3 September 2014

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Releases the Annual Report for the Year 2013-14


The Annual Report for the year 2013-14 has been released by AERB in accordance with its mandate to keep the public informed on safety issues of radiological safety significance. Each year AERB publishes its Annual Report, which brings out the safety status of the nuclear and radiation facilities regulated by it and the highlights of its regulatory activities and decisions.

The Annual Report focuses on safety status of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), Fuel Cycle Facilities (FCFs) and radiation facilities monitored by AERB. The report includes the highlights of safety review and regulatory inspections carried out by AERB which culminated in the successful commissioning of and power production in India’s first pressurized water reactor at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. The report also briefs about the progress made in the safety review of indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu and 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units under construction at Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP). AERB continued to monitor the progress of safety enhancements at operating nuclear power plants post Fukushima accident and the information on the safety measures already implemented in various NPPs have been given in the report. The safety statistics of NPPs and FCFs for the year 2013-14 brings out the following salient information:

• The radiation doses of occupational workers of nuclear facilities were well within the annual dose limit.

• The liquid and gaseous waste discharged to the environment from the operating units were only a small fraction of the allowed Technical Specifications limits for operation.

• The estimated radiation dose to the members of the public near the operating plants is much less than the annual limit of 1 mSv as prescribed by AERB, the maximum being less than 2.8 % for old plant sites and less than 0.1% for new plant sites. The impact of this dose is indistinguishable from natural background radiation.

• No event in the operating NPP has been categorised as an `accident’ as per International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). Of the 33 events reported during the year, 32 were below scale (having no safety significance) and one event was at scale ‘1’ (categorised as ‘anomaly’ i.e. minor problems in components while sufficient defense in depth is remaining).

• Over the years, with constant efforts from AERB and dedicated commitment from utilities, the industrial safety performance of DAE units has improved appreciably.

The report also summarizes the progress of an e-governance initiative taken by AERB through launch of a web-based application ‘e-Licensing of Radiation Applications (e-LORA)’ with the objective to enhance the efficiency and transparency in the regulatory process by utilizing automation of regulatory processes for registration of various radiation facilities, radiation professionals and exchange of information. To begin with e-LORA modules which provide the platform for registration of radiation professionals of radiotherapy practice, registration of radiotherapy utilities and registration of medical diagnostic radiology equipments (x-rays etc) have already been made functional.

The report also highlights AERB’s participation in various international forums including participation and contribution of India in the 6thInternational Review Meeting of Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) held at IAEA, Vienna during March-April 2014 wherein National Report of member countries on safety status of their NPPs and their safety practices were presented and discussed. India’s report was well received. ‘VVER Regulators Forum’ which consists of Regulators dealing with NPPs of VVER type (i.e. of type at Kudankulam), had its last year’s annual meeting in India in December, 2013, under India’s Chairmanship; the details are provided in the report.

India is in the process of subjecting its nuclear regulatory system to international peer review, by hosting an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of IAEA and has already made a formal request to IAEA for the same. This will be a unique opportunity to benchmark our regulatory practices against international standards. The annual report presents a brief account of the activities completed and in progress with respect to the IRRS mission for India.

AERB continued its efforts towards wider public outreach by conducting and supporting various conferences including press conferences, seminars and meetings in different parts of the country and these efforts have been summarized in the report.

The full report is available on AERB website at following link.

http://www.aerb.gov.in/AERBPortal/pages/English/annrpt/annrptBody_publications.action 

Landmark Initiatives for Energy Efficiency Launched


Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas has called for adopting energy efficient techniques for ensuring energy security of the nation. He was speaking at a function here today after launching three landmark initiatives for Energy Efficiency. These three initiatives are, “Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Multi-Storey Residential Buildings and Star Ratings for Diesel Gensets and for Hospital Buildings”. The Minister said by adopting energy efficient equipment and techniques, valuable money, much needed for the nation’s development and for providing basic amenities to the rural masses can be saved. He said crude oil worth about Rs. Six lakh crore is imported annually and if the energy efficient techniques could bring down the consumption by even 10 %, it will usher in a big change. Emphasising that conservation and efficiency is the only way forward, the Minister said that technology should be adopted in a befitting manner.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shri. P.K. Sinha said that the Design Guidelines are the first initiative of the government to bring energy efficiency into the design of homes. He said that hospital buildings are highly energy intensive commercial buildings and the introduction of star labels for hospital buildings provides both energy benchmarking and recognition for a fast - growing sector. He also said that these labels will help hospitals benchmark their own energy consumption and also identifying opportunities for improvement.

