More Indian birds enter list of threatened species

Destruction of grasslands, wetlands and forests takes its toll on birds

The Red List of birds released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for 2015 shows that a total of 180 bird species in India are now threatened, as against 173 last year. Only one species has moved out of the Red List.

The latest additions to the list, which are based on studies conducted by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)-India, BirdLife International (UK-based) and other partner organisations, reveal that bird habitats like grasslands and wetlands are under threat. Of the new additions, five have been uplisted from the Least Concerned to the Near Threatened category, a sign of increased threat. These include Northern Lapwing (a grassland bird) and four wetland birds, namely Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Bar-Tailed Godwit.

Two other wetland birds, Horned Grebe and Common Pochard have been uplisted from Least Concerned to Vulnerable. Steppe Eagle (a raptor from grasslands), which is a regular winter visitor to the Indian subcontinent, has been uplisted from Least Concerned to Endangered.

More effort needed

“The list of threatened species keeps on increasing with every assessment. That itself symbolises that our efforts for conservation of species are not adequate. We need to logically rethink the developmental agenda, especially for the habitats and areas where these species exist,” said Dr. Deepak Apte, Director, BNHS. He added that some of the neglected habitats should be a part of protected areas or marked as ecologically sensitive sites.

Destruction of grasslands, wetlands, forests and other habitats is considered the most common reason for this development.

BNHS study reveals that apart from habitat loss, the other reason for decline of birds like Steppe Eagle, which mostly scavenges on animal carcasses, is the use of veterinary drug diclofenac used to treat livestock. This drug causes renal failure in these birds. Three vulture species, namely White-backed, Slender-billed and Long-billed have also been severely affected by diclofenac.

Navigation satellite system by March

Last three satellites of constellation to be launched next year.

India is expected to have its own satellite-based regional navigation system in place by next March, providing accurate position information service for terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking, fleet management and visual and voice navigation for drivers.

A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said here on Thursday that the constellation of seven satellites comprising the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) would be in orbit by March. The last three of the satellites were scheduled to be launched in January, February and March, he told the media on the sidelines of a function organised by the High Energy Materials Society of India.

Launched by PSLV rockets, the first four satellites of the constellation are already in orbit. ISRO has also established a satellite navigation centre at Byalalu in Karnataka. A network of ranging stations located across the country will provide data for the orbital determination of the satellites and monitoring of the navigation signal.

Mr. Kumar said the first experimental flight of the indigenously developed fully Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) would take place towards the beginning of 2016. The RLV-TD (Technology Demonstrator) was undergoing tests at VSSC from where it would be moved to Bengaluru and later to Srikarikotta for the launch. RLV has been conceived by ISRO as a space plane that will bring down the cost of satellite launch substantially.

In the first test flight, RLV-TD, weighing around 1.5 tonnes, would be launched to an altitude of 70 km atop a solid booster rocket and released. Re-entering the atmosphere, the thermally insulated vehicle will travel back to earth in a controlled descent, to be recovered from the sea. ISRO has plans to construct a 4-km runway at SHAR for the RLV to make a horizontal landing in the subsequent flights.

Mr. Kumar said preparations were underway for the first developmental flight of the GSLV Mark 3 scheduled to take place by December 2016.

The biggest rocket made in India, the Mk3 will be capable of launching four-tonne satellites into geosynchronous orbit. He said efforts were on to achieve the target of two launches per year, using the Mk2 configuration of GSLV that is currently capable of placing satellites up to 2.2 tonnes in orbit.

Mr. Kumar added that Chandrayaan 2, India’s second lunar exploration mission, was expected to be launched by 2018. The project involves the indigenous development of a lunar orbiter, lander and rover.

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First four satellites are already in orbit

Chandrayaan 2 likely by 2018: ISRO Chairman

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Last three satellites of constellation to be launched next year

Text of PM’s address ahead of Run for Unity event on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Rajpath

Text of PM’s address ahead of Run for Unity event on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Rajpath

