Tourism Promotion

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture & Tourism Shri Shripad Yesso Naik has said that promotion and Marketing of India as a tourism destination is an  ongoing process.  The Ministry  of  Tourism promotes India  as  a  holistic destination in the domestic and  international markets  through  media  campaigns,  tourist literature and publicity material.   In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Naik said, the  Ministry of  Tourism is formulating schemes for  improvement  of  existing  tourist products  and  to develop  new tourist products  to international standards, for  Development of  Tourism Circuits  and a National Mission for infrastructure  improvement of  pilgrimage  centres.  In the budget  of  2014-15,  it has  been proposed  to allocate  Rs.600.00 crore for two new Schemes of the Ministry of  Tourism  as  detailed  below:- 1. 5 Tourism Circuits : Rs. 500.00 Crore 2. National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)

Review of National Policy for Senior Citizens

As per Census 2011, the population of senior citizens in the country is 10.38 crore, which is about 8.6% of the total population of the country. Keeping in view the changing demographic pattern, socio-economic needs of the senior citizens, social value system and advancement in the field of science and technology over the last decade, the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 has been reviewed and the new National Policy for Senior Citizens is under finalization. In order to improve the living standard of senior citizens, different Ministries and Departments of Government of India, along with Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment, are implementing various welfare schemes for them. The details are: Annexure-II Brief details of the 3 important Schemes meant for Senior Citizens S. No. Name of Scheme Nodal Ministry Brief details of the Scheme 1. Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment The Scheme is being implemented since 1992 and revised w.e.f 1.4.2008. Financial assistance is provided under it to State Governments/ Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Urban Local Bodies and Non GovernmentalOrganisations for running and maintenance of projects like: ·      Old Age Home; ·      Day Care Centre; ·      Mobile Medicare Unit; ·      Day Care Centre for Alzheimer`s Disease/ Dementia Patients; ·      Physiotherapy Clinic for Older Persons; ·      Help-lines and Counseling Centres for Older Persons; ·      Sensitizing Programmes for Children particularly in Schools and Colleges; ·      Regional Resource and Training Centres; etc. 2. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) Ministry of Rural Development Under the Scheme, Central assistance is given towards pension @ Rs. 200/- per month to persons above 60 years, and @ Rs. 500/- per month to persons above 80 years belonging to a household below poverty line, which is expected to be supplemented by contribution by the States. 3. National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Major components of this programme, launched in 2010-11, are: ·      Community based Primary Healthcare approach; ·      Strengthening of health services for senior citizens at District Hospitals/ CHC/ PHC/ Sub-Centres; ·      Dedicated facilities at 100 District Hospitals with 10 bedded wards for the elderly; ·      Strengthening of 8 Regional Medical Institutions to provide dedicated tertiary level Medical Care for the elderly, with 30 bedded wards, at New Delhi (AIIMS), Chennai, Mumbai, Srinagar, Vanarasi, Jodhpur, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati; and ·      Introduction of PG courses in Geriatric Medicines in the above 8 Institutions and In-Service training of health personnel at all level. This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha here today.

inauguration of DoPT’s Basic Leadership Skills Module and Learning Resource Centre

