General Affairs
Indian Navy keeping a close eye on Chinese ships in IOR: Navy chief Sunil Lanba
-
The Indian Navy on Friday said it was aware of the deployment and movement of Chinese naval ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean region, and that it has “kept a close eye” on them. Addressing the annual ‘Naval Day’ news conference here, Navy chief Sunil Lanba said a Chinese nuclear submarine was deployed in the Indian Ocean and it did a port call at Karachi harbour.
“As far as People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships and submarines are concerned, the Indian Navy keeps a close eye and monitor their movements. We have maritime domain awareness of the deployment of PLA naval forces in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
“We launch surveillance missions in the form of aircraft and ships to keep a track of them. They had started deployment of their submarines from 2012,” he said.
The Navy also termed as “bogus” the claims made by Pakistan that an Indian submarine had entered into territorial waters.
“There was no Indian submarine deployed in the area where the Pakistani Navy is claiming it to be. As far as repelling a submarine of any nation goes, it is not an easy task and the claim made by Pakistani Navy is totally bogus. We deploy submarines where there is an operational necessity and we will continue to deploy them,” Lanba said.
The Pakistani Navy had last month claimed that it had prevented an Indian submarine from entering its territorial water.
The Chief of Naval Staff said India’s primary area of interest was the IOR followed by Strait of Bab el Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to a question on Indian Navy’s capabilities in the Pacific region, Lanba said, “The Navy is well within its capabilities to operate in the region.”
Lanba also sought to downplay the Bangladesh Navy acquiring its first submarines from China, saying “India has a plan in place that takes into account what is happening in the neighborhood.”
When asked about the South China sea dispute, the Navy chief said maritime issues should be solved as per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He added that the Kalavari Class Scorpene submarine will be commissioned next year.
“She has successfully finished dry trials and further trials are in progress,” Lanba said.
The Indian Navy on Friday said it was aware of the deployment and movement of Chinese naval ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean region, and that it has “kept a close eye” on them. Addressing the annual ‘Naval Day’ news conference here, Navy chief Sunil Lanba said a Chinese nuclear submarine was deployed in the Indian Ocean and it did a port call at Karachi harbour.
“As far as People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships and submarines are concerned, the Indian Navy keeps a close eye and monitor their movements. We have maritime domain awareness of the deployment of PLA naval forces in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
“We launch surveillance missions in the form of aircraft and ships to keep a track of them. They had started deployment of their submarines from 2012,” he said.
The Navy also termed as “bogus” the claims made by Pakistan that an Indian submarine had entered into territorial waters.
“There was no Indian submarine deployed in the area where the Pakistani Navy is claiming it to be. As far as repelling a submarine of any nation goes, it is not an easy task and the claim made by Pakistani Navy is totally bogus. We deploy submarines where there is an operational necessity and we will continue to deploy them,” Lanba said.
The Pakistani Navy had last month claimed that it had prevented an Indian submarine from entering its territorial water.
The Chief of Naval Staff said India’s primary area of interest was the IOR followed by Strait of Bab el Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to a question on Indian Navy’s capabilities in the Pacific region, Lanba said, “The Navy is well within its capabilities to operate in the region.”
Lanba also sought to downplay the Bangladesh Navy acquiring its first submarines from China, saying “India has a plan in place that takes into account what is happening in the neighborhood.”
When asked about the South China sea dispute, the Navy chief said maritime issues should be solved as per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He added that the Kalavari Class Scorpene submarine will be commissioned next year.
“She has successfully finished dry trials and further trials are in progress,” Lanba said.
Akhilesh Yadav not averse to alliance with Congress in UP polls
-
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday appeared not averse to an alliance with Congress for UP Assembly polls, saying such a combine can win over 300 seats in the 403-member House, but firmly ruled out any tie-up with BSP. Only last month, Samajwadi Party supremo and Akhilesh’s father Mulayam Singh Yadav had ruled out any pre-poll alliance and asserted that there can only be mergers. Replying to a volley of questions on a possible tie-up with Congress against the backdrop of its poll strategist Prashant Kishor meeting Mulayam and and himself later, the Chief Minister said that a final decision on the alliance will be taken by the SP supremo and he can only give suggestions.
Akhilesh also suggested that Congress will have to accept that it may have to fight on a fewer number of seats than it wants in an alliance because a tie-up will not work out if it keeps thinking about “profit and loss”. He also hit back at BSP chief Mayawati, who had recently mocked him for calling her ‘bua’, saying her problem is that BSP is not in contention to capture power and added that he will no longer call her ‘bua’ (father’s sister).
Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit here, Akhilesh (43) attacked the Modi government over demonetisation and took potshots at his rivals, including Amar Singh, within SP. “It is a big dream,” he quipped when asked if Amar Singh was also a contender for the Chief Minister’s post. He, however, asserted that the murky infighting that put
his uncle Shivpal Yadav against him is behind him and he, “like Arjun is focusing on one goal, which is to form government in the state again”.
It is for Congress, which has projected Sheila Dikshit as its chief ministerial candidate, to take a final decision on an alliance, he said, adding that Kishor had met him after meeting Mulayam.
“When there is an alliance, somebody has to accept that he will get fewer number of seats (to contest). If you keep thinking about profit and loss, then it will not work out. We are anyway going to form government again with a majority and if they (Congress) also come along, then we will cross 300,” he said.
Akhilesh said that he conveyed this to Kishor too. “It (UP polls) is a big battle. If the ally is good, then we can sort out other parties,” the Chief Minister said, though he ruled out any alliance with BSP which, he noted, had formed government with BJP three times earlier and Mayawati “used to tie” Rakhi to some BJP leaders.
Attacking the central government, he said it has made everybody stand in queue and wondered if this was the ‘achchhe din’ for which people had voted for Narendra Modi. “It has harmed the economy,” he said.
Attacking BJP and BSP, SP’s main rivals in UP, Akhilesh Yadav said one of them has made life difficult for people and forced them to break their piggy banks, a reference to demonetization, while another does not believe in speaking out.
His referring to Mayawati as ‘bua’ was not about personal but political relationship as people much senior to him in politics called her ‘Behen ji’, he said. “I gave her more respect but she has not accepted it. I will no longer call her ‘bua’,” he said.
Asked about his bitter fight with ‘chacha’ Shivpal Yadav, the UP Chief Minister quipped that there should be talk about “uncle”, a reference to Amar Singh, too. Without naming him, Akhilesh said Mulayam had brought him in party to strengthen it and his “language and behaviour should be in a manner that helps SP form the government again.”
