General Affairs
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Advocates Revision Of Academic Syllabus Every 5 Years
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today advocated the need to revise academic syllabus every five years to bring it in line with the industry requirements.
"In general, city's planning should be considered every ten years. Similarly, academic syllabus should be revised every five years," Mr Fadnavis said.
The chief minister expressed his views on academic syllabus planning, amendment in new university laws, and availability of employment due to change in apprenticeship laws while addressing people of the state through his weekly programme 'Mee Mukhyamantri Boltoy'.
Mr Fadnavis said there is an urgent need to see that the university syllabus has a connect with the need of the industry.
He said school, junior college and degree college syllabus cannot be revised as university syllabus has not been revised.
The chief minister emphasised that there should be aptitude tests for students so that they can choose a proper career option.
"If we want good sportsmen in our state, we should encourage sports in schools and colleges. Every school must have a sports ground," he said.
He further said that Maharashtra has maximum number of apprentices after the change in rules.
Till date about eight lakh students have received hands on training under the apprenticeship programme, he said. Mr Fadnavis said it is the need of the hour to have practical knowledge and experience along with theoretical knowledge.
"In general, city's planning should be considered every ten years. Similarly, academic syllabus should be revised every five years," Mr Fadnavis said.
Mr Fadnavis said there is an urgent need to see that the university syllabus has a connect with the need of the industry.
He said school, junior college and degree college syllabus cannot be revised as university syllabus has not been revised.
The chief minister emphasised that there should be aptitude tests for students so that they can choose a proper career option.
"If we want good sportsmen in our state, we should encourage sports in schools and colleges. Every school must have a sports ground," he said.
He further said that Maharashtra has maximum number of apprentices after the change in rules.
Till date about eight lakh students have received hands on training under the apprenticeship programme, he said. Mr Fadnavis said it is the need of the hour to have practical knowledge and experience along with theoretical knowledge.
Wish Protesters Used Weapons, Not Stones, Says Army Chief On Kashmir
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The Indian Army is facing a "dirty war" in Jammu and Kashmir which has to be fought through "innovative" ways, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said, stoutly defending the use of a Kashmiri as a 'human shield' by a young officer.
In an exclusive interaction with PTI, Rawat said the main objective of awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, when a Court of Inquiry was finalising its probe into the incident, was to boost the morale of young officers of the force who are operating in a very difficult environment in the militancy- infested state.
"This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat said, in what were the General's most comprehensive comments yet to the media on the issue.
The Army Chief's Commendation medal to Gogoi, who had tied a man to an army jeep and used him as a human shield from stone throwers last month was criticised by human rights activists, Kashmiri groups and by a few retired army generals. A video of the incident had triggered a row with many condemning it.
Gogoi was awarded for his sustained efforts in counter- insurgency operations.
"People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there," Gen Rawat said.
Talking about the complexity of the security challenge in the state, he suggested it would have been easier for the armed forces if the protesters were firing weapons instead of throwing stones.
"In fact, I wish these people, instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us. Then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)," he said.
Gen Rawat, who had served in Jammu and Kashmir extensively, said if people in any country lose fear of the army, then the country is doomed.
"Adversaries must be afraid of you and at the same time your people must be afraid of you. We are a friendly army, but when we are called to restore law and order, people have to be afraid of us," he said.
At the same time, he asserted that maximum restraint is being maintained while handling the situation in the Valley.
Gen Rawat said that as the Army chief, it was his duty to lift the morale of the army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and he did it by awarding Major Gogoi.
"As Army Chief my concern is morale of the Army. That is my job. I am far away from the battle field. I cannot influence the situation there. I can only tell the boys that I am with you. I always tell my people, things will go wrong, but if things have gone wrong and you did not have malafide intent, I am there," he said.
Gen Rawat said there was a ploy to break the trust between various security forces, and Major Gogoi could not have refused to provide security when polling agents had sought security assistance.
"Tomorrow elections have to be held in Anantnag and similar things may happen. If the army does not respond to call for assistance, then the trust between the people whom we are protecting, police and army will break.
"That is something I cannot allow to happen. This is what the militants want. It can create a divide between the army and other security forces," he said.
The Army Chief said he had a broad idea about what was going on in the Court of Inquiry into the Gogoi incident, and that is why he went ahead with awarding the Major. "I know what is happening in the COI. It is being finalised. What do we punish him for."
He said armed forces have the right of self defence and Major Gogoi could have opted for firing at the crowd but he chose not to resort to it.
Farooq Dar, who was tied to the jeep, says he is not a militant or a stone thrower, and was only returning home after casting his vote in the by-election when he was hauled away.
He says he still suffers from physical and mental trauma after being paraded on the jeep's bonnet with a sign slung around his neck, warning stone pelters of the consequences.
The Army Chief said just four districts of South Kashmir were disturbed and it was incorrect to say that entire Kashmir has gone out of control.
"It will have to be a composite solution. Everybody will have to get involved. Army's role is to ensure that violence does not take place and the common man who is not indulging in this (violence) is protected," he said, when asked about the solution to the Kashmir issue.
He also emphasised on the need for taking harsh measures to stop infiltration and counter-terrorism.
The Army Chief also wondered why not much noise was made when young army officer Lt Umar Fayaz was killed by militants when he was on leave.
Asked whether there should be a political initiative to reach out to the Kashmiri people, the Army Chief said it was for the government to decide, adding such initiatives were taken in the past as well.
"Has political initiative not been taken in the past? What was the result, you had Kargil...," he said.
To a separate question, the Army Chief said he does not anticipate a "limited war" with Pakistan.
