Internet Safety… in the words of a Bureaucrat

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March 15, 2016

Distinguished dignitaries on the dais, organisers of the program, scholars, ladies and gentlemen, It is a privilege to participate in a workshop on a subject of immense importance i.e. Internet Safety. So, standing at this podium, let me make a confession. I am a Wikipedia person. There, now I have said it. A fault of character few people, much less scholars, will admit to.

Therefore , I was eager to know what Wikipedia had to say on the subject. It was a shocker. What a wide variety of dangers lurk in the corners of the World Wide Web! Phishing, internet scams, malware,cyberstalking, cyberbullying, online predators, obscene and offensive content. From your identity to your wallet, everything is in peril of being stolen, distorted, destroyed.

If you move from Wikipedia to Geeknation, you will know how much Hollywood is concerned with the problem. From the helpfully named ‘Identity Theft’ to ‘The Net’, movies warn us that we may just be erased off the face of the virtual world! But this is not a matter for jest. We have moved from an IT enabled world to a Web enabled world. If I can lock my doors and throw open my gates from a remote location, it stands to reason that anyone, with access and knowledge can do the same. The same goes for privacy. We have put ourselves out there, and there is no retreat. Privacy is a thing of the past.

I am a good Indian, so I moved to my next question: I am in so much danger, so what is the government doing about it? I am sure today’s workshop will address this aspect in greater detail. As we know, Sec.66A of the IT Act, 2000 is the ‘saviour law’ , so to speak, which is comprehensive in its wording and can be widely interpreted and applied. The section was included vide amendment of 2008, and deals with offensive messages, besides being an ant-spam law. The scope of Section 66A was widened by the Bombay High Court in the Manoj Oswal vs State of Maharashtra case, where the term ‘send’ was interpreted as equivalent to ‘publish’ or ‘harass’. Besides, Sec.66A is cognizable, so a violator can be arrested without warrant. In addition to 66 A, various provisions of the IPC, the IT Act along with the Indian Contract Act also give protection against the more serious aspects of online fraud, defamation and so on.

So, there are laws to protect us from the more extreme cases of violations of privacy or purse. But about our ordinary everyday lives? We are social animals, and we live in an age of sharing. Both consciously and inadvertently,we reveal a great deal of ourselves on the internet. The www is a metaphorical web too, for it draws and draws us until so much of us is out there. What we don’t ourselves reveal, networks like Facebook have sophisticated mechanisms to ferret out. Just a few days ago, FB was urging me to connect with my hairdresser, though I cannot imagine how they made the connection. A trifle more embarrassing was the experience of a colleague of mine, whose wife of 15 odd years was urged to be “friends” with his girlfriend from college!

I have neither sword nor shield to fend off this aggressive assault on my privacy and safety. But I can and do follow some simple thumb rules for my security, without becoming a Virtual recluse. First, I put myself out there.I share whatever I can within the bounds of legality, modesty and convenience. For example, my views as a scholar, my speeches and research papers, are freely shared. My work as an officer of the government, on the other hand, carries obligations of responsibility, accountability and confidentiality. Here I am more circumspect.

Second, I am not given to frivolity. I do not gush “how cute” every time a baby or a kitten is put up; if my friend’s updated photograph looks good, I say so. If not, I stay silent. This is what I would do in my normal interactions, and I see no reason for any excessive enthusiasm or criticism just because I am not face to face.

Whenever I am unsure, I desist. I am not fully conversant with mobile banking, for instance, so I have deferred it to a day when I am more confident about using it. I welcome all tools of convenience, I only am cautious to Know before I Act.

So , the netizens and fellow dummies gathered here, this is my simple self-prescription. I live my virtual life as I live my real life. Truth is the ultimate protection. I am sure each of you will have your own ways of coping with and managing the internet.

Author: Dr. Kalpana Gopalan is presently Principal Secretary at Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs & Legal Metrology Department, Government of Karnataka. A Practitioner, policy-maker, scholar, author, volunteer and mother, Kalpana Gopalan wears many hats. A serving IAS officer for 27 years, she has worked in land administration, urban management, rural development and education. She is a NLM-UNESCO awardee for her work in adult literacy and Advisor to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. A Doctorate and Masters in public policy from IIM Bangalore, she was rated among the “top two percent of Doctoral Candidates in the past decade”for her research on infrastructure PPPs, . A gold medallist and topper in her undergraduate and master’s, she was a Visiting Fellow at McGill and Concordia Universities in Canada, EU fellow in the University of Salerno, Italy, Chevening scholar, IDS, UK and Maxwell Public Policy scholar in Syracuse University, USA.