उपस्थित सभी महानुभाव

आज 31 अक्‍तूबर हम सरदार साहब की 140वीं जयंती मना रहे हैं। आज का दिवस इस बात के लिए भी भूल नहीं सकते कि भारत की पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री श्रीमती इंदिरा जी ने बलिदान दिया था। आज जब हम सरदार साहब की जयंती मना रहे हैं। हर समय महापुरूषों का जीवन, महापुरूषों की जीवन शैली आने वाले पीढि़यों को एक नई ऊर्जा देती है, प्रेरणा देती है, ताकत देती है। देश में किसी को भी हमारी इस महान विरासत को भुला देने का हक नहीं है। देश के लिए जीने मरने वाले, उनकी विचारधारा का मूल्‍यांकन करना यह हमारा दायित्‍व नहीं है। उनके महान कार्यों को याद करना, उसमें से कुछ लेने-पाने की कोशिश करना और उन महान संकल्‍पों को ले करके जीने का प्रयास करना वो हर पीढ़ी का दायित्‍व होता है। सरदार साहब, भारत की एकता के साथ एक अटूट नाता जिस महापुरूष का जुड़ा, वह सरदार साहब थे। वे लौहपुरूष के रूप में इसलिए नहीं जाने गए कि किसी ने उनको अखबार के कॉलम में उनका नाम लौहपुरूष के रूप में छाप दिया था। किसी ने Certificate दे दिया था, वे लौह पुरूष इसलिए माने गए और आज भी लौह पुरूष सुनते ही सरदार साहब का चित्र हमारे आंखों के सामने आ जाता है। उसका कारण उनके जीवन के हर निर्णय, हर व्‍यवस्‍था से जब भी उनको फैसले करने की नौबत आई, उस शक्ति के साथ उन्‍होंने किये, उस समझदारी के साथ किए और तब जा करके लौह पुरूष के नाम से वो हिंदुस्‍तान के अंदर अमर हो गए।

शायद दुनिया में बहुत कम लोग होते हैं कि जो एक से अधिक उपाधियों से नवाजित हो और सारी की सारी स्‍वीकृत हो। वे सरदार साहब के नाम से भी जाने गए, लौह पुरूष के नाम से भी जाने गए और दोनों चीजें बराबर बराबर साथ चलती रही। यह बहुत कम होता है।

भारत की एकता के लिए सरदार साहब का योगदान कम नहीं आंका जा सकता। अंग्रेजों का सपना था कि देश छोड़ने के बाद यह देश बिखर जाए। वो चाहते थे कि राजा-रजवाडो के बीच एक टकराव पैदा होगा और भारत कभी एकता के सूत्र में नहीं बंधेगा और इसके लिए उन्‍होंने अपने शासनकाल में विभाजनकारी जितनी भी बातों को बल दिया जाए, जितनी भी बातों के बीज बोयें जाए हर कोशिश को करते रहे। लेकिन इतनी सारी कोशिशों के बावजूद भी यह सरदार साहब थे जिन्‍होंने भारत को एकता के सूत्र में बांध दिया। बहुत ही कम समय में बांध दिया और उसमें राजनीतिक कौशल्य का परिचय दिया। अपनी लौह मज्जा का उन्‍होंने परिचय दिया। उन्‍होंने कौशल्य का परिचय दिया। राजा महाराजा, उनकी जो ऊंचाईयां थी समाज में जो उनका स्‍थान था। उसको मनाना कठिन काम था, लेकिन वो सारी बातें एक सीमित समय सीमा में सरदार साहब ने करके दिखाया। हिंदुस्‍तान के इतिहास की तरफ देखें, तो चाणक्‍य ने चार सौ साल पहले देश को एक करने के लिए भगीरथ प्रयास किया था और बहुत बड़ी मात्रा में सफलता पाई थी। चाणक्‍य के बाद भारत को एकता के सूत्र में बांधने का अगर कोई अहम काम किसी महापुरूष ने किया, तो वो सरदार वल्‍लभ भाई पटेल ने किया और उसी के कारण तो आज कश्‍मीर से कन्‍याकुमारी तक हम एक स्‍वर से उस भारत माता को याद करते हैं। भारत माता की जय बोलते हैं। उस मां का रूप सरदार साहब ने निखारने में बहुत बड़ी भूमिका अदा की थी। और इसलिए वो महापुरूष, जिसने एक भारत दिया उसे श्रेष्‍ठ भारत बनाना यह हम सबका दायित्‍व है। हम सबका कर्तव्‍य है और इसलिए एक भारत श्रेष्‍ठ भारत बने उसके लिए सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों का सामूहिक पुरूषार्थ आवश्‍यक है। निर्धारित लक्ष्‍य की ओर कदम से कदम मिला करके चलना आवश्‍यक है। हमारी गति को समय की मांग के अनुसार तेज करने की आवश्‍यकता है और वो प्रेरणा हमें सरदार साहब से मिलती है।

सरदार साहब महात्‍मा गांधी के भारत लौटने के बाद सरदार साहब सार्वजनिक जीवन में आए। दिसंबर 1915 में सरदार साहब ने सार्वजनिक जीवन की शुरूआत की। इस दिसंबर में सरदार साहब की सार्वजनिक जीवन की यात्रा की शताब्‍दी का वर्ष प्रारंभ हो रहा है। और उस अर्थ में भी यह जीवन हमें किस प्रकार से प्रेरणा दे। हमारा निरंतर प्रयास रहना चाहिए।

सरदार साहब की कई विशेषताएं थी । वे प्रांरभिक काल में अहमदाबाद में Municipal corporation में City mayor के रूप में चुने गए थे और City Mayor के रूप में चुनने के बाद आज बहुत लोगों को आश्‍चर्य होगा, City Mayor चुनने के बाद सरदार साहब ने अपने शासन के पहले 222 दिन Two hundred and twenty two days अहमदाबाद शहर में एक स्‍वच्‍छता का बड़ा अभियान चलाया। प्रति दिन देश की निगरानी करते थे और सफाई का काम 1920, 22, 24 के कालखंड में सरदार साहब ने अहमदाबाद के मेयर के रूप में स्‍वच्‍छता के काम के लिए 222 दिन एक शहर के लिए अभियान चलाना, यह छोटी बात नहीं है। स्‍वच्‍छता का महत्‍व कितना उस समय भी था, यह सरदार साहब के व्‍यवहार से हमें नजर आता है और महात्‍मा गांधी बड़ी सटीक बातें बताने मे उनकी एक अहमियत रहती, एक विशेषता रहती थी। सरदार साहब के इस अभियान के लिए, क्‍यों‍कि महात्‍मा गांधी को भी स्‍वच्‍छता बहुत प्रिय थी। तो सरदार साहब की यह 222 दिन की अखंड अविरत स्‍वच्‍छता अभियान को देख करके महात्‍मा गांधी ने बढि़या कहा। उन्‍होंने कहा- अगर वल्‍लभ भाई पटेल कूड़े कचरे के भी सरदार बन जाते हैं तो अब मुझे सफाई की चिंता करने की जरूरत पड़ेगी। गांधी की बातों में सटीकता है।

सरदार साहब की दूसरी विशेषता देखिए, रानी विक्‍टोरिया के सम्‍मान में, अहमदाबाद में एक रानी विक्‍टोरिया गार्डन बना हुआ है। जब सरदार साहब मेयर बने तो किस प्रकार से चीजों को चलाने की उनकी विशेषता थी। उन्‍होंने निर्णय किया रानी विक्‍टोरिया गार्डन भले है, लेकिन उसमें प्रतिमा तो लोकमान्‍य तिलक की लगेगी है। और मेयर रहते उन्‍होंने वहां पर लोकमान्‍य तिलक का statue लगाया। अंग्रेजों का शासन था। रानी विक्‍टोरिया गार्डन था। लेकिन यह सरदार साहब की लौह शक्ति का अनुभव था। उन्‍होंने लोकमान्‍य तिलक की प्रतिमा लगाई। और प्रतिमा लगाई तो लगाई उन्‍होंने महात्‍मा गांधी को आग्रह किया कि आप इस प्रतिमा का लोकार्पण करिए और महात्‍मा गांधी विक्‍टोरिया गार्डन गए लोकमान्‍य तिलक जी की प्रतिमा का अनावरण किया। और उस दिन महात्‍मा गांधी ने एक बढि़या वाक्‍य लिखा। उन्‍होंने लिखा कि सरदार साहब अहमदाबाद municipal corporation में आने के बाद एक नई हिम्‍मत का भी प्रवेश हुआ है। यानी सरदार साहब को किस रूप में गांधी जी देखते थे, वो इससे हमें ध्‍यान में आता है।

आज कल हम women empowerment की बाते करते हैं। women reservation कौन लाया, उसकी credit कौन ले। उसके विषय में वाद-विवाद चलते रहते हैं। लेकिन बहुत कम लोगों को पता होगा, उस कालखंड में अंग्रेजों की सरकार थी। तब सरदार वल्‍लभ भाई पटेल ने अहमदाबाद Municipal Corporation में महिलाओं के लिए 50 percent reservation का प्रस्‍ताव लाए। 50 percent reservation 1930 के पहले की मैं बात कर रहा हूं। सरदार साहब women empowerment के लिए उस समय कितने सजग थे ये हम देख रहे हैं। हिन्‍दुस्‍तान की राजनीति में परिवारवाद, भाई-भतीजावाद इसने जिस प्रकार से हमारी राजनीति प्रदूषित किया है। एक सरदार साहब का जीवन है जो हमें प्रेरणा देता है कि उनके परिवार के किसी व्‍यक्‍ति का नाम आज हिन्‍दुस्‍तान के राजनीतिक नक्‍शे पर दूर-दूर तक नज़र नहीं आता है, कितना बड़ा संयम का पालन किया होगा। परिवार को कितना इन सारे राजनीतिक जीवन से दूर रखने का उन्‍होंने एक सुविचारित प्रयास किया होगा, इसके हमें दर्शन होते हैं।