In an exclusive interaction with PTI, Rawat said the main objective of awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, when a Court of Inquiry was finalising its probe into the incident, was to boost the morale of young officers of the force who are operating in a very difficult environment in the militancy- infested state.
"This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat said, in what were the General's most comprehensive comments yet to the media on the issue.
Gogoi was awarded for his sustained efforts in counter- insurgency operations.
"People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there," Gen Rawat said.
Talking about the complexity of the security challenge in the state, he suggested it would have been easier for the armed forces if the protesters were firing weapons instead of throwing stones.
"In fact, I wish these people, instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us. Then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)," he said.
Gen Rawat, who had served in Jammu and Kashmir extensively, said if people in any country lose fear of the army, then the country is doomed.
"Adversaries must be afraid of you and at the same time your people must be afraid of you. We are a friendly army, but when we are called to restore law and order, people have to be afraid of us," he said.
At the same time, he asserted that maximum restraint is being maintained while handling the situation in the Valley.
Gen Rawat said that as the Army chief, it was his duty to lift the morale of the army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and he did it by awarding Major Gogoi.
"As Army Chief my concern is morale of the Army. That is my job. I am far away from the battle field. I cannot influence the situation there. I can only tell the boys that I am with you. I always tell my people, things will go wrong, but if things have gone wrong and you did not have malafide intent, I am there," he said.
Gen Rawat said there was a ploy to break the trust between various security forces, and Major Gogoi could not have refused to provide security when polling agents had sought security assistance.
"Tomorrow elections have to be held in Anantnag and similar things may happen. If the army does not respond to call for assistance, then the trust between the people whom we are protecting, police and army will break.
"That is something I cannot allow to happen. This is what the militants want. It can create a divide between the army and other security forces," he said.
The Army Chief said he had a broad idea about what was going on in the Court of Inquiry into the Gogoi incident, and that is why he went ahead with awarding the Major. "I know what is happening in the COI. It is being finalised. What do we punish him for."
He said armed forces have the right of self defence and Major Gogoi could have opted for firing at the crowd but he chose not to resort to it.
Farooq Dar, who was tied to the jeep, says he is not a militant or a stone thrower, and was only returning home after casting his vote in the by-election when he was hauled away.
He says he still suffers from physical and mental trauma after being paraded on the jeep's bonnet with a sign slung around his neck, warning stone pelters of the consequences.
The Army Chief said just four districts of South Kashmir were disturbed and it was incorrect to say that entire Kashmir has gone out of control.
"It will have to be a composite solution. Everybody will have to get involved. Army's role is to ensure that violence does not take place and the common man who is not indulging in this (violence) is protected," he said, when asked about the solution to the Kashmir issue.
He also emphasised on the need for taking harsh measures to stop infiltration and counter-terrorism.
The Army Chief also wondered why not much noise was made when young army officer Lt Umar Fayaz was killed by militants when he was on leave.
Asked whether there should be a political initiative to reach out to the Kashmiri people, the Army Chief said it was for the government to decide, adding such initiatives were taken in the past as well.
"Has political initiative not been taken in the past? What was the result, you had Kargil...," he said.
To a separate question, the Army Chief said he does not anticipate a "limited war" with Pakistan.
Through 'Mann Ki Baat', I Have Become A Member Of Every Family: PM Narendra Modi
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that through his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, he had "become like a member of every household" of the country, conversing with "my family" about routine issues.
Opposition parties have alleged that he only says what he wants to and does not listen to the people's voices.
He added that he had not thought the programme would be viewed politically when he launched it more than two years ago.
"Some people take 'Mann Ki Baat' as a monologue and some criticise it from a political angle," Mr Modi said in his radio programme, the first after the completion of three years of his government.
"When I started 'Mann Ki Baat', I had not thought so," he added.
Through the programme, he said he felt like he was conversing with "my family while sitting at home". He added that there are many families who have written to him these very feelings.
Prime Minister Modi then referred to the launch of an analytical book on 'Mann Ki Baat' by President Pranab Mukherjee two days ago in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and a number of other dignitaries.
Expressing gratitude to the President, the Vice President and the Speaker, he said, "As an ordinary citizen and as an individual, this was very inspirational event for me."
He said the event had given a new dimension to 'Mann Ki Baat'. While talking about the book, he had praise for Akbar, an artist living in Abu Dhabi, who had offered to sketch the topics on which various episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat' without taking a single rupee.
"Akbar sahab transformed 'Mann Ki Baat' into art as a gesture of his love. I am grateful," Mr Modi said.
During the 30-minute programme, he also emphasised the importance of preserving the environment, laid thrust on cleanliness and waste management, spoke about the importance of yoga and talked about freedom fighters.
Mentioning about environment and cleanliness, he said the Centre, with the help of state governments and people's representatives, will launch a major campaign for waste management from June 5, the World Environment Day.
Under the campaign, means for collecting solid and liquid waste will be launched in 4000 cities across the country.
In the context of cleanliness, the prime minister said Reasi block, a far-flung area of Jammu and Kashmir, has been declared as 'open defecation free' and hailed the people, particularly women, and administrators of the area for it.
Referring to the upcoming 3rd International Yoga Day on June 21, Modi invited selfies of three generations of a family - grandparents, parents and children - on the pattern of 'selfie with daughter' campaign earlier.
PM Modi also said the freedom fighters had suffered "despicable miseries and that is how we can now breathe in a free India." In this context, he referred to the cellular jail of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and said the younger generation should visit it to understand the trouble and torture the freedom fighters had to suffer to achieve freedom.
He added that he had not thought the programme would be viewed politically when he launched it more than two years ago.