See more at: https://www.indianbureaucracy.com/what-does-leadership-mean-to-me-straight-from-a-bureaucrat/#sthash.NuL3p2R2.dpuf

Retirement – good for your Health ??

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March 15, 2016

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Summary:People become more active, sleep better and reduce their sitting time when they retire, a new Australian study has shown. The differences were significant even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, urban/rural residence, marital status and education. There was no significant association found between retirement and alcohol use or fruit and vegetable consumption.

A landmark study led by University of Sydney has found that people become more active, sleep better and reduce their sitting time when they retire.

Published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, the study followed the lifestyle behaviours of 25,000 older Australians including physical activity, diet, sedentary behaviour, alcohol use and sleep patterns.

“Our research revealed that retirement was associated with positive lifestyle changes,” said lead researcher Dr Melody Ding, Senior Research Fellow at the University’s School of Public Health.

“Compared with people who were still working, retirees had increased physically activity levels, reduced sitting time, were less likely to smoke, and had healthier sleep patterns.

“A major life change like retirement creates a great window of opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes — it’s a chance to get rid of bad routines and engineer new, healthier behaviours.” she said.

The data revealed that retirees:

Increased physical activity by 93 minutes a week
Decreased sedentary time by 67 minutes per day
Increased sleep by 11 minutes per day
50 per cent of female smokers stopped smoking

The differences were significant even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, urban/rural residence, marital status and education. There was no significant association found between retirement and alcohol use or fruit and vegetable consumption.

Dr Ding said retirement gave people more time to pursue healthier lifestyles.

“The lifestyle changes were most pronounced in people who retire after working full-time. When people are working and commuting, it eats a lot of time out of their day. When they retire, they have time to be physically active and sleep more,” she said.

“In terms of sedentary time, the largest reduction in sitting time occurred in people who lived in urban areas and had higher educational levels.

Dr Ding’s mother’s experience of retirement was a trigger for the study.

“My mother still lives in China and they have mandatory retirement for women at age 55. When she turned 55 she was really anxious about stopping work — she felt like she was not as valuable. So I thought I’d like to find some positive information about retirement.”

“She now spends her days enjoying so many hobbies, she can’t remember how she had time to work.”

Retired bank manager Des (89 years) said: “I have more time in my retirement and I am happily busy. I keep fit by dancing four times a week and walking. I keep my mind active by involvement in the University of the Third Age, teaching computer skills and dancing to the oldies, most of them are younger than me.

“My answering machine message is ‘I am out enjoying my retirement’,” he said.

Dr Ding hopes the research will encourage people to think positively about retirement.

“We hope this information could translate to better health in older Australians, preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” she said.

“Retirement is a good time for doctors to talk their patients about making positive lifestyle changes that could add years to their life.

“The findings suggest that both health professionals and policy makers should consider developing special programs for retirees to capitalise on the health transitions through retirement,” Dr Ding said.

Source:University of Sydney(science)

Indo- Indonesia Joint Training Exercise Garuda Shakti IV under progress

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March 15, 2016

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Garuda Shakti IV Continues-indianbureaucracy

The fourth edition of the Indo-Indonesia Joint Training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI, scheduled from 10 to 23 March 2016 is under progress at Magelang, Indonesia. The Indian contingent comprises of platoon sized troops of an Infantry Battalion from Southern Command theatre and the Indonesian Army comprises of troops from 503 Airborne Battalion of the TNI -AD.

The exercise is underway with adequate stress being laid on weapon handling and live firing practices. The Indian Army contingent was given time to familiarise themselves with the Indonesian Army’s weapon system before commencing firing practice using their Weapons. On 13 Mar, the Indonesian Army conducted a firing Skills demonstration explaining the mechanics of reflex firing which was followed by practice by Indian Army contingent of the same.

On 14 Mar Indian Army contingent presented a similar demonstration of reflex firing skills including ambidextrous weapon handling in combat situations. The demonstration was conducted in phases and was followed by firing practice by Indonesian Army under guidance of instructors from Indian Army.

The aim of the exercise is to build and promote positive relations between both the armies and to enhance their ability to undertake joint tactical level operations in a Counter Insurgency environment under United Nations Charter. The scope of exercise also includes identifying areas of expertise/ specialization of each other, evolution of combat tactical drills for conduct of tactical Counter Insurgency operations and to undertake combined training for neutralization of insurgency threat.

