The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 10 "Mega Food Parks".

       The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 10 Mega Food Parks in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar and Tripura. In-principle approval has been accorded to 5 projects and Expression of Interest (EoI) issued for another 15 projects.

The Mega Food Parks Scheme (MFPS), a flagship programme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) aims at accelerating the growth of food processing industry in the country through facilitating establishment of strong food processing infrastructure backed by an efficient supply chain.  The scheme provides for a capital grant of 50 percent of the project cost in difficult and ITDP notified areas(with a ceiling of Rs 50 crores). The grant is utilized towards creation of common infrastructure in the park. A Mega Food Park takes about 30-36 months to be completed.

Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure

Eight out of ten cold chain projects approved by MFPI have started commercial operation. Substantive value addition, reduction in wastage and enhancement in farmers’ income is evident from concurrent evaluation of these projects. 39 projects have been approved in 2011. The approved projects envisage a total investment of about Rs. 850 crore. 

These 49 projects would create cold chain capacity of over 2.30 lakh MT. 

            The cold chain scheme was approved in 2008 with an objective to provide integrated and complete cold chain, value addition and preservation infrastructure facilities without any break, for perishables from the farm gate to the consumer. The assistance under the scheme includes financial assistance (grant-in-aid) of 50%  of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas and 75% for NE region and difficult areas subject to a maximum of Rs 10 crore.

Taking note of the high demand and the gap in the requirement of cold storage, processing, preservation and cold logistics facilities in India, “creation & management of cold chain infrastructure for agriculture” has been recently identified as a thrust area by the Prime Minister.

Modernization of abattoirs

In the year 2011, two projects at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra and Dimapurin Nagaland have been completed. Ten projects for modernization of abattoirs are at various stages of progress.   A proposal for up-scaling the scheme is under consideration.

Technology Upgradation/Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries

            A sum of Rs. 488 crore is likely to be spent by March 2012 on the scheme for technology upgradation and modernization of food processing industries. This scheme is adding huge processing capacity to the food processing industry which in turn has resulted in significant reduction of wastages.

New ‘Mission on Food Processing’ on the anvil

            The Working Group on Food Processing for the XII Plan has recommended a new centrally sponsored scheme in the form of National Mission on Food Processing proposed with seven components. Four components, namely, (i) Technology up-gradation / setting up / modernization of food processing industries, (ii) HRD, (iii) Modernization of Abattoirs and (iv) Promotional Activities are being implemented in 11^th Plan as Central Sector Schemes which will form part of the National Mission on Food Processing. Three new activities, namely, (i) Modernization of Meat Shops, (ii) Cold Chain, Value Addition & Preservation Infrastructure for non-horticulture produce, and (iii) Creation of on-farm PPC/CCs are proposed as new components. Planning Commission has given in-principle approval. 

Launching of National Mission on Food Processing is likely to have greater involvement of State Governments and all stakeholders resulting fast growth of the food processing sector.

Bird species reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List version

Details of bird species reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List version 

S. No.	Common Name	Scientific Name	Family	Status
1	White-rumped Vulture	Gyps bengalensis	Accipitridae	CR
2	Indian Vulture	Gyps indicus	Accipitridae	CR
3	Slender-billed Vulture	Gyps tenuirostris	Accipitridae	CR
4	Red-headed Vulture	Sarcogyps calvus	Accipitridae	CR
5	Pink-headed Duck	Rhodonessa caryophyllacea	Anatidae	CR
6	White-bellied Heron	Ardea insignis	Ardeidae	CR
7	Sociable Lapwing	Vanellus gregarius	Charadriidae	CR
8	Christmas Frigatebird	Fregata andrewsi	Fregatidae	CR
9	Jerdon's Courser	Rhinoptilus bitorquatus	Glareolidae	CR
10	Siberian Crane	Grus leucogeranus	Gruidae	CR
11	Bengal Florican	Houbaropsis bengalensis	Otididae	CR
12	Himalayan Quail	Ophrysia superciliosa	Phasianidae	CR
13	Spoon-billed Sandpiper	Eurynorhynchus pygmeus	Scolopacidae	CR
14	Forest Owlet	Heteroglaux blewitti	Strigidae	CR

CR: Critically Endangered.