"Some people take 'Mann Ki Baat' as a monologue and some criticise it from a political angle," Mr Modi said in his radio programme, the first after the completion of three years of his government.
"When I started 'Mann Ki Baat', I had not thought so," he added.
Through the programme, he said he felt like he was conversing with "my family while sitting at home". He added that there are many families who have written to him these very feelings.
Prime Minister Modi then referred to the launch of an analytical book on 'Mann Ki Baat' by President Pranab Mukherjee two days ago in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and a number of other dignitaries.
Expressing gratitude to the President, the Vice President and the Speaker, he said, "As an ordinary citizen and as an individual, this was very inspirational event for me."
He said the event had given a new dimension to 'Mann Ki Baat'. While talking about the book, he had praise for Akbar, an artist living in Abu Dhabi, who had offered to sketch the topics on which various episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat' without taking a single rupee.
"Akbar sahab transformed 'Mann Ki Baat' into art as a gesture of his love. I am grateful," Mr Modi said.
During the 30-minute programme, he also emphasised the importance of preserving the environment, laid thrust on cleanliness and waste management, spoke about the importance of yoga and talked about freedom fighters.
Mentioning about environment and cleanliness, he said the Centre, with the help of state governments and people's representatives, will launch a major campaign for waste management from June 5, the World Environment Day.
Under the campaign, means for collecting solid and liquid waste will be launched in 4000 cities across the country.
In the context of cleanliness, the prime minister said Reasi block, a far-flung area of Jammu and Kashmir, has been declared as 'open defecation free' and hailed the people, particularly women, and administrators of the area for it.
Referring to the upcoming 3rd International Yoga Day on June 21, Modi invited selfies of three generations of a family - grandparents, parents and children - on the pattern of 'selfie with daughter' campaign earlier.
PM Modi also said the freedom fighters had suffered "despicable miseries and that is how we can now breathe in a free India." In this context, he referred to the cellular jail of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and said the younger generation should visit it to understand the trouble and torture the freedom fighters had to suffer to achieve freedom.
Waste Segregation To Be Launched In 4,000 Cities: PM Modi On Mann Ki Baat
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Harping on the importance of waste management, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced launch a "massive movement" for waste collection across 4,000 cities of the country from June 5.
"We must not treat garbage as waste, it is wealth, a resource. Once we start looking it as wealth, we will come up with new means of waste management," PM Modi said in his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'.
"On June 5, on the occasion of World Environment Day, the government, in association with the state governments, will launch a massive movement of waste collection in 4,000 cities across the country."
He said under the movement, separate dustbins -- green for liquid waste and blue for dry waste -- will be installed in these cities to develop a culture of segregating the two types of wastes.
"In the green basket put liquid waste like kitchen waste, things which decompose, and in the blue bin put waste like metals, broken boxes, plastic etc. The liquid waste can be used as manure for agricultural waste while the dry waste will be recycled."
"I am confident that we can develop a culture of segregating waste and contributing towards waste effective waste managements," the Prime Minister added.
"We must not treat garbage as waste, it is wealth, a resource. Once we start looking it as wealth, we will come up with new means of waste management," PM Modi said in his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'.
He said under the movement, separate dustbins -- green for liquid waste and blue for dry waste -- will be installed in these cities to develop a culture of segregating the two types of wastes.
"In the green basket put liquid waste like kitchen waste, things which decompose, and in the blue bin put waste like metals, broken boxes, plastic etc. The liquid waste can be used as manure for agricultural waste while the dry waste will be recycled."
"I am confident that we can develop a culture of segregating waste and contributing towards waste effective waste managements," the Prime Minister added.
Government Eases Rules For Private Sector Entry In Defence Production
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The Commerce and Industry Ministry can now grant licences to companies for manufacturing tanks, fighter jets, warships and other defence equipment, the Home Ministry has said in a gazette notification. The Home Ministry said the secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion or DIPP can now issue licences for manufacturing defence hardware.
However, the licences will be issued to manufacturers by the DIPP under the Home Ministry's "supervision and control", the notification said. The decision has been taken to boost the Make in India programme by inviting the private sector in defence equipment manufacturing, an official with knowledge of the matter said.
The DIPP comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The power of issuing licences was exclusively with the Home Ministry earlier. The private sector can now apply to the DIPP for licences.
The categories which will come under the new arrangement are tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, military vehicles fitted with mountings for arms or equipment for mine lying, all tracked and wheeled self-propelled armoured and non-armoured weapon systems, and all-wheel drive vehicles capable of off-road use.
Defence aircraft, spacecraft and their parts, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and warships of all kinds, among others, will also come under its purview. The Home Ministry has given security clearance to some 3,300 investment proposals in the last three years after conducting national risk assessment.
It issued policy guidelines for assessment of proposals for national security clearance on July 1, 2015 with the objective of ensuring a balance between requirements of national security and the imperatives of rapid economic growth.
The objective of national security clearance is to evaluate potential threats, visible or embedded, in the proposals received by the Home Ministry, another official with knowledge of the matter said.
The Home Ministry launched the national security clearance policy to fast-track the process within four to six weeks as part of the government's ease of doing business goal. According to the policy, the promoters, owners and directors of an applicant company must disclose any criminal history, whose verification used to take two to three months earlier. It has been reduced to four to six weeks now.
Security inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other agencies are sought only in serious crimes, and not for minor offences.
The Home Ministry has also said it does not welcome investments in some locations such as areas near India's border.
However, the licences will be issued to manufacturers by the DIPP under the Home Ministry's "supervision and control", the notification said. The decision has been taken to boost the Make in India programme by inviting the private sector in defence equipment manufacturing, an official with knowledge of the matter said.