The Indian Army contingent had arrived at Jakarta airport on 09 Mar. The Opening Ceremony was conducted on 11 Mar at Military Training Area, Magelang, Indonesia. In an impressive Military function, witnessed by senior ranked officers of both the countries, the contingents conducted a ceremonial parade where the National flags of both nations were marched in. The Commandant wished both the contingents a fruitful and effective exercise ahead and encouraged both sides to understand and absorb the positive aspects of each other’s military training and tactics. He stated that this exercise would serve as a platform for both countries to pave the way for better co-operation and stronger mutual relations in the future. The exercise will culminate on 23 Mar 16.

Progress on Clean Ganga Mission

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March 15, 2016

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Cleaning of Ganga was initiated in 1985 under Ganga Action Plan (GAP). Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase-I was launched as a centrally funded scheme in 1985 and later GAP Phase-II was initiated in 1993. The Central Government set up the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) in 2009 as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic approach with the river basin as the unit of planning.

The various types of pollution abatement schemes taken up to clean Ganga may be categorized into core and non-core schemes. Core Schemes include Interception and diversion (I&D) of sewage discharging into the Ganga river and creating treatment infrastructure to treat the intercepted sewage. Non-Core Schemes include Providing Low Cost Sanitation (LCS) at community and individual levels at identified locations, Installation of Crematoria (electric as well as wood based improved crematoria), River Front Development (RFD) including bathing ghats, Afforestation, protecting bio-diversity and creating Public awareness and participation.

Under both phases of GAP, a total of 575 schemes have been sanctioned for undertaking pollution abatement activities in the identified polluted stretches of the river Ganga, of which 524 schemes with a capacity to treat Pollution load of 1098 million litres per day (mld) have been established (869 mld and 229 mld under GAP-I and II respectively). Under NGRBA, 96 projects has been sanctioned in 53 towns. These include 58 projects related to creation of 808.23 MLD new STP and rehabilitation of 1089.00 MLD and laying / rehabilitation of 3627.15 Km sewer network. In addition, there are 25 river Front Development projects which include creation of Ghats, Crematoria, Public and River interface and promenade.

The total expenditure under the GAP Phase – I & II is Rs. 938.57 crore till 31st March, 2013.Under NGRBA, a total expenditure of Rs. 1664.73 crore has been incurred till December 2015 for implementation of schemes under NGRBA.

The objective of the Namami Gange Programme is to improve the quality of water of river Ganga by the year 2020. The approach is to ensure that no untreated waste water enters the river. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors the quality of water at 57 monitoring stations along the river Ganga regularly. A proposal for installing 113 Real-time monitoring stations is under implementation. Tenders have been issued for supply of 36 real time monitors in the first phase.

Conservation of rivers is a continuous and ongoing process. Cleaning of river Ganga and its tributaries is being undertaken by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MOWR, RD & GR) under Namami Gange programme while Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) has been supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

Uniform ID Card for Persons with Disabilities to be issued within a year

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March 15, 2016

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Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment-indianbureaucracy

Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment has announced that the process of implementing a Uniform ID has already been started and all steps are being taken to complete the same within one year. He was here to inaugurate the Modular Operation Theatre at the Swami Vivekanad National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research Centre. He also laid the Foundation Stone for Satellite Centre, in NIRTAR, Bolangir, Odisha. Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. KulamaniSamal, Member of Parliament, Jagatsinghpur also graced the occasion.

Shri Gehlot also visited a Mega Surgical camp organised at the Institute in which around 150 patients from different parts of Odisha were operated free of cost. Self Employment kits were also distributed by the Ministers and guests to the SC/ST beneficiaries who have undergone vocational training in different employable trades imparted by the Institute. Aids & Appliances were also distributed to 56 PwDs in the camp.

Further Shri Gehlot announced that all sorts of financial assistance will be provided to the Institute for cost of building and other infrastructures to upgrade the hospital from 100 beds to a 200 bedded hospital considering the long waiting period of the patients. It was also assured by the Minister that the long vacant posts of the Institute have been revalidated and the filling up of these posts will be expedited soon.

Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot distributing Aids & Assistive devices to the persons with disabilities at the camp in the Bolangir, Odisha.

Effectiveness of Measures by Bureau of Energy Efficiency

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March 15, 2016

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Bureau of Energy Efficiency -indianbureaucracy

The following measures initiated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency have yielded tangible results in the field of energy efficiency and contribute significantly in achieving the vision of 24 x 7 power to all households in the country through resultant savings in energy consumption:

(i)Prescribing reduction in specific energy consumption norms for energy intensive industries notified as designated consumers, under Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) Scheme.