The launch ceremony was attended by over 300 stakeholders in the energy sector, along with Shri. R.N.Choubey, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency and several officers of Ministries of Power, Coal, NRE, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Delhi Development Authority and Town & Country Planning Organisation. 

Initiatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change


1. Process for devolution of CAMPA funds for afforestation initiated which will ensure transfer of30,000 Crores to states.
With the approval of Cabinet, Draft CAMPA Order, 2014 containing provisions for transfer of an amount of 95 % of 35,000/- crorers accumulated with the Ad-hoc CAMPA to inalienable non-lapsable, interest bearing fund to be created under Public Accounts of the respective States/ UTs has been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for their approval before the same is published in the official gazette. Amounts to be realised in future in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest purpose will also be credited directly to the said fund.
The CAMPA order envisages creation of a permanent institutional mechanism, both at Centre and each State Government, replacing the present body i.e. Adhoc Campa, with a view to ensure effective and expeditious utilization of the accumulated funds by the States, whom the funds actually belong to, in a transparent and effective manner for the purpose of compensatory afforestation, catchment area treatment, assisted natural generation, forest management, protection, infrastructure development, wildlife protection and management, relocation of villages from the Protected areas, managing human-wildlife conflicts, training and awareness generation, supply of wood saving devices and allied activities.
5% funds will be retained by the National CAMPA for the purposes 0f monitoring and evaluation of schemes implemented in the States, setting up of institutes, societies, centre of excellence in the field of forest and wildlife, pilot schemes, standardization of codes/guidelines etc. for the sector.
2. Transparency ensured by starting online submission of application for Environment and Forest Clearances successfully
As a major step to ensure that the proposals seeking grant of forest clearance are processed in time-bound and transparent manner, a web portal for online filing and monitoring the forest clearance proposal applications has been launched. The portal will minimize the need for human interface between project proponents and officials dealing with Forest Clearance proposals in the Central and the State Governments. The portal will enable real time monitoring of the Forest Clearance proposals so as to ensure that time-lines stipulated for processing of these proposals by various authorities in the Centre and State Governments are adhered to. The portal also has inbuilt features to ensure that proposals complete in all respect only are accepted. Valuable time will thus not be lost to seek and obtain additional information, once a proposal seeking Forest Clearance has already been accepted by concerned authority in the State Government. So far 34 applications have been received online for Forest Clearance.
On-line submission of applications for Terms of Reference (ToRs) and Environment Clearance (EC) has been mandated w.e.f. 1st July, 2014 with a view to increasing transparency in the system and facilitating early decision making. Till now, 219 applications for ToRs and 46 applications for ECs have been received in the Ministry for project proposals in different sectors.
3. A System of Realtime Monitoring of Ganga Water Quality initiated on the main river. Highly polluting Industries asked to install online continuous emission and effluent monitoring equipments
There are 764 grossly polluting industries (discharging effluents with 100 KG BOD or more effluents) in the five States of the Ganga Basin e.g. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. 704 of these were inspected by CPCB out of which 48 industries have been issued letters and 180 industries have been issued directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18 (1) (b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 for abatement of pollution.
There are more than 3,200 highly polluting industries (falling in 17 categories) in the country, which are monitored vigorously by the SPCBs and CPCB. Most of these industries do not have online continuous monitoring system for emissions and effluents. State Pollution Control Boards have been given directions under Section 18(1) (b) of Water Act and Section 18 (1) (b) of Air Act to get online Continuous Monitoring Station equipments installed in all of these industries by 31st March 2015. Directions are being monitored.
Similarly, SPCBs have been issued directions to get online Continuous Monitoring equipments installed in all 175 CETPs, 25 Common Hazardous waste incinerators and 179 Bio Medical waste incinerators in the country
4. Benchmarks for pollution norms for cement industries upgraded to ensure cleaner environment
Cement industry is one of the major air polluting sector among the 17 category of identified highly polluting industries. There are about 190 large cement plants and 365 mini/small cement plants. Though, number of mini plants is more, the contribution to production is less than 10%. India is second largest producer of cement with cement production of 280 million tonnes during 2013.
Previously, emission standards for Particulate Matter (dust) between 50-400 mg/Nm3 were in place depending upon capacity, type and vintage of cement plant. It has been revised to 30-150 mg/Nm3 and published in gazette on 25.08.2014. International norms for Particulate Matter are between 30-100 mg/Nmexcept Germany (20/10) and Netherland (15). Norms for Sulphur Dioxide (100/200 mg/Nmagainst international norms between 50-500), Oxide of Nitrogen (500-800 mg/Nm3 against international norms ranging between 200-900), Wastewater and guidelines for Storm water have been prescribed for the first time. In brief, the status is:

Pollution Norms
Air
Now
Earlier
Particulate Matter( mg/Nm3)
30-150
50-400
Sulphur Dioxide mg/Nm3)
100-200
not existing
Oxides of Nitrogen mg/Nm3)
500-800
not existing
Wastewater
zero discharge or comply with norms
not existing
Storm water
guidelines prescribed
not existing

5. Bor tiger reserve created in Maharashtra, approval for special tiger protection force and rewilding of orphaned tiger cubs.
On the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the State Government of Maharashtra has notified Bor Tiger Reserve covering an area of 138.1214 sq.km. (core /critical tiger habitat) on 16 August, 2014.
The Bor Tiger Reserve is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including tiger, co-predators, prey animals and birds. The habitat is on the boundary of Nagpur and Wardha districts, amidst the Satpura-Maikal landscape, forming catchment of the river Bor. The sanctuary is also an important corridor between Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves of the State.
Bor is the 47th tiger reserve in the country and the 6th tiger reserve of Maharashtra. With Project Tiger coverage, the reserve would receive funding and technical support which would strengthen tiger conservation, besides eco-development to benefit fringe people.
6. Border roads and all defence infrastructures within 100 kms of Line of Actual Control brought under General Approval scheme.
To expedite creation of requisite infrastructure along Line of Actual Control (LAC) the MoEF on 4th July 2014 accorded general approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land required for construction and widening of two lane roads by the BRO/ other agencies whom the Ministry of Defence entrusts the job, in the area falling within 100 kilometers aerial distance from the LAC and widening of link roads, between Border roads in the area within 100 kilometer aerial distance from the LAC and National Highways/State Highways/Other State Roads.
Ministry of Defence has also been requested to identify strategic defence infrastructure related activities such as Army Stations, Ammunition Depots, Training Centres and other support infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, residential quarters etc. which are to be taken up in the area within 100 km aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control and submit the list of such activities along with the proposal for grant of General Approval under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980).
7. Forest Clearances for roads in Left Wing Extremism areas brought under General Approval scheme.
To expedite creation of road infrastructure in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected districts to facilitate the Security Forces to effectively combat Left Wing Extremism, the Ministry has extended general approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest lands for construction of all categories of public roads, except those falling in the Protected areas, irrespective of the area of forest land involved, by Government Departments in 117 LWE affected districts.
Further, relaxation of general approval under the FC Act has been extended from for diversion of forest land from the present 1 hectare to 5 hectares for execution of public utility projects of 15 specified categories by Government Departments in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts. These categories are Schools; Dispensaries/Hospitals; Medical Colleges, Electrical and Telecommunication Lines; Drinking Water; Water/Rain Water Harvesting Structures; Minor Irrigation Canal; Non Conventional Sources of Energy; Skill up Gradation/Vocational Training Center; Power Sub-stations; All category of public roads; Communication Posts; Police establishments like Police Stations / Outposts / Border Outposts / Watch Towers in sensitive area (identified by Ministry of Home Affairs); Underground laying of optical fiber cables, telephone lines & drinking water supply lines; and quarrying of materials for construction of public roads. This initiative will help in faster construction of the public utilities and help in winning over the confidence of people.
