schemes.
With the pollution abatement works completed so far under GAP and NRCP, despite significant increase in urbanization, industrialization and growth in population in cities along the banks of river, the water quality, in terms of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) values for major rivers, is reported to have improved as compared to the water quality before taking up pollution abatement works under NRCP, based on independent monitoring undertaken by reputed institutions.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Anandrao Adsul , Shri Adhalrao Patil Shivaji and Shri Gajanan D. Babar in Lok Sabha.
Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments. The Central Government initiated the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in the year 1985, which was later expanded to the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). The Plan presently covers 39 rivers in 185 towns spread over 20 states. Creation of infrastructure for sewage management and disposal is also being undertaken through other central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, as well as under state schemes.
With the pollution abatement works completed so far under GAP and NRCP, despite significant increase in urbanization, industrialization and growth in population in cities along the banks of river, the water quality, in terms of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) values for major rivers, is reported to have improved as compared to the water quality before taking up pollution abatement works under NRCP, based on independent monitoring undertaken by reputed institutions.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Anandrao Adsul , Shri Adhalrao Patil Shivaji and Shri Gajanan D. Babar in Lok Sabha.
Capitals, Governors and Chief Ministers of States
| States | Capitals | Governors | Chief Ministers |
| (1) Andhra Pradesh | Hyderabad | Mr. E.S.L.Narasimhan | Mr. N.Kiran Kumar Reddy |
| (2) Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | Gen. (Retd.) J. J. Singh | Mr. Jarbom Gamlin |
| (3) Assam | Dispur | Mr. J. B. Patnaik | Mr. Tarun Gogoi |
| (4) Bihar | Patna | Mr. Devanand Konwar | Mr. Nitish Kumar |
| (5) Chhattisgarh | Raipur | Mr. Shekhar Dutt | Dr. Raman Singh |
| (6) Goa | Panaji | Mr. K. Sankaranarayan | Mr. Digambar V. Kamat |
| (7) Gujarat | Gandhinagar | Dr. Kamla Beniwal | Mr. Narendra Modi |
| (8) Haryana | Chandigarh | Mr. Jagannath Pahadia | Mr. Bhupinder S. Hooda |
| (9) Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | Ms. Urmila Singh | Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal |
| (10) Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer) Jammu (Winter) | Mr. N. N. Vohra | Mr. Omar Abdullah |
| (11) Jharkhand | Ranchi | Dr. Syed Ahmed | Mr. Arjun Munda |
| (12) Karnataka | Bengaluru | Mr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj | Mr. DV Sadananda Gowda |
| (13) Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Mr. M. O. H. Farook | Mr. V. S. Achuthanandan |
| (14) Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | Mr. Ram Naresh Yadav | Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan |
| (15) Maharashtra | Mumbai | Mr. K. Sankaranarayan | Mr. Prithviraj Chavan |
| (16) Manipur | Imphal | Mr. Gurbachan Jagat | Mr.Okram Ibobi Singh |
| (17) Meghalaya | Shillong | Mr. R. S. Mooshahary | Mr. Mukul A. Sangma |
| (18) Mizoram | Aizawl | Mr. Vakkom Purushothaman | Mr.Lalthanhawla |
| (19) Nagaland | Kohima | Mr. Nikhil Kumar | Mr. Neiphiu Rio |
| (20) Orissa | Bhubaneswar | Mr. M. C. Bhandare | Mr. Naveen Patnaik |
| (21) Punjab | Chandigarh | Mr. Shivraj V. Patil | Mr. Parkash Singh Badal |
| (22) Rajasthan | Jaipur | Mr. Shivraj V. Patil (Acting) | Mr. Ashok Gehlot |
| (23) Sikkim | Gangtok | Mr. Balmiki Prasad Singh | Mr. Pawan Chamling |
| (24) Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Mr. K Rosaiah | Ms. Jayalalithaa |
| (25) Tripura | Agartala | Mr. D. Y. Patil | Mr. Manik Sarkar |
| (26) Uttarakhand | Dehradun | Ms. Margaret Alva | Mr. Ramesh Pokhriyal |
| (27) Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | Mr. B. L. Joshi | Ms. Mayawati |
| (28) West Bengal | Kolkata | Mr. M. K. Narayanan | Ms. Mamata Banerjee |
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monsoon Diseases
During rainy season some want to enjoy watching the weather from the comfort of their homes eating their favourite ‘pakoras’ and sipping a hot cup of ‘chai’, while others want to go out and enjoy the rains. Though following a scorching summer the rain ushers in new lease of life, it sometimes brings with it some deadly diseases.
Following are the most common diseases, their symptoms and some suggestions to prevent them during the rainy season.
Malaria
• This is the most dangerous disease in India with a very high number of deaths credited to it. The disease is spread by Female Anopheles mosquito. A large number of cases are reported during the rainy season as water logging provides conducive conditions for mosquitoes to breed.
• Fever at regular intervals, bouts of shivering, muscle pain and weakness are the general symptoms of Maleria.
• Since this disease is spread by mosquitoes the best prevention is to keep the surroundings clean and mosquito-free. Make sure that water does not stagnate in your area as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Use DDT in the drains near your home. Use of mosquito repellents and nets is highly recommended. Do not ignore any symptoms of malaria and consult your doctor immediately if you feel any sign of the disease.
