Supreme Court for special courts to deal with criminal cases against politicians

Supreme Court for special courts to deal with criminal cases against politicians
Supreme Court seeks details of 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs as declared by the politicians at the time of filing their nominations for the 2014 elections
Taking a step towards electoral reforms, the Supreme Court on Wednesday favoured setting up special courts to deal with criminal cases against politicians. The court also asked the Union government about the 1,581 cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) as declared by the politicians at the time of filing their nominations for the 2014 elections.

The Supreme Court asked the government to give details of how many cases have been disposed of within one year as per its directions in 2014. Describing the move as being in the interest of the nation, the apex court also asked the government about details of how many of these 1,581 cases have ended in conviction or acquittal of the accused.

The court further asked the government about the criminal cases filed against politicians and legislators from 2014 till date as well as the data on disposal of these matters.

A bench comprising justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha made the remarks after the centre said decriminalisation of politics has to be done and it was not averse to setting up of special courts to deal with cases involving politicians and expeditious disposal of these matters.

According to a PTI report, additional solicitor general (ASG) Atmaram Nadkarni, representing the centre, told the bench that the government was “not averse to setting up of special courts and quick and early disposal of criminal cases involving politicians”. He said that recommendations of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Law Commission favouring life-time disqualification of politicians convicted in criminal cases was under “active consideration” of the Centre.

The SC also observed that the average number of cases each court in the country was dealing with currently was over 4,000 in subordinate judiciary, adding that unless a judicial official deals exclusively with cases involving politicians, it would be difficult to complete these trials within a year.

“We direct the competent authority of the Union of India to place before the court the following information: how many of 1581 cases involving MLAs and MPs (as declared at the time of filing of the nomination papers to the 2014 elections) have been disposed of within the time frame of one year as envisaged by this Court by order dated 10th March, 2014.... How many of these cases which have been finally decided have ended in acquittal/conviction of MPs and MLAs...,” the bench said,

Carbon dioxide levels hit record high in 2016: WMO report

Carbon dioxide levels hit record high in 2016: WMO report
Concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere rose at a record-breaking speed in 2016 to reach the highest level in 800,000 years
Concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere rose at a record-breaking speed in 2016 to reach the highest level in 800,000 years, a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said. The development, it said, has the potential to initiate unprecedented changes in climate systems, causing severe ecological and economic disruptions.

The WMO’s ‘Greenhouse Gas Bulletin’, released on Monday, said the abrupt changes in the atmosphere witnessed in the past 70 years are without precedent.

As per the report, globally averaged concentrations of CO2 reached 403.3 parts per million (ppm) in 2016 up from 400.00 ppm in 2015 because of a combination of human activities and a strong El Niño event. Concentrations of CO2 are now 145% of pre-industrial (before 1750) levels.

The report emphasized that the last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of carbon dioxide was 3-5 million years ago when the temperature was 2-3°C warmer and sea level was 10-20 meters higher than now.

It warned that rapidly increasing atmospheric levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases have the potential to initiate unprecedented changes in climate systems, leading to severe ecological and economic disruptions.

It underlined factors like population growth, intensified agricultural practices, increases in land use and deforestation, industrialization and associated energy use from fossil fuel behind the unprecedented increases in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the industrial era, beginning in 1750.

According to the report, the rate of increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 70 years is nearly 100 times more than that at the end of the last ice age.

Methane, another major greenhouse gas, reached a new high of about 1853 parts per billion (ppb) in 2016 and is now 257% of the pre-industrial level.

The levels of nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas, too reached new highs. Its atmospheric concentration in 2016 was 328.9 parts per billion which is 122% of pre-industrial levels.

“Without rapid cuts in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, we will be heading for dangerous temperature increases by the end of this century, well above the target set by the Paris climate change agreement. Future generations will inherit a much more inhospitable planet,” said WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas in an official statement.

“CO2 remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years and in the oceans for even longer. The laws of physics mean that we face a much hotter, more extreme climate in the future. There is currently no magic wand to remove this CO2 from the atmosphere,” he added.

The report comes ahead of the UN climate change negotiations that are scheduled to be held from 7-17 November in Bonn, Germany.

