Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
India 91st country to ratify Montreal Convention
New Delhi : May 11, 2009
India became 91st country to have ratified Montreal Convention 1999. Director General of Civil Aviation (India) has deposited with ICAO on 1 May 2009, the Instrument of Accession by India to the Convention for Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air done at Montreal on 28th May, 1999. The Convention will become effective for India on 30th June 2009, being the 60th day after depositing the Instrument in accordance with its Article 53 Para (7) of the Convention.
As per ICAO statement on this occasion, the State of India has ratified in all 43 International Air Law Instruments and its standing has been found excellent as on May 1, 2009, from the view point of legislation of air law instruments into national laws. The Montreal Convention, 1999 has been incorporated into the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Act, 2009 in India.
The Carriage by Air (Amendment) Act, 2009:
· The Carriage by Air Act, 1972 covers the provisions of the Warsaw Convention, 1929 and the Warsaw Convention as amended by the Hague Protocol, 1955 relating to the liability of the carriers towards passengers and shippers.
· The Montreal Convention, 1999 supersedes all previous international instruments on air carrier liability.
· The Montreal Convention applies to all international carriage of persons, baggage or cargo performed by aircraft for reward.
· International carriage means any carriage in which the place of departure and the place of destination are situated:
- Within the territories of two State Parties; or
- Within the territory of a single State Party if there is an agreed stopping place within the territory of another State, even if that State is not a Party to the Convention.
· The Montreal Convention, 1999 has been ratified by 91 countries so far.
· Since Indian carriers are operating to most of these countries, they are required to maintain the required insurance and pay higher premium.
· For death of a passenger, there is a strict liability of 100,000 SDRs.
· The carrier shall not be liable beyond this limit if it proves that:
- Such damage is not due to negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the carrier; or
- Such damage is solely due to negligence or other wrongful act or omission of a third party.
· If the carrier proves that the damage was caused or contributed by the negligence and wrongful act or omission of the passenger or the person claiming compensation, it shall be exonerated to the extent of such negligence or wrongful act or omission.
· The carrier is liable for damage occasioned by delay in the carriage of passengers, baggage or cargo.
· The limits of liability shall be reviewed if the inflation factor had exceeded 10%.
· In case of death or injury of passengers, the carrier shall make advance payments without delay to natural persons.
· Fifth jurisdiction – State Party in which the passenger has his principal and permanent residence to which the carrier operates air services.
· Any action for damage shall be brought within two years.
· A State Party may require the carrier to furnish evidence that it maintains adequate insurance.
******
MC/MK/spandey
Press Information BureauGovernment of India
PIB Feature
EVM – Strengthening Device of Democracy
R. K. Pillai**
India, one of the most vibrant democracies of the world and the land of colourful festivals, is at present immersed in a different festivity. The month-long festivity of franchise will reach its crescendo on 16th May when General Election results start pouring in on that day. For the first time our General Elections, the biggest exercise of its kind in the world, is being held in five phases. The mammoth process is of course a surprise for many countries and the world media is showing keen interest in our election process for its sheer size, systematic pattern and people's involvement.
The men in uniform and other officials engaged in election duty is of course doing a commendable job. So too Electronic Voting Machines popularly known as EVMs. Like the 2004 General Elections, this time too the entire polling is being carried out using EVMs. This simple electronic device has transformed the entire election exercise of our country by either doing away or curtailing some of the inherent hassles of the election process.
EVMs were first put into use by the Election Commission in 1982 in Kerala for the bye-election in Paravur Assembly Constituency. This experimental use of EVMs were limited to 50 polling stations. From there it was indeed a great leap forward for the Election Commission. As many as 10.75 lakh EVMs were put into use during 2004 General Elections. The number has further gone up during the present elections.
As we know, apart from eliminating the possibility of invalid and doubtful votes, EVMs make counting of votes and results much faster. Nature lovers too have reasons to rejoice on the use of EVMs. Reduction in use of paper to a great extent is one advantage of this electronic device. Put together, during the General Elections in 1996 and 1999 as much as 16,500 metric tonnes of paper has been saved due to the use of EVMs. Noteworthy fall in printing cost of ballot papers is another plus point. Manufactured by two Central Government Undertakings, Bharath Electronics Ltd and Electronics Corporation of India, EVMs can be used even in the remotest areas having no electricity because the device runs on alkaline batteries. Operational simplicity and reliability make EVMs all the more acceptable. The standalone machine has no network connectivity and hence its programming cannot be interfered with or manipulated. The world recognizes the fact that the Indian democracy has inspired many nations especially those in our immediate neighbourhood. Bhutan has used EVMs made in India during their last elections.
As we salute the supreme sacrifice of the security personnel and the sense of belonging of tens of thousands of officials engaged in election duty across the length and breadth of the country let's also say hats off to the simple electronic device, EVM. Needless to say that EVMs are of paramount importance in further taking our vibrant democracy from strengthen to strength.
*Media & Communications Officer, PIB, Thiruvananthapuram
DNM/RTS/VN/spandeyPress Information Bureau
Government of India
********
THIRD PHASE POLLING IN WEST BENGAL ON 13TH. MAY
Kolkata May 11, 2009
On the third phase of polling in West Bengal, 11constituencies will vote on next Wednesday (13May).These constituencies are in the 3 districts of North and South 24 Parganas and Kolkata. 1,38,32,880 electorates will be deciding the fate of 100 candidates in this phase.The constituencies which are going to polls in the third and last phase of polling are - Bongaon(SC), Barrackpore, DumDum, Barasat , Basirhat, Joynagar(SC), Mathurapur(SC), Diamond Harbour, Jadavpore, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar. Total no. of polling stations are 17136 .
Total no. of 7MPs and 1 MLA are in the fray in this phase. There are 13 candidates each in Kolkata Uttar and Kolkata Dakshin constituencies. The lowest no. of candidates, in this phase, are in Dumdum. There are only 6 candidates.
In this phase, number of women candidates are 9. 2 each from A.I.T.C and BSP,1each from BJP and IJP and 3 independents. There are 4 women candidates contesting from Kolkata Dakshin, 2 from Barasat and Joynagar and 1 from Bongaon(SC) constituency.
Highest no. of voters in the third phase are in the Kolkata Dakshin constituency. Here total no. of voters are 15,05,104. Lowest no. of voters are in Barrackpore, only 10,79,244. Kolkata Dakshin also has highest no. of polling booths, totalling 1863 while Barrackpore has lowest no. of polling booths of 1327.
**********
SC/(Third Phase Polling in WB)
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment