Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Bangalore better than Delhi, Mumbai in quality of living: Survey


Bangalore ranks better than New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata amongst Indian cities in overall global quality of living index, according to a Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey.
Mercer conducts this survey annually to help multinational companies and other organisations compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments. According to the global consulting firm, its Quality of Living index list covers 221 cities, ranked against New York as the base city.
Global ranking by infrastructure
This year’s ranking separately identifies the cities with the best infrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone and mail services, public transportation, traffic congestion and the range of international flights from local airports, a statement said.
Singapore is at the top of this index, followed by Frankfurt and Munich. Copenhagen (4) and Dusseldorf (5) fill the next two slots, while Hong Kong and London share sixth place. Port-au-Prince (221) ranks at the bottom of the list.
Indian cities
Bangalore’s overall quality of living rank went up from 141 in 2011 to 139 in 2012 and is highest amongst other Indian cities. While New Delhi ranks (143), Mumbai (146), Chennai (150), and Kolkata (151) in overall Quality of living.
Bangalore’s rise in its quality of living ranking can be attributed to positive ratings for international schools which are suitable for expatriates, the survey says.
Mumbai ranks highest on city infrastructure category (134) amongst Indian cities followed by Kolkata (141), New Delhi (153), Chennai (168), and Bangalore (170).
Vienna retains top slot
In a statement issued here, Mercer said, Vienna retains the top spot as the city with the world’s best quality of living. Zurich and Auckland follow in the second and third place, respectively. Munich is in the fourth place, followed by Vancouver, which ranks fifth.
Düsseldorf dropped one spot to rank sixth followed by Frankfurt in seventh, Geneva in eighth, Copenhagen in ninth, and Bern and Sydney tied for the 10th place.
Asia-Pacific cities
Qualifying the Asia-Pacific cities, the survey says that Australian and New Zealand cities rank higher on the index with Sydney (11), Wellington (13), Melbourne (18) and Perth (21) following Auckland (3).
At the bottom
Globally, the cities with the lowest quality of living are Khartoum, Sudan (217); N’Djamena, Chad (218); Port-au-Prince, Haiti (219); and Bangui, Central African Republic (220). Baghdad, Iraq (221) ranks last.
Region-wise
Honolulu (28) is the city in the United States with the highest quality of living, followed by San Francisco (29) and Boston (35). Chicago is at 42 and Washington, DC ranks 43. New York, the base city, ranks 44.
In terms of city infrastructure, Vancouver (9) tops the ranking for the region with Atlanta and Montreal following at 13. In the United States, Dallas ranked 15, followed by Washington, DC (22), Chicago (28) and New York (30).
Europe has 15 cities among the world’s top 25 cities for quality of living. Vienna retains the highest-ranking for both the region and globally. With six cities in the top 10, European cities also fare well in the city infrastructure ranking. 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

JUNIOR ACCOUNTANTS IN APMASS (Notification No. 08/2012) Key (Exam Held on: 18/11/2012)

JR.ACCOUNTANTS IN MUNICIPAL ACCTS.SERVICE(08/2012) :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 600 - G.S. & M.A. 

JR.ACCOUNTANTS IN MUNICIPAL ACCTS.SERVICE(08/2012) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 057 - COMMERCE 

Assistant Social Welfare Officer in A.p. Social Welfare Service (Notification No. 50/2011) Key (Exam Held on: 28 & 29/10/2012

ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (50/2011) :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 500 - G.S. & M.A. 

ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (50/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 058 - COMPULSORY PAPER 

Manager (Engineering) in Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Notification No. 54/2011) Key (Exam Held on: 29/07/2012)

MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 500 - G.S. & M.A.
 
MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 589 - MECHANICAL ENGG.
 
MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 590 - CIVIL ENGG.
 
MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 591 - ELECTRICAL ENGG.
 
MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 592 - ELECTRONICS & COMM. ENGG.
 
MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 593 - COMPUTER SCIENCE
 
MANAGERS IN H.M.W. & S.E. (54/2011) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 594 - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Inspector Of Factories in A.P. Factories (Notification No. 02/2012) Final Key (Exam Held On: 19/08/2012)

INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES (02/2012) :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 500 - G.S. & M.A. - FINAL KEY
 
INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES (02/2012) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 511 - MECHANICAL ENGG. - FINAL KEY
 
INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES (02/2012) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 512 - ELECTRICAL ENGG. - FINAL KEY
 
INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES (02/2012) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 513 - CHEMICAL ENGG. - FINALKEY
 
INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES (02/2012) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 514 - INDUSTRIAL ENGG. - FINAL KEY

MPSC Industries Officer, Gr-B Screening Test- 2012


MPSC Assistant Commissioner [Drugs] Gr-A Screening Test- 2012

     

BSE launches carbon-based index CARBONEX

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has launched BSE Carbonex, the first carbon-based thematic index in the country, which takes a strategic view of organizational commitment to climate change mitigation.

This index has been launched with the aim of creating a benchmark, and increasing awareness about the risks posed by climate change.

It will enable investors to track performance of the constituent companies of BSE-100 index regarding their commitment to greenhouse gases emission reduction.

Constituents of BSE Carbonex are over or underweighted compared to the benchmark based on their performance in the assessment process. In every industry, companies that achieve the strongest assessment scores are favoured at the expense of those achieving poor results.

The British High Commission in India through the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Prosperity Fund supported the development phase of the index. ENDS Carbon, a specialist in environment, social and governance (ESG) ratings and benchmark services provider, has provided its expertise in assessing the companies with data sourced from the carbon disclosure project (CDP), a not-for-profit organisation which holds the largest and most continuous set of climate change data in the world.

The top 10 constituents in BSE Carbonex are ITC Ltd having 7.11 per cent market capitalisation followed by Reliance Industries (6.48 per cent market capitalisation), ICICI Bank (5.54 per cent), HDFC Bank (5.48 per cent), HDFC Ltd (5.30 per cent), Infosys (5.27 per cent), L&T (4.21 per cent), TCS (3.49 per cent), Hindustan Unilever (2.73 per cent) and ONGC (2.68 per cent).

Meanwhile, the carbon credit market worldwide is now reported to be worth about USD 188 billion, one of the only markets that continued to increase during the recent years of worldwide recession.


About BSE

Established in 1875, BSE Ltd. (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd.), is Asia’s first Stock Exchange and one of India's leading exchange groups and has played a prominent role in developing the Indian capital market. BSE is a corporatized and demutualised entity, with a broad shareholder-base which includes two leading global exchanges, Deutsche Bourse and Singapore Exchange as strategic partners.

BSE provides an efficient and transparent market for trading in equity, debt instruments, derivatives, mutual funds. It also has a platform for trading in equities of small-and-medium enterprises (SME). BSE also provides a host of other services to capital market participants including risk management, clearing, settlement, market data services and education. It has a global reach with customers around the world and a nation-wide presence. BSE systems and processes are designed to safeguard market integrity, drive the growth of the Indian capital market and stimulate innovation and competition across all market segments. It operates one of the most respected capital market educational institutes in the country (the BSE Institute Ltd.). BSE also provides depository services through its Central Depository Services Ltd. (CDSL) arm.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Junior Assistants in Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences (Notification No. 18/2012) Key (Exam Held on: 06&07-10-2012)


JR.ASSTS. IN N.T.R. HEALTH UNIVERSITY :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 001 - GENERAL STUDIES

JR.ASSTS. IN N.T.R. HEALTH UNIVERSITY :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 002 - PAPER-2

JR.ASSTS. IN N.T.R. HEALTH UNIVERSITY :: Paper-3 SERIES: A 003 - PAPER-3

A.P. municipal accounts sub ordinate service (Notification No. 07/2012) Key (Exam Held on: 03&04-11-2012)

ACCOUNTS OFFICER IN MPL.ACCTS.SUB-SERVICE:: Paper-1 SERIES: A 500 - G.S. & M.A. 


ACCOUNTS OFFICER IN MPL.ACCTS.SUB-SERVICE:: Paper-2 SERIES: A 056 - COMMERCE-I   

ACCOUNTS OFFICER IN MPL.ACCTS.SUB-SERVICE:: Paper-3 SERIES: A 057 - COMMERCE-II



Election Commission Makes Sportswomen Saina Nehwal And Mary Kom As Its "national Icons"



London Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and MC Mary Kom have been designated as "national icons" by the election commission to help promote voter participation in polls.

The poll body already has former President APJ Abdul Kalam and Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni as its other "national icons".

Sources in the election commission said 22-year-old Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom, 29, who had won bronze medals in London Olympics 2012 in badminton and boxing respectively, will help in boosting women participation during the forthcoming elections.

