General Affairs
Full Text of Joint Statement of G4 Summit
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NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hosted the G4 summit in New York. The meet was attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
Here is the full text of the joint statement:
On 26 September 2015, H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, invited H.E. Ms. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, H.E. Ms. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany and H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, for a G-4 meeting in New York.
The G-4 leaders stressed that a more representative, legitimate and effective Security Council is needed more than ever to address the global conflicts and crises, which had spiraled in recent years. They shared the view that this can be achieved by reflecting the realities of the international community in the 21st century, where more Member States have the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to maintenance of international peace and security.
In this context, the leaders noted with concern that no substantial progress had been made since the 2005 World Summit where all the Heads of State and Government had unanimously supported the "early reform" of the Security Council as an essential element of the overall effort to reform the United Nations. They strongly emphasized that the process underway in the UN to bring about the reform of the Security Council should be conducted, given its urgency, in a fixed time frame.
The leaders paid tribute to the dynamic leadership of the President of the 69th General Assembly and the efforts of the Chair of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) in moving the IGN process towards text-based negotiations. They welcomed the adoption by consensus of the General Assembly Decision 69/560 to use the text presented by the President of the 69th General Assembly in his letter dated 31 July 2015 as the basis for negotiations within the IGN. They also pledged to support and cooperate with the President of the 70th General Assembly.
The leaders also noted with appreciation the efforts of Member States in moving towards text-based negotiations. They welcomed, in particular, the efforts undertaken by the Member States of the African Group, CARICOM and the L.69 Group. They supported Africa's representation in both the permanent and non-permanent membership in the Security Council. They also noted the importance of adequate and continuing representation of small and medium sized Member States, including the Small Island Developing States, in an expanded and reformed Council.
The leaders emphasized that the G-4 countries are legitimate candidates for permanent membership in an expanded and reformed Council and supported each other's candidature. They also reaffirmed their resolve to continue contributing to the fulfillment of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. They pledged to work together with all Member States and to accelerate outreach towards achieving an early and meaningful reform of the Security Council. They expressed determination to redouble their efforts towards securing concrete outcomes during the 70th session of the General Assembly.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hosted the G4 summit in New York. The meet was attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.Here is the full text of the joint statement:
On 26 September 2015, H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, invited H.E. Ms. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, H.E. Ms. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany and H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, for a G-4 meeting in New York.
The G-4 leaders stressed that a more representative, legitimate and effective Security Council is needed more than ever to address the global conflicts and crises, which had spiraled in recent years. They shared the view that this can be achieved by reflecting the realities of the international community in the 21st century, where more Member States have the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to maintenance of international peace and security.
The leaders paid tribute to the dynamic leadership of the President of the 69th General Assembly and the efforts of the Chair of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) in moving the IGN process towards text-based negotiations. They welcomed the adoption by consensus of the General Assembly Decision 69/560 to use the text presented by the President of the 69th General Assembly in his letter dated 31 July 2015 as the basis for negotiations within the IGN. They also pledged to support and cooperate with the President of the 70th General Assembly.
The leaders also noted with appreciation the efforts of Member States in moving towards text-based negotiations. They welcomed, in particular, the efforts undertaken by the Member States of the African Group, CARICOM and the L.69 Group. They supported Africa's representation in both the permanent and non-permanent membership in the Security Council. They also noted the importance of adequate and continuing representation of small and medium sized Member States, including the Small Island Developing States, in an expanded and reformed Council.
The leaders emphasized that the G-4 countries are legitimate candidates for permanent membership in an expanded and reformed Council and supported each other's candidature. They also reaffirmed their resolve to continue contributing to the fulfillment of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. They pledged to work together with all Member States and to accelerate outreach towards achieving an early and meaningful reform of the Security Council. They expressed determination to redouble their efforts towards securing concrete outcomes during the 70th session of the General Assembly.
PM Modi Running Government With Hate Agenda, Says Congress
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NEW DELHI: With the CBI and Enforcement Directorate raiding Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's Delhi and Shimla houses, Congress today said "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hate agenda against Congress reached its zenith".
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a statement said his party "stoutly and strongly deprecates, abhors and condemns the politics of revenge and vendetta unleashed by Modi" and the BJP government was "converting CBI as a BJP's investigation bureau against political opponents".
"These fascist tendencies are the very antithesis of healthy democracy which Congress party stands for. Our resolve to fight the dictatorial, autocratic and vendetta-driven politics of Narendra Modi and his ilk only becomes stronger and more resolute by such lowly acts of partisan political vendetta," Mr Azad said.
Stating that there was nothing new in the allegations made against Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Azad, the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, said the same unsubstantiated allegations regarding his (Virbhadra Singh) income tax returns were raised by the BJP during the 2012 assembly elections to tarnish his image and spoil the prospects of the Congress party winning the elections.
"Much hype was created about these allegations and a malicious propaganda was launched by the BJP. However, the people of the state saw through the plans of the BJP and returned Congress party to power with a thumping majority," he added.
