Deepen private sector involvement in education

Deepen private sector involvement in education, says President

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the 11th Convocation of Symbiosis International University today (November 26, 2014) at Pune. Speaking on the occasion, the President said a sweeping up-gradation of India’s higher education sector calls for deepening of private sector involvement. Leading global universities like Harvard, Yale and Stanford have evolved out of private sector initiative. India’s private sector is engaged in several key areas like health, transport and financial services. In education too, private institutions play an important role as they account for nearly sixty per cent of total enrolment at the tertiary level. Yet at the same time, a disparity exists in the educational standards of the private system. Measures are therefore necessary to ensure better service delivery, benchmarks and excellence. The President said in the past, our seats of higher learning like Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri were global leaders. These universities attracted scholars from round the world. Today, instead, bright Indian students – around two lakh every year – go abroad seeking higher education. It is a matter of introspection as to how we can bring our centres of higher learning back into the fold of leading institutions in the world. The President said high economic growth is central to a developing country like ours as it is a panacea for ills like poverty, deprivation and backwardness. Creation of growth is increasingly happening through knowledge-based sectors. Given that knowledge will spur greater progress in the future, it is critical for us to prepare a pool of skilled and capable manpower by focusing on education. The President said that higher level institutions have a larger role to play in the society. Their engagement with social issues has to be at a much deeper level. Some major initiatives aimed at inclusive development have been launched recently. The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana envisages the adoption of villages for holistic development and their transformation into model villages for wider replication. He called upon Symbiosis University to take active part in this programme.

Swachhta Udyami Yojana

Swachhta Udyami Yojana

National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), an Apex Corporation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has launched “Swachhta Udyami Yojana” on 2.10.2014. The objective of the Scheme is to provide concessional loan for viable community toilet projects and sanitation related vehicles to collect the garbage, to consolidate the ongoing efforts for realising the objectives of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by Prime Minister on 2nd October, 2014. Under the Scheme, entrepreneurs among safai karmacharis and identified manual scavengers can avail loan upto defined ceiling at concessional rate of interest @ 4% per annum. In case of women beneficiaries, there is a rebate of 1% in the rate of interest charged. No State/ Union Territory wise budget allocations are made under the Scheme as funds are to be provide to the channelizing agencies on the basis of the proposals received from them. National Overseas Scholarship Scheme The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to the selected Scheduled Castes, Denotified, Nomadic, Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans’ students for pursuing higher studies for Master level courses and Ph. D abroad in the specified fields of study. The scheme provides for fees charged by Institutions as per actual, monthly maintenance allowances, visa fees, insurance premium, annual contingency allowance, incidental journey allowance etc. The prospective awardees should not be more than 35 years of age. The total number of awards to be given each year is 60 and 30% of awards are earmarked for women candidates. Financial assistance under the scheme is provided for maximum period for 4 years for Ph.D. and 3 years for Master programme. As per the revised scheme which came into effect from the selection year 2013-14: (i) The annual income ceiling for eligibility has been enhanced from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh. (ii) The number of fresh slots each year has been increased from 30 to 60 (iii) The selection process has been rationalized

Initiatives taken by Ministry of HRD to Enhance Quality of Education in the Country

The Ministry of HRD has taken a number of initiatives including various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) to enhance quality of education. The details are as under: - The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) conducts detailed periodic national surveys on learning achievement levels of children in classes – III, V and VIII. Three rounds of these National Learners’ Achievement Surveys have been completed by the NCERT over the period from 2002-03 to 2012-2013, which have revealed improvements in the overall learning levels of students. Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the State Governments and UT Administrations are supported on interventions to improve the quality of elementary education, including interalia, programmes to improve foundational learning levels in language and mathematics in early primary grades, strengthening science and mathematics teaching-learning at upper primary level and implementation of a system of continuous and comprehensive evaluation system with regular state level learning assessment studies, as well. With regard to Secondary Schools (IX-X) under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) scheme, one of the objectives is to improve quality while providing access to secondary schools at the same time. Financial support is given to states under RMSA for additional class rooms, science, maths & computer laboratories, libraries, art and crafts room, toilet blocks, drinking water provisions and residential hostels for teachers in remote areas. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken various measures for educational reforms, such as the introduction of a semester system, the regular updating of Curricula and Choice Based Credit Systems (CBSC), etc. The UGC has also issued Regulations on “Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2010” for improving the standard of teaching in Indian Universities. The UGC has also issued the Mandatory Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2012 whereby all eligible higher Educational institutions are required to get themselves accredited. The UGC also implements various schemes aimed at improving the quality of higher education, such as Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE), Colleges with Potential for Excellence (CPE), Special Assistance Programme (SAP), Assistance for Strengthening of Infrastructure for Science and Technology (ASIST), “Assistance for Strengthening of Infrastructure for Humanities and Social Sciences” (ASIHSS), Basic Scientific Research (BSR) etc. Apart from strengthening the on-going schemes of the Ministry, the following new initiatives have been included in the Budget 2014-15; - i. Setting up of 5 IITs and 5 IIMs ii. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers’ and Teaching. iii. Setting up of Virtual Classrooms and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) iv. Creation of National e-library. v. Establishing Lok Nayak Jayaprakash National Centre for excellence in humanities in Madhya Pradesh. vi. Provision for toilets and drinking water in all the girls’ schools. vii. Schools Assessment Program. viii. Simplification of norms for education. Educational Infrastructure in the Country During the XII Plan, an outlay of Rs.110700.00 crore has been provided to Department of Higher Education. The XII Plan will build on the momentum generated during the XI Plan and continue the focus on the Three Es’ (Expansion, Equity and Excellence). All three segments have to be expanded to achieve enrolment capacity of 10 million students including One million in open and distance learning by the end of the XII Plan. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education (calculated for the age group of 18-23 years) is 20.4 during 2011-12 (Provisional). The XII Five Year Plan aims to raise the country’s GER to 25.2 by 2017-18 and to reach the target of 30 by 2020-21. As per AISHE [(All India Survey on Higher Education 2012-13 (Provisional)], there were 665 Universities and 35829 colleges having enrolment of 29629022 students.