Asked if he wanted to sack Amar Singh from the party, he said, “If I had been state president of the party, I would have made a proposal and sent to neta ji (Mulayam).” He, however, did not elaborate on this. Akhilesh was the state president before he was replaced by Shivpal.
Apparently attacking Amar Singh, he said “if somebody brings a type-writer from outside” so that the decision of his removal could be faxed to him, then he will not accept it. To a question if he wanted to form his own party, he said “in politics, you should sack those from the party who want to sack you. This is our party.”
Responding to BJP’s barb that demonetization had harmed SP as the alleged illicit money kept by it for the polls is no longer useful, he said the decision will help his party as leaders and workers of other outfits will be forced to use cycle, SP’s election symbol.
A grand alliance like Bihar is not possible in UP, he added. Asked about differences between him and his father, he responded in lighter vein that he was a footballer while Mulayam was a wrestler. He, however, insisted that all the infighting in his party had not made any impact on his government’s performance and cited the Metro work in Lucknow and Luchnow-Agra expressway as evidence.
He also supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her attack on the central government, saying if anything happens in a state, the Chief Minister should be informed.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday appeared not averse to an alliance with Congress for UP Assembly polls, saying such a combine can win over 300 seats in the 403-member House, but firmly ruled out any tie-up with BSP. Only last month, Samajwadi Party supremo and Akhilesh’s father Mulayam Singh Yadav had ruled out any pre-poll alliance and asserted that there can only be mergers. Replying to a volley of questions on a possible tie-up with Congress against the backdrop of its poll strategist Prashant Kishor meeting Mulayam and and himself later, the Chief Minister said that a final decision on the alliance will be taken by the SP supremo and he can only give suggestions.
Akhilesh also suggested that Congress will have to accept that it may have to fight on a fewer number of seats than it wants in an alliance because a tie-up will not work out if it keeps thinking about “profit and loss”. He also hit back at BSP chief Mayawati, who had recently mocked him for calling her ‘bua’, saying her problem is that BSP is not in contention to capture power and added that he will no longer call her ‘bua’ (father’s sister).
Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit here, Akhilesh (43) attacked the Modi government over demonetisation and took potshots at his rivals, including Amar Singh, within SP. “It is a big dream,” he quipped when asked if Amar Singh was also a contender for the Chief Minister’s post. He, however, asserted that the murky infighting that put
his uncle Shivpal Yadav against him is behind him and he, “like Arjun is focusing on one goal, which is to form government in the state again”.
his uncle Shivpal Yadav against him is behind him and he, “like Arjun is focusing on one goal, which is to form government in the state again”.
It is for Congress, which has projected Sheila Dikshit as its chief ministerial candidate, to take a final decision on an alliance, he said, adding that Kishor had met him after meeting Mulayam.
“When there is an alliance, somebody has to accept that he will get fewer number of seats (to contest). If you keep thinking about profit and loss, then it will not work out. We are anyway going to form government again with a majority and if they (Congress) also come along, then we will cross 300,” he said.
Akhilesh said that he conveyed this to Kishor too. “It (UP polls) is a big battle. If the ally is good, then we can sort out other parties,” the Chief Minister said, though he ruled out any alliance with BSP which, he noted, had formed government with BJP three times earlier and Mayawati “used to tie” Rakhi to some BJP leaders.
Attacking the central government, he said it has made everybody stand in queue and wondered if this was the ‘achchhe din’ for which people had voted for Narendra Modi. “It has harmed the economy,” he said.
Attacking BJP and BSP, SP’s main rivals in UP, Akhilesh Yadav said one of them has made life difficult for people and forced them to break their piggy banks, a reference to demonetization, while another does not believe in speaking out.
His referring to Mayawati as ‘bua’ was not about personal but political relationship as people much senior to him in politics called her ‘Behen ji’, he said. “I gave her more respect but she has not accepted it. I will no longer call her ‘bua’,” he said.
Asked about his bitter fight with ‘chacha’ Shivpal Yadav, the UP Chief Minister quipped that there should be talk about “uncle”, a reference to Amar Singh, too. Without naming him, Akhilesh said Mulayam had brought him in party to strengthen it and his “language and behaviour should be in a manner that helps SP form the government again.”
Asked if he wanted to sack Amar Singh from the party, he said, “If I had been state president of the party, I would have made a proposal and sent to neta ji (Mulayam).” He, however, did not elaborate on this. Akhilesh was the state president before he was replaced by Shivpal.
Apparently attacking Amar Singh, he said “if somebody brings a type-writer from outside” so that the decision of his removal could be faxed to him, then he will not accept it. To a question if he wanted to form his own party, he said “in politics, you should sack those from the party who want to sack you. This is our party.”
Responding to BJP’s barb that demonetization had harmed SP as the alleged illicit money kept by it for the polls is no longer useful, he said the decision will help his party as leaders and workers of other outfits will be forced to use cycle, SP’s election symbol.
A grand alliance like Bihar is not possible in UP, he added. Asked about differences between him and his father, he responded in lighter vein that he was a footballer while Mulayam was a wrestler. He, however, insisted that all the infighting in his party had not made any impact on his government’s performance and cited the Metro work in Lucknow and Luchnow-Agra expressway as evidence.
He also supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her attack on the central government, saying if anything happens in a state, the Chief Minister should be informed.
Mamata leaves office after 36 hours, says exploring legal options against Centre
-
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday left the state secretariat building after nearly 36 hours straight amid a row over the presence of Army units positioned at toll plazas across Bengal. Before leaving, Banerjee, once again resumed her attack on the Centre, accusing them of “arrogance” and “using” the army “for political vendetta”, adding that the party was mulling legal options.
Earlier in the day, the army had rebutted Banerjee’s allegations that personnel were deployed at toll plazas, without prior intimation to the state government and were collecting money, stating that the exercise had been carried out with the coordination of Kolkata Police. GOC Bengal area (officiating) Maj Gen Sunil Yadav said that the coordination had been done with “local police authorities” and the exercise had been earlier “planned for November 27 to November 28”, dates of which were changed to “November 30 to December 2”, as per request of Kolkata Police.
Prior to Mamata Banerjee’s press conference, party general secretery Partha Chatterjee had countered the army’s claims. He said, “The manner in which Modi government is using the Army for politics has never happened before. We have the highest respect for the Army, but the situation is very unfortunate. We were not informed. We had not given permission to Army.”
