20 Lakh Rupees to Every Village per annum in the Country for Swachhta Mission-Gadkari

Union Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Shri Nitin Gadkari today announced that 20 lakh rupees will be given to every village in the country per annum to achieve the goal of clean India by 2nd October 2019. He said, the money will remain deposited in every Gram Panchayat for cleaning purposes. Shri Gadkari was talking to media here after administering the cleanliness pledge to all the officers and staffs of the Ministries. He also wielded broom in the Rural Development Office premises and undertook cleaning operation of the garbage. The Minister has already announced that his Ministries will spend one lakh 34,000 crore rupees for construction of about 11 crore 11 lakh toilets in the country in five years, besides taking other cleanliness measures. Earlier, speaking at India Gate Lawns, from where the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Rural Development Minister Shri Gadkari said that Swachhta mission should not only remain a government campaign, but this must be converted into a mass movement to make India an open defecation free country in Five Years. He said, the Mission will not only be confined to making toilets in the villages and rural areas but to truly make India a Clean India in five years. Shri Gadkari assured the Prime Minister that Swachh Bharat Mission will become a reality by 2nd October 2019, when the nation will celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Minister also underlined that technology will be used on a large scale to convert waste into wealth in rural India in the forms of bio-fertilizer and different forms of energy. Shri Gadkari informed that the Swachh Bharat Mission, the dream project of the Prime Minister will be executed on war footing with the involvement of every gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and Zila Parishad in the country, besides roping in large sections of rural population, NGOs, Religious leaders and school teachers and students in the country.

PM launches Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan

"Let us fulfil Mahatma Gandhi`s vision of Clean India – Swachh Bharat"
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today exhorted people to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi`s vision of Clean India. Launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan at Rajpath in New Delhi, the Prime Minister paid homage to two great sons of Mother India, Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, on their birth anniversary. He recalled how the nation`s farmers had responded to Shri Shastri`s call of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan," and made India self-sufficient in food security. He said that out of Gandhiji`s two dreams – Quit India, and Clean India, the people had helped to ensure that the first became a reality. However, the second dream – Clean India – still remained unfulfilled. The Prime Minister said it was our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfil Gandhiji`s vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today exhorted people to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi`s vision of Clean India. Launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan at Rajpath in New Delhi, the Prime Minister paid homage to two great sons of Mother India, Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, on their birth anniversary.The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today exhorted people to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi`s vision of Clean India. Launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan at Rajpath in New Delhi, the Prime Minister paid homage to two great sons of Mother India, Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, on their birth anniversary.

He recalled how the nation`s farmers had responded to Shri Shastri`s call of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan," and made India self-sufficient in food security. He said that out of Gandhiji`s two dreams – Quit India, and Clean India, the people had helped to ensure that the first became a reality. However, the second dream – Clean India – still remained unfulfilled. The Prime Minister said it was our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfil Gandhiji`s vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.

The Prime Minister applauded and appreciated the work done by all previous Governments and social, religious and cultural organizations towards cleanliness. He repeatedly emphasized that the work of cleaning India cannot be done by one person, or by Government functionaries alone – it has to be done by 125 crore people, who are sons and daughters of Mother India. He said the work of Swachh Bharat should become a mass movement, and people should neither litter, nor let others litter (na gandagi karenge, na karne denge).

The Prime Minister said that according to the World Health Organization, an average of Rs. 6500 per person was lost in India due to lack of cleanliness and hygiene. He said Swachh Bharat would therefore make a significant impact on public health, and in safeguarding income of the poor, ultimately contributing to the national economy. He exhorted people to devote 100 hours every year towards the cause of cleanliness. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of building toilets. He said sanitation should not be seen as a political tool, but should only be connected to patriotism (rashtrabhakti) and commitment to public health.

The Prime Minister said he had invited nine public figures: Mridula Sinha, Sachin Tendulkar, Baba Ramdev, Shashi Tharoor, Anil Ambani, Kamal Hasan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Team Tarak Mehta ka Oolta Chashma – to make a contribution towards Swachh Bharat, share the same on social media, and invite nine other people to do the same, hence forming a chain. He urged people to share their contributions on social media using the hash-tag #MyCleanIndia.

The Prime Minister congratulated the winners of the crowdsourcing contests for logo and tagline of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan – Anant from Maharashtra and Bhagyashree from Gujarat. The tag-line is "Ek Kadam Swachhta Ki Ore" The Prime Minister was joined by noted film actor Aamir Khan on stage, as he administered the Swachhta Shapath (Cleanliness Pledge) to the large assembled gathering. Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited Rajghat and Vijay Ghat to offer floral tributes to two great sons of India, Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, on their birth anniversary. He later visited the Valmiki Basti, where Gandhiji had once stayed, and initiated a cleanliness drive there. The Prime Minister also paid a surprise visit to the Mandir Marg police station in New Delhi. He himself picked up a broom to clean dirt. He later exhorted police officials to maintain cleanliness.

Theme of International Day of Older Persons-‘Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All” echoes Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas

“Ageing is a development issue. Healthy older persons are a resource for their families, their communities and the economy"-states WHO Brasilia declaration on healthy ageing, 1996. The theme of this year's 24th commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons (1 October) is “Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for all. It echoes the spirit behind Government of India’s visionary theme of Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas.

Development alone cannot bring peace and prosperity unless social justice and equality of older people are ensured. With the improvement in health services, Life Expectancy at birth for both males and females has shown a steady rise and it has contributed to an increase in the number of persons in the category of 60+. Thus as the world develops socio-economically, the number of aged increases and their contribution through government service, honorary jobs, volunteer work, sharing of experience and knowledge, helping their families in caring responsibilities and participation in gainful employment will also grow. Such contributions to development can only be ensured if older persons enjoy adequate levels of health, for which appropriate policies need to be in place. In line with the Madrid International Plan of Action, the World Health Organization launched in 2002 a document "Active Ageing - A Policy Framework", outlining its approaches and perspectives for healthy ageing throughout the life course.

India, a sub-continent that carries 15 per cent of the world’s population, is gradually undergoing a demographic change as a result of many factors including specific development programs. With decline in fertility and mortality rates accompanied by an improvement in child survival and increased life expectancy, a significant feature of demographic change is the progressive increase in the number of older people. In 1951, 60+ populations were around 20 million. Three decades later in 1981, it was a little over 43 million, a further decade later in 1991, this had increased to 55.30 million, in 2001 it was 76.5 million and in 2011 it was 103.2 million.

International convention, legal enactments, constitutional provisions etc emphasises the need for equality and empowerment of older people. Well-being of older persons has been mandated in the Constitution of India. Article 41, Directive Principle of State Policy stipulates that the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securities, right to public assistance in case of old age. There are other provisions too, which mandates the state to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Right to equality as a Fundamental right further strengthen older persons. Social security has been made the concurrent responsibility of the central and state Governments.

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) 1999, covers all concerns pertaining to the welfare of older persons and recognizes a person aged 60 years and above as a senior citizen. In pursuance of the NPOP, a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted in 1999 under the Chairpersonship of the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment to oversee implementation of the Policy. An Inter-Ministerial Committee on Older Persons comprising twenty-two Ministries/ Departments, and headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is another coordination mechanism in implementation of the NPOP.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was enacted in December 2007 to ensure need based maintenance for parents and senior citizens and their welfare. The Act provides for: Maintenance of Parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives made obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals; Revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of negligence by relatives; Penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens; Establishment of Old Age Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens; Adequate medical facilities and security for Senior Citizens.

The Ministry is implementing following schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens:

·        An Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) is being implemented since 1992 with the objective of improving the quality of life of senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing support for capacity building of Government/ Non Governmental Organizations/Panchayati Raj Institutions/ local bodies and the Community at large. Under the Scheme, financial assistance up to 90% of the project cost is provided to nongovernmental organizations for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centres and mobile medicare units. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f. 1.4.2008. Besides increase in amount of financial assistance for existing projects, several innovative projects have been added as being eligible for assistance under the Scheme.

            A Non-Plan Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Voluntary Organisations/ Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/ Multi Service Centres for Older Persons was started in 1996-97. However, the Scheme was not found attractive by implementing agencies and was discontinued at the end of the X Plan (2006-07). A new Scheme for giving assistance for Establishment of Old Age Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens is under formulation.

            Union Ministry of Finance has initiated various welfare measures for elderly people which include (i) Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) instructions on health insurance allowing entry into health insurance scheme till 65 years of age;(ii) Tax Benefits for senior citizens like Income tax exemption for Senior Citizens of 60 years and above up to Rs. 3 lakh per annum, Income tax exemption for Senior Citizens of 80 years and above up to Rs. 5.0 lakh per annum, deduction of Rs 20,000 under Section 80D is allowed to an individual who pays medical insurance premium for his/ her parent or parents, who is a senior citizen and deduction of the amount spent or Rs 60,000, whichever is less for medical treatment of a dependent senior citizen. Also higher rates of interest on saving schemes of senior citizens are extended by banks.

            Union Budget 2014-2015 announced the revival of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY), a pension scheme for senior citizens launched a decade ago, for a limited period from 15th August 2014 to 14th August 2015 for the benefit of citizens aged 60 years and above. The Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) will benefit the vulnerable section of society with limited resources as it will provide monthly pension ranging from Rs 500/ to Rs 5,000/ per month to senior citizens of the country. Under this revived Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY), the senior citizens would get pension on fixed basis either on yearly or monthly basis which will provide social security to senior citizens. The subscription to the scheme is likely to create a corpus of more than Rs. 10,000 crore, and would thus also be a significant source of resource mobilization for the development of the country. LIC of India has been given the sole privilege to operate this scheme

            The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) during 11th Plan in order to address the health-related issues of the elderly. The programme was launched on the basis of recommendations made in the National Policy on Older Persons and State’s obligation under the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & the Senior Citizens Act 2007. Main components of NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were- establishing 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in eight identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different parts of the country. Another component was providing dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres in 100 identified districts of 21 States. Initially, 100 districts were selected from 21 states for this programme in 11th Five Year Plan. It is proposed to cover 225 more districts during the 12th Five Year Plan in a phased manner and develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of the country. The Regional Geriatric Centres will provide technical support to the geriatric units at district hospitals whereas district hospitals will supervise and coordinate the activities down below at CHC, PHC and Sub-Centres.

            The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued detailed advisories dated 27.3.2008 and 30.08.2013 to all the State Government/UTs, who are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime including crime against senior citizens. The Ministry of Home Affairs in its advisories has advised the States/UTs to take immediate measures to ensure safety and security and for elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence against old persons through initiatives such as identification of senior citizens; sensitization of police personnel regarding safety, security of older persons; regular visit of the beat staff; setting up of toll free senior citizens help lines; setting up of senior citizen security cell; verification of domestic helps, drivers, etc.  Chapter V of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 provides for protection of life and property of senior citizens. State Governments are required to prescribe a comprehensive Action Plan for providing protection of life and property of senior citizens.

            Department of Pensions and Pensioner Grievances has set up a Pension Portal to enable senior citizens to get information regarding the status of their application, the amount of pension, documents required, if any, etc. The Portal also provides for lodging of grievances. As per recommendation of the Sixth Pay Commission, additional pension are to be provided. Under the Old Age Pension Scheme, monthly pension is given at variable rates to the destitute old by various State Governments/UT Administrations. Courts in the country accord priority to cases involving older persons and ensure their expeditious disposal.

            The Ministry of Railways provides the following facilities to senior citizens: Separate ticket counters for senior citizens of age 60 years and above at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres if the average demand per shift is more than 120 tickets; Provision of lower berth to male passengers of 60 years and above and female passengers of 45 years and above; 40% and 50% concession in rail fare for male (60 years) and female (58 years) senior citizen respectively. Wheel Chairs for use of older persons are available at all junctions, District Headquarters and other important stations for the convenience of needy persons including the older persons. Ramps for wheel chairs movement are available at the entry to important stations. Specially designed coaches with provisions of space for wheel chairs, hand rail and specially designed toilet for handicapped persons have been introduced

            Indian Airlines is providing 50 per cent Senior Citizen Discount on Normal Economy Class fare for all domestic flights to Indian senior citizens who have completed the age of 65 years in the case of male senior citizens and 63 years in the case of female senior citizens subject to certain conditions. Air India is offering discount to senior citizens of 60 plus on flights to USA, UK and Europe.

            Under the Antyodaya Scheme, the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families which also include older persons are provided food grains at the rate of 35 kgs. Per family per month. The food grains are issued @ Rs.3/- per kg. for rice and Rs.2/- per kg. for wheat. The persons aged 60 years above from the BPL category were given priority for identification. Under the Annapoorna Scheme being implemented by the States/UT Administration, 10 kgs. of food grains per beneficiary per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizens who remain uncovered under the old age pension scheme. Instructions to State Governments for giving priority to the Ration Card holders who are over 60 years of age in Fair Price Shops for issue of rations.

            The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under which 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 meant to be supplemented by at least an equal contribution by the States.

            Also there is reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of the buses of the State Road Transport Undertakings; Some State Governments are giving fare concession to senior citizens in the State Road Transport Undertaking buses and are introducing Bus Models, which are convenient to the elderly; Separate queues for older persons in hospitals for registration and clinical examination; Faults/complaints of senior citizens are given priority by registering them under senior citizens category with VIP flag, which is a priority category; Senior citizens are allowed to register telephone connection under N-OYT Special Category, which is a priority category.

            To cap all these efforts, Government of India has launched National Awards for Senior Citizens to recognise the efforts of eminent senior citizens, institutions in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly. These Vayoshreshtha Samman is conferred in 13 categories every year.

            "Like any other country ageing is a challenge and a problem. We need to make people fit and work- whatever the age. If they are working that solves half the problem. We have to improve their skill levels, education and health, that's the key as they are a new power for development”.

‘Make in India’: A Lion’s Step to boost manufacturing

A high spot of the economic scene in a normal circumstance in a parliamentary democracy is the presentation of the budget. But this fiscal, the major highlight could be the launching of ‘Make in India’ campaign by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, 2014.

The initiative basically promises the investors – both domestic and overseas – a conducive environment to turn 125 crore population strong-India a manufacturing hub and something that will also create job opportunities.

That’s in effect a plunge into a serious business but it is also punctuated with two inherent elements in any innovation – new avenues or tapping of opportunities and facing the challenges to keep the right balance. The political leadership is widely expected to be populist; but ‘Make in India’ initiative is actually seen as a judicious mix of economic prudence, administrative reforms and thus catering to the call of people’s mandate – an aspiring India.

In the words of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, “the biggest requirement is trust, confidence. I don’t know how we have run our country that we have doubted our own countrymen at every turn. I need to change this vicious cycle. We should not start from distrust, we should begin with trust”. And then he adds on rather aptly: “the government should intervene only if there’s some shortcomings”.

True to the spirit of this visionary statement, the ‘Make in India’ policy programme also commits that the campaign “represents an attitudinal shift in how India relates to investors: not as a permit-issuing authority, but as a true business partner.”

PM Narendra Modi first made the pitch for 'Make in India' during his maiden Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort "If we have to put in use the education, the capability of the youth, we will have to go for manufacturing sector and for this Hindustan also will have to lend its full strength, but we also invite world powers. Therefore I want to appeal all the people world over, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, “Come, make in India”, “Come, manufacture in India”. Sell in any country of the world but manufacture here. We have got skill, talent, discipline, and determination to do something. We want to give the world an favourable opportunity that come here, “Come, Make in India” and we will say to the world, from electrical to electronics, “Come, Make in India”, from automobiles to agro value addition “Come, Make in India”, paper or plastic, “Come, Make in India”, satellite or submarine “Come, Make in India”. Our country is powerful. Come, I am giving you an invitation. Brothers and sisters, I want to call upon the youth of the country, particularly the small people engaged in the industrial sector. I want to call upon the youth working in the field of technical education in the country. As I say to the world “Come, Make in India”, I say to the youth of the country – it should be our dream that this message reaches every corner of the world, “Made in India”. This should be our dream.

This is a path-breaking venture. In fact, the vision statement of official website, www.makeinindia.gov.in commits to achieve for the country among other things an increase in manufacturing sector growth to 12-14 % per annum over the medium term, increase in the share of manufacturing in the country’s Gross Domestic Product from 16% to 25% by 2022 and importantly to create 100 million additional jobs by 2022 in the manufacturing sector alone. These are quite highly ambitious targets given the background that the manufacturing sector in India, which accounts for fourth-fifth of the total output, grew a meagre 3.3 per cent in January 2010.

Achievable Targets:

·        Target of an increase in manufacturing sector growth to 12-14% per annum over the medium term.

·        An increase in the share of manufacturing in the country’s Gross Domestic Product from 16% to 25%     by 2022.

·        To create 100 million additional jobs by 2022 in manufacturing sector.

·        Creation of appropriate skill sets among rural migrants and the urban poor for inclusive growth.

·        An increase in domestic value addition and technological depth in manufacturing.

·        Enhancing the global competitiveness of the Indian manufacturing sector.

·        Ensuring sustainability of growth, particularly with regard to environment.

Tapping Golden Opportunity:

Now let us look at the opportunity, the initiative can actually benefit India from the ground reality, especially when the Chinese manufacturing leaps have come under strain. There are already reports that several western manufacturing players operating in China want to move away from the world’s largest manufacturing hub.

Analysts say, Chinese wages are going up and the labour market is getting more challenging and that is driving away investors. Thus companies with operating factories in China should look for other alternatives in the region, such as Vietnam, Indonesia and of course India.

What are the advantages Indian business and especially manufacturing sector actually offer?

The country is expected to rank amongst the world’s top three growth economies and amongst the top three manufacturing destinations by as early as 2020. This is far more ambitious scene than promised about 2050 sometime back in the context of India’s role at the BRICS level. Indian manufacturing sector has positive elements like “favourable demographic dividends” for the next 2-3 decades. The sustained availability of quality workforce is another advantage.

Importantly again, in India, the cost of manpower is relatively low as compared to other countries. There are responsible business houses operating with credibility and professionalism. The country has a democratized polity vis-à-vis the rule of law and a strong consumerism intake ability of the domestic market.

Various speakers on September 25 at the launch of Make in India programme also spoke about robust technical and engineering capabilities backed by top-notch scientific and technical institutes as other positive offerings on the table.

Favourable Milestones:

·        India has already marked its presence as one of the fastest growing economies of the world.

·        The country is expected to rank amongst the world’s top three growth economies and amongst the top three manufacturing destinations by 2020.

·        Favourable demographic dividends for the next 2-3 decades. Sustained availability of quality workforce.

·        The cost of manpower is relatively low as compared to other countries.

·        Responsible business houses operating with credibility and professionalism.

·        Strong consumerism in the domestic market.

·        Strong technical and engineering capabilities backed by top-notch scientific and technical institutes.

·        Well-regulated and stable financial markets open to foreign investors.

The government has also pledged other focused approaches. Among other things, it intends to leverage the existing incentives/schemes to boost manufacturing.

A technology acquisition and development fund has been proposed for the acquisition of appropriate technologies, the creation of a patent pool and the development of domestic manufacturing of equipment used for controlling pollution and reducing energy consumption, official sources said in New Delhi.

This fund will also function as an autonomous patent pool and licensing agency. It will purchase intellectual property rights from patent holders.

In his speech at the launch of the campaign, the Prime Minister Shri Modi had a vital point to make when he said incentives or tax-free announcements do not win over investors. It is obvious there’s need to create development and growth oriented environment.