The European project’s Catalonia challenge

The European project’s Catalonia challenge
The EU’s role as a peacemaker abroad hinges on stability at home, that reputation is at risk, thanks to the crisis in Spain
The European project rests on the idea that its member states enjoy sovereignty while eliminating trade barriers and erasing borders within the union. The Brussels bureaucracy and the Strasbourg parliament constantly work towards blending identities and integrating the continent, whose divisions had been so bloody and whose boundaries were once considered so sacrosanct that to defend them millions had died.

Weakening national identities have emboldened regional voices to look for greater space, and that drama is now most visible in Spain. The pain in Spain is mainly in its extremities—the Basque region had always seen itself as separate, and now prosperous Catalonia threatens to redraw the Spanish map. The disputed referendum, in which Catalonians voted for independence, has prompted Spain to dissolve the regional parliament and press sedition charges against the ousted Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont, who is in Brussels and has made his return conditional upon getting a fair trial.

This sounds like a situation where European Union (EU) diplomats would intervene, except that they have said they won’t, since Spain is part of the EU. Can the EU do at home what it advocates abroad?

Spain is a multilingual, and arguably multi-ethnic, country. To argue that all Spaniards speak Spanish is as arrogant and illiterate as saying that all Indians speak Hindi. What’s often described as “Spanish” is actually the version spoken over the widest territory—Castilian—and it is different from the Galician, Basque, or Catalonian languages. Describing those languages as dialects is also a political act; as the old joke goes, a dialect is a language without an army.

Catalonia has enjoyed substantial autonomy (it has its own flag and parliament), but it wants more powers, which Madrid is unwilling to grant. Turning back from brinkmanship is possible, but it would require deftness, adroitness and diplomacy, which seem difficult in the charged political atmosphere. Both sides have miscalculated. Catalonians demanding separation assume that the EU will let them become a full-fledged nation without many adverse consequences. But some investors have already moved headquarters to the Spanish capital Madrid. And European officials have told Catalonians that there is no automatic entry into the union for breakaway nations.

Perhaps Catalonians overplayed their hand when they held the referendum, in which 2.2 million voters, less than half the eligible 5.3 million, turned out. The low turnout took the shine off the 90% vote in favour of independence. Several opposition parties didn’t support the referendum. Did the low turnout mean that those who didn’t vote opposed the referendum? Or were they unable to vote and would have voted for independence? It is impossible to tell, except that many in Catalonia question the need for the referendum.

Spain’s over-the-top response to the referendum didn’t help matters. The enduring image of the referendum is of security forces dragging peaceful Catalonians wanting to vote, bringing back memories of divisions that date back to the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, in which tens of thousands of civilians died. Francisco Franco’s dictatorial rule ended only with his death in 1975, and Spain joined the EU only in 1986.

Since Puigdemont declared independence, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has dissolved the Catalonian parliament and called for fresh elections in Catalonia in December. If held in a free and fair manner, those elections offer hope for a peaceful conclusion. Two European countries will watch the elections with more than casual interest: The UK, where Scotland may opt for another referendum should the Brexit talks descend into chaos, and Belgium, where Wallonia and Flanders sit uncomfortably alongside as if in an unhappy marriage.

To be sure, national self-determination is an essential element of international law, but even governments that support nationalistic aspirations elsewhere crush dissent at home sternly. Think of Indonesian use of force in East Timor, China’s suppression of Tibet, and closer home, the insurgencies India has faced in the North-East and in Jammu and Kashmir. Regardless of the law or the specifics of each case, there are legitimate questions: To what extent do the separatists represent the people in whose name they seek freedom? If referendum is the answer, is a simple majority enough to win? How would minorities be protected in the new nation?

In 1970, East Pakistanis voted overwhelmingly for the Awami League. Instead of inviting the Awami leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to form the government recognizing his majority, Yahya Khan prolonged negotiations with the Awamis and sent troops, unleashing terror in which hundreds of thousands were killed, making Bangladesh’s independence inevitable.

The Catalonian situation is vastly different. But Rajoy has raised the stakes by pressing sedition charges. Walking back from such a precipice requires sagacity. In the period of prolonged uncertainty that lies ahead, avoiding and dealing with unpleasant surprises will require wisdom.