In the midst of all this, the Kolkata police has countered the documents released by the army with letters of their own. According to a letter dated Novermber 25, released by Kolkata, additional commissioner of police Supratim Sarkar had responded to the army request, writing to Administrative Commandant Colonel Surinder Mahani citing the heavy traffic flow on the highway, the toll plaza being the entry and exit points to other districts and states and the proximity to Nabanna, the West Bengal secretariat and therefore “a high security zone’’ as reasons for the Army to shift its exercise elsewhere. Colonel Mahani said that he had responded to the letter saying that the exercise at this point was imperative, a letter that Sarkar claims not to have received.
Banerjee, meanwhile, supplemented her attack on the Centre’s arrogance with the reiteration of the “misfortunes” faced by “common people” due to demonetisation. “There are 287 tea gardens in Bengal. Of these 119 have not received wages since October 29. This is affecting 2.5 lakh tea workers. The Modi government doesn’t care about these people,” she said.
She further alleged that the supply of Rs 500 notes was being monitored by the BJP, as per their own political interest. “There is no supply of Rs 500 notes in West Bengal. The ATMs are yet to be recalibrated. It is only in BJP states, where Rs 500 notes are being provided. In UP, for instance, they are trying to create anger against the government by not supplying these notes. In Bihar, they are providing the Rs 500 notes near Patna, but not in villages. Here, there are barely any Rs 500 notes.”
Earlier in the day, TMC MLAs arrived at Rajbhawan in Kolkata, protesting the “unprecedented” deployment with army presence across the state. Chatterjee added, “We will not tolerate this complete disregard for democracy by the Centre.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday left the state secretariat building after nearly 36 hours straight amid a row over the presence of Army units positioned at toll plazas across Bengal. Before leaving, Banerjee, once again resumed her attack on the Centre, accusing them of “arrogance” and “using” the army “for political vendetta”, adding that the party was mulling legal options.
Earlier in the day, the army had rebutted Banerjee’s allegations that personnel were deployed at toll plazas, without prior intimation to the state government and were collecting money, stating that the exercise had been carried out with the coordination of Kolkata Police. GOC Bengal area (officiating) Maj Gen Sunil Yadav said that the coordination had been done with “local police authorities” and the exercise had been earlier “planned for November 27 to November 28”, dates of which were changed to “November 30 to December 2”, as per request of Kolkata Police.
Prior to Mamata Banerjee’s press conference, party general secretery Partha Chatterjee had countered the army’s claims. He said, “The manner in which Modi government is using the Army for politics has never happened before. We have the highest respect for the Army, but the situation is very unfortunate. We were not informed. We had not given permission to Army.”
In the midst of all this, the Kolkata police has countered the documents released by the army with letters of their own. According to a letter dated Novermber 25, released by Kolkata, additional commissioner of police Supratim Sarkar had responded to the army request, writing to Administrative Commandant Colonel Surinder Mahani citing the heavy traffic flow on the highway, the toll plaza being the entry and exit points to other districts and states and the proximity to Nabanna, the West Bengal secretariat and therefore “a high security zone’’ as reasons for the Army to shift its exercise elsewhere. Colonel Mahani said that he had responded to the letter saying that the exercise at this point was imperative, a letter that Sarkar claims not to have received.
Banerjee, meanwhile, supplemented her attack on the Centre’s arrogance with the reiteration of the “misfortunes” faced by “common people” due to demonetisation. “There are 287 tea gardens in Bengal. Of these 119 have not received wages since October 29. This is affecting 2.5 lakh tea workers. The Modi government doesn’t care about these people,” she said.
She further alleged that the supply of Rs 500 notes was being monitored by the BJP, as per their own political interest. “There is no supply of Rs 500 notes in West Bengal. The ATMs are yet to be recalibrated. It is only in BJP states, where Rs 500 notes are being provided. In UP, for instance, they are trying to create anger against the government by not supplying these notes. In Bihar, they are providing the Rs 500 notes near Patna, but not in villages. Here, there are barely any Rs 500 notes.”
Earlier in the day, TMC MLAs arrived at Rajbhawan in Kolkata, protesting the “unprecedented” deployment with army presence across the state. Chatterjee added, “We will not tolerate this complete disregard for democracy by the Centre.”
Day after Mamata Banerjee slams Army, war of letters erupts
-
A DAY after West Bengal Chief Minister hinted at a “coup” while criticising the Army’s presence at a toll plaza near her Secretariat, and stayed overnight at her office for “guarding our democracy”, a letter versus letter exchange ensued between the Eastern Command and Kolkata Police to fuel the controversy. While Army released letters to show that they had informed the state about their deployment as part of a larger “data collection” exercise across the region, the latter released letters to claim it had objected to the move. While the Army cited a final letter on the issue, in which it told police that the operative was “imperative”, police said they never received it.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, meanwhile, has sent a letter to Union Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha to complain against the deployment at the Vidyasagar Setu toll plaza, near Nabanna.
Earlier, responding to the Chief Minister’s allegation, GOC (Bengal area) Major General Sunil Yadav said the Army had been in constant touch with police and that there had been “several meetings” over the issue.
Major General Yadav said the Eastern Command formations were “carrying out a routine annual data collection exercise on the availability of load carriers at major entry points”. “We pushed back the date of the operation on the request of West Bengal police because of the Bharat Bandh. We were to begin the three-day exercise on November 28, but began on November 30. We are carrying out the operation in 80 different points across the east and northeast. The same exercise was carried out at exactly the same points last year as well, between November 19 and 21,’’ he said.
However, Additional Commissioner of Kolkata Police Supratim Sarkar said they had objected to the exercise being carried out at the toll plaza and had asked the Army to look for an alternate venue.
In a letter, dated November 25, Sarkar wrote to Administrative Commandant Colonel Surinder Mahani to say that the toll plaza, which is the entry and exit points to other districts and states, was “a high security zone’’. Colonel Mahani responded by saying that the exercise was “imperative”, a letter that Sarkar claims not to have received.
The exchange of letters appears to have started with the one, dated November 23, sent by Station Staff Officer Lt Colonel A P Rai to officers in Hastings and Howrah police stations. “An exercise on Civil Hired Transport (CHT) impressments will be carried with effect from 0001 hour on 28 Nov 16 to 2359 hours on 30 Nov 16 at Vidyasagar Setu,’’ it stated, before seeking “necessary police assistance’’ to establish “check posts on either side” of the toll plaza.
This letter was copied to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Park Street, as well as the Regional Transport Officer.
A second letter, dated November 24, was sent to the District Magistrate Howrah by Colonel Mahani to convey that “this unit intends to carry out a vehicle impressment exercise at Vidya Sagar Setu toll point” to “ascertain the availability of vehicles, which can be utilised during a national emergency.”
Colonel Mahani sent similar letters on the same day to the Commissioner of Police (Kolkata); Commissioner of Police (Howrah); Vice Chairman HRBC Bhavan; and, Principal Secretary, Transport Department.
On November 25, ACP Sarkar responded by raising objections to the exercise at the toll plaza. “This is to inform you that the proposed place of exercise is a busy and important corridor having huge volume of vehicular traffic, connecting the city with other districts and states and also the gateway to Nabanna, the State Government secretariat, which is a high security zone. Keeping in view the traffic implications and the security considerations, it is advised not to carry out the exercise in the stretch proposed,’’ it stated.
On the same day, Colonel Mahani responded that the exercise was “an operational requirement for the Army and has to be carried out in the near vicinity of Army areas.apropos the venue cannot be changed’’.
On Friday, Major General Yadav told reporters: “On November 27, which was a Sunday, there was a joint inspection carried out by us with the Kolkata police. My staff and inspectors of the Kolkata police carried out the inspection and all matters were resolved.’’
However, ACP Sarkar said: “The inspection on November 27 was carried out to make them understand why it was not possible or advisable to conduct the exercise anywhere in the vicinity of Nabanna from the security point and also the traffic implications.’’
Major General Yadav said the exercise was being carried out in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim.
“Similar exercises have been carried out in Jharkhand, UP and Bihar from September 26 to October 1 under the South Western Command earlier this year. In 2015, from November 19-21, we carried out the exercise at Meerut, Dehradun, Allahabad, Danapur, Lucknow, Raipur, Ranchi, Gaya, Jamshedpur and Roorkee,’’ he said.
In his complaint to Union Cabinet Secretary Sinha, Chief Secretary Banerjee described the deployment near Nabanna as “highly objectionable, as the Kolkata Police authorities had denied permission”.
“I am directed to request you to kindly do the needful in this regard and to ensure that the federal principles and the constitutional provisions are totally protected by conveying suitable instructions to all concerned,” it stated.
On the political front, TMC MP Derek O’Brien slammed I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu’s claim that the state government had been informed about the deployment. “The BJP party and the government should stop using the Army as a political tool,” said O’Brien.
A DAY after West Bengal Chief Minister hinted at a “coup” while criticising the Army’s presence at a toll plaza near her Secretariat, and stayed overnight at her office for “guarding our democracy”, a letter versus letter exchange ensued between the Eastern Command and Kolkata Police to fuel the controversy. While Army released letters to show that they had informed the state about their deployment as part of a larger “data collection” exercise across the region, the latter released letters to claim it had objected to the move. While the Army cited a final letter on the issue, in which it told police that the operative was “imperative”, police said they never received it.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, meanwhile, has sent a letter to Union Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha to complain against the deployment at the Vidyasagar Setu toll plaza, near Nabanna.
Earlier, responding to the Chief Minister’s allegation, GOC (Bengal area) Major General Sunil Yadav said the Army had been in constant touch with police and that there had been “several meetings” over the issue.
Major General Yadav said the Eastern Command formations were “carrying out a routine annual data collection exercise on the availability of load carriers at major entry points”. “We pushed back the date of the operation on the request of West Bengal police because of the Bharat Bandh. We were to begin the three-day exercise on November 28, but began on November 30. We are carrying out the operation in 80 different points across the east and northeast. The same exercise was carried out at exactly the same points last year as well, between November 19 and 21,’’ he said.
However, Additional Commissioner of Kolkata Police Supratim Sarkar said they had objected to the exercise being carried out at the toll plaza and had asked the Army to look for an alternate venue.
In a letter, dated November 25, Sarkar wrote to Administrative Commandant Colonel Surinder Mahani to say that the toll plaza, which is the entry and exit points to other districts and states, was “a high security zone’’. Colonel Mahani responded by saying that the exercise was “imperative”, a letter that Sarkar claims not to have received.
The exchange of letters appears to have started with the one, dated November 23, sent by Station Staff Officer Lt Colonel A P Rai to officers in Hastings and Howrah police stations. “An exercise on Civil Hired Transport (CHT) impressments will be carried with effect from 0001 hour on 28 Nov 16 to 2359 hours on 30 Nov 16 at Vidyasagar Setu,’’ it stated, before seeking “necessary police assistance’’ to establish “check posts on either side” of the toll plaza.
This letter was copied to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Park Street, as well as the Regional Transport Officer.
A second letter, dated November 24, was sent to the District Magistrate Howrah by Colonel Mahani to convey that “this unit intends to carry out a vehicle impressment exercise at Vidya Sagar Setu toll point” to “ascertain the availability of vehicles, which can be utilised during a national emergency.”
Colonel Mahani sent similar letters on the same day to the Commissioner of Police (Kolkata); Commissioner of Police (Howrah); Vice Chairman HRBC Bhavan; and, Principal Secretary, Transport Department.
On November 25, ACP Sarkar responded by raising objections to the exercise at the toll plaza. “This is to inform you that the proposed place of exercise is a busy and important corridor having huge volume of vehicular traffic, connecting the city with other districts and states and also the gateway to Nabanna, the State Government secretariat, which is a high security zone. Keeping in view the traffic implications and the security considerations, it is advised not to carry out the exercise in the stretch proposed,’’ it stated.
On the same day, Colonel Mahani responded that the exercise was “an operational requirement for the Army and has to be carried out in the near vicinity of Army areas.apropos the venue cannot be changed’’.
On Friday, Major General Yadav told reporters: “On November 27, which was a Sunday, there was a joint inspection carried out by us with the Kolkata police. My staff and inspectors of the Kolkata police carried out the inspection and all matters were resolved.’’
However, ACP Sarkar said: “The inspection on November 27 was carried out to make them understand why it was not possible or advisable to conduct the exercise anywhere in the vicinity of Nabanna from the security point and also the traffic implications.’’
Major General Yadav said the exercise was being carried out in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim.
“Similar exercises have been carried out in Jharkhand, UP and Bihar from September 26 to October 1 under the South Western Command earlier this year. In 2015, from November 19-21, we carried out the exercise at Meerut, Dehradun, Allahabad, Danapur, Lucknow, Raipur, Ranchi, Gaya, Jamshedpur and Roorkee,’’ he said.