सरदार साहब का जीवन देश की एकता के लिए रहा है। आज भी मैं मानता हूं कि अगर देश को आगे बढ़ना है, देश को विकास की नई ऊंचाइयों को पार करना है तो उसकी पहली गारंटी है कश्‍मीर से कन्‍याकुमारी तक भाषा कोई भी, भेष हो, परिवेश कोई भी हो किसी भी प्रेरणा से जुड़ी हुई हो, विचार किसी भी व्‍यवस्‍था से जुड़े हुए हो लेकिन हम सबका लक्ष्‍य हमारी भारतमाता को विश्‍व की नई ऊंचाइयों तक पहुंचाने का होगा तो उसकी पहली शर्त है एकता, शांति, सद्भावना। एकता, शांति और सद्भावना के मंत्र को लेकर के सवा सौ करोड़ देशवासियों के कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर के कदम से कदम चलने से अगर हिन्‍दुस्‍तान का एक नागरिक एक कदम आगे बढ़ता है, हिन्‍दुस्‍तान सवा सौ कदम एक साथ आगे बढ़ जाता है। सवा सौ करोड़ कदम आगे बढ़ जाता है और इसलिए एकता के इस मंत्र को लेकर के एक राष्‍ट्र,एकता से जुड़ा हुआ राष्‍ट्र, एकता का मंत्र लेकर चलने वाला राष्‍ट्र, एकता के लिए हर कुछ न्‍यौछावर करने वाला राष्‍ट्र , यही हमारी सबसे बड़ी शक्‍ति है और सरदार साहब का हमारे लिए एकता, यही संदेश है।

आने वाले दिनों में भारत सरकार की तरफ से राज्‍यों के साथ और सहयोग के साथ हम एक योजना बनाने के लिए सोच रहे हैं। मैंने एक छोटी committee बनाई है, वो committee उसका प्रारूप तैयार कर रही है और उस योजना का नाम है- एक भारत, श्रेष्‍ठ भारत। कल्‍पना ये है, हर वर्ष अपने राज्‍य को किसी एक राज्‍य के साथ हर राज्‍य जोड़े। मान लीजिए हरियाणा तय करे कि 2016 हम तमिलनाडु से जुड़ेंगे तो 2016 में हरियाणा में स्‍कूलों में बच्‍चों को कम से कम 100 वाक्‍य तमिल भाषा के सिखाएं जाएं। हर बच्‍चे को तमिल में गीत सिखाया जाए। तमिल फिल्‍म फेस्‍टिवल हो, तमिल नाट्य प्रयोग हो, तमिल खाने का कार्यक्रम हो और हरियाणा के लोग यात्रा करने के लिए तमिल जाए, तमिलनाडु के लोग हरियाणा आए। एक साल भर हरियाणा में तमिलनाडु चलता रहे और तमिलनाडु में हरियाणा चलता रहे। देश की एकता को जोड़ने का, देश के अन्‍य राज्‍यों को पहचानने का, अन्‍य भाषाओं को जानने का एक सहज उपक्रम बनेगा।

2017 में हरियाणा कोई और राज्‍य ले, 2018 में हरियाणा कोई और राज्‍य ले। आने वाले दिनों में प्रतिवर्ष एक भारत श्रेष्‍ठ भारत, एक राज्‍य दूसरे राज्‍य से तब जाकर के हम हमारे इस भारत की विविधता को पहचान पाएंगे, भारत की शक्‍ति को पहचान पाएंगे।

ए. पी. जे. अब्‍दुल कलाम साहब ने एक बढ़िया बात कही थी, उन्‍होंने कहा, मैं पहली बार रामेश्वरम से जब दिल्‍ली चला और ट्रेन के डिब्‍बे से मैं सफर कर रहा था। कुछ ही घंटों के बाद कोई नई भाषा आ जाती थी, नया खान-पान आ जाता था, नई बोली सुनता था। मैं हैरान था कि मेरा देश इतनी विविधताओं से भरा हुआ है। जो बात मुझे किताबों से समझ नहीं आती थी वो रामेश्वरम से दिल्‍ली निकलते समय रास्‍ते भर ट्रेन में सफर करते समय ध्‍यान में आ गई, ये भारत की विशेषता है। इस भारत की विशेषता का गौरव करना, इस भारत की विशेषता का अभिमान करना, उस भारत की विशेषता को जीने का प्रयास करना , ये हमारी एकता को नई ताकत देगी। उस नई ताकत के लिए आज सरदार साहब की जन्‍मजयंती हमारे लिए प्रेरणा का कारण बनेगी और इसलिए सरदार साहब को मैं आदरपूर्वक अंजलि देता हूं, नमन करता हूं और उनके आशीर्वाद भारत के लिए त्‍याग तपस्‍या करने वाले लक्ष्यावधि महापुरुषों के आशीर्वाद, हम सबको देश की एकता, अखंडता के लिए, भारत के विकास के लिए, भारत को नई ऊंचाइयों पर ले जाने के लिए एक नई ताकत देंगे। यही मेरा इन महापुरुषों को नमन करते हुए आदरपूर्वक उनके आशीर्वाद की कामना है।