The DIPP comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The power of issuing licences was exclusively with the Home Ministry earlier. The private sector can now apply to the DIPP for licences.
The categories which will come under the new arrangement are tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, military vehicles fitted with mountings for arms or equipment for mine lying, all tracked and wheeled self-propelled armoured and non-armoured weapon systems, and all-wheel drive vehicles capable of off-road use.
Defence aircraft, spacecraft and their parts, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and warships of all kinds, among others, will also come under its purview. The Home Ministry has given security clearance to some 3,300 investment proposals in the last three years after conducting national risk assessment.
It issued policy guidelines for assessment of proposals for national security clearance on July 1, 2015 with the objective of ensuring a balance between requirements of national security and the imperatives of rapid economic growth.
The objective of national security clearance is to evaluate potential threats, visible or embedded, in the proposals received by the Home Ministry, another official with knowledge of the matter said.
The Home Ministry launched the national security clearance policy to fast-track the process within four to six weeks as part of the government's ease of doing business goal. According to the policy, the promoters, owners and directors of an applicant company must disclose any criminal history, whose verification used to take two to three months earlier. It has been reduced to four to six weeks now.
Security inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other agencies are sought only in serious crimes, and not for minor offences.
The Home Ministry has also said it does not welcome investments in some locations such as areas near India's border.
Business Affairs
India leads globally in adoption of biometric tech: report
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With advancements in the field of biometric technology, India has topped globally in adoption of biometrics techniques, says a report.
"On an average, people in India (9 per cent) are three times more likely than any other country (3 per cent) surveyed to have used 'iris recognition' to identify themselves," said the HSBC's recent 'Trust in Technology' report.
It said people in Asia and the Middle East are ahead of the West when it comes to the adoption of new technologies due to greater understanding and optimism leading to more trust.
The report was compiled from research representing views of 12,019 people from 11 countries and territories --- Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, UK and the USA.
The trust in technology and its adoption are driven not only by consumer trends, but can be encouraged by wider governmental support, it said.
The Indian government first launched the Aadhaar Project, a biometrics programme, in 2009, creating the world's largest biometric data set, said the report.
The accelerated adoption of fingerprint recognition in the East, a widespread consumer technology, highlights the contrasting perspectives, it added.
People in China (40 per cent) are the highest adopters of fingerprint technology, followed by India (31 per cent) and the UAE (25 per cent) among the countries surveyed.
On the other hand, just 9 per cent of people in France and Germany, and 14 per cent in Canada have used fingerprint technology to identify themselves, the report noted.
"Consumers living in countries in the East seem to have a better understanding and greater trust of emerging technology, and how it can benefit their lives. The speed of change and the insatiable rate of adoption put the likes of India, China and the UAE leaps ahead of most Western markets," HSBC India Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management Ramakrishnan S told PTI here.
In the case of India, a national mind set of openness coupled with government support for the roll out and promotion of new technology has had a transformative effect on the nation, he said.
The regular use of traditional technology like using password feature is most common in West, it said.
When it comes to money management, people in India (50 per cent) and China (48 per cent) agreed that computers can provide more accurate advice than humans, while it was just 18 per cent in Canada, and 21 per cent in the UK, it said.
Further, it revealed that Germany has the lowest adoption of smartphone or tablet banking with only 4 per cent claiming that phone banking is their preferred way of banking as compared to 9 per cent in Hong Kong and 15 per cent in the UAE.
However, the report said while there are clear reasons to be optimistic about the adoption and attitude of countries in the East to new technology, this is not the full story.
About 50 per cent of people in China own a fax machine and 39 per cent of people in India own a pager, the highest percentages of those countries surveyed.
While the East has overtaken the West in attitudes and adoption today, data, however, suggested that progress across the region is hugely uneven with the differences most likely between the rural and urban areas.
With advancements in the field of biometric technology, India has topped globally in adoption of biometrics techniques, says a report.
"On an average, people in India (9 per cent) are three times more likely than any other country (3 per cent) surveyed to have used 'iris recognition' to identify themselves," said the HSBC's recent 'Trust in Technology' report.
It said people in Asia and the Middle East are ahead of the West when it comes to the adoption of new technologies due to greater understanding and optimism leading to more trust.
The report was compiled from research representing views of 12,019 people from 11 countries and territories --- Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, UK and the USA.
The trust in technology and its adoption are driven not only by consumer trends, but can be encouraged by wider governmental support, it said.
The Indian government first launched the Aadhaar Project, a biometrics programme, in 2009, creating the world's largest biometric data set, said the report.
The accelerated adoption of fingerprint recognition in the East, a widespread consumer technology, highlights the contrasting perspectives, it added.
People in China (40 per cent) are the highest adopters of fingerprint technology, followed by India (31 per cent) and the UAE (25 per cent) among the countries surveyed.
On the other hand, just 9 per cent of people in France and Germany, and 14 per cent in Canada have used fingerprint technology to identify themselves, the report noted.
"Consumers living in countries in the East seem to have a better understanding and greater trust of emerging technology, and how it can benefit their lives. The speed of change and the insatiable rate of adoption put the likes of India, China and the UAE leaps ahead of most Western markets," HSBC India Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management Ramakrishnan S told PTI here.
In the case of India, a national mind set of openness coupled with government support for the roll out and promotion of new technology has had a transformative effect on the nation, he said.
The regular use of traditional technology like using password feature is most common in West, it said.
When it comes to money management, people in India (50 per cent) and China (48 per cent) agreed that computers can provide more accurate advice than humans, while it was just 18 per cent in Canada, and 21 per cent in the UK, it said.