The government has also to deal with an existing menace in bureaucratic functioning. The bureaucratic bottle necks that hinder ease of doing business need to be removed.  

Training of Workforce:

The manufacturing sector cannot develop on its own without skilled labour force and in this context it is heartening to note the government’s initiatives for skill development. The creation of appropriate skill would definitely set rural migrants and the urban poor on a track towards inclusive growth. That would be a vital step for boosting manufacturing.

The New Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has initiated the process of revising the National Policy on Skill Development. It is significant to note that under the Rural Development ministry, the Modi government has undertaken another new initiative for skill development under a recast programme named after BJP icon Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya.

The new training programme envisages setting up of at least 1500 to 2000 training centres across the country and the entire project would result in an estimated expenditure of Rs 2000 crore and will be run on PPP model.

The new training programme would enable the youths to get jobs in demand-oriented markets like Spain, US, Japan, Russia, France, China, UK and West Asia. The government proposes to train about 3 lakh youths annually in first two years and by the end of 2017, it has set a target of reaching out to as many as 10 lakh rural youths.

Other steps:

As part of other steps, there is need to address other issues too like adequate development of basic infrastructures – the roads and the power chiefly. For long, MNCs and software service companies have relished doing business in India due to a robust market with enhanced purchasing ability of the citizens but in terms of building up ‘manufacturing facilities’, India has been a case of also-ran. In this context it is worth pointing out that a strong political will, business-like approach of bureaucrats and the entrepreneurs, skilled of workforce along with investment friendly policies can unleash the nation’s potential. 

It is in this context the government’s efforts to develop an “industrial corridor” between Delhi and Mumbai needs to be appreciated.

The government is also working on multi-pronged strategies like development of infrastructure linkages including pioneer plants, assured water supply, high capacity transportation and logistics facilities.

Carrying on the good works on these fronts, the government also has begun the process of reviving five ailing Public Sector units (PSUs). Of the 11 PSUs, the government also feels that for six other units that needs to be closed, it is working on one-time settlement involving voluntary retirement scheme entailing a cost of Rs 1,000 crore VRS for employees.

The state-run units which have been identified by the government for revival include HMT Machine Tools Ltd; Heavy Engineering Corporation; NEPA Ltd; Nagaland Paper & Pulp Co Ltd; and Triveni Structurals.

Concept to be Finalised Soon for Impementation of the Sagar Mala Project

The government proposes to finalize the Sagar Mala concept soon to implement the project. In his first address to the Parliament after the new government was formed the President of India on 9th June 2014, enunciating the policies of the new government stressed that the Government would evolve a model of Port-led development by stringing together the Sagar Mala project which would not only connect the ports with the hinterland through road and rail, but also develop the Inland and coastal waterways as a major transport routes. “Sagar Mala” was an initiative that was announced by the then Prime Minister of India on the Independence Day in 2003 with the objective of achieving rapid capacity expansion and modernization of Ports along India’s East and West Coast. The Sagar Mala project envisaged developing India’s ports to levels comparable with the best global ports in terms of infrastructure, efficiency and quality of service, increasing the tonnage capacity, upgrading and creating ship building and ship repair facilities and increase the use of inland waterways for transportation. The Ministry of Shipping being the nodal point for THE Sagar Mala Project, it today held a brain storming session under the chairmanship of Secretary, Shipping Shri Vishwapati Trivedi. 45 stakeholders represented from Ministry of Railways, Surface Transport & Highways, DIPP, Planning Commission, Customs, Major and Minor Ports, State Maritime Boards, ADB and representatives from trade and industry such as CII, FICCI, INSA, and ICCSA participated. The focus of conference was (i) Initiatives to be taken for Port led development (ii) Policy framework to promote coastal Shipping and Inland water transport (iii) Institutional framework for implementation of the Sagarmala project. A concept note prepared by the Ministry has perceived Sagar Mala as an integrated infrastructure cum policy project to develop the Indian Maritime sector. The concept paper has proposed that the growth of India’s maritime sector be achieved by developing Maritime Economic Regions (MER). The draft concept note has suggested that an MER would be a Regional Ports System comprising of a cluster of Major Ports and Non-Major Ports and the development of an MER would involve development of ports, port based SEZs, coastal industrial clusters and other port based industries. The MER envisages that it would be linked with road, inland waterways transport and airport projects to have the best connectivity. Today’s conference also deliberated on an institutional arrangements for implementation of Sagar Mala, such as setting up a Sagar Mala Development Authority which will implement the development plans for the MER in coordination with various developmental agencies of Central and State Governments. It was felt that a legislative framework may be essential to implement the Sagarmala concept.