मैं यहां पर एक संकल्‍प दोहराऊंगा। आप सबसे मेरा आग्रह है कि हम सभी आज मेरे साथ-साथ इस संकल्‍प को दोहराएंगे। हर किसी को अपने स्‍थान पर खड़े रहने केलिए मैं प्रार्थना करता हूं और हम भारत माता का मन में स्‍मरण करें, भारत के इन महापुरुषों का स्‍मरण करें और विशेष रूप से आज सरदार साहब की जन्‍म जयंती है, सरदार साहब का स्‍मरण करें और मेरे साथ बोलिये

मैं सत्‍य निष्‍ठा से शपथ लेता हूं कि मैं राष्‍ट्रीय एकता, अखंडता और सुरक्षा को बनाए रखने के लिए स्‍वयं को समर्पित करूंगा, मैं अपने देशवासियों के बीच यह संदेश फैलाने का भी भरसक प्रयत्‍न करूंगा। मैं यह शपथ अपने देश की एकता की भावना से ले रहा हूं जिसे सरदार वल्‍लभभाई पटेल की दूरदर्शिता एवं कार्यों द्वारा संभव बनाया जा सका। मैं अपने देश की आंतरिक सुरक्षा सुनिश्‍चित करने के लिए अपना योगदान करने का भी सत्‍यनिष्‍ठा से संकल्‍प करता हूं।

भारत माता की जय, भारत माता की जय, भारत माता की ज

Address by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the banquet hosted for the heads of state / government / delegation attending the Third India Africa Forum Summit

Address by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the banquet hosted for the heads of state / government / delegation attending the Third India Africa Forum Summit

1. It is a singular honour for me to welcome all of you, Heads of State and Government of Africa, here today, at the heart of the Indian Republic. I welcome you not only as leaders of proud nations but as friends and brothers. India welcomes you not only with open arms but with an open heart.

2. This is a historic evening; it is a memorable moment. A century ago when the construction of this building you see before you began, it would have been difficult to imagine such a moment. It would have been difficult to imagine that India as well as so many African nations would discard their colonial chains, throw away the imperial yoke and one day stand together here to celebrate freedom, democracy and human dignity.

Dear Friends,

3. India is honoured to host the third India-Africa Forum Summit in Delhi and I would like to thank each and every one of you for being part of this Summit. It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive which has brought us together for this event. I am supremely confident that the work done during the Summit, the fashioning of a collective vision for the future of our people will be critical in defining the direction and contours of our political and economic engagement. Given that India and Africa are home to a third of the world's population, this engagement is certain to have an impact on the future of sustainable development of the world.

4.Excellencies, the Third India-Africa Forum Summit has been a great success due to your participation and deliberations. Your shared vision and guidance reflected in the two documents that have been adopted by you at the Summit encapsulate the India-Africa strategic partnership as a unique example of South –South Co-operation.

Friends,

5. Ours is a qualitatively different, infinitely richer relationship. We feel the depth of this relationship in our hearts. The bonds between Africa and India are not those which are fashioned by words and statements; these bonds have been forged in the furnace of struggle - the struggle for freedom and independence, the struggle for equality and dignity. We are close because we know what it is to suffer, we know what it means not to be master of one's own destiny. We know what it means to see the flower of our youth languish in colonial prisons. We know what it is to live in poverty, disease and darkness even while our own rich resources are plundered by others.

Dear Friends,

6. India and Africa have special bonds because we understand human history not only in the post-colonial sense but from ancient times. India's ancient civilization, its spiritual heritage, its accomplishments of the human spirit in art and culture give her a unique standpoint from which we look upon the passing world. This is even more true for the continent of Africa, often known as the cradle of civilization, the land where the earliest forms of life were formed, whose ancient rocks contain the secrets of evolution, the land where the human beings as we know ourselves today, first learned to walk on two feet.

Friends,

7. India and Africa understand each other because our lands are the very definition of diversity. Be it physical diversity - from the snows of Kilimanjaro to the deep Sahara - or the multiplicity of religions, ethnicities, tribes, languages, dialects, and cultures. Africa has it all. So indeed does India. For Africa and India, diversity is our lifeblood; it enriches us and makes us even stronger. It ensures that we value coexistence, dialogue, mutual understanding and peace. These are perspectives on the human development that India and Africa share, these are perspectives that we can together contribute to the rest of the world for handling conflicts and crises.

8. Dear friends: The difficult decades may well be behind us, the decades of colonial rule and cruel oppression, of economic deprivation and racial discrimination. But the challenges are far from gone; they have changed. We have still to overcome poverty and disease, terrorism and drug trafficking, lack of education and training.

8a. Terrorism knows no boundaries or borders and has no ideology except that of wanton destruction. India and Africa must work together to address this threat and strive to strengthen the international regime against terrorism.

9. I was the Minister of External Affairs when we started the India-Africa Forum Summit in April 2008. I vividly recall our collective enthusiasm and joy at the inaugural event that elevated India’s traditional warm and friendly ties with Africa to a new level in a structured format. The Third India-Africa Forum Summit is a demonstration of the importance we attach to our relation with Africa. The active participation of all countries of Africa at this Forum reflects the desire of member countries to build an enduring partnership between our nations and our peoples.