Nehwal has earlier been the EC's 'state icon' in Andhra Pradesh. She has now been elevated as its 'national icon'.

The commission has been using the services of prominent personalities across the country to help increase voter awareness and participation, and fight the public apathy towards elections.
Kalam and Dhoni have earlier helped the poll body in its campaigns for increasing voter participation in elections.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Education for Disaster Management

On the recommendation of 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission contained in its 3rd Report titled “Crisis Management from Despair to Hope” regarding introduction of “Disaster Management” as a subject in ‘Management and Public Administration’, the University Grants Commission(UGC) constituted an Expert Committee consisting of subject experts in Disaster Management. The Expert Committee framed the syllabus for an optional paper on Disaster Management at the Undergraduate level and syllabus for a short-term training course for UG teachers to be used by Academic Staff Colleges. The Commission considered the report of the Expert Committee on Disaster Management and approved the introduction of an optional paper on Disaster Management at the Undergraduate level across the universities/colleges. The Commission further decided that Disaster Management be introduced as one of the topics in Orientation and Refresher Courses offered by the Academic Staff Colleges. The Indira Gandhi National Open University(IGNOU) is also running various courses in Disaster Management at Post Graduate and Doctoral level programmes. Similarly, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also introduced the topic of Disaster Management as a part of the school curriculum in Social Science.

ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS IN VARIOUS ENGINEERING SERVICES ( Notification No. 41/2011) Key (Exam Held On: 30-06-2012)


ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-1SERIES: A500 - G.S. & M.A.
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 501 - COMMON FOR CIVIL & MECH
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 502 - ELECTRICAL ENGG.
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-3 SERIES: A 505 - CIVIL ENGG
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-3 SERIES: A 506 - MECHANICAL ENGG.
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-3 SERIES: A 507 - ELECTRICAL ENGG
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 510 - ARCHITECTURAL ENGG.
 

ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS (41/2011 to 31/2011) G.R. :: Paper-3 SERIES: A 511 - ARCHITECTURAL ENGG.

Assistant Director in A.P. Economics and Statistical Service (Notification No. 33/2011) Key (Exam Held on: 17-06-2012)

ASST.DIRECTOR IN AP ECONOMICS&STATISTICS (33/2011) :: PAPER-1 SERIES: A 500 - GENERAL STUDIES 

ASST.DIRECTOR IN AP ECONOMICS&STATISTICS (33/2011) :: PAPER-2 SERIES: A 592 - MATHEMATICS   

ASST.DIRECTOR IN AP ECONOMICS&STATISTICS (33/2011) :: PAPER-2 SERIES: A 593 - STATISTICS   

ASST.DIRECTOR IN AP ECONOMICS&STATISTICS (33/2011) :: PAPER-2 SERIES: A 594 - ECONOMICS 

ASST.DIRECTOR IN AP ECONOMICS&STATISTICS (33/2011) :: PAPER-2 SERIES: A 595 - COMPUTER SCIENCE 









SAMPLE TAKER IN A.P. INSTITUTE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, PUBLIC HEALTHLABS. & FOOD HEALTH ADMINISTRATION SUB-SERVICE (Notification No. 16/2012) Key (Exam Held on: 04-10-2012)

SAMPLE TAKERS (16/2012) :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 600 - GENERAL STUDIES 

SAMPLE TAKERS (16/2012) :: Paper-2 SERIES: A 059 - SANITARY COURSE 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Industrial Promotion Officer (Notification No. 29/2011) Final Key


Industrial Promotion Officer :: Paper-2SERIES: A631 - APPLIED SCIENCE ENGG&MNG. (FINAL KEY)


Industrial Promotion Officer :: Paper-1 Series:A 600-GENERAL STUDIES(FINAL KEY)

ASST.HYDROLOGISTS IN GROUND WATER Notification No. 11/2012,SPECIAL RECRUITMENT FOR SC, ST BACKLOG VACANCIES(LIMITED RECRUITMENT - 2012) Key (Exam Held on: 04-10-2012)


ASST.HYDROLOGISTS IN GROUND WATER L.R. :: Paper-1 SERIES: A 500 - G.S. & M.A.
 