(ii)Star labeling of 21 appliances for improved energy efficiency.

(iii)Fuel efficiency standards prescribed for passengers cars to reduce fuel consumption.

(iv)Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC) formulated for energy efficiency improvement in commercial buildings.

(v)Demonstration projects on Demand Side Management (DSM) in Municipal, Household, Agriculture and Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) sectors for reducing energy consumption in these sectors.

(vi)Prescribing Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Multi-Storey Residential Buildings.

(vii)Enabling investment in energy efficiency projects through innovative financing mechanisms.

(viii)Promotion of energy efficient LED lamps through Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) & Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), through which about 7.5 crore household LED bulbs are already distributed under DELP.

(ix)Nationwide campaign for energy conservation.

The energy saving achieved through the above initiatives is about 83 billion units. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy .

Comprehensive review of DRDO

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March 15, 2016

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Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar has informed that a Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. P Rama Rao was constituted to conduct a comprehensive review of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Organisation has implemented the following recommendations of the Committee within its powers:

• Nomination of Nodal Officers for structured interaction between DRDO and Services.

• Introduction of Integrated Financial Advice (IFA) Scheme for financial decentralization.

• Appointment of a dedicated Chief Controller for Human Resources (HR).

• Creation of Seven Technology Domain based Clusters headed by Director’s General.

• Restructuring of DRDO HQrs, Creation of Directorate of Systems Analysis and Modeling (SAM) and Directorate of Quality, Reliability and Safety (QR&S).

Efforts have also been made to increase budget for Extramural Research as recommended by the Committee.

Launch of Mahila-e-Haat, an online marketing platform for women

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March 15, 2016

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Launch of Mahila-e-Haat, an online marketing platform for women

Minister of Women and Child Development has launched Maila-e-Haat, an online marketing platform for women . Mahila e-Haat is a unique online platform where participants can display their products. It is an initiative for women across the country as a part of ‘Digital India’ and ‘Stand Up India’ initiatives of Prime Minister.
Mahila E-Haat is an initiative for meeting aspirations and need of women entrepreneurs which will leverage technology for showcasing products made/manufactured/sold by women entrepreneurs. They can even showcase those services being provided by them which reflect creative potential e.g. tailoring. This unique e-platform will strengthen the socio-economic empowerment of women as it will mobilize and provide better avenues to them.
More than 10000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and 1.25 Lakh women beneficiaries would be benefited from the day of launch of the site itself. Participation in e-Haat is open to all Indian women citizens more than 18 years of age and women SHGs desiring for marketing their legal products/services after indemnifying RMK from any or all acts of transaction.

Promotion of MSME

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March 15, 2016

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Minister of State, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Giriraj Singh has informed that the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has taken following initiatives for promotion of MSME’s and to enable ease of doing business:

Under Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM) Ministry has notified a simple one-page registration Form UAM on 18.09.2015. This is an important step to promote ease of doing business for MSMEs in India as the UAM replaces the filing of Entrepreneurs’ Memorandum with the respective States/UTs. The information sought is on self-certification basis, no supporting documents are required at the time of online filing of UAM and no fees for UAM registration.

The Framework for revival and rehabilitation of MSMEs was notified by the Ministry on 29.05.2015 which provides a mechanism for revival and rehabilitation with a definite voice to the Entrepreneurs and is expected to balance the interest of debtors and creditors. The framework enables Banks/creditors to identify MSME’s which are in the stage of initial stress and take corrective action to prevent them from becoming NPA’s. MSMEs can seek revival and rehabilitation benefit through a committee constituted by banks with representative from State Governments, experts and others.

A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE) was launched on 18.3.2015 to promote Innovation & Rural Entrepreneurship through rural Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI), Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and Fund of Funds for start-up creation in the agro-based industry. During the year 2015-16, 22 LBIs & 2 TBIs have been approved and two LBI Centres have been operationalized at Deoria (U.P.) and Rajkot (Gujarat).

The Ministry of MSME is also implementing various schemes and programmes for promotion and development of MSME sector. The major schemes/programmes include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS), National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Marketing Development Assistance, Skill Development Programmes, International Cooperation Scheme, etc.