10.India and Africa are neighbours linked together by the blue of the Indian Ocean. Our partnership is anchored in the fundamental principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. India commits to assist Africa in charting its own course through infrastructure development, institution building and technical and vocational skill development. India’s development partnership with Africa complements the various priorities setout in the Agenda 2063 vision document adopted by the African Union.

Dear Friends,

11.An area of cooperation very close to my heart and pertinent to our interaction is ‘Agriculture’. I remember well the days before India had its ‘green revolution’ and we were not self-sufficient in food. In those days, we literally lived from "ship to mouth”. Hunger and food scarcity under any circumstance is unacceptable and should lead all of us into collective action. Though India today is self-sufficient in food production, the land available for agriculture is continuously decreasing due to rising population. Africa is, fortunately, blessed with large areas of fertile, cultivable land. It is relevant to recall here the words of Kwameh Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, who had rightly pointed out that "the Congo Basin alone can produce enough food crops to satisfy the requirements of nearly half the population of the whole world”. Agricultural growth is not only important in addressing Africa’s quest of food security but it also remains a key component of Africa’s overall development. I am sure that the interactions you and your delegations had in the past few days would have discussed collaboration in the areas of increasing productivity; smart agriculture; environment-friendly farm mechanization; promotion of gene pool and better seeds, and other modern agricultural concepts.

Dear Friends,

12. As we have stood together during the days of struggle, so too will we stand together in this challenging dawn of development. India is ready to share its democratic experience, its agricultural expertise, its capacity building potential, its healthcare institutions, its peacekeepers with our partners from Africa. Once again we are determined that our struggle will be based on principles - the principles of equality and partnership, of mutual benefit, of human dignity. For India and Africa, guided by the vision of Mahatma Gandhi who belonged to both, that is the only path.

13. With these words, I once again welcome you to this evening of celebration of India-Africa relations—and the success of the Third India-Africa Forum Summit

Civil Aviation Minister releases Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2015)

Civil Aviation Minister releases Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2015)

Minister of Civil Aviation Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju released the Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2015) in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion Shri Raju urged all stakeholders to participate in the process of firming up the policy by giving their valuable suggestions to the Ministry.  He said that the Civil Aviation Policy should be a dynamic one which can keep pace with the ever changing demands of the sector.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation and MoS (I/C) Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma was also present  at the function.  Dr. Sharma  underscored  the importance of bringing air travel within reach of the common man and  facilitating regional air connectivity within the country.

Secretary Civil Aviation Shri Rajiv Nayan Choubey gave a presentation highlighting the salient features of the draft policy, which are as follows :

Aim of the Policy

Ø      To provide a conducive environment and a level playing field to various aviation sub-sectors, i.e  Airlines, Airports, Cargo, Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul services, General Aviation, Aerospace manufacturing, Skill Development, etc

Ø      To create an eco-system to enable 30 crore domestic ticketing by 2022 and 50 crore by 2027. Similarly, international ticketing to increase to 20 crore by 2027.

Draft Policy covers:-

1.      Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)

Ø      Scheme will come into effect from 1 April 2016

Ø      Airfare about Rs 2500 for a one-hour flight in RCS 

Ø      This will be implemented by way of:

ü      Revival of un-served or under-served airstrips.

§         Only 75 out of 476 airstrips/airports have scheduled operations. Revival of these depending on demand.

§         Build ‘no-frills’ airports at a cost of Rs 50 crores.

ü      Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for scheduled commuter airlines.

§         VGF indexed to ATF prices and inflation.

§         VGF to be shared between Centre and State at 80:20.

§         Creation of Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) for VGF.

§         Levy of 2% on all domestic and international tickets on all routes, other than CAT IIA and RCS.

ü      Concessions by different stakeholders:

·        State Government-

o       Provide free land and multimodal hinterland connectivity.

o       Concessional rates of power, water and other utilities.

o       VAT on ATF  1% or less in RCS airports.

·        Central Govt-

o       Service Tax on tickets under RCS will be exempted.

o       ATF drawn by SCA’s from RCS airports exempt from excise duty.

o       SCA’s to be treated at par with SOPs for customs duty.

ü      Cost-effective security solutions by BCAS and state government.

2.      Scheduled Commuter Airlines (SCA)

Ø      Eligibility criteria in terms of paid-up capital to be kept at Rs 2 crore.

Ø      Aircraft with capacity of 100 seats or less.

Ø      No restrictions on number of aircrafts.

Ø      Minimum movements per week to RCS destinations as prescribed.

Ø      SCA can enter into code share with other airlines

Ø      Will be allowed self- handling.

Ø      No airport charges on  SCA  for their operations under RCS. Rationalise in other non- RCS airports

3.      Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)

Ø      Develop India as an MRO hub in Asia.