The EU was formed to prevent violence on a blood-soaked continent. On its periphery, it has failed twice: the Balkans in the 1990s, and Ukraine more recently. Its role as a peacemaker abroad hinges on stability at home. That reputation is at risk. The Spanish dilemma may prove to be far more complicated than Brexit, which now looks like a comedy in comparison.

PM’s address at the Ease of Doing Business event 4th November, 2017

Text of PM’s address at the Ease of Doing Business event 4th November, 2017

Miss Kristalina Georgieva, CEO, World Bank; My Colleagues in the Council of Ministers; Senior Officials, Business Leaders; Ladies and Gentlemen!

आज गुरु परब का पवित्र अवसर है | गुरु नानक देव जी का पुण्य स्मरण देश की एकता, सत्यनिष्ठता और सत्य से भरे जीवन के लिए प्रेरणा देता है| दो वर्ष के बाद गुरू नानक देव जी के 550वां प्रकाश पर्व मनाने का पूरी मानव जाति को अवसर मिलने वाला है| ऐसे जगद्गुरु को प्रणाम करते हुये मैं आप सब को भी शुभकामनाएं देता हूँ |

I am very happy to be here today. I sense a well-deserved mood of celebration here. The World Bank has recognized the stupendous work done by us towards improving Ease of Doing Business. We are now among the top hundred countries in the Doing Business rankings. In a short time of three years we have improved forty-two ranks.

I thank Ms. Kristalina Georgieva for being with us on this joyous occasion. It shows World Bank’s commitment to encourage nations to undertake reforms which benefit society and economy. Her presence today will motivate our team to do even better in the coming days and months.

Over the last three years, I have been constantly telling the domestic and foreign investor community that we in India are making sincere efforts to improve ‘ease of doing business’.

And Friends! India has Walked the Talk.

This year, India’s jump in ranking is the highest. India has been identified as one of the top reformers. Congratulations to all who have worked for this. You have done the nation proud.

This improvement is important:

• Because it is an indicator of Good Governance in the Country;

• Because it is a measure of the quality of our public policies;

• Because it is a benchmark of transparency of processes;

• Because, ease of doing business, also leads to ease of life;

• And, ultimately, it reflects the way people live, work and transact in a society.

Friends!

But all this is for the benefit of concerned stakeholders. For me, the World Bank report shows that quantum change is possible through commitment and hard work. Continued efforts can help us improve even further.

और वैसे भी आप जानते हैं मेरे पास तो और कोई काम है नहीं | इसलिए मुझे इसमें भी आगे काम ही दिखाई दे रहा है | मेरा देश , मेरे देश के सौ करोड़ लोग , उनके जीवन में कुछ बदलाव लाना और इसलिए जो अपेक्षाएं दुनिया हमसे रख रही है उन्हें पूरा करने में हम कोई कमी नहीं रखेंगे यह मैं आपको विश्वास दिलाता हूँ|

I say this because, India has reached a position from where, now it is easier to improve further. Our efforts have gathered momentum. In management terms, we have achieved critical mass for a swift takeoff.

For example, this report has not taken into account the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax or GST. As you all know, GST is the biggest tax reform in the Indian economy. And it impacts many aspects of doing business. With GST, we are moving towards a modern tax regime, which is transparent, stable and predictable.

और इसलिए जब जीएसटी की चर्चा हुयी है तो मैं कहना चाहूँगा , यहाँ पर व्यापार जगत के बहुत लोग हैं और इस फोरम के माध्यम से देश भर के व्यापारियों से कहना चाहता हूँ| जिस समय हमने जीएसटी लाने का संकल्प किया तब लोगों को लगता था कि पता नहीं आएगा कि नहीं आएगा, एक जुलाई को लागू होगा कि नहीं होगा| हुआ .. फिर होने के बाद लगा, कि अब मर गए ...यह मोदी है कोई सुधार नहीं करेगा और हमने तब कहा था कि तीन महीना हमें इसे बारीकी से देखने दीजिये क्योंकि हिंदुस्तान इतना बड़ा है और दिल्ली में ही बुद्धि भरी हुयी है ऐसा नहीं है जी|