Further, it revealed that Germany has the lowest adoption of smartphone or tablet banking with only 4 per cent claiming that phone banking is their preferred way of banking as compared to 9 per cent in Hong Kong and 15 per cent in the UAE.
However, the report said while there are clear reasons to be optimistic about the adoption and attitude of countries in the East to new technology, this is not the full story.
About 50 per cent of people in China own a fax machine and 39 per cent of people in India own a pager, the highest percentages of those countries surveyed.
While the East has overtaken the West in attitudes and adoption today, data, however, suggested that progress across the region is hugely uneven with the differences most likely between the rural and urban areas.
Finance Ministry initiates process for finding new SBI chief
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The finance ministry has initiated the process for finding new chief of the country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) as Arundhati Bhattacharya's extended term comes to an end on October 6.
"Department of Financial Services has communicated to Banks Board Bureau the emerging vacancies at the top level of PSU banks which will have to be filled during course of the year," a senior finance ministry official said.
This also includes chairman and one managing director of the SBI, which alone has market share of more than 20 per cent.
Bhattacharya will complete her four-year term as chairperson of SBI on October 6.
Besides chairman, SBI has four managing directors looking after different departments.
The post assumes significance as the bank has recently merged five associates and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) pushing SBI into the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets.
State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT), besides BMB, merged with SBI with effect from April 1. The process of integration would at least take a year.
The government had in February approved the merger of these five associate banks with SBI. Later in March, the Cabinet approved merger of BMB as well.
SBI first merged State Bank of Saurashtra with itself in 2008. Two years later, State Bank of Indore was merged with it.
For the fourth quarter ended March 2017, the bank reported more than doubling of its net profit on the back of increased lending and reduction in provisioning for bad loans.
Net profit of the bank on standalone basis rose to Rs 2,814.82 crore for the March quarter as against Rs 1,263.81 crore in the same period of previous fiscal 2015-16.
For the entire fiscal ended March 2017, the net profit of the bank improved by 5.36 per cent to Rs 10,484
crore as against Rs 9,951 crore in the previous fiscal.
With stock prices inching up, SBI has lined up share sale through which it intends to raise Rs 15,000 crore during the current fiscal.
It is in the process of appointing six merchant bankers for managing its proposed share sale. The central government holds 62.22 per cent stake in the bank as of March 2017.
The finance ministry has initiated the process for finding new chief of the country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) as Arundhati Bhattacharya's extended term comes to an end on October 6.
"Department of Financial Services has communicated to Banks Board Bureau the emerging vacancies at the top level of PSU banks which will have to be filled during course of the year," a senior finance ministry official said.
This also includes chairman and one managing director of the SBI, which alone has market share of more than 20 per cent.
Bhattacharya will complete her four-year term as chairperson of SBI on October 6.
Besides chairman, SBI has four managing directors looking after different departments.
The post assumes significance as the bank has recently merged five associates and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) pushing SBI into the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets.
State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT), besides BMB, merged with SBI with effect from April 1. The process of integration would at least take a year.
The government had in February approved the merger of these five associate banks with SBI. Later in March, the Cabinet approved merger of BMB as well.
SBI first merged State Bank of Saurashtra with itself in 2008. Two years later, State Bank of Indore was merged with it.
For the fourth quarter ended March 2017, the bank reported more than doubling of its net profit on the back of increased lending and reduction in provisioning for bad loans.
Net profit of the bank on standalone basis rose to Rs 2,814.82 crore for the March quarter as against Rs 1,263.81 crore in the same period of previous fiscal 2015-16.
For the entire fiscal ended March 2017, the net profit of the bank improved by 5.36 per cent to Rs 10,484
crore as against Rs 9,951 crore in the previous fiscal.
With stock prices inching up, SBI has lined up share sale through which it intends to raise Rs 15,000 crore during the current fiscal.
It is in the process of appointing six merchant bankers for managing its proposed share sale. The central government holds 62.22 per cent stake in the bank as of March 2017.
Severe underemployment more serious than unemployment: Niti Aayog
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Severe underemployment" and not unemployment is a more serious problem as a job that needs to be done by one person is often performed by two or more workers, says the government's policy think tank Niti Aayog.
This assertion comes amid Congress's criticism of the Narendra Modi government over creating lesser jobs.
In its draft three-year action agenda report for 2017-18 to 2019-20, the Niti Aayog stressed on the need for creation of high-productivity and high-wage jobs.
"Indeed, unemployment is the lesser of India's problems.
The more serious problem, instead, is severe underemployment.
A job that one worker can perform is often performed by two or more workers," it said.
The draft report was circulated among the Governing Council members (consisting of chief ministers of all states and others) of the Niti Aayog on April 23.
Contrary to some assertions that"Severe underemployment" and not unemployment is a more serious problem as a job that needs to be done by one person is often performed by two or more workers, says the government's policy think tank Niti Aayog.
This assertion comes amid Congress's criticism of the Narendra Modi government over creating lesser jobs.
In its draft three-year action agenda report for 2017-18 to 2019-20, the Niti Aayog stressed on the need for creation of high-productivity and high-wage jobs.
"Indeed, unemployment is the lesser of India's problems.
The more serious problem, instead, is severe underemployment.
A job that one worker can perform is often performed by two or more workers," it said.
The draft report was circulated among the Governing Council members (consisting of chief ministers of all states and others) of the Niti Aayog on April 23.
Contrary to some assertions that India's growth has been jobless, the Employment Unemployment Surveys of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which till date remain the most reliable sources of information on the country's employment situation, have consistently reported low and stable rates of unemployment over more than three decades, it said.