The details of funds allocated and utilized during last three years and current year for plan schemes are as under:-

(Rs. in crore)

Year	Budget Estimates	Utilization/ Expenditure
2012-13	2835.00	2229.52
2013-14	2977.00	2272.05
2014-15	3327.00	2384.57
2015-16	2612.51	1913.73*

The Ministry of MSME’s Budget allocation which was Rs.2612.51 crore (2015-16) has been enhanced to Rs.3000 crore (2016-17). This enhancement is 15% more than the previous year. In terms of the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on MSMEs (2010) chaired by the Principal Secretary to Hon’ble Prime Minister, the RBI has advised the banks, inter alia, the bank shall have to achieve a 20% year-on-year growth in credit to micro and small enterprises, allocation of 60% of the MSE advances to the micro enterprises and 10% annual growth in number of micro enterprise accounts.

To facilitate easy flow of credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), a Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) is being implemented under which guarantee cover is provided for collateral free credit extended to MSEs. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines in May 2010, which mandatorily require banks to dispense without collateral requirement for loans upto Rs.10 lakh to MSEs.

National Small Industries Commission (NSIC) under the Ministry of MSME is implementing the Raw Material Assistance Scheme which aims at helping MSEs by way of financing the purchase of Raw Material (both indigenous & imported). Benefits under the scheme include the following:

1) Financial Assistance for procurement of Raw Material upto 90 days.

2) MSEs helped to avail Economics of Purchases like bulk purchase, cash discount, etc.

3) NSIC takes care of all the procedures, documentation & issue of Letter of Credit in case of imports.

In addition to ASPIRE, Government is implementing the following schemes for growth of the MSMEs sector under the ‘Make in India’ programme:

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit linked subsidy scheme, for setting up of new micro-enterprises and to generate employment opportunities in rural as well as urban areas of the country through KVIC, State Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB) and District Industries Centre (DIC). General category beneficiaries can avail of margin money subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as SC/ST/Women/PH/Minorities/Ex-Servicemen/NER, the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The maximum cost of projects is Rs.25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs.10 lakh in the service sector. Since inception and up to January 2016, 3.50 lakh micro enterprises have been set up by utilizing margin money amounting to Rs.7004.40 crore. 29.82 lakh jobs have been created from these units.

Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) was launched in 2005-06 for making Traditional Industries more productive and competitive by organizing the Traditional Industries and artisans into clusters. 26 clusters have been granted final approval with a total project cost of Rs.72 crore benefiting around 25000 artisans.

Exploration of Oil and Gas

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March 15, 2016

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The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed that. Government takes various policy & administrative initiatives to facilitate hydrocarbon exploration in the country. Some of the policy decisions taken by the Government in recent years to enhance Exploration and Production (E&P) activities can be brought out as:

Policy to grant relaxation, extension & classifications at development & production stage for early monetization of hydrocarbon discoveries.
Discovered Small Field Policy.

iii. Unified Licensing Policy- new Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing policy.

Policy for Grant of Extension to small & medium sized discovered fields.
Policy for marketing freedom for gas produced from Deepwater & Ultra Deepwater areas.

The level of exploration and production activities depend on various factors including prospectivity of a region.

Exploration blocks are awarded through International Competitive Bidding process in a transparent manner based on the quantified Bid Evaluation Criteria. Investment decisions are taken by the contracts keeping in view the provisions in the Production Sharing Contract signed with the Government.

The details of exploratory work carried out by ONGC, OIL and Pvt. JV companies since inception are as under:-

Company	2D(Line- Kilometer)	3D (Square- Kilometer)
OIL- Nomination	73948.67	14248.72
ONGC-Nomination	882315.89	112375.79
Pvt JV(including ONGC/OIL)-Under PSC regime	375116	282310.4
Total	1331380.56	408934.91

Under PSC regime, 282 exploration blocks have been awarded for exploration of oil and gas so far. Production of Oil /Gas has commenced in 6 nos. of Pre-NELP exploration blocks and 11 nos. of NELP blocks.

The details of production of crude oil/gas from the hydrocarbon blocks awarded for exploration are at Annexure-I.

The Ministry is monitoring projects costing Rs 100 crore and above. Out of these at present, the following projects are reported to be stalled/kept on hold:

GAIL: Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore Pipeline Phase-II: The matter is sub-judice at Supreme Court of India.
IOCL CBR-Trichy Pipeline: On hold as a direct fall out of above mentioned court case.
IOCL Ennore-Trichhy-Madurai LPG Pipeline: On hold as a direct fall out of above mentioned court case.
GAIL: Surat Paradip Pipeline Project: Due to delay in development of Gas sources and absence of anchor gas customer along the pipeline route.

The Government has formulated a new Hydrocarbon Exploration & Licensing Policy.

The prices of Petrol and Diesel have been made market determined by the Government effective with 26^th June, 2010 and 19^th October, 2014 respectively. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on pricing of Petrol and Diesel in line with their international prices and other market conditions.

In order to protect the consumers from the fluctuations in the prices in the international market, the Government continues to modulate the Retail Selling Price of Subsidized domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene and their basic prices have not been revised after 25^th June, 2011.

Annexure-I

Bidding Round	Exploration Block	State	Operator	Year of Commencement of Production	Cumulative Production since Inception till February, 2016 from Exploration blocks awarded Under PSC regime
Bidding Round	Exploration Block	State	Operator	Year of Commencement of Production	Oil+ Condensate (TMT)	GAS (MSCM)
NELP	CB-ONN-2000/2	Gujarat	Niko Resource Limited	2003-04	0	692560.74
NELP	CB-ONN-2000/1	Gujarat	Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited (GSPC)	2007-08	331.83	9161.02
NELP	KG-DWN-98/3	Offshore	Reliance Industries Limited	2008-09	3520.24	73874317.71
NELP	CB-ONN-2002/3	Gujarat	GSPC	2012-13	0.49	0
NELP	CB-ONN-2003/2	Gujarat	GSPC	2012-13	4.88	194.2
NELP	KG-OSN-2001/3	Offshore	GSPC	2012-13	6.94	240416.8
NELP	CB-ONN-2002/1	Gujarat	ONGC	2013-14	0.13	0
NELP	CB-ONN-2004/1	Gujarat	ONGC	2014-15	0.83	0
NELP	CB-ONN-2004/2	Gujarat	ONGC	2014-15	1	0
NELP	CB-ONN-2001/1	Gujarat	ONGC	2015-16	0.67	0
NELP	CY-ONN-2002/2	Tamilnadu	ONGC	2015-16	5.66	500.45
Pre-NELP	CB-OS/2	Gujarat	Tata Petrodyne Limited	2002-03	3118.1	6592525.57
Pre-NELP	CB-ON/7	Gujarat	Hindustan Oil Exploration Company	2004-05	112.86	8701.06
Pre-NELP	RJ-ON-90/1	Rajasthan	Cairn Energy Limited	2006-07	46656.13	2736993.81
Pre-NELP	CB-ON/3	Gujarat	Essar Oil Limited	2007-08	12.6	437.23
Pre-NELP	CB-ON/2	Gujarat	GSPC	2009-10	44.06	33640.64
Pre-NELP	RJ-ON/6	Rajasthan	Focus Energy Limited	2010-11	10.63	1148967.82
					53827.04	85338417.06

Crime against Women Tourists

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March 15, 2016

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The Ministry of Tourism does not compile the data regarding crime against foreign or domestic tourists. However, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs has started collecting data on crime against foreign tourists since 2014. Hence data on crime against foreign tourist prior to 2014 is not available with NCRB. The total number of cases registered under crime against foreign tourists were 384 during 2014. The State-wise/UT-wise number of reported incidents against foreign tourist during 2014 is given below. This information is not available for 2015.

The steps taken by Ministry of Tourism to ensure the safety and security of tourists including foreign tourists are as below:

i) 24X7 (all days) in a year offering a “multi-lingual helpdesk” in the designated languages to provide support service in terms of providing information relating to Travel & Tourism in India to the domestic and International tourists and to assist the callers with advice on action to be taken during times of distress while travelling in India and if need be alert the concerned authorities. The languages handled by the Tourist Helpline include ten International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The calls made by tourists (both international and domestic) while in India will be free of charge.
ii) Adoption of code of conduct for Safe and Hon’ble Tourism, which contains a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children.

iii)All the Chief Ministers of the State Governments and Administrators of Union Territory Administrations have been asked to take immediate effective steps for ensuring a conducive and friendly environment for all tourists and also requested to publicize the steps being taken/proposed to be taken to increase the sense of security amongst the present/prospective visitors and also to counter the negative publicity, if any.

iv)The National Tourism Ministers’ Conference was convened on 18^th July, 2013 and 21st August 2014 in New Delhi which resolved that the Departments of Tourism of all States and UTs will work for ensuring the safety and security of tourists, especially women. The State Governments/UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other.
v)Grant of Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for setting up of Tourist Facilitation and Security Organization (TFSO) on a pilot basis.
vi)In the wake of some unfortunate incidents happening involving foreign tourists, Ministry of Tourism posts an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org.

vii)The Ministry of Tourism has issued the Guidelines on Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories and Tips for Travellers in September 2014. These guidelines were sent to the State Governments/Union Territories and other relevant authorities to stress the importance of safety and risk management, assist in identifying best practices and encourage closer cooperation for ensuring a pleasant experience to the tourists. The Guidelines are indicative references that may be useful to the States in sharing or adopting the best practices and design their domestic measures to better protect tourists. In addition to these guidelines “Tips to Travellers” are also offered to make the visit of tourists to Incredible India, a memorable experience.

The foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India has shown continuous increase in last 5 years. The number of FTAs in India during the period 2011-2015 are as below:

Year	FTAs
2011	6309222
2012	6577745
2013	6967601
2014	7679099
2015	8027133

State-wise/UT-wise number of reported incidents against foreign tourist during 2014.

Sl. No.	State/UT	Total Crimes Committed against Foreign Tourists
1	Andhra Pradesh	2
2	Arunachal Pradesh	0
3	Assam	0
4	Bihar	13
5	Chhattisgarh	0
6	Goa	66
7	Gujarat	3
8	Haryana	6
9	Himachal Pradesh	2
10	Jammu & Kashmir	1
11	Jharkhand	0
12	Karnataka	11
13	Kerala	7
14	Madhya Pradesh	2
15	Maharashtra	25
16	Manipur	0
17	Meghalaya	0
18	Mizoram	1
19	Nagaland	0
20	Odisha	0
21	Punjab	3
22	Rajasthan	31
23	Sikkim	0
24	Tamil Nadu	2
25	Telangana	2
26	Tripura	0
27	Uttar Pradesh	64
28	Uttarakhand	0
29	West Bengal	4
	TOTAL STATE(S)	245
30	A & N Islands	0
31	Chandigarh	2
32	D&N Haveli	0
33	Daman & Diu	0
34	Delhi UT	135
35	Lakshadweep	0
36	Puducherry	2
	TOTAL UT(S)	139
	TOTAL (ALL INDIA)	384

Nationality-wise number of foreign women tourist arrivals during 2012-2014 is given below. This information is not available for 2015.

Nationality-wise number of Foreign Women Tourist arrivals during

2012-2014.

Country of Nationality	2012	2013	2014
North America
Canada	115209	117147	124309
U.S.A	448217	475365	493472
Central and South America
Argentina	4866	5390	5235
Brazil	7302	8849	9058
Mexico	4355	6367	6877
Others	10612	12554	12741
Western Europe
Austria	16206	15826	14706
Belgium	15508	15084	14902
Denmark	12770	13601	11486
Finland	8787	9821	8444
France	100842	113261	112960
Germany	87645	100801	94925
Greece	2053	2738	2864
Ireland	10408	11984	13185
Italy	32289	34292	33613
Netherlands	24908	27054	26150
Norway	9145	9958	8821
Portugal	8536	10246	12365
Spain	27890	27625	30507
Sweden	20832	21825	20272
Switzerland	21097	22653	20827
U.K.	334972	352108	369098
Others	5336	4648	4516
Eastern Europe
Czech Rep.	3817	3714	3576
Kazakhstan	7668	8984	10092
Poland	12039	11750	12174
Russian Fed.	91958	148735	154344
Ukraine	10829	15722	14670
Others	27000	33562	36886
Africa
Egypt	1438	4564	4931
Kenya	13955	17125	20356
Mauritius	13682	15107	15286
Nigeria	14080	13015	11184
South Africa	24127	27329	26661
Sudan	1328	1431	2117
Tanzania	10253	10902	12222
Others	30826	29558	31112
West Asia
Bahrain	3687	3728	4532
Iraq	8969	11170	14061
Israel	15629	18081	18492
Oman	18162	22099	32395
Saudi Arabia	7453	8235	11208
Turkey	5815	10860	10762
U.A.E.	21999	26169	30141
Yemen Arab Rep.	5578	7356	10159
Others	8815	11354	12241
South Asia
Afghanistan	18570	30293	30164
Iran	18930	14103	14581
Maldives	23903	21413	31160
Nepal	35105	35161	40327
Pakistan	25614	32197	42431
Bangladesh	152068	149078	254492
Sri Lanka	119090	100478	129387
Bhutan	5542	5631	6416
South East Asia
Indonesia	11144	12993	13208
Malaysia	89309	110891	122628
Myanmar	14040	17912	29883
Philippines	12629	19719	20236
Singapore	53238	57067	61197
Thailand	54463	63488	67841
Vietnam	5859	5873	7808
Others	1466	1776	3247
East Asia
China(Main)	43928	60625	66253
China(Taiwan)	12308	17816	17821
Japan	44003	64983	63221
Rep.of Korea	31199	40430	37832
Others	2735	2104	1789
Australasia
Australia	82661	91966	100940
New Zealand	16929	17952	18946
Others	1556	1591	1647
Not classified elsewhere	2369	10430	10672

IndianBureaucracy.com wishes the initiative its very best and hopes that some law be enacted like in Singapore for instant justice and punishment.