He said it was being done to divert public attention from issues of corruption and BJP leaders' impropriety in Modigate, Vyapam scam, Chhattisgarh PDS and bank scams, Rajasthan mining scam, Maharashtra chikki and tender scams, fake degrees scam and many other cases.
He said Mr Virbhadra Singh had already submitted his income tax details to the authorities and the matter was being looked into by the income tax authorities at various levels.
The matter of his agricultural income was pending adjudication with the income tax appellate tribunal, he said.
Mr Azad said the issue of jurisdiction to conduct income tax inquiries into alleged money laundering went to the Himachal Pradesh High Court and was finally pending before the Supreme Court.
"Will Prime Minister answer as to why he did not register a case and conduct raids on his Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and others involved in Modigate scam?" Mr Azad asked.
NEW DELHI: With the CBI and Enforcement Directorate raiding Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's Delhi and Shimla houses, Congress today said "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hate agenda against Congress reached its zenith".Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a statement said his party "stoutly and strongly deprecates, abhors and condemns the politics of revenge and vendetta unleashed by Modi" and the BJP government was "converting CBI as a BJP's investigation bureau against political opponents".
"These fascist tendencies are the very antithesis of healthy democracy which Congress party stands for. Our resolve to fight the dictatorial, autocratic and vendetta-driven politics of Narendra Modi and his ilk only becomes stronger and more resolute by such lowly acts of partisan political vendetta," Mr Azad said.
Stating that there was nothing new in the allegations made against Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Azad, the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, said the same unsubstantiated allegations regarding his (Virbhadra Singh) income tax returns were raised by the BJP during the 2012 assembly elections to tarnish his image and spoil the prospects of the Congress party winning the elections.
"Much hype was created about these allegations and a malicious propaganda was launched by the BJP. However, the people of the state saw through the plans of the BJP and returned Congress party to power with a thumping majority," he added.
He said it was being done to divert public attention from issues of corruption and BJP leaders' impropriety in Modigate, Vyapam scam, Chhattisgarh PDS and bank scams, Rajasthan mining scam, Maharashtra chikki and tender scams, fake degrees scam and many other cases.
He said Mr Virbhadra Singh had already submitted his income tax details to the authorities and the matter was being looked into by the income tax authorities at various levels.
The matter of his agricultural income was pending adjudication with the income tax appellate tribunal, he said.
Mr Azad said the issue of jurisdiction to conduct income tax inquiries into alleged money laundering went to the Himachal Pradesh High Court and was finally pending before the Supreme Court.
"Will Prime Minister answer as to why he did not register a case and conduct raids on his Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and others involved in Modigate scam?" Mr Azad asked.
Jammu and Kashmir Government Extends Internet Ban Till Tomorrow
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Government today extended the two-day ban on Internet services till tomorrow, saying it apprehended misuse by anti-social elements to create communal tension.
Inspector General of Police of Kashmir as well as Jammu region wrote a letter to all service providers to continue termination of data services till 2 am tomorrow, official sources said.
The directive by police to all service providers, which came on the eve of Eid, comes amidst the controversy over beef ban.
In the order, the service providers were directed to snap all data services.
"In view of the apprehension of misuse of data services (GPRS/2G/3G) by anti-national elements, which is likely to cause deterioration in law and order situation, you are requested to completely snap down the data services through GPRS/2G/3G and broadband till 2 PM of September 27".
The ban, which was to end at 10 pm today, has been imposed on Internet so that no videos are uploaded and social networking sites are not accessible.
Reacting to the extension of ban, former state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the PDP-BJP government was pushing the people to dark age.
"During our regime, when situations were far more worse, our government only reduced bandwidth so that ficticious videos were not uploaded. But this regime is completely pushing the people of the state to the wall", Mr Abdullah said.
"I wonder why Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba are silent on such draconian actions.
They used to accuse my government but I wonder what they have to say now.
"In fact Mufti Saheb is living to his promise. He had promised to make the state like Gujarat. Now I guess we are competing with Gujarat as to who bans Internet more," he said.
The measure has been taken because of apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the High Court directive for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef. Some separatist groups have said they will defy the court order.
This step was also aimed at thwarting mischievous elements who may violate the court and, as a mark of protest, post the pictures on social media that may spark communal tension.
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Government today extended the two-day ban on Internet services till tomorrow, saying it apprehended misuse by anti-social elements to create communal tension.Inspector General of Police of Kashmir as well as Jammu region wrote a letter to all service providers to continue termination of data services till 2 am tomorrow, official sources said.
In the order, the service providers were directed to snap all data services.
"In view of the apprehension of misuse of data services (GPRS/2G/3G) by anti-national elements, which is likely to cause deterioration in law and order situation, you are requested to completely snap down the data services through GPRS/2G/3G and broadband till 2 PM of September 27".
The ban, which was to end at 10 pm today, has been imposed on Internet so that no videos are uploaded and social networking sites are not accessible.
Reacting to the extension of ban, former state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the PDP-BJP government was pushing the people to dark age.