Citing examples, the Niti Aayog said as per NSSO survey, in 2011-12, 49 per cent of the work force was employed in agriculture but the sector contributed only 17 per cent of India's GDP at current prices.
Second in 2010-11, firms with less than 20 workers employed 72 per cent of India's manufacturing workforce but contributed only 12 per cent of manufacturing output, it said.
According to 2006-07 NSSO survey of service firms, the 650 largest enterprises accounted for 38 per cent of services output but only employed two per cent of service workers.
"Put another way, the remaining service firms employed 98 per cent of the work force but produced only 62 per cent of the outcome," the report said.
Citing the example of China's ageing work force, the Niti Aayog stressed on attracting big firms working in that country to India which has availability of large workers at competitive wages.
"The experience of countries that managed to transform rapidly, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China, shows that the manufacturing sector and the ability to compete in the vast global marketplace hold the key to the creation of well-paid jobs for law and semi-skilled workers.
"The 'Make in India' campaign needs to succeed by manufacturing for global markets," it said.
The report said due to an ageing work force in China with high wages, many large-scale firms in labour-intensive sectors currently manufacturing in that country are looking for lower-wage locations.
"With its large workforce and competitive wages, India would be a natural home for these firms," the report said.
India's growth has been jobless, the Employment Unemployment Surveys of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which till date remain the most reliable sources of information on the country's employment situation, have consistently reported low and stable rates of unemployment over more than three decades, it said.
Citing examples, the Niti Aayog said as per NSSO survey, in 2011-12, 49 per cent of the work force was employed in agriculture but the sector contributed only 17 per cent of India's GDP at current prices.
Second in 2010-11, firms with less than 20 workers employed 72 per cent of India's manufacturing workforce but contributed only 12 per cent of manufacturing output, it said.
According to 2006-07 NSSO survey of service firms, the 650 largest enterprises accounted for 38 per cent of services output but only employed two per cent of service workers.
"Put another way, the remaining service firms employed 98 per cent of the work force but produced only 62 per cent of the outcome," the report said.
Citing the example of China's ageing work force, the Niti Aayog stressed on attracting big firms working in that country to India which has availability of large workers at competitive wages.
"The experience of countries that managed to transform rapidly, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China, shows that the manufacturing sector and the ability to compete in the vast global marketplace hold the key to the creation of well-paid jobs for law and semi-skilled workers.
"The 'Make in India' campaign needs to succeed by manufacturing for global markets," it said.
The report said due to an ageing work force in China with high wages, many large-scale firms in labour-intensive sectors currently manufacturing in that country are looking for lower-wage locations.
"With its large workforce and competitive wages, India would be a natural home for these firms," the report said.
Severe underemployment" and not unemployment is a more serious problem as a job that needs to be done by one person is often performed by two or more workers, says the government's policy think tank Niti Aayog.
This assertion comes amid Congress's criticism of the Narendra Modi government over creating lesser jobs.
In its draft three-year action agenda report for 2017-18 to 2019-20, the Niti Aayog stressed on the need for creation of high-productivity and high-wage jobs.
"Indeed, unemployment is the lesser of India's problems.
The more serious problem, instead, is severe underemployment.
A job that one worker can perform is often performed by two or more workers," it said.
The draft report was circulated among the Governing Council members (consisting of chief ministers of all states and others) of the Niti Aayog on April 23.
Contrary to some assertions that"Severe underemployment" and not unemployment is a more serious problem as a job that needs to be done by one person is often performed by two or more workers, says the government's policy think tank Niti Aayog.
This assertion comes amid Congress's criticism of the Narendra Modi government over creating lesser jobs.
In its draft three-year action agenda report for 2017-18 to 2019-20, the Niti Aayog stressed on the need for creation of high-productivity and high-wage jobs.
"Indeed, unemployment is the lesser of India's problems.
The more serious problem, instead, is severe underemployment.
A job that one worker can perform is often performed by two or more workers," it said.
The draft report was circulated among the Governing Council members (consisting of chief ministers of all states and others) of the Niti Aayog on April 23.
Contrary to some assertions that India's growth has been jobless, the Employment Unemployment Surveys of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which till date remain the most reliable sources of information on the country's employment situation, have consistently reported low and stable rates of unemployment over more than three decades, it said.
Citing examples, the Niti Aayog said as per NSSO survey, in 2011-12, 49 per cent of the work force was employed in agriculture but the sector contributed only 17 per cent of India's GDP at current prices.
Second in 2010-11, firms with less than 20 workers employed 72 per cent of India's manufacturing workforce but contributed only 12 per cent of manufacturing output, it said.
According to 2006-07 NSSO survey of service firms, the 650 largest enterprises accounted for 38 per cent of services output but only employed two per cent of service workers.
"Put another way, the remaining service firms employed 98 per cent of the work force but produced only 62 per cent of the outcome," the report said.
Citing the example of China's ageing work force, the Niti Aayog stressed on attracting big firms working in that country to India which has availability of large workers at competitive wages.
"The experience of countries that managed to transform rapidly, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China, shows that the manufacturing sector and the ability to compete in the vast global marketplace hold the key to the creation of well-paid jobs for law and semi-skilled workers.
"The 'Make in India' campaign needs to succeed by manufacturing for global markets," it said.
The report said due to an ageing work force in China with high wages, many large-scale firms in labour-intensive sectors currently manufacturing in that country are looking for lower-wage locations.
"With its large workforce and competitive wages, India would be a natural home for these firms," the report said.