In his complaint to Union Cabinet Secretary Sinha, Chief Secretary Banerjee described the deployment near Nabanna as “highly objectionable, as the Kolkata Police authorities had denied permission”.
“I am directed to request you to kindly do the needful in this regard and to ensure that the federal principles and the constitutional provisions are totally protected by conveying suitable instructions to all concerned,” it stated.
On the political front, TMC MP Derek O’Brien slammed I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu’s claim that the state government had been informed about the deployment. “The BJP party and the government should stop using the Army as a political tool,” said O’Brien.
Demonetisation: PM Modi takes to LinkedIn, asks public to embrace cashless transactions
-
In his second LinkedIn post on Demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modireiterated his appeal to the public to embrace cashless transactions. He said that the scrapping of old high currency notes presented an “unique opportunity” for small traders , “who have a central role in the economic transformation of India”. Saying that liquid cash is a “big source” of corruption and black money, he said the Centre’s “historic decision” to recall old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was aimed at uprooting these twin evils. He went to add that during his state visits, people in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Punjab, gave him a resounding yes when asked whether corruption and black money should be eliminated.
On Corruption:
“In 21st century India, there is no place for corruption. Corruption slows down growth and takes a toll on the dreams of the poor, neo-middle class and middle class.”
On public support:
“Over the last few days, I have had opportunities to travel to rural as well as urban Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Punjab. Wherever I went, I asked the people- should corruption and black money be eliminated? Should the poor, neo-middle and middle class get their due? The answer I got everywhere was a resounding yes!”
On cashless transactions:
“Today we live in an era of mobile banking and mobile wallets. Ordering food, buying and selling furniture, ordering a taxi…all of this and lot more is possible through your mobiles. Technology has brought speed and convenience in our lives.”
On long term gains of demonetisation:
“When I had made the announcement on 8th November, I was aware that the people of India will face inconvenience but I had requested the people of India to bear this short term pain for long term gain. I am happy to see that the people of India are bearing temporary difficulties for the long term gain of the nation.”
In his second LinkedIn post on Demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modireiterated his appeal to the public to embrace cashless transactions. He said that the scrapping of old high currency notes presented an “unique opportunity” for small traders , “who have a central role in the economic transformation of India”. Saying that liquid cash is a “big source” of corruption and black money, he said the Centre’s “historic decision” to recall old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was aimed at uprooting these twin evils. He went to add that during his state visits, people in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Punjab, gave him a resounding yes when asked whether corruption and black money should be eliminated.
On Corruption:
“In 21st century India, there is no place for corruption. Corruption slows down growth and takes a toll on the dreams of the poor, neo-middle class and middle class.”
On public support:
“Over the last few days, I have had opportunities to travel to rural as well as urban Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Punjab. Wherever I went, I asked the people- should corruption and black money be eliminated? Should the poor, neo-middle and middle class get their due? The answer I got everywhere was a resounding yes!”
On cashless transactions:
“Today we live in an era of mobile banking and mobile wallets. Ordering food, buying and selling furniture, ordering a taxi…all of this and lot more is possible through your mobiles. Technology has brought speed and convenience in our lives.”
On long term gains of demonetisation:
“When I had made the announcement on 8th November, I was aware that the people of India will face inconvenience but I had requested the people of India to bear this short term pain for long term gain. I am happy to see that the people of India are bearing temporary difficulties for the long term gain of the nation.”
Business Affairs
GDP grows at 7.3 per cent in Q2; uncertainty remains for H2: CEA
-
India’s gross Domestic Product (GDP) in July-September, the second quarter of this financial year, picked up to 7.3 per cent from 7.1 per cent in April-June but stayed lower than 7.6 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago. Growth rate, as measured by Gross Value Added (GVA), declined to a three-quarter low of 7.1 per cent in July-September, data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed.
Though farm output GVA growth recorded a marked improvement in July-September, rising 3.3 per cent from 1.8 per cent in the previous quarter and 2.0 per cent last year, manufacturing GVA growth slumped to 7.1 per cent from 9.1 per cent growth in April-June and 9.2 per cent in the same quarter last year.
Construction industry registered a GVA growth of 3.5 per cent in July-September compared with 1.5 per cent growth in the previous quarter and 0.8 per cent growth last year, while mining and quarrying sector’s GVA growth continued to stay in the negative territory at (-) 1.5 per cent as against (-) 0.4 per cent in April-June and 5 per cent growth last year. During July-September, private final consumption expenditure (PFCE), an indicator of household spending, was estimated at Rs 16.2 lakh crore, or about 54.9 per cent of the GDP. PFCE grew by 7.6 per cent in July-September as against 6.3 per cent growth recorded last year.
Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), a proxy for measuring investment activity, sharply declined to (-) 5.6 per cent in July-September from a growth of 9.7 per cent in the corresponding period last year. The share of GFCF as a proportion of GDP also fell to 29 per cent in July-September this year from 32.9 per cent in the same quarter of 2015-16 and 29.6 per cent in April-June this year.
GVA growth of electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services slowed down to 3.5 per cent in July-September from 9.4 per cent in the previous quarter and 7.5 per cent a year ago. According to the new methodology followed by the CSO, GDP is calculated by adding product taxes to GVA at basic prices and removing subsidies.
With this growth number for the second quarter, GDP growth in April-September, the first half of this financial year, stands at 7.2 per cent as against 7.5 per cent growth in the same period a year ago. For the economy to grow at 8 per cent in 2016-17, as estimated by the government earlier, the GDP will need to grow by 8.8 per cent in second half of this financial year.
A growth rate of 8.8 per cent in the second half of 2016-17 seems difficult to achieve as growth is likely to be hit in the third quarter after the government’s decision to withdraw high-denomination currency notes. Chief Statistician T C A Anant, however, said that there is no data yet to gauge impact of the currency withdrawal on GDP. “People make assumptions and based on that they make statements. Once the data comes in, I will make a statement,” he said .
Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian said, “What we have for first half are actual numbers. It shows good consistent performance. For second half we will have to see, there are a lot of uncertainties. We have to analyse it before we say something.” Global rating agencies and economists have already lowered their growth forecast for 2016-17 following the currency withdrawal decision of the government.