"During our regime, when situations were far more worse, our government only reduced bandwidth so that ficticious videos were not uploaded. But this regime is completely pushing the people of the state to the wall", Mr Abdullah said.
"I wonder why Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba are silent on such draconian actions.
They used to accuse my government but I wonder what they have to say now.
"In fact Mufti Saheb is living to his promise. He had promised to make the state like Gujarat. Now I guess we are competing with Gujarat as to who bans Internet more," he said.
The measure has been taken because of apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the High Court directive for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef. Some separatist groups have said they will defy the court order.
This step was also aimed at thwarting mischievous elements who may violate the court and, as a mark of protest, post the pictures on social media that may spark communal tension.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Emphasises on Developing Waterways
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LUCKNOW: Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today stressed on developing waterways in the country, saying it is a much cheaper mode of transportation as compared to other means such as road and rail.
"A bill for launching water transport in 101 rivers, covering 82,000 kms, is pending before the Parliament... It will be started within five years."
"Water transport system is much cheaper than road or any other mode of transport... People would certainly use it for their benefit," he said during an event in Lucknow.
Mr Gadkari said the much-awaited 1620-km Haldia-Varanasi waterways would be opened next year and added that water ports would also be constructed in a big way.
"Within six months, India will be witnessing launching of a sea plane while a sea bus would be seen in Mumbai in next three months," he said.
Stating that an investment of Rs 3.8 lakh crore in 281 road projects would increase the road network from present 96,000 kms to 1.5 lakh kms, he said it will help his ministry to add two per cent to the country's GDP.
At present, 14 km of highway is being constructed per day across the country which will go up to 25 km per day by March 2016, he said.
On dealing with environment hazards due to the new road projects, the minister said Rs 5,000 crore has been earmarked for plantation drive.
Mr Gadkari ruled out abolition of tolls on the highways, saying that in six months all the toll plazas would be converted into e-tolls.
"We have sent a proposal to the PMO for rationalization of toll booths so that commuters don't feel harassed," the transport minister said.
Mr Gadkari said the government has also proposed a Rs 25,000 crore bridge connecting Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka.
Replying to a question on "bad condition" of national highways in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Minister said he was personally monitoring the projects in the state and everything would be sorted out soon.
LUCKNOW: Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today stressed on developing waterways in the country, saying it is a much cheaper mode of transportation as compared to other means such as road and rail."A bill for launching water transport in 101 rivers, covering 82,000 kms, is pending before the Parliament... It will be started within five years."
"Water transport system is much cheaper than road or any other mode of transport... People would certainly use it for their benefit," he said during an event in Lucknow.
"Within six months, India will be witnessing launching of a sea plane while a sea bus would be seen in Mumbai in next three months," he said.
Stating that an investment of Rs 3.8 lakh crore in 281 road projects would increase the road network from present 96,000 kms to 1.5 lakh kms, he said it will help his ministry to add two per cent to the country's GDP.
At present, 14 km of highway is being constructed per day across the country which will go up to 25 km per day by March 2016, he said.
On dealing with environment hazards due to the new road projects, the minister said Rs 5,000 crore has been earmarked for plantation drive.
Mr Gadkari ruled out abolition of tolls on the highways, saying that in six months all the toll plazas would be converted into e-tolls.
"We have sent a proposal to the PMO for rationalization of toll booths so that commuters don't feel harassed," the transport minister said.
Mr Gadkari said the government has also proposed a Rs 25,000 crore bridge connecting Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka.
Replying to a question on "bad condition" of national highways in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Minister said he was personally monitoring the projects in the state and everything would be sorted out soon.
PM Modi to Return to Bihar Poll Campaign on October 2
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PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to the Bihar assembly election campaign on October 2, for the first time since the poll schedule announcement, with a rally in Banka.
BJP chief Amit Shah will hold meets with workers across the state from September 30.
Bihar BJP spokesperson Sanjay Mayukh said PM Modi will address a big rally in Banka which goes to polls in the first phase on October 12.
BJP had lost from Banka in Lok Sabha polls last year and it believes that a PM Modi rally can help it regain ground there.
To rally party workers around, Mr Shah, along with Bihar election in-charge Ananth Kumar, will hold nine meetings with them between September 30 and October 5 and also address three public meetings, Mr Mayukh said.
PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to the Bihar assembly election campaign on October 2, for the first time since the poll schedule announcement, with a rally in Banka.BJP chief Amit Shah will hold meets with workers across the state from September 30.
Bihar BJP spokesperson Sanjay Mayukh said PM Modi will address a big rally in Banka which goes to polls in the first phase on October 12.
BJP had lost from Banka in Lok Sabha polls last year and it believes that a PM Modi rally can help it regain ground there.
To rally party workers around, Mr Shah, along with Bihar election in-charge Ananth Kumar, will hold nine meetings with them between September 30 and October 5 and also address three public meetings, Mr Mayukh said.