Dr. S. K. Sarkar, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) inaugurated the rollout of the Basic Leadership Skills (BLS) Module for Central Secretariat Services (CSS) Officers at the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM) here today. This was followed by the inauguration of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) by Dr. Sarkar at the Library Building at ISTM. Both these events are in consonance with the Result Framework Document (RFD) 2014-15 of the DoPT. The BLS module was rolled out at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie last year in the Foundation Course of Civil Services Officers and the Integration of BLS module with the relevant existing training module of ISTM for CSS officers is now being done with an aim to build leadership qualities among CSS officers. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sarkar said that the civil servants have to function in a complex and challenging environment today when there are increasing expectations of performance and ability to respond more efficiently and effectively to the needs of the citizens. Keeping this in mind it becomes imperative that all levels of civil service officers be trained in leadership skills to impart their duties effectively and take forward the vision of a citizen centric Government. The BLS rollout at LBSNAA, Mussoorie and ISTM, New Delhi substantiates the focus of DoPT in Leadership Development in Government. Later inaugurating the LRC, Dr. Sarkar said that the Center has been set up in line with the recommendations of the National Training Policy (NTP) - 2012. LRC`s mandate is to identify and adapt the leading national and international practices in the field of training techniques and technologies and strengthen the Trainers Development Programme (TDP) to develop a cadre of high quality trainers. Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident Coordinator remarked that the Learning Resource Center is a great initiative that will help to promote innovative training techniques in central and state training institutions. Congratulating the DOPT on the occasion, Ms. Grande said that better training will contribute to further improve the delivery of public services.  Revised Rules for Declaration of Assets by Public Servants Under Provisions of the Lokpal Act The Central Government has notified fresh rules for the public servants to furnish information and annual return containing declaration of assets and liabilities. Under the Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014 every public servant shall made a declaration of his/her assets and liabilities in the specified formats as on the 31st day of March every year to the competent authority on or before of 31st day of July of that year. Making an exception for the current year the notification stipulates that public servants who have filed declarations, information and annual return of property under the prevailing rules shall file the revised declaration, information or annual returns as on August 1, 2014 on or before September 15, 2014. However, employees may be exempted by the competent authority for reasons recorded in writing from declaring assets if its value does not exceed 4 months basic pay or rupees two lakhs, whichever is higher.

Joint Indo-French Science Council proposed

French Ambassador Mr. Francois Richier called on Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space & Atomic Energy, here today and expressed his Government’s desire to work in close collaboration with the Indian Government in different areas including Science and Technology. Responding to the French Ambassador, Dr Jitendra Singh said India has all along shared a consistently healthy relationship with France regardless of the geo-political situation at any given time, and proposed a new innovative idea of having a “Joint Indo-French Science & Technology Council.” Dr Jitendra Singh accepted the French Ambassador’s suggestion to set up a Pasteur Institute in India which would be funded by the French Government. He also referred to two joint satellites namely Megatropic and Saral which are already in place and said the joint scientific collaboration between the two countries can also be extended to the field of Medical Science particularly the research on metabolic diseases and Diabetes. Referring to the various joint training programmes between the two countries, Dr Jitendra Singh expressed satisfaction at the recent launch of “Raman Charpak” Fellowship for exchange of doctoral students on annual basis between the two countries. Dr Jitendra Singh said the Ministry of Science and Technology has opened up new areas of research and scientific work as a part of which, in the years to come, not only young Indian scientists will be accorded fellowship to work with some eminent French scientists but French scientists will also be offered opportunity to visit India and benefit themselves from the enormous research potential available in this country.

Rise in Smoking Among Women

As per the findings of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (2010), 20.3% of females in the age group of 15 years and above consume tobacco in some form or other. The use of smokeless forms of tobacco is more prevalent (18.4%) among females than smoking forms (2.9%).  A number of steps have been taken by the Government to discourage tobacco use both among males and females, which include the following: 1.      The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibitions of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act,” (COTPA), was enacted in 2003 to regulate consumption, production, supply and distribution of tobacco products, by imposing restrictions on advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products; prohibiting smoking in public places; prohibiting sale to and by minors, prohibiting sale within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions and through mandatory depiction of specified pictorial health warnings on all tobacco product packs. 2.      Government of India launched the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the year 2007-08, with the aim to (i) create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, (ii) reduce the production and supply of tobacco products, (iii) ensure effective implementation of the provisions  under “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003” (COTPA) and (iv) help the people quit tobacco use through Tobacco Cessation Centres. The coverage of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has been up-scaled from existing 42 districts of 21 states to 53 districts of 29 states in 2013-2014 under the umbrella of National Health Mission (NHM). 3.      National Level Public Awareness campaign is a key activity under National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) which is aimed at educating people about the adverse health effects of tobacco use including second hand smoke and on pregnant women. A variety of media like electronic (Government and private Channels and FM/radio), outdoor billboards, bus panels, exterior train wrap-up, news-paper advertisement etc. have been used to reach a wide set of audience. 4.      Health spots relating to harmful effects of tobacco use are displayed by films and TV Programmes displaying tobacco products or their use, as per the Rules notified under COTPA, 2003. 5.      Gutkha and other similar food products containing nicotine and tobacco have been prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 dated 1st August 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 6.      The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare has written to all the Chief Ministers to consider adopting a ‘Comprehensive Taxation Policy’ for all tobacco products so that they are taxed at similar rates and incentive to shift to relatively cheaper tobacco products is minimized. It has also been emphasized that under the policy, the tax rate should be linked to both inflation and changes in household income, so that any tax increase leads to an effective and ‘real increase’ in the price of tobacco products, making them less affordable over time and thereby reducing consumption & prevalence. 7.    Further , Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare has vide    letter dated 26th June, 2014 written to Secretary (Revenue) to adopt a ‘Comprehensive Tax Policy’ for tobacco products in the broader public health interest and with a view to protecting youth and children from getting addicted to tobacco use