8. Process of granting permission for forest diversion upto 40 hectares for developmental projects decentralized. 90% files for this purpose won’t come to the Ministry.
The Ministry has decided to delegate powers to the Regional Empowered Committees (REC) to be constituted at each Regional Office of the Ministry to finally dispose of all forest clearance proposals seeking diversion of forest land upto 40 hecatres, except the proposals relating to mining, regularization of encroachments and Hydel Projects. Draft Forest (Conservation) Second Amendment Rules, 2014 to provide for inter-alia constitution of the RECs at each Regional Office of the Ministry under Chairmanship of the concerned Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central) and having inter-alia three non-official experts in forestry and allied disciplines and two representative of the State/ UT concerned have been formulated and sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting before its publication in the Official Gazette.
More than 90% of proposals seeking forest clearance will now be finally disposed off by the Regional Office. Mere 10% of the proposals for forest clearance will come to the Ministry for decision.
9. Process of granting permission for forest diversion for all linear projects like Road, Rail, Canals, Transmission and Pipelines decentralized.
To expedite grant of forest clearance to linear projects like Road, Rail, Canal, Transmission Lines and Pipelines, most of which are of public utility nature, the Ministry has decided to delegate powers to grant forest clearance to such projects irrespective of the area of forest land involved to the Regional Empowered Committee being constituted at each Regional Office of the Ministry.
The Ministry has also issued guidelines to provide that in case of linear projects in-principle approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 may be deemed as the working permission for tree cutting and commencement of work, if the required funds for compensatory afforestation, Net Present Value, wildlife conservation plan, plantation of dwarf species of medicinal plants, and all such other compensatory levies specified in the in-principle approval are realised from the user agency.
10. Decentralization of powers to State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) for granting Environment Clearance
Vide Notification S.O.1599 (E) dated 25th June, 2014, more powers have been delegated to SEIAAs to grant EC to various projects. Earlier, the projects in Category ‘B’ were being appraised as Category ‘A’ at MoEF level if they were located within 10 km. of Protected Areas, Critically Polluted Areas, Eco Sensitive Areas, and Inter-state / International boundaries. Now, this distance has been reduced to 5 km. subject to stipulations stated in the aforesaid notification, implying thereby that more projects can now be considered by SEIAAs for granting ECs. Apart from this, the capacity up to which non-molasses based distilleries and mineral beneficiation activities could be considered as Category ‘B’ has been increased. Also, all bio-mass fuel based thermal power plants with capacity greater than or equal 15 MW have been put in Category B’. Earlier, such projects were considered as Category ‘A’ projects, if their capacity exceeded 20 MW.

Government puts Agriculture Sector on Fast Track


The Government has taken a number of initiatives to boost agriculture production, develop high quality seeds, increase storage capacity and steps to reach the benefits of various research works from lab to land.

Speaking to media persons yesterday, Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh enumerated various initiatives taken by Government since its formation in May 2014.

The Government has launched Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to promote use of organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, the minister said.

Making a mention of Soil Health Card Scheme, he said that these cards will be issued to 3 crore farmers during current year and 5.5 crore cards each during next two years. Also 100 mobile soil testing laboratories will be made available during the current year, he added.