देश के सामान्य मानवी के पास भी समझ है| हम उससे समझेंगे, सीखेंगे, कठिनाइयों का अंदाज करेंगे, रास्ते खोजेंगे और तीन महीने के बाद जब जीएसटी कौंसिल की मीटिंग हुयी जितनी चीजें सामने आई उसका समाधान किया| कुछ चीजों के लिए काउन्सिल में कुछ राज्य सहमत नहीं थे तो हमने राज्यों के मंत्रियों और अधिकारियों की समितियां बनाईं और मुझे आज यह कहते हुए खुशी हो रही है कि verbatim रिपोर्ट अभी मेरे पास पहुँचा नहीं है लेकिन मंत्रियों की कमिटी , जीएसटी काउंसिल जो बनाई थी उन्होंने मिल करके ही बनाई थी और उस मीटिंग में जो हुआ है और जिसकी छोटी मोटी जानकारी मेरे पास है पूरा रिपोर्ट तो नहीं है मेरे पास लेकिन मैं कह सकता हूँ कि जितने इशूज सामान्य व्यापारियों ने उठाये थे कारोबारियों की तरफ से जो सुझाव आये थे करीब करीब सारे विषयों को positively स्वीकार किया जा रहा है| और नौ और दस तारीख की जीएसटी काउंसिल की मीटिंग में अगर कोई राज्य कठिनाई पैदा नहीं करेगा तो मुझे विश्वास है कि भारत के व्यापार जगत को और भारत की आर्थिक व्यवस्था को नई ताकत देने में जो भी आवश्यक सुधार होंगे वह किये जायेंगे| उसके बावजूद भी आगे भी ऐसी कोई बातें आयेंगी क्योंकि आखिर एक नई व्यवस्था को स्वीकार करना होता है , सालों की पुरानी व्यवस्था से बाहर निकलना होता है तो सरकार का ही दिमाग काम करे यह जरूरी नहीं है सभी stakeholders का दिमाग काम में आता है तब उत्तम से उत्तम परिणाम आता है और जीएसटी उसके लिए भी एक उत्तम उदाहरण बनने वाला है कि सबकी भावनाओं का आदर करते हुए व्यवस्थाओं को foolproof कैसे बनाया जा सकता है यह जीएसटी की प्रोसेस से नजर आता है|

वर्ल्ड बैंक की इस रिपोर्ट में मई 2017 तक के ही रिफॉर्म्स काउंट हुए हैं जबकि GST उसके बाद जुलाई 2017 से लागू हुआ है | इसलिए आप अंदाज कर सकते हैं कि जब 2018 में चर्चा होगी तो हमारे जो initiative हैं वह count होने वाले हैं|

There are many other reforms which have already happened, but need gestation and stabilization time, before they are taken into account by the World Bank. There are a few other reforms where our team and the World Bank team need to find common ground. All this, combined with our conviction to do even better, gives me the confidence that India will occupy a place of pride in the World Bank report next year and in the years thereafter.

I compliment the World Bank for engaging with countries to improve ease of doing business across the world. I also compliment them for the theme of this year’s report - ‘Reforming to create jobs’. There can be no denying that business is a major force in our lives. It is an engine for growth, employment generation, wealth creation and delivery of goods and services that make our lives comfortable.

We are a young country and job creation is an opportunity as well as a challenge. Therefore, to leverage the energy of our youth, we are positioning India as a Start-up Nation and a global manufacturing hub. For this purpose, we have launched various initiatives, such as Make in India and Start-up India.

Through these initiatives, combined with the new eco-system of a formal economy and a unified tax regime, we are trying to create a NEW INDIA. An India where opportunities are created and harnessed to the advantage of the needy. We are particularly keen to develop India into a knowledge based, skill supported and technology driven society. A good beginning has been made through the Digital India and Skill India initiatives.

Friends!

India is swiftly changing for the better. I wish to list some more global recognitions which indicate this:

o We have moved up thirty two places in the last two years in the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum. This is highest for any country;

o We have also moved up twenty one places on the Global Innovation Index of WIPO in two years.

o We have moved nineteen places on the Logistics Performance Index of 2016 of World Bank;

o We are among the top FDI destinations listed by UNCTAD.