AIR Services at Tourist Sites

By

saurabh

-

March 15, 2016

0

Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma has informed that. Domestic air transport services have been decontrolled & deregulated. Government has laid down route dispersal guidelines with a view to achieve better connectivity to remote areas and different regions of the country. It is, however, up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability. As such the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to compliance of route dispersal guidelines issued by the Government.

The Government has taken several measures to help the industry so that benefits percolate down to common man. These steps are persuading State Governments to reduce VAT on ATF, allowing direct import of Aviation Turbine Fuel by Indian Carriers as actual users, permitting foreign airlines to participate up to 49 percent in the equity of scheduled air transport undertaking, allowing External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) for working capital requirement of airline industry for a period of one year subject to a total ceiling of US $1 billion and tax concession for parts of aircraft and testing equipment for third party maintenance, repair and overhaul of civil aircraft.

The Ministry of Tourism compiles data only on number of domestic and foreign tourist who visited various States and UTs. The details of the same for the period 2012-14 are given below. This information for 2015 is not available.

STATE/UT-WISE DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN TOURIST VISITS, 2012-2014

Sl. No.	State/ UT	2012		2013		2014
Sl. No.	State/ UT	Domestic	Foreign	Domestic	Foreign	Domestic	Foreign
1	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	238699	17538	243703	14742	285146	17235
2	Andhra Pradesh	207217952	292822	98017783	69552	93306974	66333
3	Arunachal Pradesh	132243	5135	125461	10846	180964	5204
4	Assam	4511407	17543	4684527	17638	4826702	21537
5	Bihar	21447099	1096933	21588306	765835	22544377	829508
6	Chandigarh	924589	34130	936922	40124	1061419	28365
7	Chhattisgarh	15036530	4172	22801031	3886	24488465	7777
8	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	469213	1234	481618	1582	579638	1799
9	Daman & Diu	803963	4607	819947	4814	795167	4620
10	Delhi *	18495139	2345980	20215187	2301395	22626859	2319046
11	Goa	2337499	450530	2629151	492322	3544634	513592
12	Gujarat	24379023	174150	27412517	198773	30912043	235524
13	Haryana	6799242	233002	7128027	228200	13442944	547367
14	Himachal Pradesh	15646048	500284	14715586	414249	15924701	389699
15	Jammu & Kashmir	12427122	78802	10891424	60845	9438544	86477
16	Jharkhand	20421016	31909	20511160	45995	33427144	154731
17	Karnataka	94052729	595359	98010140	636378	118283220	561870
18	Kerala	10076854	793696	10857811	858143	11695411	923366
19	Lakshadweep	4417	580	4784	371	7315	514
20	Madhya Pradesh	53197209	275930	63110709	280333	63614525	316195
21	Maharashtra*#	74816051	2651889	82700556	4156343	94127124	4389098
22	Manipur	134541	749	140673	1908	115499	2769
23	Meghalaya	680254	5313	691269	6773	716469	8664
24	Mizoram	64249	744	63377	800	68203	836
25	Nagaland	35915	2489	35638	3304	58413	3679
26	Odisha	9052871	64719	9800135	66675	10790622	71426
27	Puducherry	981714	52931	1000277	42624	1188093	83291
28	Punjab	19056143	143805	21340888	204074	24271302	255449
29	Rajasthan	28611831	1451370	30298150	1437162	33076491	1525574
30	Sikkim	558538	26489	576749	31698	562418	49175
31	Tamil Nadu	184136840	3561740	244232487	3990490	327555233	4657630
32	Tripura	361786	7840	359586	11853	361247	26688
33	Telengana	–	–	54084367	153966	72399113	75171
34	Uttar Pradesh	168381276	1994495	226531091	2054420	182820108	2909735
35	Uttarakhad	26827329	124555	19941128	97683	21991315	101966
36	West Bengal	22730205	1219610	25547300	1245230	49029590	1375740
	Total	1045047536	18263074	1142529465	19951026	1290117432	22567650

* DTVs: Estimated using all India Growth rate and FTVs: FTA data of Delhi Port.

*# DTVs: Estimates using partial data provided by the State Govts. and FTVs: Estimated using growth of FTAs at all Ports (combined) in Maharashtra.

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