Shri Singh said that during August 2014, 5 new customised fertilizers have been approved, so that farmers may get required nutrients for their fields. Mentioning initiatives in Horticulture Sector, Shri Singh said that with the launch of Saffron Park recently at Pampore (J&K), facility for processing packaging, e-auction of saffron will be available. Under a new initiative named ‘Chaman’ the horticulture crops would be mapped through remote sensing (Satellites). He further said that under Indo Dutch Cooperation project ‘centre of excellence’ have been approved in Jalandhar (Punjab), Baramati (Maharashtra), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), which would develop modern technique for fruits and vegetables.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that under National Agroforestry Policy 2014 a platform will be provided to stimulate component of farming system which will lead to meeting the ever increasing demand of timber, food, fuel, fodder, fertilizer, fibre and other agroforestry products; conserving the natural resources and forest; protecting the environment & providing environmental security; and increasing the forest/tree cover.

Shri Singh further added that Government have also taken all possible steps to meet the challenge of drought and have announced a subsidy of 50% in diesel, seeds, where 50% rainfall deficit has been reported. An additional allocation of Rs. 700 crore under Mission of Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during current year for availability of fodder has been made, he added. In addition, waiver of duty on import of de-oiled soya extract, groundnut oil cake, sunflower oil cake, canola oil meal, mustard oil cake, rice bran and palm kernel cake to increase availability of feed ingredients will also be given, he said.

Elaborating the initiative taken in marketing sector, Shri Singh said Central Government has advised State Governments to keep fruits and vegetables out of the purview of Mandi regulations so as to bring down their prices. Process has already been started to set up ‘Kisan Mandi’ marketing sector, he added.

A new scheme is proposed to be started in consultation with the State Government to provide insurance cover to production, productivity and farmers’ income. Shri Singh said that Government has also started giving information online regarding the registration of Multi State Cooperative Committees. In order to give better information facility about 30.5 crore agricultural messages were sent to farmers through SMS portal, he said.

Mentioning initiative in crops and seeds development sector the Minister said that pulse production under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in all districts of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, Coarse cereals production under NFSM in entire North-Eastern Region (excluding Assam) has been made effective. Shri Singh said that 48 high quality seeds for various crops [foodgrains (34), pulses (6) oilseeds (4), fodder (2), sugarcane (2)] have been issued and notified.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Central Government have taken various steps to boost milk production and develop better breeds of bovine. There is 199 million bovine population in India, which constitutes 14% of total bovine population in the world. Out of this 83% are desi cows. The bovine genetic resource of India is represented by 37 well-recognised indigenous breeds of cattle and 13 breeds of buffaloes. The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds through professional farm management and superior nutrients, as well as gradation of indigenous bovine germplasm will be done with an outlay of Rs, 500 crores, he added.

Shri Singh said that National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre is being set up to protect indigenous breeds. Nucleus herd will be set up to increase productivity and to ensure genetic advancement of 37 cow breeding, 13 buffaloes breeds. In order to promote Agri Rail Network for transportation of milk, orders have been placed by AMUL and NDDB on behalf of Dairy Cooperative Federation for procurement of 36 new Rail Milk Tankers and will be made available by railways. This will help in movement of milk from milk surplus areas to areas of demand providing dairy farmers with greater market area, he said.

Under a new initiative of National Blue Revolution the Government will fill in the critical gaps such as fish seed and feed and introduce new technology like cage culture and re-circulatory aquaculture systems. This will be ensured by participation of fishermen societies, cooperative bodies, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and more importantly women, and thereby make the National Blue Revolution an inclusive process, he said.

Elaborating the initiative taken by Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE), Shri Singh said that two institutes of excellence on the pattern of Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa, will be set up in the States of Assam and Jharkhand. An Agriculture University in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and Horticulture university in Telangana and Haryana will be set up, he said. During the year 2014 in order to benefit farmers with latest agriculture technology two Krishi Vigyan Kendras have been established in the districts of Baksa in Assam and Ramgarh in Jharkhand. Also, Indian Institute of Biotechnology at Ranchi has been inaugurated during last week with a view to promote organic farming in that region, he added. 

Vice President Inaugurates 89th Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie


The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that it is widely recognised that no profession offers the kind of opportunity and authority for participating in nation building and societal transformation as does a career in the civil services. Delivering inaugural address at the “89th Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie” today, he said that with this authority comes a huge responsibility. Civil servants must remain cognisant that in a vibrant democracy such as ours, governments exist by popular will only to serve the people and uphold national interest in the widest sense of the term.

