New Secretaries take over in Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
New Secretaries take over in Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

Shri Sujit Banerjee, IAS (UP.72), has taken over as Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Earlier, he was Secretary to the Government and Chairperson, National Authority on Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat. Shri Sujit Banerjee as Secretary, Ministry of Tourism succeeds Shri Shilabhadra Banerjee IAS (AP.71), who retired on 31st October, 2008.

Shri Jawahar Sircar, IAS (WB.75), has taken over as Secretary, Ministry of Culture. Earlier, he was Special Secretary and Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. Shri Jawahar Sircar as Secretary, Ministry of Culture succeeds Shri Abhijit Sengupta, IAS (KN.72), who retired on 31st October, 2008.

AD/SL /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)



Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
EC deputes 530 observers to supervise election process in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Mizoram

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

The Election Commission today held a briefing for the Observers who are being appointed for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of NCT of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan, 2008.

The Chief Election Commissioner Shri N.Gopalaswami and Election Commissioners Shri Navin B Chawla and Dr. S.Y. Quarishi. briefed the 530 Officers , who are being appointed as Observers to supervise the election process in the forthcoming Legislative Assembly Elections, 2008 for the above mentioned States.

The Election Observers will reach the allotted constituencies on the last date of withdrawal of candidature and stay continuously in the constituencies assigned to them till the end of poll day. They would ensure quick redressal of complaints that are received from political parties/candidates etc.

They will supervise the process of election at all stages, viz campaign, poll, counting of votes and declaration of results. They would also be supervising randomization, preparation of Electronic Voting Machines, training of polling personnel and conduct of voter awareness programmes. All Observers have been advised to look into the deployment plan of Central Police Forces in the constituency, if any. They will also be examining the process of identification of critical polling stations and monitor the process of vulnerability mapping to identify the segments vulnerable for threat and intimidation.

The Observers have been also advised to make sure that the affidavits that are filed by the Candidates at the time of nomination detailing their movable/immovable assets, qualifications, convictions, cases pending in courts, are displayed prominently and made available for public scrutiny without any loss of time.

The Observers have also been specifically advised to tour their respective allotted Assembly Constituency extensively and build confidence among weaker and disadvantaged sections. They will constantly review execution of non-bailable warrants, recovery of illicit arms and collection of licensed arms from undesirable elements. The Observers will monitor strictly the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct. The Observers have been advised to make sure that extensive videography is done of all critical events that may take place during the election process and polling at critical polling stations. The Commission has issued direction to all District Election Officers to prepare a comprehensive communication plan in consultation with Observers to ensure proper and effective communication on the day of poll.

The Observers would be assisted by the static Micro-Observers who would remain at the polling stations to observe and ensure the purity of the polling process. Central Government/Public Sector employees would be utilized to the extent possible as Micro-Observers. These Micro-Observers will report to the Observers. The training and orientation of Micro-Observers shall be the responsibility of Observers.

After the poll is over, the Observers as well as Micro-Observers shall be reporting to the Commission in a specific format devised for the purpose.

RM/ /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)



Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
Polish Defence Minister arrives tuesday on a three-day visit to India

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

The Polish Defence Minister Mr. Bogdan Klich arrives here just after midnight tonight on a three-day visit to India. Besides a delegation level meeting with the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, Mr Klich will hold talks with the Chairmen of top Defence Public Sector Undertakings including HAL, BEL, BEML and Ordnance Factories Board (OFB).

This follows the fourth meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) held here last month. During the JWG Meeting held between 15-17th October, the two sides agreed to consolidate cooperation in Defence Industry and specialized training of their Armed Forces. The India-Poland JWG on Defence Cooperation was set up with the signing of an agreement on Defence Cooperation in February 2003 during the visit of Polish Prime Minister to India. The first meeting of the JWG was held in April 2006.