Cholera
• Cholera is caused by contaminated food and water. Also poor hygienic conditions help the spread of the disease. It normally spreads in places with poor sanitation facilities.
• Severe diarrhea with watery stools is the most common symptom of Cholera. There could also be vomiting with immediate water loss and muscle cramps.
• Keep the drinking water clean and boil it before using. Maintain personal hygiene and good sanitation. It is advisable to get vaccinated as it gives immunity for almost six months.
• Oral rehydration should be given immediately for patients suffering from Cholera.
Typhoid
• Typhoid is another highly infectious disease that spreads during the monsoon season and it is also caused by contaminated food and water.
• The most common symptom of this disease is prolonged fever. Severe pain in abdomen and headache can also be the symptoms.
• This is a highly communicable disease so the patient should be isolated from the rest of the family. Advance vaccination may also help prevent it. High intake of fluid is advised to patients to prevent dehydration. Since this disease has a tendency of relapsing precautions should continue even after apparent recovery.
Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis A is generally caused by flies. It can also spread by coming in direct contact with the patient.
• The symptoms are similar to those of flu including high fever along with headache, pain in joints and vomiting.
• The most important prevention of this disease is vaccination. This vaccine is available at all the government and private hospitals. Complete bed rest and a high calorie diet is advised to the patient.
Common Cold
• Common cold is the most common disease that spreads easily during rainy season. • Constant sneezing, sore throat and fever are the common symptoms of the disease. • The easy way to prevent common cold is to avoid catching it. But if at all it catches you, treat yourself with a glass of hot turmeric milk. Gargles with warm water give relief to your sore throat. If things don’t improve you may like to see a doctor.
Following are the most common diseases, their symptoms and some suggestions to prevent them during the rainy season.
Malaria
• This is the most dangerous disease in India with a very high number of deaths credited to it. The disease is spread by Female Anopheles mosquito. A large number of cases are reported during the rainy season as water logging provides conducive conditions for mosquitoes to breed.
• Fever at regular intervals, bouts of shivering, muscle pain and weakness are the general symptoms of Maleria.
• Since this disease is spread by mosquitoes the best prevention is to keep the surroundings clean and mosquito-free. Make sure that water does not stagnate in your area as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Use DDT in the drains near your home. Use of mosquito repellents and nets is highly recommended. Do not ignore any symptoms of malaria and consult your doctor immediately if you feel any sign of the disease.
Cholera
• Cholera is caused by contaminated food and water. Also poor hygienic conditions help the spread of the disease. It normally spreads in places with poor sanitation facilities.
• Severe diarrhea with watery stools is the most common symptom of Cholera. There could also be vomiting with immediate water loss and muscle cramps.
• Keep the drinking water clean and boil it before using. Maintain personal hygiene and good sanitation. It is advisable to get vaccinated as it gives immunity for almost six months.
• Oral rehydration should be given immediately for patients suffering from Cholera.
Typhoid
• Typhoid is another highly infectious disease that spreads during the monsoon season and it is also caused by contaminated food and water.
• The most common symptom of this disease is prolonged fever. Severe pain in abdomen and headache can also be the symptoms.
• This is a highly communicable disease so the patient should be isolated from the rest of the family. Advance vaccination may also help prevent it. High intake of fluid is advised to patients to prevent dehydration. Since this disease has a tendency of relapsing precautions should continue even after apparent recovery.
Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis A is generally caused by flies. It can also spread by coming in direct contact with the patient.
• The symptoms are similar to those of flu including high fever along with headache, pain in joints and vomiting.
• The most important prevention of this disease is vaccination. This vaccine is available at all the government and private hospitals. Complete bed rest and a high calorie diet is advised to the patient.
Common Cold
• Common cold is the most common disease that spreads easily during rainy season. • Constant sneezing, sore throat and fever are the common symptoms of the disease. • The easy way to prevent common cold is to avoid catching it. But if at all it catches you, treat yourself with a glass of hot turmeric milk. Gargles with warm water give relief to your sore throat. If things don’t improve you may like to see a doctor.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the ‘National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms’ recently. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. It will facilitate disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years
II. It provides for the establishment of an All India Judicial Service
III. Union Labour Minister will be the National Mission Leader
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
The Union Cabinet on June 23, 2011 approved an ambitious programme that would usher in radical legal reforms aimed at disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years, and establishment of an All India Judicial Service. Known as the “National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms,” it seeks to operationalise a number of plans to ensure expeditious and quality justice.
Objectives of the National Mission
The National Mission will focus on improvement in administration of justice and justice delivery and legal reforms in the entire country and it has to address diverse needs of all sections of stakeholders in a Mission Mode approach.
The Mission spanning 5 years from 2011-2016 would focus on two major goals as envisaged in the vision document, namely
(i) increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system, and
(ii) enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.
The salient features of the National Mission are:-
(1) The National Mission would comprise of Advisory Council, Governing Council, National Mission Leader and the Mission Directorate.
(2) The Advisory Council will advise on the goals, objectives and strategies of the National Mission and the Action Plan and its implementation and performance of the Mission in meeting its objectives and would be chaired by the Minister for Law and Justice and would have membership from Parliament, State Governments, Jurists & senior officers of Government of India.
