Selection of smart cities to be competition based

Minister calls for rating of cities based on sanitation and credit worthiness; suggests a 10-point charter

Minister of Urban Development and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu today revealed that ‘It will not be business as usual in the matter of financing of cities and towns under new urban initiatives and instead, it will be based on the ability of urban local bodies to reform urban governance and rise to the new challenges’. He was addressing a ‘Consultative Workshop on Urban Governance’ organized here today for Municipal Commissioners of 130 cities and towns from nine northern states of Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Workshop has been organized to sensitize municipal commissioners about the demands of new urban initiatives and the implementation issues in the light of the experience of implementation of JNNURM. The Minister did some plain speaking about serious shortcomings in urban planning, execution and management of rapid urbanization and stated that things are in a bad shape on several counts.             Shri Venkaiah Naidu informed that his Ministry is currently working on a ‘City Challenge’ framework with the objective of selecting right city candidates for participation in schemes like building 100 smart cities and development of 500 cities and towns. Elaborating on the new initiative, he said that all cities and towns seeking to participate in these schemes will be profiled based on specific parameters that have a bearing on their ability to address issues of governance reforms, resource mobilization, execution etc. the Minister further said ‘While addressing the issue of geographical spread, only the deserving will be assisted’. The Minister referred to sub-optimal performance in respect of promoting reforms,  physical targets and resource mobilization under JNNURM. Shri Naidu stressed that ‘ a radical reorientation of mindsets and methodologies is the need of the hour to convert rapid urbanization into an economic opportunity’.             Shri Venkaiah Naidu referred to the present appalling state of affairs in urban areas which is marked by : weak urban governance structures, uninspiring leadership at the level of both selected and elected urban managers, poor inventory management and resource base, weak urban planning and execution, urban mobility being a nightmarish experience, housing shortage, inadequate water and power supply and despicable management of solid waste and treatment of sewerage etc.             In terms of service parameters, Shri Naidu noted that only 73 litres of water per capita per day is being supplied as against the norm of 135 litres, only 50% of households having water connection, 40% households with toilet facilities, treatment of only 16% of sewerage, collection and disposal of only 23% of solid waste and recycling only 10% of city waste.             Referring to the investment needs for urban initiatives, Shri Naidu said that about Rs.40 lakh crore is required for provision of basic infrastructure besides another Rs.20 lakh crore for Operation & Maintenance of urban utilities over the next 20 years, another Rs.15 lakh crore for meeting housing shortage besides Rs.60,009 cr for sanitation. The total investment needs comes to about US $ 1200 billion, most of which has to come from private sources, said the Minister.             Stating that private investment flows would be dependent on the confidence of investors in urban local bodies including their governance capacities, credit worthiness and city management, Shri Naidu urged the municipal commissioners to rise to the occasion so as to leave a mark of their own on respective cities ‘as was done by Shri S.R.Rao as Municipal Commissioner of Surat’.             Shri Venkaiah Naidu suggested, to begin with, the following 10-point charter to be ensured  for each city: 1.City Master Plans wherever due and City Sanitation Plans; 2. Long Term Urban Development Plans for district headquarters focusing on an area of 25 km radius; 3. Long Term City Mobility Plans; 4. City specific strategies for promotion of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, waste to energy etc.; 5.Regulatory bodies for pricing of utilities like water and power and assessment and revision of taxes from time to time to enhance resource base; 6. Taking necessary initiatives for assessing credit worthiness of each city to mobilise resources from appropriate sources; 7.Promotion of water harvesting and water recycling on a large scale through necessary provisions by revising Building Bye-laws in line with emerging needs of cities and aspirations of people; 8.Promoting citizens in urban planning , decision making and management; 9. Capacity building in key disciplines; and 10.Improving urban governance through adoption of ICT platforms to ensure accountability and transparency besides online delivery of various services.             Shri Venkaiah Naidu also expressed concern over inadequate efforts for enhancing skills of urban poor and evolving schemes under the Street Vendors (Regulation of Livelihoods and Street Vending) Act, 2014.             The Minister made it clear that the country can not afford to miss another opportunity to build a new urban India and municipal commissioners have a key role to play and they have come to be as important as District Collectors.

Tribal Food Festival-2015 Begins

The first of its kind grand “Tribal Food Festival-2015” got a kick start by Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram here in New Delhi today. He was accompanied by Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Shri Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, IAS, Managing Director, TRIFED, New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that the main objective of organizing this unique event is to introduce and create awareness on the varieties of ethnic Tribal Foods to the food lovers of Delhi with a view to providing additional source of income to the tribals. The Minister also interacted with the Tribal Master Cooks who are participating in the food festival with their ethnic traditional delectable cuisines from all over the country.