India's growth has been jobless, the Employment Unemployment Surveys of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which till date remain the most reliable sources of information on the country's employment situation, have consistently reported low and stable rates of unemployment over more than three decades, it said.
India's growth has been jobless, the Employment Unemployment Surveys of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which till date remain the most reliable sources of information on the country's employment situation, have consistently reported low and stable rates of unemployment over more than three decades, it said.
Citing examples, the Niti Aayog said as per NSSO survey, in 2011-12, 49 per cent of the work force was employed in agriculture but the sector contributed only 17 per cent of India's GDP at current prices.
Second in 2010-11, firms with less than 20 workers employed 72 per cent of India's manufacturing workforce but contributed only 12 per cent of manufacturing output, it said.
According to 2006-07 NSSO survey of service firms, the 650 largest enterprises accounted for 38 per cent of services output but only employed two per cent of service workers.
"Put another way, the remaining service firms employed 98 per cent of the work force but produced only 62 per cent of the outcome," the report said.
Citing the example of China's ageing work force, the Niti Aayog stressed on attracting big firms working in that country to India which has availability of large workers at competitive wages.
"The experience of countries that managed to transform rapidly, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China, shows that the manufacturing sector and the ability to compete in the vast global marketplace hold the key to the creation of well-paid jobs for law and semi-skilled workers.
"The 'Make in India' campaign needs to succeed by manufacturing for global markets," it said.
The report said due to an ageing work force in China with high wages, many large-scale firms in labour-intensive sectors currently manufacturing in that country are looking for lower-wage locations.
"With its large workforce and competitive wages, India would be a natural home for these firms," the report said.
17 highway stretches on borders to double up as airstrips
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After decades of neglect, India is building roads, including 17 highway stretches, in areas near its international borders that will double up as airstrips, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.
While the previous UPA government had sanctioned construction of 73 strategic roads along the border, Gadkari is scaling it up with timely completion.
"People residing in border areas need highway network and better infrastructure. We are building 17 such highways which can be converted into airstrips," he told PTI in an interview here.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is working on the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
The roads will double up as airstrips and traffic will be stopped when an airplane lands or takes off. The road and air connectivity will also provide better access to remote areas.
"This way, people residing in border areas will have a better infrastructure," he explained.
Earlier, a committee was constituted comprising officials of both ministries to come out with specifications of such highway stretches.
The committee has looked into details like feasibility of the stretches and their length and breadth, apart from other issues. The stretches in question are across India, said officials.
Last year, Gadkari had spoken of construction of such an airport in Rajasthan and similar projects are being planned in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and some other border districts.
The government is working on ways to boost regional air connectivity in the country. Under the new civil aviation policy, the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) has been mooted that provides various concessions to airlines.
The minister also said there are plans to boost infrastructure in difficult areas, and in the North-East, projects worth Rs 40,000 crore have already been initiated.
"We will do work worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Assam in two years," he said.
After decades of neglect, India is building roads, including 17 highway stretches, in areas near its international borders that will double up as airstrips, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.
While the previous UPA government had sanctioned construction of 73 strategic roads along the border, Gadkari is scaling it up with timely completion.
"People residing in border areas need highway network and better infrastructure. We are building 17 such highways which can be converted into airstrips," he told PTI in an interview here.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is working on the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
The roads will double up as airstrips and traffic will be stopped when an airplane lands or takes off. The road and air connectivity will also provide better access to remote areas.
"This way, people residing in border areas will have a better infrastructure," he explained.
Earlier, a committee was constituted comprising officials of both ministries to come out with specifications of such highway stretches.
The committee has looked into details like feasibility of the stretches and their length and breadth, apart from other issues. The stretches in question are across India, said officials.
Last year, Gadkari had spoken of construction of such an airport in Rajasthan and similar projects are being planned in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and some other border districts.
The government is working on ways to boost regional air connectivity in the country. Under the new civil aviation policy, the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) has been mooted that provides various concessions to airlines.
The minister also said there are plans to boost infrastructure in difficult areas, and in the North-East, projects worth Rs 40,000 crore have already been initiated.
"We will do work worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Assam in two years," he said.
Rupee seen trading at 64.10-64.80 this week
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The rupee is likely to move in a narrow range of 64.10-64.80 versus the dollar this week on expectation of sustained FII inflows, but month-end demand for the US currency from oil importers will put some pressure on the local unit, say treasury heads at banks.
The rupee closed at 64.44 on Friday, 18 paise higher than Thursday's close of 64.62.
Surge in the rupee in the past few sessions was on account of FII inflows into equities and weak dollar in the overseas market.
"Rupee has been trading in a range and will continue to do so. With Sensex hitting life-time high, it gives a psychological comfort that (FII) flows are continuing and will continue.
"The currency is likely to trade between 64.25-64.75 this week," First Rand Bank's Head of Treasury Harihar Krishnamurthy said.
On Friday, the Sensex crossed the 31,000-mark for the first time ever, ending at 31,028.21, up 278.18 points, or 0.90 per cent.
Nifty too breached the 9,600-level, also in a first, before settling at a record high of 9,595.10.
"Globally, India is perceived as a high growth economy and so FIIs are flocking here. Rupee will continue to gain," said a senior treasury dealer with a state-run bank.
He sees the rupee rising to 64.10 this week, triggering some buying from oil companies and RBI at that level, which will lead to depreciation of the domestic currency.
"Recent rise in the stock market in mainly on account of domestic institutional investors and it has not supported much to the rupee's gain. Higher demand for dollars towards the end of the month will put pressure on the rupee this week.
It will trade in 64.40-64.80 range," said a treasury officer at a private-sector bank.