Business Affairs
PM Narendra Modi seeks 'Make in India' in defence sector
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With India embarking on a massive defence modernisation programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited corporate leaders of America's defence sector to manufacture in India. In the defence sector Prime Minister has been saying from the very beginning that our first top priority is that defence manufacturing should be Make in India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters at a news conference here.
"This is the message the Prime Minister conveyed to the Lockheed Martin Chairman Marillyn Hewson and other corporate leaders when he met them in various formats yesterday. We told them, India offers a huge market for you. India has all necessary facilities for manufacturing. There is a capable work force. We are ready to provide all required facilities for this. Defence manufacturing in India is a win-win situation for both of us," Swarup said.
During the one-o-one meeting with the Prime Minister Hewson said she is very committed to India. In fact they already have a facility in Hyderabad in cooperation with the Tatas where they are manufacturing tail segment of C-130 cargo planes.
Swarup said that she discussed aerospace industry with the Prime Minister. It is well known that Lockheed wants to expand its manufacturing base in India in the aerospace industry and has been seeking a series of reforms from the Indian government including increasing the 49 per cent cap on foreign direct investment in the defence sector.
Chairman and CEO of AECOM Mike Burke also called on PM Modi at his hotel for talks. The Prime Minister thanked him for the leadership that he has taken in developing the port of Dholera in Gujarat. And now they also have the contract for developing the smart city in Vizag, he said.
AECOM currently employs some 2,500 people in India and plan is to double this. AECOM is a global provider of architecture, design, engineering, and construction services.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on PM Modi during which they discussed on issues of sustainable development and smart cities. Thank you my friend Mike Bloomberg for one more insightful interaction on policy and global issues, the Prime Minister said in a tweet after the meeting.
Bloomberg later tweeted that leadership of Modi is changing India and the world. Known for his passion for clean energy and smart cities, Bloomberg in the past had talked to Modi on his ambitious projects of 100 smart cities and renewable energy.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Bloomberg shared his thoughts on several issues with Modi.
With India embarking on a massive defence modernisation programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited corporate leaders of America's defence sector to manufacture in India. In the defence sector Prime Minister has been saying from the very beginning that our first top priority is that defence manufacturing should be Make in India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters at a news conference here.
"This is the message the Prime Minister conveyed to the Lockheed Martin Chairman Marillyn Hewson and other corporate leaders when he met them in various formats yesterday. We told them, India offers a huge market for you. India has all necessary facilities for manufacturing. There is a capable work force. We are ready to provide all required facilities for this. Defence manufacturing in India is a win-win situation for both of us," Swarup said.
During the one-o-one meeting with the Prime Minister Hewson said she is very committed to India. In fact they already have a facility in Hyderabad in cooperation with the Tatas where they are manufacturing tail segment of C-130 cargo planes.
Swarup said that she discussed aerospace industry with the Prime Minister. It is well known that Lockheed wants to expand its manufacturing base in India in the aerospace industry and has been seeking a series of reforms from the Indian government including increasing the 49 per cent cap on foreign direct investment in the defence sector.
Chairman and CEO of AECOM Mike Burke also called on PM Modi at his hotel for talks. The Prime Minister thanked him for the leadership that he has taken in developing the port of Dholera in Gujarat. And now they also have the contract for developing the smart city in Vizag, he said.
AECOM currently employs some 2,500 people in India and plan is to double this. AECOM is a global provider of architecture, design, engineering, and construction services.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on PM Modi during which they discussed on issues of sustainable development and smart cities. Thank you my friend Mike Bloomberg for one more insightful interaction on policy and global issues, the Prime Minister said in a tweet after the meeting.
Bloomberg later tweeted that leadership of Modi is changing India and the world. Known for his passion for clean energy and smart cities, Bloomberg in the past had talked to Modi on his ambitious projects of 100 smart cities and renewable energy.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Bloomberg shared his thoughts on several issues with Modi.
PM Narendra Modi at UN, hope India sticks this time to the
goals on saving lives
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September 25th, is arguably an important day for India. Last month, the 15 year period since year 2000 ended for reaching the Milllennium Development Goals. As these goals get replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India along with 194 other nations, will adopt them on September 25th at the United Nations . Hence it is time for the country and its policy makers to do some serious introspection.
Over 150 world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi , are expected to attend the UN Sustainable Development Summit (September 25th to 27th) and adopt the 17 SDGs. India has enough policy makers who are bright and informed people who know adopting these goals will not be without its share of challenges but then, even if daunting, can India strive to ensure it stick to the new set of goals, particularly those that deal with saving lives - both infant and maternal?
As many would know, India has fallen short of meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Consider this: According to the National Health Profile 2015 brought out by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in 2015, the infant mortality rate that India touched is 40 deaths per 1000 live births missing the MDGs target of 27 with a considerable margin.
What is more disturbing is the high mortality rate in India. We can see 49 per thousand live births as against a target of 42 under the MDGs.
The goal under the SDG to be achieved by 2030 is now 25.