Fiscal deficit at 79.3% of BE in Apr-Oct
New Delhi: The Centre managed to contain fiscal deficit in the first seven months of the current fiscal at Rs 4.23 lakh crore or 79.3 per cent of the full-year target of Rs 5.34 lakh crore, aided by higher tax revenue and curbs on capex lately. In the same period last year, the deficit was 74 per cent of the corresponding annual target. The deficit had stood at 83.9 per cent of the annual target in April-September of FY17. In April-October this year, the Centre’s capex (Plan and non-Plan) has declined by 12.81 per cent to Rs 1,24,959 crore as against Rs 1,43,329 crore in the year-ago period. Plan capex, seen critical to ignite economic activity, declined 8.1 per cent during the period while non-Plan capex fell by 20.8 per cent.
India’s gross Domestic Product (GDP) in July-September, the second quarter of this financial year, picked up to 7.3 per cent from 7.1 per cent in April-June but stayed lower than 7.6 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago. Growth rate, as measured by Gross Value Added (GVA), declined to a three-quarter low of 7.1 per cent in July-September, data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed.
Though farm output GVA growth recorded a marked improvement in July-September, rising 3.3 per cent from 1.8 per cent in the previous quarter and 2.0 per cent last year, manufacturing GVA growth slumped to 7.1 per cent from 9.1 per cent growth in April-June and 9.2 per cent in the same quarter last year.
Construction industry registered a GVA growth of 3.5 per cent in July-September compared with 1.5 per cent growth in the previous quarter and 0.8 per cent growth last year, while mining and quarrying sector’s GVA growth continued to stay in the negative territory at (-) 1.5 per cent as against (-) 0.4 per cent in April-June and 5 per cent growth last year. During July-September, private final consumption expenditure (PFCE), an indicator of household spending, was estimated at Rs 16.2 lakh crore, or about 54.9 per cent of the GDP. PFCE grew by 7.6 per cent in July-September as against 6.3 per cent growth recorded last year.
Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), a proxy for measuring investment activity, sharply declined to (-) 5.6 per cent in July-September from a growth of 9.7 per cent in the corresponding period last year. The share of GFCF as a proportion of GDP also fell to 29 per cent in July-September this year from 32.9 per cent in the same quarter of 2015-16 and 29.6 per cent in April-June this year.
GVA growth of electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services slowed down to 3.5 per cent in July-September from 9.4 per cent in the previous quarter and 7.5 per cent a year ago. According to the new methodology followed by the CSO, GDP is calculated by adding product taxes to GVA at basic prices and removing subsidies.
With this growth number for the second quarter, GDP growth in April-September, the first half of this financial year, stands at 7.2 per cent as against 7.5 per cent growth in the same period a year ago. For the economy to grow at 8 per cent in 2016-17, as estimated by the government earlier, the GDP will need to grow by 8.8 per cent in second half of this financial year.
A growth rate of 8.8 per cent in the second half of 2016-17 seems difficult to achieve as growth is likely to be hit in the third quarter after the government’s decision to withdraw high-denomination currency notes. Chief Statistician T C A Anant, however, said that there is no data yet to gauge impact of the currency withdrawal on GDP. “People make assumptions and based on that they make statements. Once the data comes in, I will make a statement,” he said .
Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian said, “What we have for first half are actual numbers. It shows good consistent performance. For second half we will have to see, there are a lot of uncertainties. We have to analyse it before we say something.” Global rating agencies and economists have already lowered their growth forecast for 2016-17 following the currency withdrawal decision of the government.
Fiscal deficit at 79.3% of BE in Apr-Oct
New Delhi: The Centre managed to contain fiscal deficit in the first seven months of the current fiscal at Rs 4.23 lakh crore or 79.3 per cent of the full-year target of Rs 5.34 lakh crore, aided by higher tax revenue and curbs on capex lately. In the same period last year, the deficit was 74 per cent of the corresponding annual target. The deficit had stood at 83.9 per cent of the annual target in April-September of FY17. In April-October this year, the Centre’s capex (Plan and non-Plan) has declined by 12.81 per cent to Rs 1,24,959 crore as against Rs 1,43,329 crore in the year-ago period. Plan capex, seen critical to ignite economic activity, declined 8.1 per cent during the period while non-Plan capex fell by 20.8 per cent.
GST council meet: Most states voice opposition against dual control, says report
-
Most of the states, including NDA-ruled states, who are participating in the GST Council meet on Friday, have voiced opposition against the dual control rule, according to news agency ANI. The two-day meet, which commenced today, saw the states seeking full control over small taxpayers below Rs 1.5 crore threshold, demanding that dual control should be applied above Rs 1.5 crore threshold.
The Council was expected to take up the vexed issue of cross empowerment of states and the Centre to avoid dual control — an issue which has remained a contentious one during the previous two GST Council meetings. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had called for an informal meeting with his state counterparts on November 20 to thrash out a political solution, but the meet failed to arrive at a common ground on how the Centre and states will control assessees under the new regime that will subsume an array of taxes such as excise duty and service tax as well as VAT.
The government hopes to implement GST from April 1 next year and for that to happen, the supporting legislations have to be ratified by Parliament in the ongoing session.
Most of the states, including NDA-ruled states, who are participating in the GST Council meet on Friday, have voiced opposition against the dual control rule, according to news agency ANI. The two-day meet, which commenced today, saw the states seeking full control over small taxpayers below Rs 1.5 crore threshold, demanding that dual control should be applied above Rs 1.5 crore threshold.
The Council was expected to take up the vexed issue of cross empowerment of states and the Centre to avoid dual control — an issue which has remained a contentious one during the previous two GST Council meetings. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had called for an informal meeting with his state counterparts on November 20 to thrash out a political solution, but the meet failed to arrive at a common ground on how the Centre and states will control assessees under the new regime that will subsume an array of taxes such as excise duty and service tax as well as VAT.
The government hopes to implement GST from April 1 next year and for that to happen, the supporting legislations have to be ratified by Parliament in the ongoing session.
Sensex sheds 223 points on global cues
-
Key benchmark indices continued to trade weak in late morning trade, further down by 223 points after a gap-down opening triggered by negative Asian stocks. Sell-off were seen mainly in FMCG, Finance, Realty, Consumer Durable, Oil & Gas, Capital Goods and IT sectors.
The BSE Mid-Cap index and the BSE Small-Cap index were down by 0.64 and 0.83 per cent, respectively.
The 30-share Sensex opened lower at 26,437.37 and hovered in a range of 26,445.52 and 26,299.15 before quoting 26,336.56 at 1100 hours, showing a fall of 223.36 points, or 0.84 per cent, from its last close.