UN Women Report

UN Women Report

The report titled, “Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice 2011-12” was launched by UN Women on 7 July 2011. The Report offers a comprehensive global review of women’s rights around the world. By focusing on the issue of women’s access to justice, or lack thereof, it highlights the many ways in which injustice against women still continues- in a home or the work place, in politics and in justice systems. The Report has both positive examples from across the world of progress in women’s access to justice as well as areas where more action is needed. The Report does not mention about “Khap” Panchayats. The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath revealed this in Rajya Sabha recently in written reply to a question. 

The Minister further stated that as Khap Panchayat is a gathering of the members of particular caste or clan of the village or from a group of neighbouring villages and are informal bodies, they don’t have legal status. 

As per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects and, as such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, lies with the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration. Existing provisions of the IPC cover crimes such as murder and, therefore, provisions for punishment to people who abet crime. Further, MHA has sent detailed advisory to all State Governments/Union Territory Administrations advising them to take appropriate measures in cases of crimes against women including the violation of women’s rights by so-called ‘Honour Killings’. 

National Mineral Policy

National Mineral Policy

The National Mineral Policy, 2008, seeks to address areas of serious concern in mining sector relating inter-alia to:

(i)                 making the regulatory mechanism more conducive to technology and investment flows by ensuring greater transparency in allocation of mineral concessions, seamlessness and security of tenure in the concession processes,

(ii)               strengthening the role of Geological Survey of India, Indian Bureau of Mines, and State Directorates of Mining and Geology,

(iii)             developing and enforcing a Sustainable Development Framework ensuring stakeholder rights to the indigenous population and that the mining activity takes place along with suitable measures for restoration of the ecological balance,

(iv)             discourage and prevent sub-optimal and unscientific mining by promoting zero-waste mining,

(v)               developing new concession instruments to attract high technology for incentivizing exploration of large areas, and

(vi)             developing a cluster approach to mining of small deposits in a scientific and efficient manner.

OVL showed keen interest in participating in the Sakhalin-3

OVL showed keen interest in participating in the Sakhalin-3 and other fields. It was pointed out that the Company is in close talks with Gazprom to jointly develop projects to produce LNG, gas pipelines, its transportation and marketing. Indian side suggested swapping LNG imports of Japan from Qatar with the LNG that could be available from Russian sources like Sakhalin. Indian side also proposed participation of PLL in the projects along with OVL. 

PLL informed that they would be soon finalizing the agreement for sourcing LNG from Russia under the pact arrived at with Gazprom. The Heads of Agreement for supply of about 2.5 million tones of LNG were signed recently at Singapore. The LNG is proposed to be sourced from Shtokman field. PLL further showed interest in importing more LNG as the demand in India was growing rapidly

Trade Deficit with China

Trade Deficit with China

The trade deficit of India with China was US$ 23.864 billion in 2010-11. 

The matter relating to growing trade deficit was taken up with the Chinese side by India during the Eighth Session of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade Science and Technology (JEG) held on 19th January, 2010 in Beijing. Following specific requests to increase imports from India were made to the Chinese side during 8th Session of the JEG: 

i. Greater import of IT and ITES by China from India. 

ii. Removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to the import of power plant equipment from India. 

iii. Removal of restrictions on import of Basmati Rice, fruits and vegetables by China. 

iv. Landing rights for Indian TV channels in China. 

v. Import of more Indian films by China. 

vi. Removal of procedural bottlenecks, including time consuming licensing procedures being faced by Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals. 