Government Working Towards Eradication of Measles by 2020

The Government is working towards eliminating measles by 2020 along with other South East Asian Regional countries of World Health Organization. Two doses of measles vaccine have been introduced in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in the year 2010-11. In 14 states/UTs where the evaluated coverage for measles was less than 80%, introduction of two doses of measles vaccine under UIP was preceded by a mass measles vaccination campaign covering children in the age group of 9 months to 10 years and 118 lakh children were vaccinated during these campaign. Laboratory supported measles surveillance has started in the country which is based on the polio surveillance model. Upgradation of Mental Healthcare Facilities The Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 contains measures to protect the rights of persons suffering from mental illness and promote access to mental healthcare in the country with provisions for protection of the following rights of persons with mental illness: 1.                  Rights to access mental health care. 2.                  Right to community living. 3.                  Right to protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. 4.                  Right to equality and non-discrimination. 5.                  Right to information. 6.                  Right to confidentiality. 7.                  Restriction on release of information in respect to mental illness. 8.                  Right to access medical records. 9.                  Right to personal contacts and communication. 10.              Right to legal aid. 11.              Right to make complaints about deficiencies in provision of services. In 2005, the National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health, reported that 10-20 million (1-2% of population) suffered from severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and nearly 50 million (5% of population) from common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, yielding an overall estimate of 6.5 per cent of the population. To address the burden of mental disorders and acute shortage of qualified professionals in the field of mental health, Government of India has been implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) since 1982 with the following components: i. District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) ii. Up-gradation of Psychiatric Wings of Govt. Medical Colleges iii. Modernization of Govt. Mental Hospitals During the 11th Five Year Plan, the NMHP had been restructured to include additional components like suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges and Manpower Development Schemes. 11 State run Mental Health Institutes have been supported for their upgradation as centres of Excellence in Mental Health. Also, 27 PG training departments in mental health specialties have been supported to increase the PG training capacity in mental health as well as improving the tertiary care treatment facility. As a result of implementation of these initiatives, 312 new PG seats in mental health specialties have been created in the supported Institutes. In order to scale up mental healthcare services and launch it across the country during the 12th Five Year Plan, the National Mental Health Programme has been restructured to be implemented separately at tertiary and district levels. The District Mental Health Programme and other activities to be implemented at District levels have already been approved for implementation. Also, the implementation of various tertiary level activities under NMHP including the Manpower Development Schemes has been approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee. Besides, three Central Institutions viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi have been strengthened for augmenting the human resources in the area of mental health and for capacity building in the country. Action Plan for National Urban Health Mission(NUHM) National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was approved as a sub-mission of the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Cabinet on 1st May, 2013. The States prepare their Programme Implementation Plan which are apprised and approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In Financial Year 2013-14 an amount of Rs.662.227 crore was released to 29 States/UTs, including Rs.23.36 crore to Madhya Pradesh, for implementation of NUHM. Since the approvals were communicated to the States during the last quarter of 2013-14 and the Model Code of Conduct for the General Elections to the LokSabha came into effect on 5th March, 2014, the States & UTs could not implement the activities approved under NUHM during 2013-14. However, the States & UTs are now taking steps to implement NUHM as per the approvals communicated last year and the Ministry is in constant touch with the State Governmentsand UT administrations in this regard. NUHM will be implemented through the District Health Societies, except in the seven mega cities, where it will be implemented through the city Urban Health Societies. The States can also decide to implement NUHM through the city Urban Health Societies in other large cities. NUHM envisages to strengthen the existing primary health care facilities and establish new primary health centres based on detailed mapping of the slum and vulnerable population to improve access of the urban poor to quality and equitable primary health care services. An amount of Rs.306.81 crore has been released to 14 States including Rs.34.98 crore to Madhya Pradesh, during the current year to continue the activities sanctioned last year New Diagnostic Test for TB in Children In order to simplify the management of paediatric TB, Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), has described criteria for suspecting TB among children and has separate algorithms for diagnosing pulmonary TB and peripheral TB lymphadenitis. Under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), diagnosis of T.B. among children is currently based on clinical features, smear examination of sputum where this is available, positive family history, tuberculin skin testing, chest radiography and histopathological examination, as appropriate. Diagnosis of paediatric TB through newer diagnostic RNTCP approved technologies like the Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) is also being used under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