(3) The Governing Council would facilitate implementation, give policy directions and oversee the work of the Mission and would be headed by the Minister for Law and Justice.
(4) The Secretary, Department of Justice would be the National Mission Leader.
(5) A Mission Directorate would be constituted to implement and monitor the various initiative / programme of the National Mission. It would be headed by an officer of the rank of the Joint Secretary who would act as the Mission Director.
(6) An Action Plan has been drawn up which would of course be subjected to change once the Governing Council meets to set out the agenda.
(7) Infrastructure development for the subordinate judiciary is the major thrust area of the National Mission. Inadequacy of infrastructure facilities in District and Subordinate courts has remained a major bottleneck in the judicial system largely contributing to the accumulation of arrears. In order to augment the resources of the State Governments for development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) has remained in operation since 1993-94 at 50:50 basis. A preliminary assessment of requirement of infrastructure for subordinate courts from the States revealed that around Rs. 7000 crore would be needed over five years for construction/maintenance etc. The Central Government outflow would be around Rs. 5500 crore over five years.
(8) The funding of infrastructure development of subordinate courts in the ratio of Central/State assistance will be 75:25 instead of the present 50:50. In case of North-Eastern State, the ratio will be 90:10 as already agreed to in the CSS Scheme by the Planning Commission. This modified scheme will be implemented under the National Mission
2. Late K.M. Mathew, in whose honour India Post released a postage stamp recently, was known for achievements in:
a) Sports
b) Archaeology
c) Industry
d) Journalism
e) Science
Explanation :
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid rich tribute to late K M Mathew, the iconic chief editor of Malayala Manorama, describing him as an “Indian legend”, as he received an album containing commemorative stamp on Mathew issued by the Department of Posts from HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on August 2, 2011. The album also contained the First Day Cover honouring Mathew, which was released on August 1, Mathew’s first death anniversary.
3. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/UT Governments. Which of the following tasks are performed by the State/UT Governments?
I. Procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the FCI
II. Identification of eligible BPL families and issuance of ration cards to them
III. Supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs)
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Evaluation studies of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) have been done by several agencies including the Planning Commission and World Bank. As per the report of the Programme Evaluation Organisation (PEO) of the Planning Commission on Performance Evaluation of TPDS (2005), the implementation of TPDS is hampered due to targeting errors, prevalence of bogus cards and diversion of foodgrains from the supply chain. The World Bank has prepared a report titled ‘Social Protection for a Changing India’ (2011), which deals with key safety net, social assistance and social security programmes including the Public Distribution System (PDS). The report indicates that there is a gap between the release of foodgrains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the offtake of foodgrains by the households, which is due to leakages/diversion of allocated foodgrains. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on August 9, 2011.
He said that TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/UT Governments. The Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the FCI. The operational responsibilities for lifting and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible BPL families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are of the State/UT Governments.
4. Ronjan Sodhi is known for achievements in which sport?
a) Shooting
b) Rowing
c) Wrestling
d) Archery
e) Weightlifting
Explanation :
One of the bright prospects for a medal in the London Games, double trap marksman Ronjan Sodhi, reached yet another milestone in his decorated career, as he was ranked No.1 in the world, as per the latest rankings released by the ISSF on August 1, 2011. A gold medallist in the World Cup Finals in Turkey last year, the 31-year-old Ronjan had recently won the silver medal in the Beijing World Cup to clinch the Olympic quota place. In the Asian Games in Guangzhou last year, Ronjan won the only shooting gold for India, beating two Chinese in their backyard. He also had to settle for the individual and team silver medals in the Commonwealth Games at home earlier
5. Domestic workers will now be covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. The workers will be required to pay only 10% of the premium while the remaining 90% will be contributed by the Central and State governments.
II. Workers will get annual health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000/- every year.
III. A maximum of five members per family would be covered.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
III and I only
I, II and III
Explanation :
The Union Cabinet on June 23, 2011 approved the extension of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to all the registered domestic workers in the country. The scheme is expected to cover approximately 47.50 lakh domestic workers in the country. The Scheme envisages smart card based cashless health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000/- in any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country. The insurance coverage would be extended to all registered domestic workers in the age group of 18-59 years. The beneficiaries would have to get identification certificates from any two of the four institutions — the employer, residents welfare associations, registered trade unions or the police. A maximum of five members per family would be covered.
The funds will be allocated from the National Social Security Fund for Unorganised Workers. The premium will be shared by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25. In case of States in NE Regional and J&K the ratio is 90:10.
About RSBY: The RSBY provides for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- per annum to BPL workers (a unit of five) in unorganised sector is presently being implemented in 25 States/UTs. More than 2.34 crore smart cards have been issued as on 31.5.2011. The scheme has since been extended to building and other construction workers registered with Welfare Boards constituted under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, street vendors, beedi workers and such MNREGA workers who have worked for more than 15 days during the preceding year
6. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has decided to utilise the services of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for:
a) Checking malnutrition by providing nutritional supplements to infants in BPL families
b) Keeping a watch over gender selection clinics in rural and urban areas
c) Providing family planning services at homes of beneficiaries
d) Popularising initiatives taken by Central government under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
e) None of the above
Explanation :
NRHM to involve ASHAs in family planning initiatives
Family planning: The mission steering group (MSG) of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on June 21, 2011 decided to utilise Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for delivery of contraceptives at the homes of beneficiaries. For this, ASHAs can charge Re. 1 for a pack of 3 condoms, Re. 1 for an Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) cycle and Rs. 2 for an Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) from the beneficiaries.