`The NSE 50-share Nifty was also trading down by 73.15 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 8,119.75 at 1100 hours.
Major losers were HDFC 2.32%, Dr Reddy 2.14%, ITC 1.65%, HDFC Bank 1.50%, HUL 1.45%, TCS 1.41%, Adaniports 1.38%, L&T 1.35%, Asianpaint 1.34%, Infosys 1.16%, M&M 1.07% and Maruti 1%.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 402.62 crores, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.
Asian markets fell on global uncertainties as investors adopted a wait-and-watch mood. Later today the US Labor Department will release its closely watched monthly employment report for November.
A sharp decline in technology stocks pulled both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 indexes into the red yesterday, while the Dow managed to notch a record closing high with a lift from bank and energy shares.
Key benchmark indices continued to trade weak in late morning trade, further down by 223 points after a gap-down opening triggered by negative Asian stocks. Sell-off were seen mainly in FMCG, Finance, Realty, Consumer Durable, Oil & Gas, Capital Goods and IT sectors.
The BSE Mid-Cap index and the BSE Small-Cap index were down by 0.64 and 0.83 per cent, respectively.
The 30-share Sensex opened lower at 26,437.37 and hovered in a range of 26,445.52 and 26,299.15 before quoting 26,336.56 at 1100 hours, showing a fall of 223.36 points, or 0.84 per cent, from its last close.
`The NSE 50-share Nifty was also trading down by 73.15 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 8,119.75 at 1100 hours.
Major losers were HDFC 2.32%, Dr Reddy 2.14%, ITC 1.65%, HDFC Bank 1.50%, HUL 1.45%, TCS 1.41%, Adaniports 1.38%, L&T 1.35%, Asianpaint 1.34%, Infosys 1.16%, M&M 1.07% and Maruti 1%.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 402.62 crores, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.
Asian markets fell on global uncertainties as investors adopted a wait-and-watch mood. Later today the US Labor Department will release its closely watched monthly employment report for November.
A sharp decline in technology stocks pulled both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 indexes into the red yesterday, while the Dow managed to notch a record closing high with a lift from bank and energy shares.
Rupee adds to gains, up 5 paise against dollar
-
Extending gains for the fourth session, the rupee appreciated by another 5 paise to 68.29 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday on continued selling of the American currency by banks and exporters. Forex dealers said the dollar’s weakness against some currencies overseas led to the rupee up move.
However, a weak opening in domestic equity market restricted the gains in rupee, they said. On Thursday, the domestic currency had gained 4 paise to end at one-week high of 68.34 against the resurgent dollar following robust macro-economic data even as crude prices jumped after the historic OPEC deal.
Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex plunged 199.97 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 26,359.95 in early trade.
Extending gains for the fourth session, the rupee appreciated by another 5 paise to 68.29 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday on continued selling of the American currency by banks and exporters. Forex dealers said the dollar’s weakness against some currencies overseas led to the rupee up move.
However, a weak opening in domestic equity market restricted the gains in rupee, they said. On Thursday, the domestic currency had gained 4 paise to end at one-week high of 68.34 against the resurgent dollar following robust macro-economic data even as crude prices jumped after the historic OPEC deal.
Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex plunged 199.97 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 26,359.95 in early trade.
Sugar futures down 1.07 per cent on ample stocks
-
Sugar prices drifted lower by 1.07 per cent to Rs 3,413 per quintal in futures trading on Firday as speculators reduced their exposure, triggered by adequate stocks position at spot market against lower demand. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, sugar for delivery in December moved down by Rs 37, or 1.07 per cent to Rs 3,413 per quintal with an open interest of 6,390 lots.
Likewise, the sweetener for delivery in March declined by Rs 31, or 0.86 per cent to Rs 3,562 per quintal in 3,610 lots. Analysts said offloading of positions by traders, triggered by sufficient stocks on higher supplies from mills in the physical market against lower demand from bulk consumers, mainly led to the decline in sugar prices at futures trade.
Likewise, the sweetener for delivery in March declined by Rs 31, or 0.86 per cent to Rs 3,562 per quintal in 3,610 lots. Analysts said offloading of positions by traders, triggered by sufficient stocks on higher supplies from mills in the physical market against lower demand from bulk consumers, mainly led to the decline in sugar prices at futures trade.
General Awareness
Union Cabinet Approvals – December 1 2016
-
Union Cabinet lead by Prime Minister Narendra Modi given it’s approval to India’s negotiating position adopted at Kigali conference to Montreal Protocol, rehabilitation package for displaced families from PoKJ, Chhamb, rationalisation of visa regime and inclusion of 15 new castes in Central OBC list and Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III
Cabinet approves India’s negotiating position adopted at Kigali conference to Montreal Protocol
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the negotiating position adopted by the Government of India at the 28th Meeting of Parties (MoP) to the Montreal Protocol of the Vienna Convention for Protection of Ozone Layer that took place during 6-14 October, 2016, in Kigali, Rwanda.
- The Montreal Protocol, which entered force in January 1989, aims to phase out the ozone depleting substances (ODS).
- The negotiations at Kigali were aimed at including Hydrofluoro Carbons (HFCs) in the list of chemicals under the Montreal Protocol to regulate their production and consumption and phase them down over a period of time with financial assistance from the Multilateral Fund created under the Montreal Protocol.
- HFCs are not ozone depleting but global warming substance and if controlled, can contribute substantially to limiting the global temperature and advance actions for addressing climate change.
Under Montreal Protocol, all countries are assigned a baseline year and a freeze year.
- Baseline year is a three year period in which consumption and production of harmful gases like HFCs and HCFCs are analysed and the reduction of the same is assigned based on the amount.
- The freeze year is the period when the use of those chemicals must go below what they were during the baseline years.
It was agreed at Kigali that India will have baseline years of 2024, 2025, 2026. This decision gives additional HCFC allowance of 65% that will be added to the Indian baseline consumption and production. The freeze year for India will be 2028, with a condition that there will be a technology review in 2024/2025 and, if the growth in the sectors using refrigerants is above certain agreed threshold, India can defer its freeze up to 2030.
As per the decisions taken in Kigali, India will complete its phase down in 4 steps from 2032 onwards with cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047.
India’s position was mainly aimed at allowing sufficient room for growth of its domestic sectors using refrigerants.
Cabinet approves rehabilitation package for displaced families from PoKJ, Chhamb
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved a Central Assistance of Rs. 2000 crore for 36,384 displaced families from Pakistan occupied areas of Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) and Chhamb based on an announcement of Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu & Kashmir-2015 in November, 2015.