National Council for Senior Citizens

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has constituted the “National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC)” by renaming of the “National Council for Older Persons (NPOP)”.

Mandate: to advise the Central and State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to the welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life, with special reference to the following:-

• Policies, programmes and legislative measures;
• Promotion of physical and financial security, health and independent and productive living; and
• Awareness generation and community mobilization.

The Council is mandated to meet atleast twice a year.

Steps Taken by Govt. to Accelerate Pace of Reduction for MMR to Achieve MDG Goals

Under the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, the target is to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by three quarters between 1990 & 2015. Based on the UN Inter–Agency Expert Group’s MMR estimates in the publication “Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2013", the target for MMR is estimated to be 140 per 1,00,000 live births by the year 2015  taking a baseline of 560 per 100,000 live births in 1990. As per the latest report of the Registrar General of India, Sample Registration System (RGI-SRS), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has shown a decline from 212 per 100,000 live births in the period 2007-09 to 178 per 100,000 live births in the period 2010-12. If the MMR declines at the same pace, India will achieve an MMR of 141 per 100,000 live births which is almost equal to the estimated target of 140 per 100,000 live births under MDG -5 for the MDG. The key steps taken to accelerate the pace of reduction for Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) under the National Health Mission (NHM) for achieving MDG goals are: v  Promotion of institutional deliveries through Janani Suraksha Yojana. v  Capacity building of health care providers in basic and comprehensive obstetric care. v  Operationalization of sub-centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals for providing 24x7 basic and comprehensive obstetric care services. v  Name Based Web enabled Tracking of Pregnant Women to ensure antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care. v  Mother and Child Protection Card in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to monitor service delivery for mothers and children. v  Antenatal, Intranatal and Postnatal care including Iron and Folic Acid supplementation to pregnant & lactating women for prevention and treatment of anemia. v  Engagement of more than 8.9 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitate accessing of health care services by the community. v  Village Health and Nutrition Days in rural areas as an outreach activity, for provision of maternal and child health services. v  Health and nutrition education to promote dietary diversification, inclusion of iron and folate rich food as well as food items that promote iron absorption.  v  Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) has been launched on 1st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section.  The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home.  Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment. v  To sharpen the focus on the low performing districts, 184 High Priority Districts (HPDs) have been prioritized for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Health+ Adolescent (RMNCH+A) interventions for achieving improved maternal and child health outcomes.   The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world’s time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions-income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability. They are also basic human rights-the rights of each person on the planet to health, education, shelter, and security. It is a global partnership, adopted at the millennium summit in 2000 by the UN members, to reduce poverty and achieve other time bound targets, with a deadline of 2015.

Development of Agro-Food Market ,Research in Food Technology ,Radiation Processing Technology