Venture Capital Funds for Scheduled Caste launched

Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, launched the schemes of ‘Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes’ and ‘Green Business scheme’ here today. The Government of India has launched this ‘Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes’ with initial capital of Rs. 200 crore. IFCI Ltd. will act as Sponsor, Settler and Asset Management Company (AMC) / Nodal Agency to operate the scheme. The IFCI Ltd. would contribute Rs.50 crore which would comprise Rs.5.00 crore as sponsor and Rs. 45 crore as investor. The objectives of the Venture Fund are as follows: • It is a Social Sector Initiative to be implemented nationally in order to promote entrepreneurship amongst the SCs who are oriented towards innovation and growth technologies. • To provide concessional finance to the SC entrepreneurs, who will create wealth and value for society and at the same time will promote profitable businesses. The assets so created will also create forward/ backward linkage. It will further create chain effect in the locality. • To increase financial inclusion for SC entrepreneurs and to motivate them for further growth of SC communities. • To develop SC entrepreneurs economically. • To enhance direct and indirect employment generation for SC population in India NSFDC’s ‘Green Business Scheme’ for providing financial assistance has been launched keeping into the concern for the climate change. Under this Scheme, loan for unit cost upto Rs.1 lakh at concessional rate of interest will be provided to Scheduled Castes for activities such as e-rickshaw, Solar Pump and Solar energy powered implements, poly house etc. Cabinet Minister Shri Gehlot informed that the aim of ‘Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Caste’ is to provide support and concessional finance. Under the scheme, financial assistance upto Rs.15.00 Crore for a period upto 6 years would be provided to the SC entrepreneurs. He expressed that this scheme would motivate SC Entrepreneurs for contributing in national growth as well as to enhance direct and indirect employment generation. Minister of State Shri Krishan Pal hoped that these schemes would be helpful in achieving social equality & harmony and Prime Minister’s resolution of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” . Minister of State Shri Vijay Sampla expressed that these schemes would be helpful in fastening the speed of development of Scheduled Castes. Secretary, Shri Sudhir Bhargava speaking on this occasion informed that this fund would be able to promote entrepreneurship amongst those SCs who are oriented towards innovation and technologies. SC entrepreneurs will create wealth and value for society which will create multiplier-effect in the SC Community.

JBIC Survey Ranks India as No. 1 Destination for Future Investments

JBIC Survey Ranks India as No. 1 Destination for Future Investments

In July 2014, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) conducted a survey of 1000 companies for Japanese manufacturing sector. Based on this research, India has been ranked as the No.1 destination for future investments followed by Indonesia (ranked No.2) and China (ranked No.3). In October 2014, the number of Japanese companies in India had reached 1209, which is 13% higher over the same period last year with a CAGR of 13.67% (for the last five years (2010 to 2014)). Some Japanese companies are seriously contemplating their future investment plans in India amounting to about Rs 75,000 crores (approx. US$12 billion) in next 2-3 years. During the period June 2014 to September 2014, FDI inflow from Japan amounted to US$ 618 million against US$ 273 million for the corresponding period in 2013. FDI inflow of US$103.14 million took place in October 2014. The Government has set up Japan Plus, a special management team, to facilitate Japanese investors. The team is actively interacting with Japanese companies and handholding them through various approval processes, as and when required. Also, the issues related to the State Government of Rajasthan concerning Sojitz, working for Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), has been resolved. One of the mandates of Japan Plus is to help develop Japanese Integrated Industrial Parks. For this, discussions are going on with Japanese companies and the State Governments concerned.

WTO should be more responsive to needs of developing and least-developed countries