Maternal & infant care: The MSG — the highest decision-making body of the NRHM — has also decided to provide a performance-linked incentive of Rs. 250 to ASHAs for reducing the infant mortality rate. The proposed schedule of home visit for institutional delivery is 6 home visits on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 to assess the newborn as well as to ensure post-partum care of mother. In the case of home delivery, a total of 7 home visits will be required as ASHA should be present at the birth or visit the mother and baby as soon as possible within the first 24 hours and on subsequent specified days.
Promoting menstrual hygiene: It was decided to further improve and streamline the scheme to promote menstrual hygiene amongst the adolescent girls in rural areas. For this, the MSG has decided to revise the existing scheme. It will be taken up in 152 districts instead of 150. Six sanitary napkins (Rs. 7.50 per pack) will be procured for which assistance will be provided by the Centre.
7. Which major foodgrain producing country has proposed to host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations under the auspices of the United Nations?
a) India
b) Australia
c) USA
d) Ukraine
e) China
Explanation :
Ukraine has proposed to the United Nations that it host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations. The Ukrainian Agriculture Minister announced the move on August 4, 2011. “Our country is ready to contribute 10-12 million tons of grain to such a reserve. We are also prepared to ensure high-quality storage and make grain interventions if the U.N. passes relevant resolutions,” said Nikolai Prisyazhnyuk. According to domestic experts, Ukraine may reach annual grain production of around 80 million tons within the coming six years, more than half of which could be exported. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ukraine's grain harvest in 2011 is expected to reach 42 million tons
8. The rules governing release of funds under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) were modified recently. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. MPs would be allowed to spend on projects in any State or Union Territory other than the one from where they were elected.
II. Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment
III. Projects implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
The amount to be released in the first instalment for works proposed under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) has been increased. The MPLADS allows MPs to suggest works to the Head of District to be taken up in their constituency. Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment, while those implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 per cent, according to Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation M.S. Gill in June 2011. At present, only 50 per cent of the estimated cost is released as the first instalment, irrespective of the nature of the project, which led to complaints of delays in completion.
Conditions had been further relaxed for smaller projects costing less than Rs. 2 lakh. For them, the entire amount would be released at one go. Besides, in a bid to ensure that funds were not spread too thinly, no project costing less than Rs.1 lakh would be sanctioned. Exceptions, however, would be made in the case of essential projects, such as installation of hand pumps, and purchase of computers and their accessories.
MPs would also be allowed to spend up to Rs.10 lakh a year on projects in any State or Union Territory other than the one from where they were elected. “The aim is to promote national unity and fraternity among the people at the grassroots level.”
In an important departure from the past, a limit of Rs.50 lakh per annum has been imposed on contributions to trusts and societies so that more money was available for community-related works.
9. Which of the following statements about India’s production and consumption of petroleum products in 2010-11 is/are correct?
I. India’s consumption of petroleum products in 2010-11 was more than 150 million metric tonnes (MMT)
II. Production of petroleum products from indigenous sources has increased from 2008-09 to 2010-11
III. India is dependent on imports for 75% of its crude oil requirement in 2010-11
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Indigenous production and Import dependence percentage of petroleum products availability from domestic sources during the last three years i.e. 2008, 2009 and 2010 is given below:
Under the PSC regime the position of reserves of oil and oil equivalent of natural gas (O+OEG) including CBM as on 01.04.11 are: Initial In-Place Reserves: 2029.38 MMT (O+OEG); Ultimate Recoverable Reserves: 835.56 MMT (O+OEG); Balance recoverable Reserves: 647.22 MMT (O+OEG). India is unlikely to become self-sufficient in meeting the growing demand for petroleum products from indigenous sources in near future. This information was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas R.P.N. Singh in the Rajya Sabha on August 9, 2011.
10. Which of the following statements about the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011 approved by the National Advisory Council (NAC) recently is/are correct?
I. It guarantees subsidised foodgrains to at least 90 per cent of rural households, and 50 percent of urban households.
II. “Priority households” under the bill consist of Lower Middle Class families.
III. ‘General households’ would be sold foodgrains at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers.
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) on June 23, 2011 approved the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011 which aims to make provision of food support to people facing hunger a duty of the state. The bill guarantees subsidised foodgrains to at least 90 per cent of rural households, and 50 percent of urban households. The draft bill will now be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.
The Bill draft categorises two types of households as eligible for discounted grain — “priority households” which are below the poverty line (BPL); and “general households” which consist of Lower Middle Class families.
46 per cent of the rural and 28 per cent of urban households are categorised as ‘priority households’.
49 per cent of the rural and 22 per cent of urban households categorised as ‘general group’.
According to the Bill, priority households are entitled to 35 kilos (7 kg per head) per month of foodgrain at the rate of Rs 3 per kg of rice, Rs 2 per kg of wheat, and Re 1 per kg of millets. General households would have the right to 20 kg (4 kg per head) at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers for the respective foodgrain.