कुछ लोगों को भारत की रैकिंग 142 से 100 होने की बात समझ नहीं आती। उन्हें कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता। इनमें से कुछ लोग तो पहले वर्ल्ड बैंक में भी रह चुके हैं। वो आज भी भारत की रैंकिंग पर सवाल उठा रहे हैं। यदि इन्सॉल्वेंसी कोड, बैंकरप्सी कोड, कमर्शियल कोर्ट जैसे कानूनी सुधार आपके टाइम में ही हो जाते तो हमारी रैकिंग पहले ही सुधर जाती। यह रैंकिंग आपके सौभाग्य में आती| देश की स्थिति नहीं सुधरती नहीं क्या | किया कुछ नहीं, और जो कर रहा है उस पर सवाल कर रहे हैं|

वैसे ये भी संयोग की बात है कि वर्ल्ड बैंक ने Ease of Doing Business की प्रक्रिया साल 2004 में शुरू की थी। बड़ा महत्वपूर्ण साल है| इसके बाद 2014 तक देश में किसकी सरकार रही ये भी आप सभी को पता है।

मैं ऐसा प्रधानमंत्री हूँ जिसने वर्ल्ड बैंक का बिल्डिंग भी नहीं देखा है जबकि पहले वर्ल्ड बैंक को चलाने वाले लोग यहाँ बैठा करते थे|

मैं तो कहता हूं कि आप वर्ल्ड बैंक की इस रैकिंग पर सवाल उठाने के बजाय हमारा सहयोग करिए ताकि हम देश को और ऊंचे पायदान पर ले जा सकें। न्यू इंडिया बनाने के लिए साथ आगे बढाने का संकल्प करें|

Our mantra is reform, perform and transform. We want to do better and better. I am happy to note that for the first time, the World Bank is helping us in this exercise at the sub-National level too. In a federal democracy like India, it is often not easy to take on board every stakeholder while undertaking reforms. However, over the last three years, there has been a sea change in the response of Governments, both at Central and State level. State Governments are finding innovative ways to create a business friendly environment. While often competing with each other in implementing business reforms, they are also helping each other in implementing them. This is an exciting universe in which competitiveness and cooperation co-exist.

Friends,

The agenda for boosting growth and employment, required many structural changes, many tough decisions and many new regulations. Besides this, the mind-set of the bureaucracy required change to enable them to work fearlessly and honestly. Over the last three years, the Union Government has done a lot on these fronts. We have resolved a number of regulatory and policy issues facing businesses and companies.

Alongwith manufacturing, we are also pushing for faster progress in infrastructure sectors. Therefore, we are continuously working to improve our investment climate. In the last three and a half years we have undertaken bold Foreign Direct Investment reforms in twenty one sectors, covering eighty seven areas of policy. मैं दो साल तक सुनता रहता था बिग बैंग..बिग बैंग ..रिफॉर्म्स ..अब बंद कर दिया , क्योंकि लोगों की मालूम चल गया कि रेफौर्म्स की स्पीड और लेवल और साइज इतनी है कि आलोचना करने वाले मैच ही नहीं कर पा रहे |

These reforms have touched significant sectors like Defence, Railways, Construction Development, Insurance, Pension, Civil Aviation and Pharmaceuticals. More than ninety percent of the FDI approvals have been put on the automatic route. यह बहुत बड़ी बात है| We are now among the most open economies for FDI.

This has resulted in increased FDI inflow, which year after year is making new records. The FDI inflows of 55.6 billion US dollars for the year ending March, 2016 were an all-time high. The following year, India registered an FDI inflow of 60.08 billion US dollars, thereby scaling an even higher peak. As a result, the total FDI received in the country has gone up by 67% in a short span of three years.

During the current financial year till August, total FDI of 30.38 billion US dollars has been received, which represents an increase of 30% as compared to the corresponding period last year. In August, 2017, India received a total FDI of 9.64 billion US dollars, which is the highest ever FDI received in any month.

Friends!

Over the last three years, we have systemically and critically evaluated business regulations. We have tried to understand the pain points of businesses with regard to interface with government. We engaged with businesses on a regular basis, understood their concerns and sought to modify regulation to address their concerns.

I have often emphasized that technology must be used to transform governance. Use of technology should minimize physical interface and assist time bound decision-making. I am glad to see that a number of Government Departments and State Governments are deploying technology to improve governance and deliver services.