- As per the package, Rs. 5.5 lakh cash benefit per family will be disbursed to the displaced families to enable them to earn an income and live their livelihood. The amount will be released to the State Government of J&K to be disbursed to eligible families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- After the partition of the country in 1947, a series of relief and rehabilitation packages have been extended by the Government of India to State Government of J&K from time to time to mitigate the hardship of displaced persons from PoJK and Chhamb and to rehabilitate them.
Union Cabinet approves rationalisation of visa regime
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 30, 2016, approved the liberalisation, simplification and rationalisation of the country’s visa regime to stimulate economic growth and ease travel for foreigners.
- The Cabinet also approved incremental changes in the visa policy decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with various stakeholders and with the approval of the Home Minister.
- The approval will facilitate entry of foreigners for tourism, business and medical purposes in India and stimulate economic growth, increase earnings from export of services like tourism, medical tourism and travel on account of business and to make the government’s Skill India, Digital India, Make in India and other such flagship initiatives successful.
Union Cabinet approves inclusion of 15 new castes in Central OBC list
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 30, 2016, approved inclusion of 15 new castes and modification in 13 other castes in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- The National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended a total of 28 changes in respect of 8 states —Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
- Out of these 28, 15 were new entries, 9 were synonyms or sub-castes of the castes which were already in the list and 4 were corrections.
- The changes will enable the persons belonging to these castes/communities to avail the benefits such as reservation in Government services and posts, Central Educational Institutions, eligible for benefit under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc. being administered by the Central Government, which are at present available to the persons belonging to the Other Backward Classes.
- vOn the NCBC recommendation, a total of 2479 entries for inclusion, including its synonyms, sub-castes, etc. in the Central List of OBCs have been notified in 25 States and 6 Union Territories. The last such notification was issued till September, 2016.
The National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC)
NCBC examines requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists. Its advice is binding upon the Central Government.
Union Cabinet approved Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III.
- The estimated cost of project is Rs.8679 crore with completion cost of Rs.10947 crore. The project is expected to be completed in the next five years during 13th Five Year Plan period.
Union Cabinet lead by Prime Minister Narendra Modi given it’s approval to India’s negotiating position adopted at Kigali conference to Montreal Protocol, rehabilitation package for displaced families from PoKJ, Chhamb, rationalisation of visa regime and inclusion of 15 new castes in Central OBC list and Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III
Cabinet approves India’s negotiating position adopted at Kigali conference to Montreal Protocol
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the negotiating position adopted by the Government of India at the 28th Meeting of Parties (MoP) to the Montreal Protocol of the Vienna Convention for Protection of Ozone Layer that took place during 6-14 October, 2016, in Kigali, Rwanda.
- The Montreal Protocol, which entered force in January 1989, aims to phase out the ozone depleting substances (ODS).
- The negotiations at Kigali were aimed at including Hydrofluoro Carbons (HFCs) in the list of chemicals under the Montreal Protocol to regulate their production and consumption and phase them down over a period of time with financial assistance from the Multilateral Fund created under the Montreal Protocol.
- HFCs are not ozone depleting but global warming substance and if controlled, can contribute substantially to limiting the global temperature and advance actions for addressing climate change.
Under Montreal Protocol, all countries are assigned a baseline year and a freeze year.
- Baseline year is a three year period in which consumption and production of harmful gases like HFCs and HCFCs are analysed and the reduction of the same is assigned based on the amount.
- The freeze year is the period when the use of those chemicals must go below what they were during the baseline years.
It was agreed at Kigali that India will have baseline years of 2024, 2025, 2026. This decision gives additional HCFC allowance of 65% that will be added to the Indian baseline consumption and production. The freeze year for India will be 2028, with a condition that there will be a technology review in 2024/2025 and, if the growth in the sectors using refrigerants is above certain agreed threshold, India can defer its freeze up to 2030.
As per the decisions taken in Kigali, India will complete its phase down in 4 steps from 2032 onwards with cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047.
India’s position was mainly aimed at allowing sufficient room for growth of its domestic sectors using refrigerants.
Cabinet approves rehabilitation package for displaced families from PoKJ, Chhamb
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved a Central Assistance of Rs. 2000 crore for 36,384 displaced families from Pakistan occupied areas of Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) and Chhamb based on an announcement of Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu & Kashmir-2015 in November, 2015.
- As per the package, Rs. 5.5 lakh cash benefit per family will be disbursed to the displaced families to enable them to earn an income and live their livelihood. The amount will be released to the State Government of J&K to be disbursed to eligible families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- After the partition of the country in 1947, a series of relief and rehabilitation packages have been extended by the Government of India to State Government of J&K from time to time to mitigate the hardship of displaced persons from PoJK and Chhamb and to rehabilitate them.
Union Cabinet approves rationalisation of visa regime
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 30, 2016, approved the liberalisation, simplification and rationalisation of the country’s visa regime to stimulate economic growth and ease travel for foreigners.
- The Cabinet also approved incremental changes in the visa policy decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with various stakeholders and with the approval of the Home Minister.
- The approval will facilitate entry of foreigners for tourism, business and medical purposes in India and stimulate economic growth, increase earnings from export of services like tourism, medical tourism and travel on account of business and to make the government’s Skill India, Digital India, Make in India and other such flagship initiatives successful.
Union Cabinet approves inclusion of 15 new castes in Central OBC list
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 30, 2016, approved inclusion of 15 new castes and modification in 13 other castes in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- The National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended a total of 28 changes in respect of 8 states —Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
- Out of these 28, 15 were new entries, 9 were synonyms or sub-castes of the castes which were already in the list and 4 were corrections.
- The changes will enable the persons belonging to these castes/communities to avail the benefits such as reservation in Government services and posts, Central Educational Institutions, eligible for benefit under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc. being administered by the Central Government, which are at present available to the persons belonging to the Other Backward Classes.
- vOn the NCBC recommendation, a total of 2479 entries for inclusion, including its synonyms, sub-castes, etc. in the Central List of OBCs have been notified in 25 States and 6 Union Territories. The last such notification was issued till September, 2016.
The National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC)
NCBC examines requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists. Its advice is binding upon the Central Government.
Union Cabinet approved Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III.
- The estimated cost of project is Rs.8679 crore with completion cost of Rs.10947 crore. The project is expected to be completed in the next five years during 13th Five Year Plan period.
No comments:
Post a Comment