Asst.Hydrologists in Ground Water L.R. :: Paper-2 Series: A 647 - GEOLOGY
 

Asst.Hydrologists in Ground Water L.R. :: Paper-2 Series: A 648-HYDROLOGY

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT (GEOPHYSICS) IN A.P. GROUND WATER SUBORDINATE SERVICES (Notification No. 12/2012) Key (Exam Held On 04-10-2012)


Tech Assts.(GEOPHYSICS) (11/2012 -LR)(12/2012-GR) :: Paper-I -GENERAL STUDIES
 

Tech. Assts.(GEOPHYSICS):: Paper-2  - GEO-PHYSICS

Hostel Welfare Officers Grade-II in A.P. Tribal Welfare Sub Service under Group IV Service (Notification No. 55/2011) Key (Exam Held on: 12-08-2012)


Hostel Welfare Officers(Group-IV) :: Paper-1- GENERAL STUDIES

Hostel Welfare Officers(Group-IV) :: Paper-2 - CONCERNED SUBJECT

Certificate Verification List for Assistant Statistical Officer

Miss Czech Republic crowned Miss Earth 2012


Tereza Fajksova of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss Earth 2012 on November 24 in the Philippines.
Miss Philippines Stephany Stefanowitz as Miss Earth Air , Miss Venezuela Osmariel Villalobos as Miss Earth Water and Miss Brazil Camila Brant as Miss Earth Fire. 

Around 91 contestants from around the globe participated in the pageant with a theme in line with that of United Nations' (UN) celebration of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for all.
 
There were many favourites including Miss Prachi Mishra who represented India and had bagged the Friendship subtitle at Miss Earth 2012. 


Miss Earth 2012, Tereza Fajksova was crowned by her predecessor- Miss Earth 2011-Olga Alava of Ecuador.

India ranks 78th in Rule of Law Index 2012



India ranks 78th among 97 countries in guaranteeing access to all civil justice, a latest report released while its neighbouring country Sri Lanka leads the South Asian nations in most dimensions of the rule of law.
The ‘Rule of Law Index 2012’ report by World Justice Project provides country-by-country scores and rankings for eight areas of the rule of law.
India, the report said, has a robust system of checks and balances (ranked thirty-seventh worldwide and second among lower middle-income countries), an independent judiciary, strong protections for freedom of speech, and a relatively open government (ranking fiftieth globally and fourth among lower-middle income countries).
“Administrative agencies do not perform well (ranking 79th) and the civil court system ranks poorly (ranking 78) mainly because of deficiencies in the areas of court congestion, enforcement, and delays in processing cases,” the report said.
“Corruption is a significant problem (ranking 83rd), and police discrimination and abuses are not unusual. Order and security — including crime, civil conflict, and political violence — is a serious concern (ranked second lowest in the world),” the report observed.
According to the report, Sri Lanka outperforms its regional peers in all but two dimensions of the rule of law.
Pakistan shows weaknesses in most dimensions when compared to its regional and income group peers, the report said.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Assistant Statistical Officers in A.P. Economics and Statistical Subordinate Service (Notification No. 30/2011) Final Key


ASSISTANT STATISTICAL OFFICER:: PAPER-1 - G.S. & M.A.
 

ASSISTANT STATISTICAL OFFICER :: PAPER-2 - STATISTICS
 

ASSISTANT STATISTICAL OFFICER :: PAPER-2 - COMPUTER SCIENCE
 

ASSISTANT STATISTICAL OFFICER :: PAPER-2 - COMMERCE
 

ASSISTANT STATISTICAL OFFICER :: PAPER-2 - MATHEMATICS
 

ASSISTANT STATISTICAL OFFICER (30/2011) :: PAPER-2 - ECONOMICS

JUNIOR ACCOUNTANTS IN TREASURIES AND ACCOUNTS SUBORDINATE SERVICE AND JUNIOR ASSISTANTS IN APMS UNDER GROUP – IV SERVICE (NOT I F ICAT ION NO. 3 8 / 2 0 1 1) KEY


GROUP-IV SERVICES (38/2011): Paper-1 - GENERAL STUDIES
 

GROUP-IV SERVICES (38/2011):Paper-2 - SECRETARIAL ABILITIES

Assistant Electrical Inspectors in A.P. Electrical Inspectorate Services - Notification No. 11/2012,SPECIAL RECRUITMENT FOR SC, ST BACKLOG VACANCIES(LIMITED RECRUITMENT - 2012) Key


ASST.ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR(11/2012) P.C.NO.02:Paper-1-G.S.& M.A.
 

ASST.ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR(11/2012) P.C.NO.02:Paper-2-ELECTRICAL ENGG.