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and is responsible for implementing the Rules & Regulations made thereunder. The quality standards of various agro-food products are prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. The vertical standards for food products are prescribed in Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 & horizontal standards in Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011. FSSAI is in the process of harmonizing the existing Indian standards with Codex and other international best practices. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides financial assistance for promoting Research & Development in the food processing sector under the plan scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards and Research & Development and Other Promotional Activities. All Universities, IITs, Central/State Government Institutions, Public Funded organisations, R&D laboratories and CSIR recognised R&D units in private sector are eligible for assistance as per the guidelines of the scheme. Ministry also has two academic –cum- research institutions viz. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli, Sonepat, Haryana and Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT), Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. Both these institutions are mandated to undertake research in various aspects of food processing. Research in food processing is also being undertaken by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and institutions like Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Science and Technology, Defence Food Research Laboratory under Ministry of Defence and various State Universities Research in Food Technology Ministry of Food Processing Industries has two Institutes engaged in research and development activities in the food processing sector: i) National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), at Kundli, Sonepat, Haryana. NIFTEM has been recognized as a Deemed to be University under De Novo Category by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. NIFTEM has modern teaching and research laboratories. The Institute has commenced its academic program in 2012-13. ii) Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. This is also an academic-cum-research Institute under the Ministry. The Institute formerly known as Paddy Processing Research Centre (PPRC) has been upgraded into a national- level institute in 2008. The Institute has modern teaching laboratories and a food processing incubation and training centre. Both the Institutes are mandated to undertake research in various aspects of food processing. In addition, various Institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture are undertaking research in food technology. Institutions like Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, Karnataka under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under Ministry of Science & Technology; Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, Karnataka under Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, and various State Universities and their affiliated colleges are also carrying out research in different sectors of food processing/ technology. Radiation Processing Technology The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure with the objective of preventing post-harvest losses of horticultural & non-horticultural produce. One of the components of the Cold Chain scheme is the setting up of Irradiation facilities for preservation of the food products like onion, potato etc. Irradiated food is regulated in the country in accordance with the Atomic Energy (Control of Irradiation of Food) Rules, 1996. Food can be irradiated only in a food irradiation plant, which is authorized by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and licensed by the competent Government Authority. The license to carry out food irradiation operation is given only after ascertaining the safety of the installation, its suitability to ensure proper process control, and availability of licensed operators and qualified staff. Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) is providing consultancy services for establishment of food irradiation plant. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is also regulating the food safety aspects of irradiated food products. Under the scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, the Ministry provides financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid @ 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 for setting up integrated cold chain projects including irradiation facility. The entrepreneurs/ promoters are free to set up Irradiation facility as per their business model and financial capability throughout the country including Maharashtra. The Ministry has approved 04 irradiation projects under the Scheme. A total grant of Rs. 24.04 crore has been approved for these four projects. The Ministry is also assisting setting up of Irradiation facility as one of the components under scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for non-horticultural products under National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) through State/UT Governments. The financial assistance is provided as 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. 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 years 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. The scheme guidelines for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure prescribe implementation schedule for setting up the cold chain projects including Irradiation projects as 24 months in general areas and 30 months in difficult areas from the date of issue of the sanction to the project. Processing of Agricultural Produces The Ministry has assigned a repeat study to CIPHET, Ludhiana for assessing the present position of post-harvest losses, which is expected to be completed in January, 2015.             In order to enhance the existing/installed capacities of food processing industries (FPIs) in the country, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) had launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme - National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) implemented through State/UT Governments during 12thFive Year Plan. Under the following Schemes of Mission, financial assistance is provided to the entrepreneurs in the form of grants-in-aid for overall development of food processing sector including capacity enhancement: (i)           Technology Up-gradation/Establishment/Modernisation of Food Processing Industries, (ii)          Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for Non- Horticultural Products, (iii)         Setting up of Primary Processing Centres / Collection Centres in Rural Areas, (vi)         Modernisation of Meat Shops, (vii)        Reefer Vehicles, (ix)         Setting up / modernization of abattoirs (w.e.f. 2014-15).   To introduce state of art technology of international standards in the food processing industries and also to minimise the wastage of perishable agricultural produces in the country, the Government has announced following incentives for food processing sector:- (i)           A special fund of Rs. 2000 crore has been created in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for providing affordable credit to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing units in designated Food Parks.  New units as well as modernization of existing units are eligible for loan from the Special Fund, to the extent of 75% of the project cost.  The rate of interest will be linked to Prime Lending rate of NABARD and the risk rating of the borrowing entity.  The loan shall be repayable within a maximum period of 7 years, including the initial gestation of a maximum of 2 years.  (ii)          All Refrigeration Machineries and parts used for installation of Cold storage, Cold room or Refrigerated Vehicle for preservation, storage, transport or processing of agricultural, apiary, horticultural, dairy, poultry, aquatic and marine produce and meat are exempted from Excise Duty.  (iii)         Pasteurizing, drying, evaporating, etc. machinery used in Dairy Sector is exempted from Excise Duty. (iv)         Excise duty on food processing and packaging machinery reduced from 10% to 6%.  In addition, the Ministry is implementing various other Central Sector schemes namely – (i) Mega Food Park Scheme for creation of modern infrastructure to food processing industries; (ii)  Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for creation of preservation infrastructure including pre-cooling facilities at production sites, reefer vans and mobile cooling units for the purpose of linking groups of producers to processors and market through well-equipped supply chain; and (iii) Setting up/Modernization of Abattoirs  for promoting scientific and hygienic slaughtering of animals, use of modern technology for slaughter waste management.  These initiatives are aimed at filling the gaps in the supply chain and expanding the processing capacities by introducing latest technology to minimize wastages of agricultural produces in the country.  Other agencies of the Government like National Horticulture Board (NHB), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and State Government are also providing financial assistance for cold storages under their respective schemes to reduce the wastage of agricultural produce.