As an outcome of 8th JEG a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated 19th January 19, 2010, on extension of Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed between India and China. The MoU recognizes that a balanced trade is conducive to long term, sustainable and harmonious development of economic cooperation between the two countries. As per Para I of the MoU, “Both sides agree to give special attention to improving the trade situation to ensure greater value addition in their bilateral trade and promote the introduction of additional goods and services in their markets. While the Indian side will take conscious initiatives to promote its goods in China, the Chinese side will strive to import as much of its requirement of value added goods from India as possible”. 

There is increase in export of some value added goods to China as compared to the previous year. Under investment in both manufacturing and value-addition in India has led to severe mismatch between demand and supply in India and creation of a market for imports of manufactured and value-added goods from China. 

The Government of India has addressed the issue of growing trade deficit at the highest level. Indian exporters are encouraged to participate in major trade fairs in China to show-case Indian products in the Chinese market and increase engagement with Chinese companies. Participation of Indian exporters in trade fairs aims to promote Indian products amongst Chinese importers. With a view to reducing trade deficit, efforts are also being made to diversify the trade basket with emphasis on manufactured goods. We are also pursuing market access issues to tackle non-tariff barriers in the Chinese market at different fora. Business to Business relations are encouraged through schemes such as Market Access Initiative (MAI)/Market Development Assistance (MDA). Apart from these measures the Government of India is alive to the challenges of import surges and various unfair trade practices through available safeguard measures under WTO. 

Action Against Import of Hazardous Wastes

Action Against Import of Hazardous Wastes

The import of hazardous wastes including e-waste, plastic scrap, clinical and related wastes into India is subject to the provisions of Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Tran boundary Movement) Rules. As per the Rules, import of recyclable wastes, such as plastic scrap, e-waste, is permitted only for recycling or recovery or reuse. Import for clinical and related wastes (hazardous medical waste) listed at the entry A 4020 in Schedule VI of these Rules is prohibited into the country. 

Promotion of Indian Culture

Promotion of Indian Culture
Cultural Education is an integral part of school education at all levels in the country. By organizing seminars, workshops, programmes and taking up projects, excursions, heritage walks, schools have been sensitizing children about rich and diverse heritage and taking concrete steps to further promote and preserve it. CBSE has also initiated following steps for this purpose.

• The Board has been conducting Heritage India Quiz since 2001 involving schools students to learn and appreciate the country’s history with special reference to the freedom struggle, the constitution and other aspects associated with different regions, life styles, traditions, customs etc.

• Schools have been advised to celebrate Heritage Day on 12th January 2011.

• Schools have been advised to organize SPIC MACAY events/workshops and avail the opportunity to bring great artists to the portals of their institutes.