Ø        Service Tax on output services of MRO will be zero-rated.

Ø        Aircraft maintenance tools and tool-kits will be exempt from Customs Duty.

Ø       Tax- free storage period of spare parts imported by MRO’s extended for 3  years.

Ø      To allow import of unserviceable parts by MROs by providing advance exchange.

Ø      Procedures for custom clearance to be simplified.

Ø      Clearance of the parts  by allowing for self -attestation by the MROs.

Ø      Foreign aircraft brought to India for MRO work will be allowed to stay for 6 months. Beyond this, with  DGCA permission .

Ø      Persuade State Govt to make VAT zero-rated

Ø      Airport royalty and additional levies to be rationalised in consultations with Airport Operators.

4.      Fiscal incentives

Ø      MRO, ground handling, cargo and ATF infrastructure co-located at an airport will also get the benefit of  ‘infrastructure’ sector, with benefits under Section 80-IA of Income Tax Act.

5.      Rule 5/20

Ø      The government invites suggestions on three possible policy options:

                                         5/20 Rule may continue as it is,

                                                            OR

                          5/20 Rule will be abolished with immediate effect,

                                                           OR

ü        Domestic airlines will need to accumulate 300 DFC before commencing flights to SAARC countries and countries beyond 5000 km radius from New Delhi.

ü      They will need to accumulate 600 DFC before starting flights to the remaining parts of the world.

ü      The DFC earned will be equal to the Available Seat Kilometer (ASKM) deployed by the airline on domestic routes divided by 1 crore.

ü      All domestic airlines will required to earn at least 300 DFC per annum in order to maintain their international flying rights.

ü      Free to re-deploy their excess capacity (above 300) between domestic and foreign operations and also trade them.

6.      Bilateral Traffic Rights

Ø      Liberalise regime of bilateral rights.

Ø      Open sky on reciprocal basis with SAARC countries and countries beyond a 5000 km radius from New Delhi.

Ø      For countries within 5,000 kms where domestic airlines have not fully utilised their quota, additional seats above existing rights would be allotted by bidding for a three year period, proceeds of which will go to RCF.

Ø      Open skies for countries within 5000 kms will be considered with effect from 1 April 2020.

Ø      Increase in FDI in airlines from 49% to above 50% if the government decides to go in for open skies

7.      Code Share

Ø      Indian carriers will be free to enter into code-share agreements with foreign carriers for any destination within India on a reciprocal basis.

Ø      International code share between Indian and foreign carriers will be completely liberalised, subject to ASA between India and the country.

Ø      No prior approvals from MoCA will be required. Indian carriers need to simply inform MoCA 30 days prior to starting the code-share flights.

Ø      A review will be carried out after 5 years to consider the requirement of further liberalisation in code-share agreements and to drop the requirement of reciprocity.

8.      Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG)

Ø      Category I will be rationalized by adding more routes based on transparent criteria, i.e., flying distance of more than 700 km, average seat factor of 70% and annual traffic of 5 lakh passengers.

Ø      The percentage of Cat. I traffic to be deployed on Cat. II, IIA and III will remain the same. 

Ø      Revised categorization will apply 12 months after date of notification.

Ø      Review of routes under different categories will be done by MoCA once every 5 years.

Ø      Airlines may change routes in Cat II and III with a 30 days prior intimation to MoCA and DGCA.

Ø      Prior permission of MoCA required for withdrawal of existing operations to and within N.E region, Islands and Ladakh.

9.      Airports

Ø     MoCA will continue to encourage development of airports by the State Government or the private sector or in PPP mode. 

Ø     MoCA will endeavour to provide regulatory certainty.

Ø     The capital expenditure of all future greenfield and brownfield airport projects promoted by AAI in PPP mode will be monitored closely by AAI.

Ø     Tariff at all future airports will be calculated on a ‘hybrid till’ basis.

Ø     MoCA will explore ways to unlock the potential land use by liberalising the end-use restrictions for existing (excluding PPP) and future airports of AAI and future airport projects under PPP.

10.  Airport Authority of India

Ø     AAI will continue to modernize airports and upgrade quality of services. 

Ø     AAI will maintain an ASQ rating of 4.5 or more across all airports with throughput above 1.5 mppa and ASQ rating of 4.0 or more for the rest.

Ø     AAI may be suitably compensated in case a new greenfield airport is approved in future within a 150 km radius of an existing operational AAI airport (not applicable to civil enclaves). Alternatively, give option to have the right of first refusal or equity participation upto 49% in the new airport at its discretion.

Ø     AAI will continue to provide necessary financial support and facilitate technological upgradation of ANS to keep pace with the global best practices.

11.  Ground handling

Ø      There will be at least three Ground Handling Agencies (GHA) including Air India’s subsidiary/JV at an airport. 

Ø      Domestic airlines and charter operators will be free to carry out self-handling themselves or through their subsidiaries or to outsource the same to other airlines or to a GHA. 