Indo-Russia Bilateral Air Force Exercise Avia-Indra I ,Joint Military Exercise Hand-In-Hand 2014 Culminates

An eighteen member Russian Air Force team at Air Force Station Halwara in Punjab is participating in Phase II of the Indo-Russian bilateral exercise‘AVIA – INDRA I’. The Russian delegation headed by Major General Lyapkin Alexander N consists of Fighter and Helicopter aircrew among other members. Russian aircrew have flown IAF Su-30 MKI, Mi-35 & Mi-17 along with our aircrew. Earlier, members of the Russian delegation visited Bengaluru, where they were exposed to indigenous projects such as Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), Light Combat Helicopter and Advance Light Helicopter (Dhruv). Today, the media witnessed ‘air to ground’ firing by aircraft and helicopters jointly flown by pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) at Sidhwan Khas range near Halwara. The joint exercise will further strengthen the relations between the two Air Forces taking forward the India – Russia strategic partnership. The Russian team will be in India till 28 November 14. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma has expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of Kathak legend Sitara Devi who passed away in Mumbai today. In his condolence message, the Minister has said that passing away of Sitara Devi is a great loss to the Indian classical dance. She was a cultural icon of the country who devoted her entire life to Kathak and was instrumental in popularising the dance world over. She made a significant contribution towards reviving Kathak and ensuring its elevation to a dignified status. In her departure, we have lost a distinguished cultural figure whose absence will be felt by one and all, the Minister added. Joint Military Exercise Hand-In-Hand 2014 Culminates                                                                                                 The fourth India China Joint Training Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2014 culminated on   25 November 2014 after a Joint Tactical Exercise and a closing ceremony held at Aundh Military Camp, Pune. Twelve days of joint training included understanding of transnational terrorism, developing interoperability and conduct of a joint tactical operation controlled by a Joint Command Post.             Lt General Ashok Singh, Army Commander, Southern Command of the Indian Army and Lt General Zhou Xiaozhou, Chief of Staff, Chengdu Military Command, People’s Liberation Army of China witnessed a Joint Tactical Exercise conducted at College of Military Engineering, Pune, on 25 Nov. The exercise involved insertion of troops by slithering from helicopters and destroying a terrorist hide out. It demonstrated the commitment of both Armies in working closely with each other to eradicate the menace of terrorism in all its forms.             Later, Lt General K Surendranath, Chief of Staff of Southern Command of Indian Army & Lt General Zhou Xiaozhou, Chief of Staff, Chengdu Military Command, People’s Liberation Army of China jointly reviewed the parade commanded by Colonel MS Khan,  Commanding Officer of the 9 Rajputana Rifles.  Fly past by Sukhoi-30 aircrafts added colour to the impressive parade displayed by the joint contingent. Co-Opting Private Sector in Production of Defence Equipment The Defence Production Policy, 2011 aims at achieving substantive self-reliance in the design, development and production of equipment/weapon systems/platforms required for defence in as early a time frame as possible; creating conditions conducive for the private industry to take an active role in this endeavour; enhancing potential of SMEs in indigenisation and broadening the defence R&D base of the country. In pursuance of the Defence Production Policy 2011, the Government has taken the following major steps to promote the participation of private sector in the indigenous production of Defence equipment; • Technology perspective and Capability Roadmap, which gives out the details of the equipment and technologies required by our Armed Forces, has been put in public domain to provide the industry an overview of the direction in which the Armed Forces intend to head in terms of capability in future. • Preference to ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ ‘Make’ categories of acquisition over ‘Buy (Global)’ category, thereby giving preference to Indian industry in procurement. • The procedure for ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category has been further simplified in order to make the category more attractive for Indian Defence Industry. • A clear definition of indigenous content has been provided which would not only bring more clarity on the indigenous content required for difference categorization but also enhance the indigenisation in defence products in India. • Indian private sector industry has also been allowed to receive Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MToT) in ‘Buy (Global)’ cases. • FDI policy in Defence sector has been reviewed and as per the new policy, composite foreign investment up to 49% has been allowed through FIPB route and beyond 49% with the approval of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). • Defence Products Lists for the purpose of industrial licensing has been revised and in the revised list most of the components /parts / raw materials have been taken out of the purview of industrial licensing. • Defence Export Strategy has been formulated and put in public domain. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing NOC for export of military stores has been simplified and made online.