MEGA FOOD PARK

Mega Food Parks

During Eleventh Plan, Government approved taking up of 30 Mega Food Parks Projects in the country. All the 30 Mega Food Park projects have been approved by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries from the eligible proposals received against Expression of Interest for selection of projects. The experience of the implementation of the scheme revealed that the following are the main issues being faced during implementation by the Mega Food Parks projects:             i.  Acquiring of minimum 50 acre land with Change of Land Use for the project and obtaining State Government permission for subleasing the plots.            ii.  Obtaining sanction of the term loan from the banks to fund the implementation of the project.           iii.  Delays in getting necessary State Government statutory and other clearances.           iv.  Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the SPVs being unable to take a lead role in execution of the project due to private character of the SPV and capping of the participation of PSUs at 26% of the total equity.            v.  Difficulty in finding participation of Food Processor in SPV with minimum of 26% equity with net worth of Rs. 10 crore.           vi.        Lack of cohesiveness amongst the promoters in some of the projects leading to legal disputes and delay in contribution of equity in the SPV.               In the North Eastern Region, total three Mega Food Park projects have been approved by the Ministry during eleventh Plan in the States of Assam, Tripura and Sikkim. Preservation of Perishable Fruits and Vegetables A nation-wide study on quantitative assessment of harvest and post-harvest losses for 46 agricultural Crops in 106 randomly selected districts was carried out by Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology, (CIPHET) Ludhiana, an ICAR institution. As per the report released in 2010, the extent of harvest and post-harvest losses in fruits vary from 5.8% to 18% and in case of vegetables from 6.88% to 12.98%. Ministry of Food Processing Industries promotes adoption of modern food processing technologies through its schemes viz. (i) Scheme for Infrastructure Development with components of Mega Food Park and Cold Chain, Value Addition & Preservation Infrastructure (ii) Technology Up-gradation/Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries (FPIs). Ministry of Food processing Industries has entered into an agreement in 2012 with France for promoting co-operation in the field of food processing and allied sectors. Ministry has launched a centrally sponsored scheme-National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) in 12th Plan. The mission has several schemes including (i) Technology Up-gradation/Establishment/Modernization of Food Processing Industries (ii) Setting up of Primary Processing Centres/collection Centres (iii) Reefer Vehicles. These schemes of the mission are implemented by State Governments and they have full powers to receive, sanction and release funds to the eligible applicants. Under Technology Upgradation Scheme (TUS), grant-in-aid has been sanctioned by the Ministry to 3438 units in 11th plan and 2509 in 12th plan for setting up / modernization of food processing industries. Vision Document – 2015 In order to promote food processing industries, increase level of processing and exploit the potential of domestic and international market for processed food products, Vision Document-2015 was prepared by the Ministry, which envisaged trebling the size of investment in the processed food sector by increasing the level of processing of perishables from 6% to 20%, value addition from 20% to 35% and share in global food trade from 1.5% to 3% by 2015. To achieve these targets, an investment of Rs. 100,000 crore was required by the year 2015. Out of which, the share of Government was Rs.10,000 crore. During the 11th Five Year Plan, against the proposal of allocation of Rs. 4816 crore of the Ministry, a Plan outlay of Rs. 4041 crore only was made for various Programmes / Schemes of the Ministry. However, the actual expenditure incurred on implementing the various schemes of Ministry of Food Processing Industries during the 11th Plan was Rs. 1596.88 crore only. During 11th Five Year Plan, the Central Sector Schemes for Infrastructure Development (a) Mega