He said that the Government is a steward of public good. It articulates priorities based on the needs of the people, translates them into policies and implements programmes based on those policies, so that lives of the people improve continuously. These priorities, policies and programmes change with the changing aspirations and requirements of the people, to which the government and civil service has to adjust accordingly.

The Vice President said that in this overarching philosophy of governance and public administration, the civil service becomes the principal vehicle for delivery of public goods and services to the people. A politically neutral but committed to public service bureaucracy is thus a sine qua non for the smooth functioning of a democratic government, such as ours. Additionally and in our times, the bureaucracy has another important role, that of a bridge between the people and their elected representatives. The civil servant is expected to faithfully implement the directions of the duly elected government. At the same time, he or she must ensure that nothing which the political executive does transgresses the fundamental law of our Republic.

He expressed his concern that while much has been achieved by us as a people in the decades of independence, the fruits of development have reached the public unevenly. We still have starvation deaths, which exist with high levels of malnutrition and under-nutrition. Widespread poverty and unemployment are reality. So is the lack of basic civic amenities, such as healthcare, education, water-supply, sanitation, transport and communication. Acute social and gender inequality and related discrimination are pervasive in our society. India ranks 135 out of 187 countries on the UNDP’s Human Development Index. India has the dubious distinction of being home to the largest number of poor in the world with around one-third of our population below poverty line. This is compounded by existence of the social discrimination and inequality based on caste, religion or region. Each of these derogates from the ideals of justice, equality and fraternity.

The Vice President opined that this does not mean that successive governments and generations of civil servants in independent India have not tried to address the maladies that afflict our economy and society. Large investments have been made in social and physical infrastructure. Programmes aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, literacy, food security, healthcare and shelter have been launched. Subsidies for food, energy and agricultural inputs have been provided at a heavy cost to the exchequer.

He said that as functionaries of the state, civil servants must always remember that the emancipation of the deprived and marginalised sections of our society is a special responsibility. Unless they are uplifted, we can never emerge as a strong and prosperous nation. All this has gone hand in hand with demands and expectations that have undergone significant change. We now have an aspirational India, impatient to taste in greater measure the fruits of economic prosperity and social progress, and as a matter of right. Our citizens today seek governance which is efficient, transparent, honest and responsive. There is a sense of urgency in the demand and lesser inclination for patience and forgiveness.

The Vice President called upon civil servants that their capacity to perform will therefore depend largely on their ability to evoke public confidence. Critical to maintaining public trust is through upholding the highest standards of integrity that has to be built up and maintained painstakingly over many, many years. In recent times, public cynicism towards government and its functionaries has multiplied. Each one of us in public life has a responsibility to address this scourge by setting impeccable standards of integrity and exemplary behaviour.

He concluded that our country is emerging as an important player on the world stage. Our political and economic weight in a globalised world is increasing. At the same time, newer challenges are emerging in which political and geographical boundaries provide no protection against competition emanating from beyond our borders. Civil servants, as members of the higher civil service, would have to continuously enhance their skills and upgrade their knowledge, in order to remain globally competitive. They must strive for training and specialization, as well as use of modern technology in their work, but they must remain sensitive to the welfare of ordinary Indians.

Following is the text of the Vice President’s inaugural address :

“I am happy to have been invited for the inauguration of the 89th Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, here in Mussoorie. My mind goes back to the day in June 1961 when I entered this campus diffidently with a multitude of thoughts, an admixture of anxiety and expectations, fears and fancies, racing through the mind. Today therefore is homecoming for me, an opportunity to thank the Academy for the rights of initiation, and for the opportunity to acquire friends and sustain many of these friendships for over half a century. I salute the colleagues of that era who are no longer with us. Their memory lingers. 

The joy of visiting the Academy is enhanced by this opportunity to interact with young persons who are about to embark on their own careers in civil services. They do so in exciting times when the world is changing, India is changing, the tasks and challenges are changing. They will have a role to play in shaping a future that is itself in flux. The honour is bestowed on the select few only.