Alongwith the tools of technology we also need a complete change of mind-set while dealing with business. Total re-engineering is required both at the level of Mind and Machine. The past mindset of excessive control has to be replaced by the concept of minimum government, maximum governance. This is our goal and my Government is determined to achieve this objective.

With this objective, an extensive exercise was undertaken to redesign laws and re-engineer government processes to make business environment simpler and more conducive. An attempt has been made to align the Indian regulatory environment to international best practices. Though, we were putting in efforts to improve India’s rank in the Doing Business Report, reforms undertaken by the Government are far more extensive. To give you one example; we have abolished more than 1200 archaic laws and Acts which were only complicating Governance. They have been deleted from the statute book. Similarly, thousands of important reforms have been carried out by the states as well. These additional efforts are not part of the World Bank’s requirement.

All Ministries of the Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, State Governments as well as regulators should identify international best practices, consult their stakeholders and align their regulations and processes with international best practices. I have no doubt that people working in these agencies are second to none in the world in respect of their capability and commitment to public service.

Friends, इस रैंकिंग को भले Ease of doing Business कहते हैं लेकिन मैं मानता हूं कि ये Ease of doing Business के साथ ही Ease of Living Life की भी रैंकिंग है। ये रैंकिंग सुधरने का मतलब है कि देश में आम नागरिक, देश के मध्यम वर्ग की जिंदगी और आसान हुई है।

मैं ऐसा इसलिए कह रहा हूं कि इस रैंकिंग के लिए जो पैरामीटर्स चुने जाते हैं, उनमें से अधिकांश आम नागरिक, देश के नौजवानों की जिंदगी से जुड़े हुए हैं।

भारत की रैंकिंग में इतना सुधार इसलिए आया है क्योंकि पिछले तीन वर्षों में सरकार ने देश के आम नागरिक की जिंदगी में होने वाली मुश्किलों को कम करने के लिए Reform का रास्ता अपनाया है। तीन वर्षों में देश में टैक्स भरने की प्रक्रिया में बहुत सुधार आया है। इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न के लिए अब महीनों इंतजार नहीं करना पड़ा। PF रजिस्ट्रेशन और PF का पैसा निकालने के लिए पहले आपको दफ्तरों के चक्कर लगाने पड़ते थे। अब सब कुछ ऑनलाइन हो गया है।

मेरे नौजवान साथी अब सिर्फ एक दिन में अपनी नई कंपनी रजिस्टर करा सकते हैं। कारोबारी मुकदमों की सुनवाई भी आसान हुई है। तीन वर्षों में भारत में कंस्ट्रक्शन परमिट लेना आसान हुआ है। बिजली कनेक्शन लेना आसान हुआ है। रेलवे रिजर्वेशन कराना आसान हुआ है। जो पासपोर्ट पहले महीनों में मिलता था, अब एक हफ्ते के भीतर मिल जाता है। ये Ease of Living Life नहीं है तो क्या है?

I must make a special mention of the fact that while Ease of Doing Business is important for all businesses, it is critical for small businesses including small manufacturers. This sector provides the bulk of employment in the country and to make them more competitive, we have to reduce the cost of doing business. The work on Ease of Doing Business must address the issues of these small businesses and manufacturers.

Once again, let me congratulate the team working on various aspects of ease of doing business for their commitment and dedication. I am sure that together we will write a new chapter in India’s history and transform India so that the dreams and aspirations of our people take wing.

I would like to thank the World Bank again for their guidance in our efforts to improve ease of Doing Business. I am told that the experience of bringing about decisive changes in a large country like India without affecting the growth process may become an example for many other nations. There is always scope to learn from others. If required, we will be happy to share our experience with other countries.

Accountability in Financing of Education’ during the Meeting on ‘SDG4-Education 2030: Strengthening Accountability in the Implementation of SDG4’ in the 39th General Conference of UNESCO in Paris (On November 2, 2017).

Statement by Shri Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Human Resource Development on ‘Accountability in Financing of Education’ during the Meeting on ‘SDG4-Education 2030: Strengthening Accountability in the Implementation of SDG4’ in the 39th General Conference of UNESCO in Paris (On November 2, 2017).