WTO should be more responsive to needs of developing and least-developed countries: Nirmala Sitharaman WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to boost South-South trade by reducing trade costs by 15 per cent: WTO Director General The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has appreciated the good work of World Trade Organization (WTO) in stemming protectionism and urged it to be more responsive to the needs of developing and least-developed countries. Speaking at The Partnership Summit 2015 in Jaipur today, Smt. Sitharaman expressed concern that some countries have started to equate only free trade with development. The Minister highlighted that few developing countries have improved their share of global trade. Least Developed Countries (LDCs), according to her only accounted for 1% of global trade. She felt that in order to sustain growth, job creation and inclusive development must be emphasised. Development encompasses other things besides trade including the burden to feed over 32 per cent of India’s poor who live under abject poverty - a concern that the WTO recognised. The Minister urged the members of the WTO to show the same urgency on food stockholding as the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) under the Bali Package. Development is at the centre of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), and many issues of importance for developing countries such as subsidies and non-tariff barriers that are not part of free trade agreements can be addressed through the WTO. “Trade negotiations need to refocus on multilateral agreements which recognise the legitimate concerns of the developing countries”, said Smt. Sitharaman. Mr. Roberto Azevedo, Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO) said that the Bali Package will deliver on the development front by enhancing developing countries’ ability to integrate into the world economy. Mr. Azevedo also highlighted India’s contribution to the multilateral trading system. Mr. Azevedo noted that the benefits of TFA will be visible to Indian industry as competitiveness and exports will receive a boost once members ratify the agreement. The TFA will bring down trade costs by 15 per cent and bolster south-south trade. He added that the remaining issues under the DDA will need to be refocused before the Ministerial Conference in Nigeria at the end of the year. Mr. Azevedo also added that development has been made a priority as the development dimension is crucial in balancing the global trading system. He stated that WTO provides developing and least-developed countries a seat in the rule-making table as they are not included in the current regional and mega-regional trade agreements. Earlier welcoming the participants to the session, Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) stated that the expectations from the WTO in delivering on the development front were high. He noted that twelve years of negotiations have resulted in the Bali Package, an important albeit small part of the Doha Development Round’s initial ambition to rebalance the global trading system. Much more needs to be done very quickly.

Nationwide launch of Electronic Roll Management System on 25th january,Shri Harishankar Bramha takes over as new CEC

Shri Harishankar Bramha takes over as new CEC Nationwide launch of Electronic Roll Management System on 25th january : Sh Bramha

Shri Harishankar Bramha has assumed charge as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) succeeding Shri V.S. Sampath here today. Shri V.S. Sampath laid off his office yesterday after completing his tenure. Prior to this, Shri Bramha has served as Election Commissioner since 25th August, 2010. Belonging to the 1975 batch (AP Cadre) of Indian Administrative Service, Shri Bramha served as Secretary in Ministry of Power before joining the Election Commission. Born on 19th April, 1950, he completed his Post Graduation in Political Science from Guwahati University (Assam) and graduated from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong. He did his schooling from Don Bosco School, Guwahati. He has held various senior level posts in the Government of India and State Government prior to the present posting. Elucidating his priorities after taking over as new CEC, Shri Bramha said that it will be his personal endeavor to use the latest technologies to improve the quality of election management, wherein he announced that on 25th January, which is celebrated as National Voters’ Day, the ECI will launch nationwide Electronic Roll Management System (ERMS),which will provide country wide voters list and enable voters to see their details. Shri Bramha also stated that the Commission will prepare the ground work for extending the voting rights to the NRI voters following the directions of the Supreme Court. The full text of Sh. Bramha Statement on assumption of charge is as follows:  “Friends, indeed I am humbled and honored with the great opportunity and responsibility entrusted to me by our Government and my country. It will be my endeavor to ensure that we maintain the dignity and image of this organization. I am very proud to say that Election Commission of India has established the gold standards in election management of our great country. It will be our endeavor to ensure that we improve upon it everyday and every year. My first priority and mission objective is to ensure that we conduct the election to the Delhi Legislative Assembly in absolutely free and fair manner. Our long term goal at the Election Commission of India, which I visualize, is to “deliver excellence”. In other words, every aspects of our activity, we shall try to exhibit excellence in our work in every field. Secondly, to improve quality, transparency and speed, it will be my personal endeavor to use the latest technology both internet and digital technology to improve the quality of our election management, especially in voting.”

Revision of buffer norms of foodgrains in the Central Pool

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to revise the buffer norms of foodgrains in the Central Pool as follows: (in million tonnes) As on Existing since April, 2005 Revised 1st April 21.2 21.04 1st July 31.9 41.12 1st Oct 21.2 30.77 1st Jan 25.0 21.41 The CCEA has also approved that in case the stock of foodgrains in the Central Pool is more than the revised buffer norms, the Department of Food and Public Distribution will offload excess stock in the domestic market through open sale or through exports.  For this purpose an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) consisting of Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Secretary, Expenditure and Secretary, Consumer Affairs has been constituted. This will ensure better management of food stocks in the country.   Background: The present buffer norms for foodgrains in the Central Pool are in existence since April, 2005.  The offtake of foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) has increased significantly in the last few years.   Further, the National Food Security Act has also come into force w.e.f. 5.7.2013.