UN Climate Change Conference held In Doha, Qatar


Thousands of government representatives, international organizations and civil society members have gathered in the Qatari capital of Doha for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, on November 26 with a call to build on and implement previously agreed decisions to curb global carbon emissions by the year 2020.


  The ten-day meeting brings together the 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
Under the Protocol, 37 States – consisting of highly industrialized countries and countries undergoing the process of transition to a market economy – have legally binding emission limitation and reduction commitments. Government delegates at the Conference will, among other goals, try to extend the Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of 2012.


UNFCCC

No wonder the climate talks turned into such an alphabet soup when the first acronym they came up with had six letters, ending with three Cs. It stands for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Adopted in 1992 and ratified by 194 countries and the European Union, it provides the foundation of the global climate talks.

COP 18

Each meeting of the countries who have joined the convention is called a Conference of the Parties, or COP. This year's edition in Doha is the 18th such meeting, hence the name COP 18. Things got confusing at the 2009 meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, when the uninitiated assumed COP was an abbreviation of the host city.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

Known to the climate crowd as the ``KP,'' it's the most important deal signed within the convention, establishing binding greenhouse emissions targets for 37 industrialized nations. (Keep reading to find out how to say emissions target in Kyoto-speak). The US was the only industrialized nation that didn't ratify the agreement. Adopted in the Japanese city of Kyoto in 1997, the KP expires at the end of 2012. A key issue in Doha is negotiating an extension, referred to as a second commitment period.

LCA

Since the KP focuses on emissions from industrialized nations, a second work flow was set up in 2007 to discuss other climate actions, including by developing countries and Kyoto-dropout US The formal name is the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action. Delegates just refer to it as the LCA. It's supposed to be closed at the end of this year, but some developing countries say its work isn't finished. That's another sticking point in Doha.

DURBAN PLATFORM

Last year in Durban, South Africa, countries agreed to craft a new global climate pact that would include both rich and poor nations. Negotiators gave themselves a 2015 deadline to adopt the agreement, which would enter into force in 2020. A new working group was formed called the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Most delegates call it the Durban Platform or the ADP.

QELRO

It may have a more exotic ring to it than `emissions target' but it's essentially the same thing. A QELRO is the commitment that a country has made to cut its greenhouse emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. It stands for Quantified Emission Limitation and Reduction Obligation. Don't confuse QELROs with the NAMAs, or Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions, pledged by developing countries; or NAPAs, Nationally Adaptation Programs for Action, which are action plans submitted by the poorest countries on how to adapt to climate change.

REDD-PLUS and LULUCF

Even those inside the climate bubble will be hard pressed to spell out what those initials stand for. The important thing to know is they are initiatives to reduce emissions from deforestation and agriculture.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Third International Agronomy Congress

The third International Agronomy Congress on Agriculture Diversification, Climate Change Management and Livelihoods (26-30 November) was inaugurated on November 26.
The Indian Society of Agronomy and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research jointly organizes the 3rd International Agronomy Congress . The primary objective is to take stock of technology capital available to address the issue of agriculture diversification, climate change management and livelihoods and draw future research strategies to address the emerging matrix of agriculture problems in holistic manner. Around 1000 delegates from 24 countries are participating in the Congress. 

New National Water Policy

The Ministry of Water Resources has evolved the Draft National Water Policy (2012) to meet the present challenges in the water sector.
State Governments have been actively involved while drafting the Policy. The National Water Board comprising of Chief Secretaries of all the States and Secretaries of related Union Ministries considered the draft National Water Policy (2012) at its Meeting held on 7th June, 2012. Thereafter, the National Water Resources Council with Chief Ministers of all States as members is to consider and adopt the draft National Water Policy (2012) arrived at as per deliberations in the National Water Board.


SALIENT FEATURES OF REVISED DRAFT NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012)

1. Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys, amendment of Irrigation Acts, Indian Easements Act, 1882, etc.

2. Water, after meeting the pre-emptive needs for safe drinking water and sanitation, achieving food security, supporting poor people dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and high priority allocation for minimum eco-system needs, be treated as economic good so as to promote its conservation and efficient use.

3. Ecological needs of the river should be determined recognizing that river flows are characterized by low or no flows, small floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability and should accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime.

4. Adaptation strategies in view of climate change for designing and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized.

5.A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water. Project financing has been suggested as a tool to incentivize efficient & economic use of water.