India recognises that accountability in financing of education is critical to achieve SDG4 and associated targets. It involves accountability in financing of education on the part of both the development partners and individual countries. Accountability on the part of development partners relates to the commitment to enhance funding that is needed to implement SDG4-Education 2030 agenda. The latest Global Education Monitoring Report released recently points out that“at the global level, international commitments to finance the education sector, remains weak”. The Report indicates that “only 6 of 28 OECD-DAC countries met their commitment to allocate 0.7% of national income to aid.” Therefore, OECD developed countries must fulfil their commitment. Ultimately, investing in education is investing in peace and sustainable future.

Accountability on the part of individual countries relate to the commitment to set nationally appropriate spending targets for education, mobilising financial resources and achieving in a progressive manner the international benchmarks of allocating at least 4% to 6% of gross domestic product (GDP) to education; and/or allocating at least 15% to 20% of public expenditure to education. Accountability on the part of individual countries also relates to efforts aimed at ensuring that the available funds are used efficiently and effectively.

The Government of India recognises that achieving the education development goals and targets set in the context of SDG4-Education 2030 agenda requires increased and well-targeted financing and effective and efficient utilisation of allocated funds. Government of India is investing nearly 4.5 % of GDP on education, despite competing demands on resources. The Central and State/ UT governments have been making efforts to provide adequate and equitable financing to educational priorities. There has been a broad consensus that investment on education be gradually increased to reach a level of six per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Efforts are being made to step up the outlay on education by facilitating substantial increase in both public and private sector investment in education. Furthermore, improved coordination, monitoring and evaluation processes have been attempted to ensure that the available funds are used efficiently and effectively, and with measurable education outcomes and impacts for children and youth, especially in terms of attainment of expected learning outcomes.

PM to inaugurate World Food India 2017

PM to inaugurate World Food India 2017

India gears up to welcome Global Food Titans

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will inaugurate World Food India 2017 on 3rd November 2017 from Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi. WFI is the most anticipated international mega food event, as India welcomes to host biggest ever congregation of global investors and business leaders of major food companies from 3-5 November in New Delhi. Organized by Ministry of Food Processing Industries under leadership of Union Minister Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal, World Food India aims to transform Food Economy and realize the vision of doubling of famers’ income by establishing India as a preferred investment destination and sourcing hub for the global food processing industry. This is the first time that India is hosting such an event for the Food processing sector.World Food India platform will strengthen India’s position as a Global Food Factory and is a positive step towards making the Country Food Secure.

India is expected to attract an investment of US$ 10 billion in food processing sector and generate 1 million jobs in the next 3 years. World Food India 2017 gears up to host over 2,000 participants, over 200 companies from 30 countries, 18 ministerial and business delegations, nearly 50 global CEOs along with CEOs of all leading domestic food processing companies, and representatives of 28 States in India. Germany, Japan and Denmark are Partner Countries to World Food India. Italy & Netherlands are the Focus Countries. Specially curated experiential platform ‘Food Street’ specially curated by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, is a lively vibrant zone, that will showcase Indian and foreign cuisines using Indian ingredients, flavours and fragrances to celebrate India's rich cultural heritage, the diverse uniqueness of its produce to create contemporary renditions and fusion food. After the inauguration from Vigyan Bhavan, the Prime Minister will visit the Food Street at India Gate Lawns opposite National stadium.

Dadabhai Naoroji: The ‘black man’ in Westminster

Dadabhai Naoroji: The ‘black man’ in Westminster
Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Indian elected to the House of Commons, lent his energies to causes as diverse as the women’s suffrage movement and Indian self-rule
Some days ago, members of parliament at Westminster in London organized a special meeting to honour the memory of the first Indian to have been elected to the House of Commons. It was not an open event, yet the queue outside wound around the building long enough for a café owner to step out and enquire what it was that had attracted so much enthusiasm. When I explained, he looked terribly interested himself in the proceedings and asked, “Oh, is the MP upstairs?” Alas, I had to tell him, the man we were celebrating had died 100 years before, which meant he fell in a very different category of “upstairs”. And he had died not in London, where he once represented his voters, but far away in Mumbai, in one of the seven houses that lend the suburb of Saat Bangla in Versova its picturesque name. The café manager looked vaguely sheepish while the rest of us made our way into the building, walking past V.R. Rao’s portrait of the man we were there to commemorate: Dadabhai Naoroji.