You however cannot rest on your laurels. Your journey has just begun, and is a long one. Only your own hard work, integrity, commitment to selfless service and an unending pursuit of excellence will stand you in good stead in this pursuit. Do remain steadfastly committed to these values; success and recognition will seek you rather than the other way round.

It is widely recognised that no profession offers the kind of opportunity and authority for participating in nation building and societal transformation as does a career in the civil services. With this authority comes a huge responsibility, you must remain cognisant that in a vibrant democracy such as ours, governments exist by popular will only to serve the people and uphold national interest in the widest sense of the term.

Government is a steward of public good. It articulates priorities based on the needs of the people, translates them into policies and implements programmes based on those policies, so that lives of the people improve continuously. These priorities, policies and programmes change with the changing aspirations and requirements of the people, to which the government and civil service has to adjust accordingly.

In this overarching philosophy of governance and public administration, the civil service becomes the principal vehicle for delivery of public goods and services to the people. A politically neutral but committed to public service bureaucracy is thus a sine qua non for the smooth functioning of a democratic government, such as ours.

Additionally and in our times, the bureaucracy has another important role, that of a bridge between the people and their elected representatives. The civil servant is expected to faithfully implement the directions of the duly elected government. At the same time, he or she must ensure that nothing which the political executive does transgresses the fundamental law of our Republic.

Allow me to dwell on some harsh truths.

While much has been achieved by us as a people in the decades of independence, the fruits of development have reached the public unevenly. We still have starvation deaths, which exist with high levels of malnutrition and under-nutrition. Widespread poverty and unemployment are reality. So is the lack of basic civic amenities, such as healthcare, education, water-supply, sanitation, transport and communication. Acute social and gender inequality and related discrimination are pervasive in our society. India ranks 135 out of 187 countries on the UNDP’s Human Development Index. 

India has the dubious distinction of being home to the largest number of poor in the world with around one-third of our population below poverty line. This is compounded by existence of the social discrimination and inequality based on caste, religion or region. Each of these derogates from the ideals of justice, equality and fraternity.

This does not mean that successive governments and generations of civil servants in independent India have not tried to address the maladies that afflict our economy and society. Large investments have been made in social and physical infrastructure. Programmes aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, literacy, food security, healthcare and shelter have been launched. Subsidies for food, energy and agricultural inputs have been provided at a heavy cost to the exchequer.

Nevertheless, the outcomes of these programmes could have been better. Besides the magnitude and complexity of our developmental challenges, poor programme implementation or leakages in the public services delivery has been diagnosed reasons for our underachievement in the development agenda. The figures of leakage and wastage of resources are astronomical. If these are plugged and resources utilised more efficiently, realisation of our development goals could be hastened substantially.

As functionaries of the state you must always remember that the emancipation of the deprived and marginalised sections of our society is a special responsibility. Unless they are uplifted, we can never emerge as a strong and prosperous nation.

All this has gone hand in hand with demands and expectations that have undergone significant change. We now have an aspirational India, impatient to taste in greater measure the fruits of economic prosperity and social progress, and as a matter of right. Our citizens today seek governance which is efficient, transparent, honest and responsive. There is a sense of urgency in the demand and lesser inclination for patience and forgiveness.

Your capacity to perform will therefore depend largely on your ability to evoke public confidence. Critical to maintaining public trust is through upholding the highest standards of integrity that has to be built up and maintained painstakingly over many, many years. In recent times, public cynicism towards government and its functionaries has multiplied. Each one of us in public life has a responsibility to address this scourge by setting impeccable standards of integrity and exemplary behaviour.

Policy, ultimately, is implementation. It is what happens that counts. If policies are not translated into specific programmes, which are in turn are not well implemented, failure is logical. Hence, our Officer Trainees should focus, including as a part of your training, on ways and means to improve the public services delivery mechanisms so that benefits of our public policies and programmes reach the intended beneficiaries in an efficient and effective manner.