The Bill has also stood by the legal backing given to the PDS system, with extensively dealing with aspects like procurement, storage and distribution through Fair Price Shops as the only approach for implementing the provisions of food security.
It also envisaged setting up of a seven-member National Food Commission, to be headed by a sitting or a former Supreme Court judge and similar State Commissions to be presided by a High Court judge.
While legalising PDS, the proposed legislation has made it mandatory for the government to maintain “financial viability of Fair Price Shops” by ensuring “FPS are financially viable by ensuring that reasonable commissions, salaries for the manager are provided in a time bound manner”.
With NAC finalising the draft bill, the ball is now in the government’s court which would have a difficult task of choosing from this and the one prepared by the Food Ministry.
I. It will facilitate disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years
II. It provides for the establishment of an All India Judicial Service
III. Union Labour Minister will be the National Mission Leader
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
The Union Cabinet on June 23, 2011 approved an ambitious programme that would usher in radical legal reforms aimed at disposal of pending cases in three years, from the current average of 15 years, and establishment of an All India Judicial Service. Known as the “National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms,” it seeks to operationalise a number of plans to ensure expeditious and quality justice.
Objectives of the National Mission
The National Mission will focus on improvement in administration of justice and justice delivery and legal reforms in the entire country and it has to address diverse needs of all sections of stakeholders in a Mission Mode approach.
The Mission spanning 5 years from 2011-2016 would focus on two major goals as envisaged in the vision document, namely
(i) increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system, and
(ii) enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.
The salient features of the National Mission are:-
(1) The National Mission would comprise of Advisory Council, Governing Council, National Mission Leader and the Mission Directorate.
(2) The Advisory Council will advise on the goals, objectives and strategies of the National Mission and the Action Plan and its implementation and performance of the Mission in meeting its objectives and would be chaired by the Minister for Law and Justice and would have membership from Parliament, State Governments, Jurists & senior officers of Government of India.
(3) The Governing Council would facilitate implementation, give policy directions and oversee the work of the Mission and would be headed by the Minister for Law and Justice.
(4) The Secretary, Department of Justice would be the National Mission Leader.
(5) A Mission Directorate would be constituted to implement and monitor the various initiative / programme of the National Mission. It would be headed by an officer of the rank of the Joint Secretary who would act as the Mission Director.
(6) An Action Plan has been drawn up which would of course be subjected to change once the Governing Council meets to set out the agenda.
(7) Infrastructure development for the subordinate judiciary is the major thrust area of the National Mission. Inadequacy of infrastructure facilities in District and Subordinate courts has remained a major bottleneck in the judicial system largely contributing to the accumulation of arrears. In order to augment the resources of the State Governments for development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) has remained in operation since 1993-94 at 50:50 basis. A preliminary assessment of requirement of infrastructure for subordinate courts from the States revealed that around Rs. 7000 crore would be needed over five years for construction/maintenance etc. The Central Government outflow would be around Rs. 5500 crore over five years.
(8) The funding of infrastructure development of subordinate courts in the ratio of Central/State assistance will be 75:25 instead of the present 50:50. In case of North-Eastern State, the ratio will be 90:10 as already agreed to in the CSS Scheme by the Planning Commission. This modified scheme will be implemented under the National Mission
2. Late K.M. Mathew, in whose honour India Post released a postage stamp recently, was known for achievements in:
a) Sports
b) Archaeology
c) Industry
d) Journalism
e) Science
Explanation :
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid rich tribute to late K M Mathew, the iconic chief editor of Malayala Manorama, describing him as an “Indian legend”, as he received an album containing commemorative stamp on Mathew issued by the Department of Posts from HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on August 2, 2011. The album also contained the First Day Cover honouring Mathew, which was released on August 1, Mathew’s first death anniversary.
3. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/UT Governments. Which of the following tasks are performed by the State/UT Governments?
I. Procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the FCI
II. Identification of eligible BPL families and issuance of ration cards to them
III. Supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs)
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Evaluation studies of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) have been done by several agencies including the Planning Commission and World Bank. As per the report of the Programme Evaluation Organisation (PEO) of the Planning Commission on Performance Evaluation of TPDS (2005), the implementation of TPDS is hampered due to targeting errors, prevalence of bogus cards and diversion of foodgrains from the supply chain. The World Bank has prepared a report titled ‘Social Protection for a Changing India’ (2011), which deals with key safety net, social assistance and social security programmes including the Public Distribution System (PDS). The report indicates that there is a gap between the release of foodgrains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the offtake of foodgrains by the households, which is due to leakages/diversion of allocated foodgrains. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on August 9, 2011.
He said that TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/UT Governments. The Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the FCI. The operational responsibilities for lifting and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible BPL families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are of the State/UT Governments.
4. Ronjan Sodhi is known for achievements in which sport?
a) Shooting
b) Rowing
c) Wrestling
d) Archery
e) Weightlifting
Explanation :
One of the bright prospects for a medal in the London Games, double trap marksman Ronjan Sodhi, reached yet another milestone in his decorated career, as he was ranked No.1 in the world, as per the latest rankings released by the ISSF on August 1, 2011. A gold medallist in the World Cup Finals in Turkey last year, the 31-year-old Ronjan had recently won the silver medal in the Beijing World Cup to clinch the Olympic quota place. In the Asian Games in Guangzhou last year, Ronjan won the only shooting gold for India, beating two Chinese in their backyard. He also had to settle for the individual and team silver medals in the Commonwealth Games at home earlier
5. Domestic workers will now be covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. The workers will be required to pay only 10% of the premium while the remaining 90% will be contributed by the Central and State governments.