Naoroji was one of the founders of the Indian National Congress but he was also convinced that it was “in Parliament (in Britain) that our chief battle has to be fought”. And so, in 1886, he presented himself as a candidate in the general election. Despite endorsements from the likes of Florence Nightingale, he was demolished. Lord Salisbury, the Conservative prime minister, declared that the English were not prepared to have a “black man” as their representative, only to regret those words. For the consequence was that his statement was published in newspapers around the country and Naoroji became an object of massive interest overnight—including in discussions around precisely how “black” this pale-skinned man exactly was. By 1892, he had a real shot at winning, and the people of Finsbury Central did not disappoint—he carried the day with a dazzling majority of three. When his un-black rival demanded a recount, the tally went up; Naoroji had actually won not by three but by a margin of five votes. Delighted either way, he served not only as the voice of Finsbury Central in parliament but also as president of the local football club. And both in the House of Commons and outside, he lent his energies to causes as diverse as the women’s suffrage movement and, of course, Indian self-rule.

A number of people frowned. Some called him Dadabhai Narrow-Majority, which was only marginally better than “Mr Nowraggie”. But the old man didn’t mind. On the contrary, his shattering of the glass ceiling was conclusive enough for two more Indians to also enter the House of Commons in the coming years. He himself lost the next election in 1895, but made up for it by conveying his message in his seminal Poverty And UnBritish Rule In India, lambasting the Raj for its unashamed leeching of Indian wealth for British aggrandizement. The book was a milestone, and remains his most memorable intellectual contribution to the freedom struggle. And it did not surprise too many people that he had earned himself this distinction: When still in his teens at Elphinstone College (then, Institution) in Mumbai, Naoroji was labelled by a professor, a little sentimentally, “The Promise of India”. Personally, though, he didn’t let such things go to his head. “Prosperity has not elated me and I hope adversity will not (depress) me,” he wrote to a friend, “so long as I can feel I am living a life of duty.”

Naoroji was born in British Bombay in 1825 in modest circumstances. He was a bright student, and an 1845 effort to go to university in England was only thwarted because one of his sponsors feared this prodigy might be tempted to become a Christian. So Naoroji began to teach mathematics and natural philosophy at Elphinstone College, till in 1855 he became the first Indian to be appointed a professor at that institution. It was a short-lived career, for by now he had decided to go into commerce—he moved to England and eventually set up a cotton import business. Just to cement one foot firmly in the intellectual space in any case, he also accepted a professorship at University College London. His subject: Gujarati. In the course of time he would set up the still-thriving Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, as well as the East India Association (which later merged with the Congress party), and emerge as one of the most distinguished ambassadors for India in the seat of empire.

Naoroji was also a most sympathetic interlocutor for Indians lost in this alien country. Many were the students who wrote to him for advice, and many too were the parents who frantically sought his assistance in preventing their beloved male offspring from getting ensnared by the fearsome, emancipated women of the West. In 1888, one young man wrote to him asking for guidance on life in England, “which shall be received as from a father to his child”. His name was Mohandas Gandhi, and many years later he would remember Naoroji as “the G.O.M.” (Grand Old Man) who made life easier for so many Indians with his sheer warmth and friendship. Indeed, Naoroji deserves much credit for going out of his way for others: Among the 30,000 documents that comprise his private papers, between notes sent by his plumber and an 1894 eye-glass prescription, are numerous letters in Gujarati, Marathi, even Persian and French, to strangers seeking his esteemed attention. That is, assuming everyone understood what he was saying, for, as a friend wrote with a hint of annoyance, “your handwriting is rather hard to read”.

By the time Naoroji died, aged 93, he had enjoyed a most fascinating career. This included a stint as chief minister to a maharaja of Baroda who was accused of trying to murder the British resident at court with arsenic and crushed diamonds; luckily, Naoroji had already resigned by the time of the scandal. He had run newspapers, participated in great public debates on India’s future, and, significantly, set on its eventful course the Congress party that would serve as the vehicle of Indian nationalism in the years to come. And so it was that when he died, among the richly deserved tributes paid was one reminding everybody that while the man himself had departed, the idea he stood for would be enshrined forever in the destiny of the country he loved.