India has shared with the former Soviet bloc ally a long tradition of friendship and cooperation in various fields including Defence Production and Supplies. The Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland will visit a Para Brigade of the Indian Army at Agra on Wednesday before leaving for Vietnam early Thursday morning.
****
PK/RAJ /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)


Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
Augmentation of water supply system for Navi Mumbai Maharashtra approved

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

Ministry of Urban Development has approved Augmentation of water supply system for Navi Mumbai Urban agglomeration of Greater Mumbai. The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) for sanctioning of projects under JNNURM has given approval to the augmentation of water supply system for Navi Mumbai with project cost of Rs. 230.52 cr of which Rs 80.68 cr would be borne by Govt. of India (35%). In Navi Mumabi basic infrastructure is provided in 80% city area. City has excess water for further growth. There is availability of land for expansion as city is part of hinterland.

This project will benefit 7.03 lakh population of Navi Mumbai with 15% minority population. It comprises of augmentation of 161 kms of distribution network, 4.9 kms of transmission lines, consumer and bulk meters which would enable a continuous gravity based distribution system and quality water supply in the entire city till 2041. Currently the water source is from Barvi (100 MLD: from MIDC) and from Hetwane (52MLD: from CIDCO) and both charge at higher rates for treated water. NMMC has developed its own source at Morbe dam for 450MLD and commissioned it in 2006 for which NMMC proposes to discontinue supply from MIDC and CIDCO and use Morbe water through this project. It will lead to targeted reduction of non-revenue water to 15% by 2010 with 24x7 water supply done in a pilot area being extended to the entire system to provide 150 lpcd water supply throughout the city. Tariffs would be revised on volumetric basis after the new project is commissioned and water audits done to reduce system losses using bulk flow meters from this project to improve transmission systems.

Peer Experience and Reflective Learning (PEARL) The National Institute of Urban Affairs as the National Coordinator for the projects, would enable knowledge sharing amongst JNNURM cities in various areas of urban reforms and city governance. Cross learning amongst cities would assist in the dissemination of best practices and reforms through an India urban portal website, Best practices documentation, Newsletters, National workshops. The annual cost for this was approved for Rs 85 lakhs.

TFK/MT /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)



Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
DLW, RCF & RWF exceed production target during April-September 2008

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

Chittranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) produced 71 electric locomotives against the target of 71 electric locomotives and Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) produced 128 diesel locomotives against the target of 122 diesel locomotives during April-September 2008. Rail Coach Factory (RCF) produced 817 coaches against the target of 786 coaches where as Integral Coach Factory (ICF) produced 575 coaches against the targets of 585 coaches during the same period. Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) produced 96481 wheels and 42243 axles during the same period against the target of 91678 wheels and 35113 axles during April-September 2008. During the month of September 2008, CLW, DLW, ICF, RCF and RWF have produced 5 electric locomotives, 26 diesel locomotive, 120 coaches, 137 coaches, 17413 wheels and 7361 axles respectively against the target of 5 electric locomotives, 22 diesel locomotive, 124 coaches, 130 coaches, 15334 wheels and 5817 axels.

The punctuality percentage of mail/express trains was 92.3 per cent in Broad Gauge and 99.7 per cent in Metre Gauge during the month of September 2008 compared to 92.0 per cent and 99.1 per cent respectively during the same period last year.

Railways have realized an amount of Rs. 23.34 crore approximately during the month of September 2008 through ticket checking.

AKS/HK/LK/TR /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)



Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
Prime Minister's meeting with captains of Indian Industry

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh met the captains of Indian Industry in New Delhi today. In his opening address, Dr Singh called upon the industry leaders to join in with the government to convert the current global crisis into an opportunity for India. He also outlined the measures being taken by the government to prevent Indian economy from facing the adverse affects of the global financial crisis. Following is the text of the Prime Minister's address on the occasion:

"We are meeting at a time when the world economy is going through an unprecedented crisis which started in the financial sector in the US but has now spread globally. The financial crisis has exacerbated a global downturn that was expected earlier but is now likely to be more severe and prolonged. A crisis of this magnitude was bound to affect our economy and it has. International credit has shrunk with adverse effects on our corporates and our banks. Global uncertainty is also tending to dampen investor sentiment. All countries have recognized the severity of the problem and its likely fallout, and are taking strong steps in a coordinated fashion. We have done the same and I wanted to share with you the approach we shall follow.