On Friday, overseas investors pumped in Rs 789.20 crore into equity markets but sold Rs 206.71 crore in the debt market.
In May itself, FPIs have invested Rs 24,775.99 crore on net basis, with Rs 9,006.88 crore in equities and Rs 15,769.11 crore in the debt market.
The rupee is likely to move in a narrow range of 64.10-64.80 versus the dollar this week on expectation of sustained FII inflows, but month-end demand for the US currency from oil importers will put some pressure on the local unit, say treasury heads at banks.
The rupee closed at 64.44 on Friday, 18 paise higher than Thursday's close of 64.62.
Surge in the rupee in the past few sessions was on account of FII inflows into equities and weak dollar in the overseas market.
"Rupee has been trading in a range and will continue to do so. With Sensex hitting life-time high, it gives a psychological comfort that (FII) flows are continuing and will continue.
"The currency is likely to trade between 64.25-64.75 this week," First Rand Bank's Head of Treasury Harihar Krishnamurthy said.
On Friday, the Sensex crossed the 31,000-mark for the first time ever, ending at 31,028.21, up 278.18 points, or 0.90 per cent.
Nifty too breached the 9,600-level, also in a first, before settling at a record high of 9,595.10.
"Globally, India is perceived as a high growth economy and so FIIs are flocking here. Rupee will continue to gain," said a senior treasury dealer with a state-run bank.
He sees the rupee rising to 64.10 this week, triggering some buying from oil companies and RBI at that level, which will lead to depreciation of the domestic currency.
"Recent rise in the stock market in mainly on account of domestic institutional investors and it has not supported much to the rupee's gain. Higher demand for dollars towards the end of the month will put pressure on the rupee this week.
It will trade in 64.40-64.80 range," said a treasury officer at a private-sector bank.
On Friday, overseas investors pumped in Rs 789.20 crore into equity markets but sold Rs 206.71 crore in the debt market.
In May itself, FPIs have invested Rs 24,775.99 crore on net basis, with Rs 9,006.88 crore in equities and Rs 15,769.11 crore in the debt market.
General Awareness
Nagpur becomes first city with electric mass mobility system
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On May 26, 2017, Nagpur earned the distinction of becoming India’s first city with electric mass mobility system as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off taxi aggregator Ola’s electronic vehicle (EV) services in the city.
Details about Electronic Vehicle (EV) services in Nagpur:
- Ola’s 200-strong fleet of EVs comprise taxis, buses and rickshaws. 100 new e2o Plus cars of Mahindra are also a part of this fleet. Rest of the vehicles have been sourced from other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Tata Motors, Kinetic, BYD and TVS.
- Ola has invested more than Rs 50 crore in EVs and for setting up charging infrastructure.
- To start with, 50 plus charging points have been set up at four strategic locations in
- To promote electric fleet, Maharashtra Government has waived VAT, road tax, and registration for all electric vehicles in the state. With this Maharashtra became the first state to provide various incentives to e-taxis.
Electric Vehicles in India – The Road Ahead:
While addressing the media in Nagpur, Mr. Gadkari mentioned that Central Government wants to introduce 2 lakh electric buses for public transport with and aim to reduce the ticket fare of public transport by 50% in the country.
- Group of Ministers (GoM) which was constituted to prepare the draft plan for the electric vehicle policy, has submitted recommendations to the Cabinet secretary. Central Government will be ready with its Electric Vehicle Policy by December 2017.
- A joint report by Niti Aayog and Rock Mountain Institute highlighted that adoption of electric and shared vehicles could save USD 60 billion in diesel and petrol cost and will cut down nearly 1 gigatonne (GT) of carbon emission forIndia by 2030.
- In a bid to promote eco-friendly vehicles, Government had launched FAME India scheme in 2015 which offers incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles.
- Placing electric vehicles in 12% slab under goods and services tax regime reflects Government’s commitment to promote faster adoption of electric vehicles.
On May 26, 2017, Nagpur earned the distinction of becoming India’s first city with electric mass mobility system as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off taxi aggregator Ola’s electronic vehicle (EV) services in the city.
Details about Electronic Vehicle (EV) services in Nagpur:
- Ola’s 200-strong fleet of EVs comprise taxis, buses and rickshaws. 100 new e2o Plus cars of Mahindra are also a part of this fleet. Rest of the vehicles have been sourced from other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Tata Motors, Kinetic, BYD and TVS.
- Ola has invested more than Rs 50 crore in EVs and for setting up charging infrastructure.
- To start with, 50 plus charging points have been set up at four strategic locations in
- To promote electric fleet, Maharashtra Government has waived VAT, road tax, and registration for all electric vehicles in the state. With this Maharashtra became the first state to provide various incentives to e-taxis.
Electric Vehicles in India – The Road Ahead:
While addressing the media in Nagpur, Mr. Gadkari mentioned that Central Government wants to introduce 2 lakh electric buses for public transport with and aim to reduce the ticket fare of public transport by 50% in the country.
- Group of Ministers (GoM) which was constituted to prepare the draft plan for the electric vehicle policy, has submitted recommendations to the Cabinet secretary. Central Government will be ready with its Electric Vehicle Policy by December 2017.
- A joint report by Niti Aayog and Rock Mountain Institute highlighted that adoption of electric and shared vehicles could save USD 60 billion in diesel and petrol cost and will cut down nearly 1 gigatonne (GT) of carbon emission forIndia by 2030.
- In a bid to promote eco-friendly vehicles, Government had launched FAME India scheme in 2015 which offers incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles.
- Placing electric vehicles in 12% slab under goods and services tax regime reflects Government’s commitment to promote faster adoption of electric vehicles.
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