II. Workers will get annual health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000/- every year.
III. A maximum of five members per family would be covered.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
III and I only
I, II and III
Explanation :
The Union Cabinet on June 23, 2011 approved the extension of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to all the registered domestic workers in the country. The scheme is expected to cover approximately 47.50 lakh domestic workers in the country. The Scheme envisages smart card based cashless health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000/- in any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country. The insurance coverage would be extended to all registered domestic workers in the age group of 18-59 years. The beneficiaries would have to get identification certificates from any two of the four institutions — the employer, residents welfare associations, registered trade unions or the police. A maximum of five members per family would be covered.
The funds will be allocated from the National Social Security Fund for Unorganised Workers. The premium will be shared by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25. In case of States in NE Regional and J&K the ratio is 90:10.
About RSBY: The RSBY provides for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- per annum to BPL workers (a unit of five) in unorganised sector is presently being implemented in 25 States/UTs. More than 2.34 crore smart cards have been issued as on 31.5.2011. The scheme has since been extended to building and other construction workers registered with Welfare Boards constituted under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, street vendors, beedi workers and such MNREGA workers who have worked for more than 15 days during the preceding year
6. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has decided to utilise the services of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for:
a) Checking malnutrition by providing nutritional supplements to infants in BPL families
b) Keeping a watch over gender selection clinics in rural and urban areas
c) Providing family planning services at homes of beneficiaries
d) Popularising initiatives taken by Central government under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
e) None of the above
Explanation :
NRHM to involve ASHAs in family planning initiatives
Family planning: The mission steering group (MSG) of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on June 21, 2011 decided to utilise Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for delivery of contraceptives at the homes of beneficiaries. For this, ASHAs can charge Re. 1 for a pack of 3 condoms, Re. 1 for an Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) cycle and Rs. 2 for an Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) from the beneficiaries.
Maternal & infant care: The MSG — the highest decision-making body of the NRHM — has also decided to provide a performance-linked incentive of Rs. 250 to ASHAs for reducing the infant mortality rate. The proposed schedule of home visit for institutional delivery is 6 home visits on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 to assess the newborn as well as to ensure post-partum care of mother. In the case of home delivery, a total of 7 home visits will be required as ASHA should be present at the birth or visit the mother and baby as soon as possible within the first 24 hours and on subsequent specified days.
Promoting menstrual hygiene: It was decided to further improve and streamline the scheme to promote menstrual hygiene amongst the adolescent girls in rural areas. For this, the MSG has decided to revise the existing scheme. It will be taken up in 152 districts instead of 150. Six sanitary napkins (Rs. 7.50 per pack) will be procured for which assistance will be provided by the Centre.
7. Which major foodgrain producing country has proposed to host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations under the auspices of the United Nations?
a) India
b) Australia
c) USA
d) Ukraine
e) China
Explanation :
Ukraine has proposed to the United Nations that it host a global grain reserve to avoid price fluctuations. The Ukrainian Agriculture Minister announced the move on August 4, 2011. “Our country is ready to contribute 10-12 million tons of grain to such a reserve. We are also prepared to ensure high-quality storage and make grain interventions if the U.N. passes relevant resolutions,” said Nikolai Prisyazhnyuk. According to domestic experts, Ukraine may reach annual grain production of around 80 million tons within the coming six years, more than half of which could be exported. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ukraine's grain harvest in 2011 is expected to reach 42 million tons
8. The rules governing release of funds under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) were modified recently. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. MPs would be allowed to spend on projects in any State or Union Territory other than the one from where they were elected.
II. Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment
III. Projects implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
The amount to be released in the first instalment for works proposed under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) has been increased. The MPLADS allows MPs to suggest works to the Head of District to be taken up in their constituency. Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 per cent of the project cost as the first instalment, while those implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 per cent, according to Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation M.S. Gill in June 2011. At present, only 50 per cent of the estimated cost is released as the first instalment, irrespective of the nature of the project, which led to complaints of delays in completion.
Conditions had been further relaxed for smaller projects costing less than Rs. 2 lakh. For them, the entire amount would be released at one go. Besides, in a bid to ensure that funds were not spread too thinly, no project costing less than Rs.1 lakh would be sanctioned. Exceptions, however, would be made in the case of essential projects, such as installation of hand pumps, and purchase of computers and their accessories.
MPs would also be allowed to spend up to Rs.10 lakh a year on projects in any State or Union Territory other than the one from where they were elected. “The aim is to promote national unity and fraternity among the people at the grassroots level.”
In an important departure from the past, a limit of Rs.50 lakh per annum has been imposed on contributions to trusts and societies so that more money was available for community-related works.
9. Which of the following statements about India’s production and consumption of petroleum products in 2010-11 is/are correct?