Similarly, for maternal mortality ratio, India today talks of 140 per 100,000 live births as against a goal of 109. Now, under SDG, the goal is less than 70 by 2030.
The SDGs have a 15-year horizon for the 21 anti-poverty targets established in 2000 by the eight Millennium Development Goals. As is apparent, the SDGs are meant to pick up from where the MDGs timeframe concludes. There are now heightened concerns on not just eradicating poverty and creating equal opportunity for women and girls but also on protecting the planet and setting the course for a resilient future.
What needs mention is that the 17 goals and 169 targets that make up the SDGs have been developed with crucial inputs from civic groups. There is important contribution from India too.
For instance, Dr Srinath Reddy, President at the Public Health Foundation of India, is also the co-chair of the United Nations 'Health for All' under the Sustainable Development Solutions Network global initiative.
While, here is the link to the sustainable goals: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/ what may be worth looking at closely are the dozen pointers listed below:
1. By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under 5 mortality should be at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
4. By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
5. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
6. By 2030, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
7. By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.
8. Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
9. By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
10. Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.
11. Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.
12. Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States.
September 25th, is arguably an important day for India. Last month, the 15 year period since year 2000 ended for reaching the Milllennium Development Goals. As these goals get replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India along with 194 other nations, will adopt them on September 25th at the United Nations . Hence it is time for the country and its policy makers to do some serious introspection.
Over 150 world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi , are expected to attend the UN Sustainable Development Summit (September 25th to 27th) and adopt the 17 SDGs. India has enough policy makers who are bright and informed people who know adopting these goals will not be without its share of challenges but then, even if daunting, can India strive to ensure it stick to the new set of goals, particularly those that deal with saving lives - both infant and maternal?
As many would know, India has fallen short of meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Consider this: According to the National Health Profile 2015 brought out by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in 2015, the infant mortality rate that India touched is 40 deaths per 1000 live births missing the MDGs target of 27 with a considerable margin.
What is more disturbing is the high mortality rate in India. We can see 49 per thousand live births as against a target of 42 under the MDGs.
The goal under the SDG to be achieved by 2030 is now 25.
The goal under the SDG to be achieved by 2030 is now 25.
Similarly, for maternal mortality ratio, India today talks of 140 per 100,000 live births as against a goal of 109. Now, under SDG, the goal is less than 70 by 2030.
The SDGs have a 15-year horizon for the 21 anti-poverty targets established in 2000 by the eight Millennium Development Goals. As is apparent, the SDGs are meant to pick up from where the MDGs timeframe concludes. There are now heightened concerns on not just eradicating poverty and creating equal opportunity for women and girls but also on protecting the planet and setting the course for a resilient future.
What needs mention is that the 17 goals and 169 targets that make up the SDGs have been developed with crucial inputs from civic groups. There is important contribution from India too.
For instance, Dr Srinath Reddy, President at the Public Health Foundation of India, is also the co-chair of the United Nations 'Health for All' under the Sustainable Development Solutions Network global initiative.
While, here is the link to the sustainable goals: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/ what may be worth looking at closely are the dozen pointers listed below:
1. By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under 5 mortality should be at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
4. By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
5. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
6. By 2030, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
7. By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.
8. Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
9. By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
10. Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.
11. Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.
12. Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States.
2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under 5 mortality should be at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
4. By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
5. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
6. By 2030, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
7. By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.
8. Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
9. By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
10. Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.
11. Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.
12. Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States.
Key messages from RBI's nod for small finance banks
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1. Roadmap for MFIs: There seems to a clear roadmap for the microfinance institutions (MFIs) to graduate. Eight out of the 10 applicants to have been granted the in-principle nod by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for small finance banksare MFIs. Other than Au Financiers (India) Ltd., Jaipur and Capital Local Area Bank Ltd., Jalandhar, all the others are MFIs. These are: Disha Microfin Private Ltd., Ahmedabad; Equitas Holdings P Limited, Chennai; ESAF Microfinance and Investments Private Ltd., Chennai (though it is Kerala where it is strong); Janalakshmi Financial Services Private Limited, Bangalore; RGVN (North East) Microfinance Limited, Guwahati; Suryoday Micro Finance Private Ltd., Navi Mumbai; Ujjivan Financial Services Private Ltd., Bangalore; and Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Ltd., Varanasi.
2. It's functional imperative, not regional imperative, that matters: Here is where there is a major issue with the licences. The whole point about small finance banks was financial inclusion, but none of the financially excluded geographies figure prominently. All the licences have gone to players who are from the highly served regions of South, West and North, barring RGVN from Guwahati and Utkarsh from Varanasi (the central region). Perhaps, out of the 70 total applicants (two out of the 72 withdrew later), many may not have been from the excluded regions. Plus, perhaps the emphasis is more on the functional imperative of deepening the engagement on financial inclusion in the chosen geographies.