Preterm birth and pneumonia kill most children under five years in India

Of the 6.3 million deaths in children under the age of five years, nearly 52 per cent of deaths during 2000-2013 occurred during the neonatal period (0-27 days after birth). Preterm birth complications, pneumonia and intrapartum-related complications have been found to be the three main causes of death in children globally.

The results are published today (October 1) in the journal The Lancet. According to Li Liu from the Institute of International Programs and the first author of the paper, there will be 4.4 million deaths in children younger than five years even in 2030 if the present trend continues.

In 2013, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and China together accounted for half of deaths in the world in children aged under five years, and 52.5 per cent of all neonatal deaths. In the case of India and Pakistan, the three leading causes were preterm birth complications, pneumonia and intrapartum-related complications, in that order. In the case of China, the order was different — intrapartum-related complications, preterm births complications and pneumonia were the three leading causes.

Globally, preterm birth complications caused 15 per cent (0.96 million) of child deaths in 2013. This was closely followed by pneumonia. While pneumonia caused only 0.14 million deaths in neonates, at 0.8 million, it was the second major cause of death across the world in children aged 1-59 months. The two periods together accounted for 0.93 million deaths caused by pneumonia in children aged under five years. As expected, diarrhoea killed more children after the neonatal period — 0.02 million during the neonatal period and nearly 0.59 million during the period 1-59 months.

Case management of pneumonia and diarrhoea can be easily implemented and large number of deaths can be prevented with minimum intervention at little cost. Use of antibiotics to treat pneumonia and timely oral rehydration therapy in the case of diarrhoea can prevent deaths in children under five years.

“Deaths due to pneumonia and diarrhoea can be reduced in India. The coverage [of antibiotics and oral rehydration therapy] is not wide enough in India ... it’s not sufficient,” Prof. Robert E. Black from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Corresponding author of the paper told this Correspondent. “Pneumonia [occurs] during and after neonatal period and diarrhoea [occurs] mainly after neonatal period.”

For pneumonia less than 30 per cent of children in India receive antibiotics, and over 600 million defecate in the open and have very poor access to clean drinking water resulting in most cases of diarrhoea.

“Compared to managing premature babies which involves sometimes months of intensive care, complex medical treatments and follow-ups, treatment for pneumonia (early diagnosis and three-day antibiotic treatment costing about Rs.25) and diarrhoea (oral rehydration therapy) are relatively straight forward and will save a lot more lives in the short term,” Dr Nicholas Furtado Attending Paediatrician, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago said in an email to this Correspondent. Dr. Furtado was not involved in the study.

“In the long term, prevention of pneumonia by immunisation, acute diarrhoea by improving water supply and sanitation, and decreasing prematurity through quality care before, during and after birth would be the most important ways to decreased under five mortality rate,” Dr. Furtado noted.

Explaining why pneumonia cases are more common than diarrhoea, Dr. Furtado said: “During the neonatal period the lungs are immature and more prone to infection.”

Simple measures like exclusive breastfeeding for six months can further cut the number of diarrhoeal episodes and deaths in children. However, only about 46 per cent of children in India were exclusively breastfed for six months during 2005-2006.

It is to be noted that reduction in pneumonia, diarrhoea and measles during the period 2000-2013 has led to nearly 50 per cent decrease in deaths in children under five years.