6. Setting up of Water Regulatory Authority has been recommended. Incentivization of recycle and re-use has been recommended.

7. Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction.

8. Removal of large disparity in stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been recommended.

9. Water resources projects and services should be managed with community participation. Wherever the State Governments or local governing bodies so decide, the private sector can be encouraged to become a service provider in public private partnership model to meet agreed terms of service delivery, including penalties for failure.

10. Adequate grants to the States to update technology, design practices, planning and management practices, preparation of annual water balances and accounts for the site and basin, preparation of hydrologic balances for water systems, and benchmarking and performance evaluation.

Welfare Schemes for Older Persons

An Act called "The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007" was enacted by Parliament in December, 2007 to ensure need based maintenance for parents and senior citizens and their welfare. The Act, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives obligatory and justiciable through tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of negligence by relatives; penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens; protection of life and property etc.

The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January 1999. Para 95 of the Policy envisages setting up of a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) to promote and coordinate the concerns of older persons.

In pursuance of the above provision of the Policy, a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted. In order to have a definite structure as well as to provide for representation from various regions, the NCOP has been re-constituted and renamed as the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).

A Resolution dated 17th February, 2012 re-constituting and renaming the NCOP as the NCSrC was published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on 22nd February, 2012.

The NCSrC will advise the Central and the State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to the welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life, with special reference to policies, programmes and legislative measures; promotion of physical and financial security, health, and independent and productive living; and awareness generation and community mobilization.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) from the year 2010-11. The basic aim of the NPHCE programme is to provide separate and specialized comprehensive health care to the senior citizens at various level of state health care delivery system including outreach services. Preventive & promotive care, management of illness, health manpower development for geriatric services, medical rehabilitation & therapeutic intervention and IEC are some of the strategies envisaged in the NPHCE.

The major components of the NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were establishment of 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different regions of the country and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres level in 100 identified districts of 21 States.

It is proposed to cover the remaining districts under the programme during the 12th Five Year Plan in a phased manner (@ 100 districts per year and develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of the country. 

Town Planning Assistants in. A.P. TownPlanning Subordinate Service (Notification No. 46/2011) Key

Town Planning Assistants :: Paper-I-GENERAL STUDIES
 
Town Planning Assistants :: Paper-II-TOWN PLANNING

THE CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) ACTS ( with year)


  •  The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
  •     The Constitution (Second Amendment) Act, 1952
  •     The Constitution (Third Amendment) Act, 1954.
  •     The Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1955.
  •     The Constitution (Fifth Amendment) Act, 1955.
  •     The Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act, 1956.
  •     The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956.
  •     The Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1959.
  •     The Constitution (Ninth Amendment) Act, 1960.
  •     The Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 1961.
  •     The Constitution (Eleventh Amendment) Act, 1961.
  •     The Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act, 1962.
  •     The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1962.
  •     The Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1962
  •     The Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Act, 1963.
  •     The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963
  •     The Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 1964
  •     The Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 1966.
  •     The Constitution (Nineteenth Amendment) Act, 1966.
  •     The Constitution (Twentieth Amendment) Act, 1966.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-first Amendment) Act, 1967.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-third Amendment) Act, 1969
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1971.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1971.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1971.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1972.
  •     The Constitution (Twenty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1972.
  •     The Constitution (Thirtieth Amendment) Act, 1972
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-first Amendment) Act, 1973.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-second Amendment) Act, 1973.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-third Amendment) Act, 1974.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1974.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1974.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-seventh) Act, 1975.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1975.
  •     The Constitution (Thirty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1975.
  •     The Constitution (Fortieth Amendment) Act, 1976.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-first Amendment) Act, 1976.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976
  •     The Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1980.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1982.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1984.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1984.
  •     The Constitution (Forty-ninth Amendment)Act, 1984.
  •     The Constitution (Fiftieth Amendment) Act, 1984.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-first Amendment) Act, 1984.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment) Act, 1985.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-third Amendment) Act, 1986.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1986
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1986.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1987
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1987.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1987.
  •     The Constitution (Fifty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1988
  •     The Constitution (Sixtieth Amendment) Act, 1988.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-second Amendment) Act, 1989.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-third Amendment) Act, 1989.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1990.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1990.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-seventh Amendment) Act, 1990.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1991.
  •     The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991.
  •     The Constitution (Seventieth Amendment) Act, 1992.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act, 1992
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-second Amendment) Act, 1992.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-fourth Amendment) Act, 1992.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-fifth Amendment) Act, 1993.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-sixth Amendment) Act, 1994.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-seventh Amendment) Act, 1995.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-eighth Amendment) Act, 1995.
  •     The Constitution (Seventy-ninth Amendment) Act, 2000.
  •     The Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Act, 2000 .
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-first Amendment) Act, 2000.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-second Amendment) Act, 2000.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-third Amendment) Act, 2000.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-fourth Amendment) Act, 2001.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-fifth Amendment) Act, 2002.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-seventh Amendment) Act, 2003.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-eighth Amendment) Act, 2003.
  •     The Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003.
  •     The Constitution (Ninetieth Amendment) Act, 2003.
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-First Amendment Act, 2003
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-Second Amendment) Act, 2003.
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment  Act, 2005.
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-Fourth Amendment Act, 2006.
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-Five Amendment Act, 2009.
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-Sixth Amendment Act, 2011.
  •     The Constitution (Ninety-Seventh Amendment  Act, 2011.
  • Houses, Household Amenities and Assets of Andhra Pradesh Figures at a Glance