3. Fastest growing MFIs get the nod: Fastest may not mean reckless. Some of the MFIs like Janalakshmi Financial Services, Ujjivan Financial Services, Utlkash Microfinance that have been among the fastest growing with some at 100 per cent have got the licence. It will need to be seen how they can sustain this growth as small finance banks. In fact, one critic, in a lighter vein, pointed out that "if someone is growing too fast, put them into the banking system and it will slow them down". Others argue that being a bank is bad news for an NBFC, purely from a profitability perspective. But then, as some would say "bank, like the airline industry, is an ego game".
4. Nationally spread MFI is not the same as nationally spread bank: Much depends on how this pans out but MFIs have grown fast so far because they could borrow from banks. As small finance banks, they cannot borrow from other banks and will have to lend from the deposits they generate. Look at the large advertisements and billboards put up nationally by Bandhan Bank seeking new depositors. As banks, they need to make a huge transition: make provisions for CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio), and SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio), and put money aside for agriculture loans. Today, as MFIs, with their weekly micro loan lending, they do rural but not necessarily agri lending. They will need to do that, too.
5. Investment thesis validation for early investors: Two individuals, Vineet Rai and S. Viswanatha Prasad, would be the happiest men. Five of the 10 entities granted approval for small finance banks are their portfolio companies. Vineet Rai is the Founder and Managing Director of Aavishkaar Venture Management Services, which has Equitas, Utkarsh and Suryoday as the portfolio companies. And Prasad is the Managing Director of Caspian Impact Investment Adviser with Equitas, Ujjivan and Janalakshmi as the portfolio companies. Rai, who first invested Rs 6 crore in Equitas around January 2009, after which Equitas began building its portfolio, feels validated since the companies have emerged among the top 10 and "is an endorsement of the incredible work done by the promoters of these entities". Going forward, he says, "our job is to help and assist the companies move in the right direction and our role going forward will be to do what it will take to make the banks successful and will therefore play any role that the promoter expects us to play." Surely, with the profile of these portfolio companies raised significantly, even an exit would be a decent one for these investors.
6. Next 18 months crucial: Within the next 18 months, these entities will have to make the transition and get the required domestic investors for as the RBI says: "The 'in-principle' approval granted will be valid for 18 months to enable the applicants to comply with the requirements under the Guidelines and fulfil other conditions as may be stipulated by the RBI. On being satisfied that the applicants have complied with the requisite conditions laid down by it as part of 'in-principle' approval, the RBI would consider granting them a licence for commencement of banking business under Section 22(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Until a regular licence is issued, the applicants cannot undertake any banking business."
1. Roadmap for MFIs: There seems to a clear roadmap for the microfinance institutions (MFIs) to graduate. Eight out of the 10 applicants to have been granted the in-principle nod by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for small finance banksare MFIs. Other than Au Financiers (India) Ltd., Jaipur and Capital Local Area Bank Ltd., Jalandhar, all the others are MFIs. These are: Disha Microfin Private Ltd., Ahmedabad; Equitas Holdings P Limited, Chennai; ESAF Microfinance and Investments Private Ltd., Chennai (though it is Kerala where it is strong); Janalakshmi Financial Services Private Limited, Bangalore; RGVN (North East) Microfinance Limited, Guwahati; Suryoday Micro Finance Private Ltd., Navi Mumbai; Ujjivan Financial Services Private Ltd., Bangalore; and Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Ltd., Varanasi.
2. It's functional imperative, not regional imperative, that matters: Here is where there is a major issue with the licences. The whole point about small finance banks was financial inclusion, but none of the financially excluded geographies figure prominently. All the licences have gone to players who are from the highly served regions of South, West and North, barring RGVN from Guwahati and Utkarsh from Varanasi (the central region). Perhaps, out of the 70 total applicants (two out of the 72 withdrew later), many may not have been from the excluded regions. Plus, perhaps the emphasis is more on the functional imperative of deepening the engagement on financial inclusion in the chosen geographies.
3. Fastest growing MFIs get the nod: Fastest may not mean reckless. Some of the MFIs like Janalakshmi Financial Services, Ujjivan Financial Services, Utlkash Microfinance that have been among the fastest growing with some at 100 per cent have got the licence. It will need to be seen how they can sustain this growth as small finance banks. In fact, one critic, in a lighter vein, pointed out that "if someone is growing too fast, put them into the banking system and it will slow them down". Others argue that being a bank is bad news for an NBFC, purely from a profitability perspective. But then, as some would say "bank, like the airline industry, is an ego game".
4. Nationally spread MFI is not the same as nationally spread bank: Much depends on how this pans out but MFIs have grown fast so far because they could borrow from banks. As small finance banks, they cannot borrow from other banks and will have to lend from the deposits they generate. Look at the large advertisements and billboards put up nationally by Bandhan Bank seeking new depositors. As banks, they need to make a huge transition: make provisions for CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio), and SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio), and put money aside for agriculture loans. Today, as MFIs, with their weekly micro loan lending, they do rural but not necessarily agri lending. They will need to do that, too.