I. India’s consumption of petroleum products in 2010-11 was more than 150 million metric tonnes (MMT)
II. Production of petroleum products from indigenous sources has increased from 2008-09 to 2010-11
III. India is dependent on imports for 75% of its crude oil requirement in 2010-11
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Indigenous production and Import dependence percentage of petroleum products availability from domestic sources during the last three years i.e. 2008, 2009 and 2010 is given below:
| Indigenous production and Import Dependence (%) (Million Metric Tonne) | |||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| Total Consumption | 133.6 | 138.2 | 141.8 |
| Indigenous crude processing | 28.8 | 28.9 | 33.3 |
| Products from Indigenous crude | 27.1 | 27.2 | 31.3 |
| Products from Fractionators | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Total Indigenous production | 31.3 | 31.6 | 35.5 |
| % Self Sufficient | 23.4 | 22.8 | 25.0 |
| % Import Dependence | 76.6. | 77.2 | 75.0 |
10. Which of the following statements about the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011 approved by the National Advisory Council (NAC) recently is/are correct?
I. It guarantees subsidised foodgrains to at least 90 per cent of rural households, and 50 percent of urban households.
II. “Priority households” under the bill consist of Lower Middle Class families.
III. ‘General households’ would be sold foodgrains at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers.
a) I only
b) I and II only
c) II and III only
d) III and I only
e) I, II and III
Explanation :
Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) on June 23, 2011 approved the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011 which aims to make provision of food support to people facing hunger a duty of the state. The bill guarantees subsidised foodgrains to at least 90 per cent of rural households, and 50 percent of urban households. The draft bill will now be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.
The Bill draft categorises two types of households as eligible for discounted grain — “priority households” which are below the poverty line (BPL); and “general households” which consist of Lower Middle Class families.
46 per cent of the rural and 28 per cent of urban households are categorised as ‘priority households’.
49 per cent of the rural and 22 per cent of urban households categorised as ‘general group’.
According to the Bill, priority households are entitled to 35 kilos (7 kg per head) per month of foodgrain at the rate of Rs 3 per kg of rice, Rs 2 per kg of wheat, and Re 1 per kg of millets. General households would have the right to 20 kg (4 kg per head) at a price not exceeding 50 per cent of the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers for the respective foodgrain.
The Bill has also stood by the legal backing given to the PDS system, with extensively dealing with aspects like procurement, storage and distribution through Fair Price Shops as the only approach for implementing the provisions of food security.
It also envisaged setting up of a seven-member National Food Commission, to be headed by a sitting or a former Supreme Court judge and similar State Commissions to be presided by a High Court judge.
While legalising PDS, the proposed legislation has made it mandatory for the government to maintain “financial viability of Fair Price Shops” by ensuring “FPS are financially viable by ensuring that reasonable commissions, salaries for the manager are provided in a time bound manner”.
With NAC finalising the draft bill, the ball is now in the government’s court which would have a difficult task of choosing from this and the one prepared by the Food Ministry.
Biosphere Reserves in India
Sl. No. | Name | Date of Estbl. | Area (in km2) | Location |
| 1 | Achanakamar - Amarkantak | 2005 | 3835.51 | Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Bilaspur Districts of Chhattisgarh State |
| 2 | Agasthyamalai | 12.11.2001 | 1828 | Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala |
| 3 | Dehang-Dibang | 02.09.98 | 5111.5 | Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh |
| 4 | Dibru-Saikhowa | 28.07.97 | 765 | Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam) |
| 5 | Great Nicobar | 06.01.89 | 885 | Southern most islands of Andaman and Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) |
| 6 | Gulf of Mannar | 18.02.89 | 10,500 | Indian part of Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu) |
| 7 | Khangchendzonga | 07.02.2000 | 2619.92 | Parts of Khangchendzonga Hills and Sikkim |
| 8 | Manas | 14.03.89 | 2837 | Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang Districts (Assam) |
| 9 | Nanda Devi | 18.01.88 | 5860.69 | Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar Districts (Uttarakhand) |
| 10 | Nilgiri | 01.09.86 | 5520 | Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley and Siruvani Hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) |
| 11 | Nokrek | 01.09.88 | 820 | Part of Garo Hills (Meghalaya) |
| 12 | Pachmarhi | 03.03.99 | 4926 | Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad and Chindwara Districts of Madhya Pradesh |
| 13 | Simlipal | 21.06.94 | 4374 | Part of Mayurbhanj District (Orissa) |
| 14 | Sunderbans | 29.03.89 | 9630 | Part of delta of Ganga and Brahamaputra river system (West Bengal) |
Thursday, August 18, 2011
National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
To bring the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the last mile to ensure transparent, timely and hassle free delivery of citizen services, Government of India has initiated e-Governance programme in country in the late 1990s. After that, Union Government has approved the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), comprising of 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) and 8 components on May 18, 2006 to give a boost to e-Governance initiatives in India. Department of Information Technology (DIT) and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DAR&PG) has formulated the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
Vision of National e-Governance Plan
National e-Governance Plan has been launched with the aim of improving delivery of Government services to citizens and businesses is guided by the following vision:
“Make all Public Services accessible to the common man in his locality, through common service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency, transparency and reliability of such services at affordable costs to realize the basic needs of the common man.”
The vision statement clearly underlines these priorities of the Government in fostering good governance:
Accessibility: The vision has been designed keeping the rural population in mind. The need is to reach those sections of the society which have remained tangential to the government sphere due to various reasons like geographical challenges and lack of awareness. National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) has a provision for State Wide Area Network (SWAN) to connect all the government offices upto the block level and Common Service Centres (CSCs) for accessing the citizens from the rural areas.