Preterm births

India is one of the 10 countries with an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 preterm births in 2010. Preterm births cause about 50 per cent of neonatal mortality. “The causes of preterm births are not known. Conditions like high blood pressure in pregnant mothers and infections during pregnancy are some of the reasons. In a majority of cases no cause can be attributed. It’s hard to prevent preterm births,” said Prof. Black.

“Preterm birth complications will probably remain the leading cause of neonatal and under five deaths,” the paper notes.

But measures like supported infections control, kangaroo care (skin to skin contact of the baby with the mother to keep the baby warm) and use of incubators will go a long way in preventing deaths even when the baby is preterm. “We can’t prevent preterm births but can treat them and prevent most of the deaths,” Prof. Black said.

“In this analysis we didn’t include small for [gestational] age as a risk factor,” he said. Most small-for-gestational-age infants are born in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh.

A July 2013 Comment piece in The Lancet notes: “In 2010, an estimated 32·4 million infants were born [at term but] small for gestational age in low- and middle-income countries (27 per cent of live births)

MOU Signed for First Ever Offshore Wind Power Project in India

100 MW Project to Come up in Gujrat Coast National Offshore Wind Energy Policy in the Anvil

An MOU for setting up a Joint Venture Company ( JVC) towards undertaking the First Demonstration Offshore Wind Power Project in the country along the Gujarat coast has been signed here today in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal , Union Minister of State (I/C), Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy . The MoU was signed by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), and Consortium of partners consisting of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Power Trading Corporation (PTC), and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL). Speaking on the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal described it as a great opportunity in the development of renewable energy resources in the country. He pointed out that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s message in the US was loud and clear that renewable energy is the way to go, it dovetails world’s concerns about climate change and it clearly enhances India’s energy security. Considering the country’s 7600 km long coastal line , Shri Goyal stated that opportunities for scaling up are humongous. The Minister also suggested for building partnership with Defence , Coast guard and Shipping to ensure seamless and time bound approval process. The Joint Venture Company will undertake detailed feasibility study based on the inputs received from pre-feasibility studies and necessary steps for implementation of the first offshore demonstration wind power project. The first planned demonstration offshore wind power project along the Gujarat coast will be of about 100 MW capacity. It has been proposed to provide subsidy for setting up of evacuation and transmission infrastructure of the offshore wind power to the main land including financial support for carrying out studies such as wind resource assessment, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), oceanographic survey and Bathymetric studies. Ministry would also assist in obtaining clearances involved during the implementation of the project. This being a first demonstration offshore wind project in the country, will certainly provide enough learning to move into this sector by taking up similar viable projects in future, enabling India to enter in the club of countries who are in the business of offshore wind power generation. Wind power development onshore has reached to commercial stage in India and is fastest growing renewable energy option today. India also has around 7600 KM of coastline which offers great potential for Off-shore wind power development. Having more than 22 GW installed onshore wind power capacity in the country, Ministry has taken initiative towards offshore wind power development which includes announcement of Draft National Offshore Wind Energy Policy and preparation of Draft Cabinet note on National Offshore Wind Energy Policy which has been circulated for inter-ministerial comments. Finalization of the proposed National Offshore Wind Energy Policy will provide a conducive environment for harnessing offshore wind energy including setting up of a demonstration offshore wind power project to show case technology and build investors’ confidence. In early 90s, Ministry had taken up onshore demonstration projects in various states. A total of 71 MW of demonstration projects in 7 states have leveraged a wind power capacity of around 22,000 MW with private sector investment. Therefore, Ministry decided to go for a demonstration off-shore wind power project to show-case the possibility and viability of off-shore wind power in the country. Some sites were identified along the Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coast which have good wind power potential for development of offshore projects. Since, GPCL has shown interest, it was decided to plan the first offshore wind power project along the coast of Gujarat. However, world-wide offshore wind power projects aggregating to about 7.5 GW capacity have been installed (UK - 4.2 GW; Denmark - 1.2 GW; Belgium – 0.7 GW; Germany – 0.6 GW; China – 0.4 GW; the Netherlands – 0.2 GW and Sweden – 0.2 GW)