5. Investment thesis validation for early investors: Two individuals, Vineet Rai and S. Viswanatha Prasad, would be the happiest men. Five of the 10 entities granted approval for small finance banks are their portfolio companies. Vineet Rai is the Founder and Managing Director of Aavishkaar Venture Management Services, which has Equitas, Utkarsh and Suryoday as the portfolio companies. And Prasad is the Managing Director of Caspian Impact Investment Adviser with Equitas, Ujjivan and Janalakshmi as the portfolio companies. Rai, who first invested Rs 6 crore in Equitas around January 2009, after which Equitas began building its portfolio, feels validated since the companies have emerged among the top 10 and "is an endorsement of the incredible work done by the promoters of these entities". Going forward, he says, "our job is to help and assist the companies move in the right direction and our role going forward will be to do what it will take to make the banks successful and will therefore play any role that the promoter expects us to play." Surely, with the profile of these portfolio companies raised significantly, even an exit would be a decent one for these investors.
6. Next 18 months crucial: Within the next 18 months, these entities will have to make the transition and get the required domestic investors for as the RBI says: "The 'in-principle' approval granted will be valid for 18 months to enable the applicants to comply with the requirements under the Guidelines and fulfil other conditions as may be stipulated by the RBI. On being satisfied that the applicants have complied with the requisite conditions laid down by it as part of 'in-principle' approval, the RBI would consider granting them a licence for commencement of banking business under Section 22(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Until a regular licence is issued, the applicants cannot undertake any banking business."
Employees' Provident Fund Organisation mobile app to activate UAN
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You can now activate your universal account number(UAN) on phone through an app launched by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Once it gets activated, you will be able to access your account from the comfort of your mobile phone. Till date almost 5.4 crore UAN numbers have been issued, but out of these only 1.8 crore are activated.
The UAN is a 12-digit portable number allotted to each member that gives them control of their EPF account and minimises the role of the employer in matters related to a member's account. Experts say universal number is a big step towards shifting the EPF services to an online platform and making it more user friendly.
To avail the facility you first need to download an app from the EPFO website (www.epfindia.gov.in) on your mobile. After downloading, fill out details such as UAN, PF office, employee and employer code to activate the service. The EPFO has allotted employers the universal numbers of their employees. If you do not know your UAN, ask your employer. Once it gets activated you will be able to see balance, monthly credits as well as your details available with EPFO. Similarly, EPF pensioners have been given the facility to access their pension disbursement details through this mobile app. The employers can also view their remittance details through the app.
Earlier, transferring your EPF money from one employer account to another was a tedious process. But the UAN will do away with the need to transfer your funds. All you have to do is furnish your UAN and KYC details to the new employer. Once the new employer verifies these details, the money from the older account will get transferred to the new account. But for old accounts (opened before the allotment of UAN), you still need to apply for funds transfer either in digital or physical form.
You can now activate your universal account number(UAN) on phone through an app launched by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Once it gets activated, you will be able to access your account from the comfort of your mobile phone. Till date almost 5.4 crore UAN numbers have been issued, but out of these only 1.8 crore are activated.
The UAN is a 12-digit portable number allotted to each member that gives them control of their EPF account and minimises the role of the employer in matters related to a member's account. Experts say universal number is a big step towards shifting the EPF services to an online platform and making it more user friendly.
To avail the facility you first need to download an app from the EPFO website (www.epfindia.gov.in) on your mobile. After downloading, fill out details such as UAN, PF office, employee and employer code to activate the service. The EPFO has allotted employers the universal numbers of their employees. If you do not know your UAN, ask your employer. Once it gets activated you will be able to see balance, monthly credits as well as your details available with EPFO. Similarly, EPF pensioners have been given the facility to access their pension disbursement details through this mobile app. The employers can also view their remittance details through the app.
Earlier, transferring your EPF money from one employer account to another was a tedious process. But the UAN will do away with the need to transfer your funds. All you have to do is furnish your UAN and KYC details to the new employer. Once the new employer verifies these details, the money from the older account will get transferred to the new account. But for old accounts (opened before the allotment of UAN), you still need to apply for funds transfer either in digital or physical form.
Shifting to a new city? Call PM Relocations
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Shifting to a new city is tough. It involves finding a house, getting children into a new school, transferring household goods, and getting familiar with the new place.
FULL COVERAGE:India's Best SMEs 2015
PM Relocations (PMR), which packs and moves residential and commercial goods, within as well as outside India, makes the process seamless and painless. People are becoming more and more ambitious and don't want to stay at one place all their lives, says PMR CEO Aakanksha Bhargava. So, as more and more people move from one city to another for better opportunities, companies such as PMR are doing brisk business.
KEY FACTS
- The company is a relocation service provider
- The business has two parts - domestic and overseas, where it partners with big companies
- The company is targeting the growing expat population
In 2007, when Bhargava joined the company run by her father, it had 38 employees and three offices. Today, it has 495 people, and is present in 14 locations.