"Getting to Zero" ::new report on AIDS

"Getting to Zero"  World AIDS Day this year is about Getting to Zero, Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. Backed by the United Nations the "Getting to Zero" campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year's successful World AIDS Day "Light for Rights" initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations. "The potential for creative, connected and meaningful campaigning is really exciting,” says World AIDS Campaign Africa Director, Linda Mafu. "Our organization will focus on Zero AIDS Related Deaths, but the choice is there for others to pick a different zero or all three." The World AIDS Campaign 2011 focus on "Zero AIDS Related Deaths" signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. It’s a global campaign that spotlights how our fundamental right to health is intrinsically and inextricably linked to other basic rights – The right to food, to shelter, to freedom, to clean water and safety. The global HIV response is at a pivotal moment, where huge strides forward are at serious risk and current approaches are reaching their limits. Only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV in need of lifelong treatment are receiving it. The decision to go with the millennium development related goal of Getting to Zerocomes after extensive discussions among people living with HIV, health activists, broader civil society and many others - more than a hundred organizations. The vision for this year's World AIDS Day and beyond may be inspirational but the journey towards its attainment is laid with concrete milestones. Situation in India According to NACO an estimated 2.2 million people in India were living with HIV/AIDS in the year 2010 (88.7% adults in 15-49 years, 7.5% aged 50 and above and 3.5% children below 15 years). The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the country is 0.34%. Women account for 39% of HIV burden in the country. 8 states have HIV prevalence greater than the national average. India has been successful in containing the overall prevalence of the epidemic. However, there is no room for complacency as the epidemic spreads from high risk groups to general populations, from men to women and from urban to rural areas.  HIV/AIDS in the World of work HIV/AIDS is a major threat to the world of work. It has shown maximum impact on the most productive segment of the labour force. In countries with high HIV prevalence rates, it has cut the supply of labour and slashed income of workers, adversely affected enterprise performance and national economies. HIV/AIDS affects fundamental rights at work, particularly with respect to discrimination and stigmatization of workers and people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination at the workplace gets reflected in the form of loss of employment and livelihood opportunities in addition to ostracism and seclusion faced by workers either due to known or presumed HIV status.The threat of HIV to the Indian working population is evident from the fact that nearly 90% of the reported HIV infections are from the most productive age group of 15-49 years. Focus Area within the National AIDS Control Programme Expanding HIV/AIDS policy and programmes in the world of work is a key component under the mainstreaming strategy in the National AIDS Control Programme phase-III (2007-2012). The National AIDS Control Organization, realizing the need for focused efforts to mainstream HIV/AIDS in a sustained manner has established a dedicated mainstreaming cell which would be responsible for initiating and facilitating mainstreaming efforts with government, civil society organizations and businesses/industries. It was observed that a national policy guideline on HIV/AIDS interventions in the world of work would be of immense value. The Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National AIDS Control Organizations, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, have jointly developed this policy document. These guidelines have come out of consultation with the employers‟ and workers‟ organizations, people living with HIV/AIDS, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNAIDS. Key Strategies a) Prevention of HIV transmission. b) Provide education and training at all levels in workplaces, set up interventions for behavior change through peer educators, integrate HIV in the existing / to be initiatedprogrammes at workplaces like the training of the Human Resource Department, Welfare and OHS programmes, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives etc. c) Set up interventions for unorganized/informal sector workers and migrant workers, based on vulnerability studies and risk assessment. d) Enhance access to condoms, treatment of STIs, universal precaution and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). e) Widen scope of social security coverage to include HIV in employee and family assistance programmes, health insurance etc. f) Undertake vulnerable studies/epidemiological surveillance at the workplace to gather data/information for taking informed policy and programmatic decisions. g) Creating and ensuring an enabling environment to discourage stigma and              discrimination towards people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. h) Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in HIV/AIDS Prevention and care. Eventually, effective steps are being taken globally to surmount the pandemic and definitely we will achieve our targets. But there are two interlinked factors regarding this win-win situation, firstly, political determination to check the rate of HIV infection and secondly, social awareness to remove stigma-discrimination which is the main hurdle in the path of HIV/AIDS control program. The combination of these two factors can bring success in respect of our efforts. Because HIV/AIDS is a universal challenge before us that is why we need to step up universally in the same proportion as well. In sum, it is our collective responsibility for the sake of saving the next generation from this pandemic. The World AIDS Day is celebrated on 1st December every year.

Steps to Address Crisis in Traditional Sectors

Government has announced a six fold strategy to offer financial support to handloom weavers..

Under the Scheme, weavers will be eligible to margin money assistance of Rs. 4200 to Rs. 5400 per head and interest subsidy of 3 percent on loans for a period of 3 years and Weavers Credit Cards will be issued to eligible individual weavers to enable them to access loans upto Rs. 2 lakh in a period of 3 years without any collateral security. Government has convened stakeholders meetings at Ministerial level to assess the slowdown in the industry.

The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) and Cotton Yarn Advisory Board (CYAB) meetings held on 15th November 2011 assessed domestic mill consumption for 2011-12 at 210 lakh bales down from 240 lakh bales of cotton; and cotton yarn production down from 3900 million kgs to 3200 million kgs indicating the slowdown in textiles industry. Government is considering industry representations for a moratorium on loans for capital intensive requests and special relaxation in RBI’s prudential norms to avoid asset reclassification or additional provisioning to address the textile industry slowdown.