         

    Friday, November 23, 2012

    Tenth ASEAN-India Summit Concluded at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    The tenth ASEAN-India Summit that was held at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia concluded on 19 November 2012. The summit was chaired by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen and attended by the leaders of the ten Member states of ASEAN and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

    During the summit the discussions were held on identifying the future course of action on the ASEAN-India relations. Success was achieved in deciding the convening of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit scheduled to be held on 20 December to 21 December 2012 at New Delhi, India, the summit will be held to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.  
    During the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India summit, 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations was also observed at the same venue of Peach Place, Phnom Penh. The ASEAN-India Summit for the first time was observed in the year 2002 at Phnom Penh.

    Marked Commemorative Activities

    1.    The meeting between Heads of Space Agencies
    2.    Ministerial level meetings in tourism, environment, agriculture, new and renewable energy,
    3.    The sending of the Sail Training Ship “Sudarshini” on an expedition to ASEAN countries

    Some other commemorative activities on which discussions were held included 2nd ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave, and the ASEAN-India Car Rally, these would be held during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

    Decisions were also made on implementing the Plan of Action and the ASEAN-India Partnership for Progress, Peace and shared Prosperity (2010-2015). These implementations would be followed by the ministers of the ASEAN members and India to contribute in deepening the dialogue relations between the two sides.

    Excellent works of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in production of a good and concise report was also commended at the summit. Recommendations for further advancements of the partnership to next levels were also evaluated. Security, peace and stability of the region, along with strengthening of the maritime cooperation via existing mechanism of were recognized and stressed upon. Strict management of the recommendations would bring back security, peace and stability in the region at the time when security challenges like sea piracy, vessel accidents, oil spills, terrorism and natural disasters are becoming a threat and challenge to the security of the region.

    Trade between ASEAN and India in 2011

    The trade between the ASEAN and India grew by 43 percent in the year 2011 that amounted to 74.9 billion US dollar that also surpassed the bilateral trade target of 70 billion US dollar. Target for achieving the 100 billion US dollar mark by 2015 for ASEAN-India trade was also identified and set at the summit.

    Foreign Ministers of all the member nations and India would be working ahead to settle down thing and conclude the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements before the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December in India.

    Before this the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh in April 2012 welcomed the adoption of the Declaration on Drug- Free ASEAN 2015 by the ASEAN Leaders at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh.

    India Agreed On

    Both the parties adopted of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, on 18 November 2012. The two parties also emphasized to contribute supports on realization of the ASEAN Community based on the decided rules of law, democracy, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. India will be supporting the ASEAN Community building efforts by Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) in which India will play a role in establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) and Centres for English Language Training (CELTs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.

    India made a commitment of supporting the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and connectivity with the wider East Asia Region for establishment of the linkage between the ASEAN and South Asia.

    The announcement also cleared that India-Myanmar-Thailand highway that is backed by the U.S., which would be operational by 2016 and would act as the Gateway for North East India to South-East Asia. The same announcement also cleared the fact of the alternative route that would connect the central or North Myanmar with Guwahati and Hanoi, on which the discussions were made during the trilateral meet between, India, U.S. and Japan. Both the parties, ASEAN and India looked forward for better connectivity of the region via highways and made decisions on early construction of new India-Myanmar-Laos-Viet Nam-Cambodia Highway. It also decided about the extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Laos and Cambodia.

