Clarification

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Clarification

 

New Delhi : November 11, 2009

 

A section of media has reported that the Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram recently ordered slashing of security provided to Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi by half. The report is not factually correct. It is clarified that the security cover of Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi continues as before and there is no change in the security cover provided to her.

 

OK/KKA  /spandey

 

 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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UPSC lecture series on Governance:

INAUGURAL LECTURE BY PRESIDENT ON GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC SERVICE TOMORROW

 

New Delhi : November 11, 2009

 

The UPSC has started Foundation Day lecture series on Governance. The inaugural lecture will be on the theme 'Governance and Public Service' and will be delivered by the President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil here tomorrow. Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithiraj Chavan will preside over the function. It is in furthering UPSC central role in the governance structure that the commission thought of holding an annual lecture series, focusing on different areas of governance each year. This lecture series aims at providing a forum for raising issues of contemporary relevance to governance and public administration. It is hoped that it would generate ideas and fresh thinking that will help not only the UPSC, but concomitantly all other different units of governance as well.

 

It has been said that there is a need to reorient the governance structures so as to make them more accountable and transparent. There is a rising tide of expectation from the predominantly young population for a just, equitable, and humane society. Administrative systems have to keep pace with aspirations. There is also an acknowledged need for modernizing the administrative mechanism. The central role of the public service in reorienting the administrative mechanism is also agreed upon. There have been many initiatives in recent times to address the pressing matter of administrative reform, and this lecture is expected to add an important and timely input to the process.

 

The founding fathers of the Indian Republic envisaged an important role for the UPSC as the bedrock in the vital machinery of governance. The responsibility for recruiting the finest talent for manning the civil services and protecting their just interests so that they may act impartially and fearlessly are some of the tasks given to the Commission under the Constitution. UPSC is also responsible for advising the Government on related matters of service that actually cover personnel policy and human resource management.

 

RS/SR  /spandey

 

 

 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Sportpersons to get 25 us dollars out of pocket allowance for participating in sports events abroad

 

New Delhi : November 11, 2009

 

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has decided to provide Out of Pocket Allowance @ USD 25 per day per head to players and other members of the Indian contingent who are deputed as part of the official contingent at Government cost for the participation in major international sports events abroad.

 

Keeping in view the long standing demand of the sportspersons, the Ministry has issued orders yesterday with a direction to all National Sports Federations for implementation with an immediate effect.

 

RM/spandey

 

 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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'Incredible India' Wins World Travel Award

 

New Delhi : November 11, 2009

 

The Incredible India campaign of ministry of tourism received yet another feather in its cap, when it was conferred with the World Travel Award for the best destination marketing campaign. The Minister of Tourism, Kumari Selja received this award at the glittering event organized in London on 9th November, 2009. The promotional video being used for the overseas campaign was broadcast during the event, much to the delight and appreciation of the audience. The others present were Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Director General (Tourism) and Director, India Tourism, London Mr Jagdish Chander.

 

 

INAUGURATION OF INDIA PAVILION AT WTM-2009

 

 

On 10th November, 2009 the Tourism Minister inaugurated the India pavilion at the World Travel Mart by lighting of the traditional lamp. Those present were High Commissioner of India to U.K and senior office bearers of travel trade.

 

World Travel Market (WTM) is one of the premier international travel related events, which provides an effective platform for showcasing and sourcing new products and services and to learn about the latest international trends and patterns affecting tourism to various regions.

 

Incredible India has an imposing presence in the mart with a total of 83 participants as co-exhibitors in the India Pavilion. These include Air India, ITDC/ Organizing Committee (Commonwealth Games 2010), 60 Travel Agents / Tour Operators / Hotels and 21 State Governments / UTs.

 

            The theme of the India Pavilion this year is the "Commonwealth Games 2010" to be hosted in Delhi in 2010. The new creatives of the Ministry for promoting the Games as well as images of the mascot "Shera" are being displayed prominently in the Pavilion.

 

ASIAN GUILDS AWARD

 

 

Later in the day, the Union Minister tourism, received the ASIAN GUILD AWARD at the House of Lords, which recognized the contribution made by the Incredible India campaign in spreading awareness about India among the Asians living in U.K.

 

            The eminent personalities present during the event were Lord Peter Archer, President, The Asian Guild, Lord King of West Bromwich, the chairman, The Asian Guild and Tom Watson, MP, Advisor to PM, Tourism Ministers of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mr Nasir Aslam Wani and the High Commissioner of India in U.K Mr Nalin Surie.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Tourism stated that the "Incredible India" initiative was conceived with an objective to brand the country as a unique, vibrant and inclusive identity. The "Incredible India" brand line and campaigns have since grown by leaps and bounds, so much so that the terms "Incredible" and "India" are now almost synonymous - and not only while referring to the immense tourism potential of the country.