Common Service Delivery Outlets: At present, citizens especially those living in remote rural areas have to travel long distances to avail a service through a government department or its local offices. This is time-consuming and costly affairs for a common man to access citizen services. To overcome this problem, as a part of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) vision, one computer and internet enabled Common Service Centre (CSC) is envisaged to set up for every six villages so that Villagers can easily avail these services. These Common Service Centres (CSCs) are envisaged to offer online Integrated Service Delivery on ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ basis.
Adopting e-Governance for improving the Governance: The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will enable government to reach citizens thereby improving governance. This will also enable improvement in monitoring and implementing of various government schemes thereby increasing the accountability and transparency in government.
Improve the quality of life of citizens: e-Governance would help in attaining this objective through the provision of citizen centric service delivery at nominal cost, and thereby providing better turnaround times and convenience in demanding and availing services.
Hence, the vision is to use e-Governance as the route for governments to strengthen good governance. All services provided through the various e-Governance initiatives are expected to assist the governments at the Central and State levels in reaching the yet ‘unreached’ and enable involvement and empowerment of marginalized groups through their participation in the government processes thereby contributing towards poverty reduction and bridging the sharp social and economic divide.
Implementation Strategy for National e-Governance Plan
A prudent approach, therefore, is proposed for the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), which is based on lessons learnt from the past and experiences from successful e-Governance applications that have been implemented nationally and internationally. The approach and methodology adopted for National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) contains the following elements:
Common Infrastructure: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) implementation involves setting up of common and support IT infrastructure such as: State Wide Area Networks (SWANs), State Data Centres (SDCs), Common Services Centres (CSCs) and Electronic Service Delivery Gateways.
Governance: Suitable arrangements for monitoring and coordinating the implementation of National e-Governance Plan under the direction of the competent authorities have been set up. The programme also involves evolving/ laying down standards and policy guidelines, providing technical support, undertaking capacity building, Research and Development etc. Department of Information Technology (DIT) strengthens itself and various institutions like National Informatics Centre (NIC), Standardization, Testing and Quality Certification (STQC), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), National Institute for Smart Governance (NISG) etc., to play these roles effectively.
Centralized Initiative, Decentralized Implementation: e-Governance is being promoted through a centralized initiative to the extent necessary to ensure citizen-centric orientation, realize the objective of inter-operability of various e-Governance applications and ensure optimal utilization of Information and Communication Technology infrastructure and resources while allowing for a decentralized implementation model. It also aims at identifying successful projects and replicating them with required customization wherever needed.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model: It has to be adopted wherever feasible to enlarge the resource pool without compromising on the security aspects.
Integrative elements: Adoption of unique identification codes for citizens, businesses and property is to be promoted to facilitate integration and avoid ambiguity.
Implementation Framework for National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
Considering the multiplicity of agencies involved in the implementation of National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) and the need for overall aggregation and integration at the national level, it has been decided to implement National e-Governance Plan as a programme, with well-defined roles and responsibilities of each agency involved and to create an appropriate programme management structure and it has already been approved by government. The key components and features of the programme management structure are given in the graphic.
The Strategy for Service Delivery
A common digital service delivery infrastructure consisting of the State Wide Area Network (SWAN), State Data Centre (SDC), National/State Service Delivery Gateway (NSDG/SSDG), State Portal and Common Services Centre (CSC) are being created in every State and Union Territory to ensure seamless and single-window delivery of public services to the common man.
National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
The Department of Information Technology, Government of India has formed the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) as an autonomous business division within Media Lab Asia, under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India, for assisting Department of Information Technology in the Programme Management of National e-Governance Plan. National e-Governance Plan supports Department of Information Technology in the following tasks:
- Facilitating implementation of Mission Mode Projects by Line Ministries/ State Governments,
- Providing technical assistance to Central Ministries/ State Line Departments,
- Acting as Secretariat to Apex Committee undertaking technical appraisal of all National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) Projects,
- Providing State e-Mission Teams to support States in National e-Governance Plan implementation.
Capacity Building
National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) is a large and complex endeavor covering 20 central departments, 35 States/ Union Territories and 360 departments across these states/UTs and nearly 500 implementation agencies. In all it is expected to require 70,000 man-years of effort. Therefore, for National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) to achieve its goals, capacity gap that need to be addressed include engaging experts, developing skills and imparting training. Capacity Building scheme is aimed at addressing the above challenges in a holistic manner including support for creation of State e-Governance Mission Teams (SeMT), Project e-Governance Mission Teams (PeMT) and Human Resource management. This scheme is also meant for initiating through various activities like empanelment of candidates, facilitating States in recruitments and providing orientation and sensitization at various levels of leaders/ officers involved in e-Governance project implementation, orientation for State e-Governance Mission Teams (SeMT), and specialized trainings with centralized curriculum and content development for various level of officers at programme and project levels.
It is envisaged to fill in the three specific capacity gaps in the states, in general:
- Lack of Personnel with appropriate background and aptitude,
- Inadequate skill sets of personnel already deployed
- Lack of appropriate institutional framework to handle the specific program
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