A dynamic civil service, ready to adapt to the changing needs and aspirations of our citizens, is thus an imperative necessity.

You as civil servants become the primary instrument for discharging this solemn duty. This enjoins you to a set of do’s and dont’s. Do not become hostage to special interest groups. Do not give in to extraneous pressures in discharge of your duties. Do not seek patrons. Do not deviate from the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India and the principles of Rule of Law. Retain at all times a national perspective and the overall public interest.

Gandhiji had said “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” You must therefore reach out to the masses, in order to see things from the perspective of those whom you serve, those who are on the receiving end when you make and implement policies. This approach will make you better officers, but more importantly, even better human beings.

Our country is emerging as an important player on the world stage. Our political and economic weight in a globalised world is increasing. At the same time, newer challenges are emerging in which political and geographical boundaries provide no protection against competition emanating from beyond our borders. You, as members of the higher civil service, would have to continuously enhance your skills and upgrade your knowledge, in order to remain globally competitive. You must strive for training and specialization, as well as use of modern technology in your work, but you must remain sensitive to the welfare of ordinary Indians.

I wish you success and satisfaction. I thank the Director for having invited me. Jai Hind.”

Revised strategy for Kala Azar eradication launched



Dr Harsh Vardhan calls for social action akin to Pulse Polio mission
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, formally launched a revised strategy for total eradication of the dreaded disease Kala Azar in Patna today after a high level meeting attended by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, the state’s health minister Shri Ram Dhani Singh, senior officials from the central Ministry of health & Family Welfare, representatives of WHO, IMA, state Health Mission and medical experts from the four affected states. Former Union Health Minister, Dr C.P. Thakur, was also present.

The new strategy involves carrying out active searches for people with symptoms of the disease in the 54 affected districts of the four states where the disease is known to strike –Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Thirty three districts in Bihar, eleven of West Bengal, four in Jharkhand and six districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh of Bihar are affected by Kala-azar.

The Health Minister announced that early diagnosis and treatment using a single dose called Liposomal Amphoterecin B administered intravenously would help reduce the human reservoir of infection. World Health Organisation (WHO) has agreed to supply the drug free.

Dr Harsh Vardhan also unveiled Kala Azar Rapid Diagnosis kits developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). As part of the new strategy, an insecticide, synthetic Pyrethroid, directed specifically at the sand fly, which is known vector source of Kala Azar, would also be supplied for spraying on the walls of homes in the endemic regions.

He said, “We have the drugs and the motivation, but what is most necessary is coordination. Since coming to office, I have concentrated on tying up the loose ends. I can say with confidence that like with polio and small box, Kala Azar too will become history by the end of 2015,” the Minister said after the meeting.

Kala Azar has also been declared a notifiable disease, which means all doctors, whether in government or private service, are henceforth required to alert the state health authorities whenever they encounter a patient with the disease’s symptoms.

The new strategy has been developed by a core group comprising experts and officials of the Health Ministry. The roadmap document focused on efforts at the national, state, district and sub-district levels.

Bihar accounts for 80 percent of the cases in India, the moot reason for the Health Minister’s choice of Patna for launching the new initiative. “The people of Bihar have seen our motivation in the Encephalitis immunisation programme. I believe that there can be no politics in health care, especially in the area of immunization. I have received full cooperation from the government of Bihar and hope to get more in the days to come,” he said.

He stressed the need for all stakeholders, including WHO and international agencies, to unite and pool resources to fight the dreaded disease whose relatively low incidence in recent years should not be a cause for complacency. Here he reiterated the that the entire population of the affected districts should be sensitised on the need to act as auxiliaries of the government’s health department in this important campaign.

“I wish to recall here the synergies which I mobilised at the time of launching the first pulse polio campaign in the country in 1994. We were then successful in rounding up even school children to search out mothers with small children and bring them to the camps for the all-important two drops. The Kala Azar programme needs similar help because quite a few patients skip the full course of 28 days which causes relapse. Also, we need social support for maintaining the efficiency of follow up treatment”, Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

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