 

There is no doubt that the Incredible India initiative has positioned the country in the mind of the discerning traveller, re-enforced interest in the country and contributed in generating awareness about India among the younger generations. The successful campaigns have also created a sense of pride amongst the Indian communities residing in different parts of the world, including the United Kingdom. The present award is in recognition of these efforts.

 

The minister stated that the Indian Government, in close association and collaboration with all stakeholders in the tourism industry will continue to work towards building of the "Incredible India" brand. Initiatives have been taken to develop tourism infrastructure, improve the quality of services and develop new tourism products such as Medical, Wellness and Rural Tourism, which offer the visiting tourist a rejuvenating and enriching experience.

 

AD/DB/spandey

 

 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Progress report of Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) under Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Aleviation

 

New Delhi : November 11, 2009

 

 

·         More than 14.5 lakh houses sanctioned all over the country (14,59,272).

 

·         1304 projects of affordable housing and basic amenities to the urban poor with outlay of more than Rs 33,860 crores approved.

 

·         Additional Central Assistance (Grant) of Rs. 18,500 crores committed (representing more than 100% of the 7-year allocation initially provided for 2005-12)

 

·         Additional Central Assistance (ACA) of Rs 7192.02 crores released to      States/UTs.

 

·         63 Mission cities covered under BSUP & 761 cities/towns covered under IHSDP.

 

·         About 3.81 lakh houses in progress and 1.65 lakh dwelling units completed as against the mid-term target of 5 lakhs units in progress. 

 

·         Progress of 3 key pro-poor reforms (Land reservation for urban poor, earmarking of municipal budget for the urban poor and implementation of 7-Point Charter for the urban poor and under JNNURM largely on track.

 

·         Financial support for setting up of 23 Programme Management Unit (PMU) at State level in 23 States/UTs approved.

 

·         Financial Support for setting up of 101 Project Implementation Units (PIUs) at Urban Local Body (ULB) level approved.

·         An Online JNNURM tracking system as part of Integrated Poverty Monitoring System is developed and is under implementation

 

·         A framework for Third Party Inspection and Monitoring established and agencies for Third Party Inspection and Monitoring empanelled by Mission Directorate. Detailed guidelines have been issued to States.

 

·         States have been exhorted to start preparations for social audit of projects under BSUP & IHSDP. All detailed project reports and minutes of BSUP & IHSDP have been put on the website to establish transparency and sharing of information.

 

·         A Toolkit on comprehensive capacity Building programme has been developed and circulated to all State/UT Governments. Financial assistance is being provided for skill training, capacity building, and City/State urban resource centres.

 

·         More than 90 capacity building/handholding programmes have been conducted across the country and more than 12,000 State/parastatals/local body officials trained in project formulation, design, implementation and monitoring.

 

Cumulative Physical Progress (As on 31.10.2009) 

	BSUP	IHSDP	Total
No of projects approved	462	842	1304
No of States/UTs covered	31	30
No of Cities/Towns covered	63	761	824
No of DUs approved	995183	464089	1459272
No. of DUs on which construction started	293674	88235	381909
No. of DUs completed	122981	42570	165551

 

Cumulative Financial Progress (As on 31.10.2009)

	Commitment & Release (in Crores)
	BSUP	IHSDP	Total
Revised Allocation	16356.35	6828.31	23184.66
ACA Commitment	12807.32	5692.08	18499.40
% Commitment	78.30%	83.36%	79.80%
Release	4212.31	3000.87	7213.18
% Release (Release vs Commitment)	32.72%	52.72%	39.00%
Total project cost approved	25342.77	8517.45	33860.22

 

 ·         Progress on 3 Pro-Poor Key Reforms under JNNURM (BSUP & IHSDP)

 

·                Progress of 3 key reforms largely on track

 

·                Internal earmarking within local body budgets for Basic Services to the Urban Poor:  48 cities have undertaken implementation of this reform

 

 

·                Earmarking of at least 20-25% of developed land in all housing projects (both public and private agencies) for EWS/LIG category:

 

·                17 States (43 Cities) have issued the policy directives to reserve developed land in public and/or private housing projects

 

 

·                Implementation of 7- Point Charter: Provision of 7 Basic Entitlements/Services:

 

·                This reform is to be implemented in a staggered manner over the Mission Period in

 

·                convergence with the programmes of other Ministries as this is also an outcome of the Mission.

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AD/DB/spandey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PIB Kolkata