Bhargava says it has taken a lot of sweat and tears to take the company to this level. For instance, soon after joining, she moved to Bangalore to set up an office there. "I realised that there was potential, let me give myself a chance. I was 21. I had no idea about the market. It was the most testing time of life," she says. One problem was that people did not take her seriously because of her age. Many calls for business didn't yield satisfying answers. But she never gave up. She strongly believes that one must lead by example. "I didn't want to sit in an AC cabin and instruct employees. I have stood in warehouses till late at night." The momentum picked up after one year. "I think perseverance is the key."
The business has two parts - domestic and overseas, where it partners with big relocation companies. For instance, the global employee relocation contract of Microsoft is with the US-based Graebel, which works with PMR in India.
Nearly 55 per cent of PMR's business comes from global operations. The tenure of a typical contract varies from one year to 10 years. However, some engagements are for the long term. The relationship with Airtel, for instance, is 21 years old. American Embassy is a stable customer, and so is Britannia.
Also, the expat population is swelling, a market PMR wants to tap. "When an expat comes to India, we do work related to immigration, moving household goods and home search. We also offer settling-in services and cultural training," she says. In 2009, the company ventured into end-to-end settling where, apart from shifting house, it helps children settle into the new school and offers utility services. It also helps people move pets and vehicles. PMR also offers a car rental service. The company is looking to raise private equity money this quarter for investing in technology and marketing.
Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head, JLL India, says that in a growing economy, businesses move to better locations and into higher-capacity offices, retail players move into better-managed shops in more lucrative catchments, and people move into larger homes or homes nearer to their workplaces. "Relocation is a central concept in the real estate business," he says.
The company is now betting big on technology. For example, it wants to create an app or a website for someone who wants to move to a different city but has no idea about the relocation services there. This will also help the company offer customised solutions.
Bhargava, also a singer and a dancer, says her father never thought she would be interested in this male-dominated business. "I always knew I wanted to help my father. But when I got into it, I realised I could not have done anything better with my life than this," she says. When Bhargava joined, PMR's turnover was Rs 2.9 crore. It aims to close the current financial year with Rs 46 crore. "It's easy to grow numbers but we want to do it well because at the end of the day our people are moving into somebody's bedroom. We don't move goods, we move sentiments," she says.
Shifting to a new city is tough. It involves finding a house, getting children into a new school, transferring household goods, and getting familiar with the new place.
FULL COVERAGE:India's Best SMEs 2015
PM Relocations (PMR), which packs and moves residential and commercial goods, within as well as outside India, makes the process seamless and painless. People are becoming more and more ambitious and don't want to stay at one place all their lives, says PMR CEO Aakanksha Bhargava. So, as more and more people move from one city to another for better opportunities, companies such as PMR are doing brisk business.
KEY FACTS
- The company is a relocation service provider
- The business has two parts - domestic and overseas, where it partners with big companies
- The company is targeting the growing expat population
In 2007, when Bhargava joined the company run by her father, it had 38 employees and three offices. Today, it has 495 people, and is present in 14 locations.
The business has two parts - domestic and overseas, where it partners with big relocation companies. For instance, the global employee relocation contract of Microsoft is with the US-based Graebel, which works with PMR in India.
Nearly 55 per cent of PMR's business comes from global operations. The tenure of a typical contract varies from one year to 10 years. However, some engagements are for the long term. The relationship with Airtel, for instance, is 21 years old. American Embassy is a stable customer, and so is Britannia.
Also, the expat population is swelling, a market PMR wants to tap. "When an expat comes to India, we do work related to immigration, moving household goods and home search. We also offer settling-in services and cultural training," she says. In 2009, the company ventured into end-to-end settling where, apart from shifting house, it helps children settle into the new school and offers utility services. It also helps people move pets and vehicles. PMR also offers a car rental service. The company is looking to raise private equity money this quarter for investing in technology and marketing.
Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head, JLL India, says that in a growing economy, businesses move to better locations and into higher-capacity offices, retail players move into better-managed shops in more lucrative catchments, and people move into larger homes or homes nearer to their workplaces. "Relocation is a central concept in the real estate business," he says.
The company is now betting big on technology. For example, it wants to create an app or a website for someone who wants to move to a different city but has no idea about the relocation services there. This will also help the company offer customised solutions.
Bhargava, also a singer and a dancer, says her father never thought she would be interested in this male-dominated business. "I always knew I wanted to help my father. But when I got into it, I realised I could not have done anything better with my life than this," she says. When Bhargava joined, PMR's turnover was Rs 2.9 crore. It aims to close the current financial year with Rs 46 crore. "It's easy to grow numbers but we want to do it well because at the end of the day our people are moving into somebody's bedroom. We don't move goods, we move sentiments," she says.
General Awareness
List of 50 Largest Hotels in the World
Dear Readers,
we have compiled the List of 50 Largest Hotels in India. We hope, it will help you in Competitive exams and increase your General Knowledge.
we have compiled the List of 50 Largest Hotels in India. We hope, it will help you in Competitive exams and increase your General Knowledge.
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