Food Parks (b) Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, and (c) Setting up / Modernization of Abattoirs, Scheme of Technology up-gradation/ Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries, Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards, Research & Development and Other Promotional Activities, Scheme for Human Resource Development and Scheme of Strengthening of Institutions were implemented by the Ministry for development of food processing industries in the country. Storage Facilities As per the study of Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) (ICAR, Ludhiana), published in 2010, based on a nationwide sample survey including Himachal Pradesh, annual wastage of fruits is estimated in the range of 5.8% to 18% having value of Rs. 7437 crores annually. The losses during transportation of fruits range from 1.1 to 2.8%.                With the objective of reducing post-harvest losses by providing integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure facilities without any break from the farm gate to the consumer, Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure since 2008-09 in the country including Himachal Pradesh. The financial assistance @ 50% of the total cost of plant & machinery and technical civil works in general areas and 75% for NE region and difficult areas (North-Eastern States, Sikkim, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) subject to a maximum grant-in-aid of Rs 10 Crore per project is provided for setting up the cold chain infrastructure in the country. Integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure can be set up by individuals, groups of entrepreneurs, cooperative societies, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), NGOs, Central/State PSUs, etc. Under the scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, the Ministry has sanctioned 121 cold chain projects for implementation in the country. Out of these, 9 projects have been sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh. Further, the Ministry has also launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) during 12th Plan. The NMFP is being implemented by the State/UT governments including Himachal Pradesh. Under the Mission, financial assistance is provided for setting up cold chain infrastructure through following schemes: (i)                 Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for Non- Horticultural Products:- For setting up of cold chain projects for non-horticulture produce like dairy, meat, poultry, fish etc., the financial assistance is provided as (a) Capital Subsidy: Grant-in-aid @35% of the bank appraised project cost for general areas, and @ 50% of the project cost for difficult areas including North-Eastern region, subject to maximum of Rs. 5 crore and (b) Interest Subsidy: @ 6% per annum subject to a maximum of Rs. 2.00 crore per project or actual interest accrued on term loan, whichever is lower, for a period of 5 year from completion of the project for general areas, and @ 7% per annum subject to a maximum of Rs. 3.00 crore per project or actual interest accrued on term loan, whichever is lower, for a period of 7 years from completion of the project for difficult areas including North-Eastern Region and hilly States. (ii)  Scheme for Creating Primary Processing Centres / Collection Centres in Rural Areas:-Under this scheme financial assistance is provided for setting up processing and preservation facilities in rural areas to enhance shelf life of perishable produce. Admissible grant-in-aid under the scheme is @ 50% of the eligible project cost for the general areas and 75% in North-Eastern Region, ITDP & Difficult Areas including hilly States, respectively subject to a maximum of Rs. 2.5 Crore. (iii) Reefer Vehicles:- Financial assistance to standalone reefer vehicle(s) and mobile pre-cooling van(s) for carrying & transporting, both horticultural & non-horticultural produce is provided under the scheme as credit linked back ended grants-in-aid @ 50% of the cost of New Reefer Vehicle(s)/Mobile pre-cooling van(s)upto a maximum of Rs. 50.00 lakh. In addition, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Horticulture Board (NHB), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India are also providing assistance for setting up cold storages under their respective schemes.