Ø      Ground handling staff will have to be on the rolls of the airlines or their subsidiaries or the GHA. Domestic airlines (including subsidiaries) and GHAs will be permitted to take contract employees on their rolls.  Such employment contracts will be for a period of at least one year.

12.  Aviation Security

Ø      MoCA will develop ‘service delivery modules’ for aviation security, Immigration, Customs, quarantine officers etc in consultations with respective Ministries/Departments.

Ø      The Government will encourage use of private security agencies at airports for non- core security functions which will be decided in consultation with MHA.

Ø      Private security agencies will comprise retired personnel from military and para-military forces. BCAS will provide scope of work and norms.

Ø      Security auditors of  BCAS will carry out regular and surprise audits with the power to penalize and blacklist the errant agencies

13.  Helicopters

Ø     Government will support growth of helicopters for remote area connectivity, intra-city movement, tourism, law enforcement, disaster relief, medical evacuation, etc. 

Ø     Separate regulations for helicopters will be notified by DGCA by 1 April 2016, after due stakeholder consultation.

Ø     The government will facilitate the development of four heli-hubs initially.

Ø     Helicopters will be free to fly from point to point without prior ATC clearance in airspace below 5000 feet and outside ATC control areas and areas other than prohibited and restricted ones, after filing the flight plan with the nearest ATC office.

14.  Cargo

Ø      The Air Cargo Logistics Promotion Board (ACLPB) will submit a detailed action plan with the objective of reducing dwell time of air cargo from ‘aircraft to truck’ which should also ensure shift to paperless processing.

Ø      ACLPB will develop ‘service delivery modules’ for all elements of air cargo value chain.

Ø      Advanced Cargo Information system to be implemented by 1 April 2016.

Ø      ACLPB to propose specific action steps to promote transhipment.

Ø      ACLPB will work with AERA and AAI to ensure are competitive vis-à-vis competing aviation hubs.

Ø      ACLPB will lay down norms for time slots and parking for freighter aircraft.

Ø      Optimum use of 24x7 Customs operations to spread out cargo handling.

Ø      AAI to provide space on10 year lease for express cargo and freighters.

15.  Aeronautical ‘Make in India’

Ø      MoCA will be nodal agency for developing commercial aero-related manufacturing and its eco-system in India.  

Ø      MoCA and MoD will work together to ensure that commercial aero-manufacturing is covered under defence offsets requirements.

Ø       Area where aero-manufacturing takes place will be notified as SEZ.

16.  Other policy reforms

•        Greater de-regulation, transparency and e-governance

•        Aviation education and skill building

•        Promotion of sustainable aviation practices

Streamlining Charter Operations

Government Announces Enhanced Support for Export of Various Products and Covers Some Additional Products Through Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)

Government Announces Enhanced Support for Export of Various Products and Covers Some Additional Products Through Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)

In light of the major challenges being faced by Indian exporters in the backdrop of the global economic slowdown, Department of Commerce today announced increased support for export of various products and included some additional items under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS). This has been introduced through the Public Notice 44 issued on 29^th October, 2015 by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

MEIS, introduced through the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 on April 1,2015, with product and market focussed incentives for 4914 tariff lines, is a major export promotion scheme implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Rewards under MEIS are payable as a percentage of realized FOB value of covered exports, by way of the MEIS duty credit scrip, which can be transferred or used for payment of a number of duties including the basic customs duty.

The current revision introduces 110 new tariff lines and increases rates or country coverage or both for 2228 existing tariff lines. A summary of the additional coverage described in detail in the Public Notice No.44 dated 29^th October, 2015, is as follows:

I - Global Support has been accorded to the following categories:

·        Textile items (Chap 50-60)

·        Pharmaceuticals, Surgical, Herbals

·        Project Goods Exports

·        Auto Components

·        Telecom, Computer, Electrical and Electronics Products

·        Railway, Transport Equipment and Parts

II - Higher Support has been granted to following categories of products, many of which are manufactured by MSMEs:

·        Industrial Machinery, IC Engines, Machine tools, Parts and Machinery for Dairy, Agriculture, Food Processing, Textiles, Paper.

·        Hand tools used in Agriculture /Horticulture/Forestry, Safety Razors, Blades

·        All type of locks, Reinforced Safes, Strong Boxes and Doors, Safe Deposit Lockers

·        Flexible Tubing , Pilfer Proof Caps for packaging

·        Bicycle parts

III- Additional countries have been covered for selected Leather products, Iron, Steel, and base metals, products

IV- Higher support has been allowed for Cashews, Readymade Garments, Paper Mache products and Handmade Shawls of wool

V-  The following new products have been added:   

·        Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers of Man Made Textile Materials

·        Medical Instruments

·        Sports Goods

·        Value added / processed products of Natural Rubber, Chemicals, and  Plastics