    Concerns towards Climate Change and Environment


    Both the parties during the Tenth ASEAN-India Summit that concluded at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia agreed to work together to respond to the issues of climate change and its impact. They also agreed on strengthening steps to respond to natural disasters that has always remained a issue of concern in the region, like fllod and earth quakes.

    Twenty first ASEAN Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    The 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh was held on 18 November 2012 at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen was the Chairperson for the 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The head of states of the ASEAN members and the Secretary-General of ASEAN participated in the 21st ASEAN Summit and discussed about things like progress of the Implementation of ASEAN Charter and Roadmap for an ASEAN community.

    Issues Discussed

    1.    Follow-up to the 20th ASEAN Summit
    2.    The Progress Report on the Implementation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity
    3.    Signed Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
    4.    Exchange of View on Regional and International Issues

    A Leaders’ Statement on the establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was also issued during the summit.

    Document Signed and Adopted

    1.    Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
    2.    ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)
    3.    Concept Paper on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)
    4.    ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)

    H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh- the candidate from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was appointed as the upcoming Secretary General for ASEAN for the next five year term by the ASEAN Head of States. The nomination was done on the basis of alphabetical rotation plan for next five year that would start from January 2013 and end in December 2018.

    ASEAN

    ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was created on 8 August 1967 at Bangkok, Thailand after ASEAN Declaration (also called Bangkok Declaration) was signed between the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. With time 5 more South Asian countries joined the group namely Brunei Darussalam joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999. Today, ASEAN is a 10-member group by now.  The group was formed with a basic idea of promoting social progress, economic growth and cultural development between the member nations and talk on the differences in a peaceful manner.

    The Seventh East Asia Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    The seventh East Asia Summit (EAS) was held at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 19 November 2012. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen chaired the meeting. The Leaders of East Asia Summit adopted a joint declaration for the 7th East Asia Summit following the regional responses to control Malaria and address the resistance to anti-malarial medicines.

    The Phnom Penh Declaration of the East Asia Summit Development Initiative was also taken on this occasion. Discussions and exchange of views on different regional and international issues was also done between the leaders of the member-nations.

    Apart from the 10 members of the ASEAN representatives from eight different countries namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and United States of America also participated in the summit.

    Issues Discussed

    The leaders of the East India Summit discussed on a variety of issues to seek mutual cooperation for growth and to decide the future direction of the member nations.

    Priority Areas

    1.    Environment and energy
    2.    Education
    3.    Finance
    4.    Global health issues and pandemic diseases
    5.    Natural disaster mitigation
    6.    ASEAN connectivity

    Phnom Penh


    Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and the largest city of the country. It is located on the bank of River Mekong. Phnom Penh is the centre for all types of economic and industrial activities in the nation.

    Other summits that concluded at Peace Palace

    1.    4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting Peace Palace, 19 November 2012
    2.    15th ASEAN-ROK Summit Peace Palace, 19 November 2012
    3.    ASEAN Plus Three Commemorative Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19 November 2012
    4.    15TH ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT Phnom Penh, 19 November 2012
    5.    15TH ASEAN-China Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19 November 2012
    6.    7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 20 November 2012

    Saturday, November 17, 2012

    UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-1

         

    UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-2

         

    Thursday, November 15, 2012

    Heads of International Offices

    Mr Ban Ki Moon-Secretary General, United Nation Organisation
    Ms Asha Rose Migiro-First Dy Secretary General UNO
    Dr Jim Yong Kim-President World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development)

    Ms Christine Lagarde-Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
    Ms Irina Bokova-Director General, UNESCO
    Dr Supachai Pantchpakdi-Secretary General, UNCTAD
    Mr Hisoshi Owada-President, International Court of Justice
    Mr Haruhika Kuroda-President, Asian Development Bank
    Mr Kamlesh Sharma-Secretary General, Commonwealth
    Mr Pascal Lamy-Director General, WTO
    Mr Sharad Pawar-President International Cricket Council
    Mr Harshwardhan Singh-Dy Director General WTO
    Mr Yukia Amano-Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
    Mr Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik-Chairman, SAARC
    Ms Ahmed Saleem-Secretary General, SAARC
    Mr Salil Sethi-Secretary General Amensty International
    Ms Helen Clerk-Director General of UNDP
    Mr Klaus Schwed-Chairman, WEF (World Economic Forum)