Our first priority was to protect the Indian financial system from possible loss of confidence or contagion effects. I am happy to say that the direct exposure of our banks to problem assets is minimal. Our banks are well regulated and also well capitalized. I think we have successfully conveyed to our people that our banking system, both in the public and the private sector, is safe, and the Government stands behind it and that no one should fear for the safety of bank deposits.

We have also taken several measures to infuse liquidity into the system to ensure adequate flow of credit. We have reduced the Cash Reserve Ratio by 350 basis points. We have also reduced the SLR and the Repo rate. Special facilities have been introduced that will allow banks to obtain finance from the RBI to meet the needs of debt mutual funds or NBFCs. I believe these steps have made a substantial difference. We recognize that the situation is abnormal and we need to be constantly on the alert. The situation is being watched on a day to day basis and more steps will be taken if required.

With these measures I am confident that our financial system will be stable and function well. However, we are also concerned that the negative impact on the real economy must be minimized. The additional liquidity provided or the reduction in Repo rate will help to provide credit at reasonable rates. The public sector banks have been instructed to ensure that they act counter cyclically in this situation to counter the general erosion of confidence. We are able to act more boldly because our efforts to contain inflation have begun to be effective. Movements in the WPI over the past six weeks suggest a definite abatement of inflationary process.

Some duty cuts have been announced to provide relief to civil aviation sector and the iron & steel industry.

Overall, the Government is closely monitoring the evolving macro economic situation and is fully alive to its responsibilities to sustain the growth momentum of the economy at a reasonable level. Expanding investment in infrastructure can play an important counter cyclical role in this situation. We will review projects and programmes in the area of infrastructure development, including both pure public sector projects and public private partnership projects, to ensure that their implementation is expedited and they do not suffer from constraints of funds. We are in any case expanding expenditure in the social sectors i. e. health and education and in rural and agricultural development and progress in these areas will be closely monitored. I am happy to state that our efforts in reviving the momentum in agriculture have clearly bore fruit and we have seen a growth rate of around 4.7% in the past three years and this is expected to continue in the current year. Taken together, these efforts will help to maintain the pace of both growth and stability in the economy.

I invite all of you, to join in the effort to convert this global crisis into an opportunity for India. I trust you will continue to show the confidence and dynamism that had taken our manufacturing growth to all time highs and the rate of growth of the economy to a level that was considered unimaginable, even a decade ago. Our high savings and investment rates have been a great strength in the recent past and we hope that the Indian corporate sector will not let the global crisis shake its confidence. While every effort needs to be made to cut costs and raise productivity, I hope there will be no knee jerk reaction such as large scale lay-offs which may lead to a negative spiral. Industry must bear in mind its societal obligations in coping with the effects of this global crisis. Government and industry must act in a true spirit of partnership to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

I would like to assure each one of you that the Government will take all necessary monetary and fiscal policy measures on the domestic front to protect our growth rates. On the international front, we are working closely with other countries to ensure coordinated policy action and increased development cooperation for the containment of this crisis. We will seek reform of the international financial institutions, and improved regulation and supervision, to prevent recurrence of such crises.

I welcome you comments and suggestions regarding the strategy we should adopt, both in our international negotiations and in the domestic arena. We will now listen to you and at the end I will ask both the Finance Minister and Minister of Industry and Commerce to sum up. "
* * * * *
AD/RK /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)







Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
Remember our collective responsibility and National Goals : PM
PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATES THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION OF INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

The Prime Minister Dr, Manmohan Singh, has called upon the people to be conscious of our collective responsibilities and National goals. Citing the Right to Information Act as a powerful instrument of Citizen's empowerment, Dr. Singh emphasised the need for contributing to nation building. Inaugurating the Third Annual Convention of Information Commissioners here today, he said "our citizens must also constantly remember that democracy is not just about Rights. It is also about Responsibilities. Democracy is not just about asserting our own identity. It is also about respecting the identity of others. Democracy is not just about seeking benefits. It is also about contributing to the process of nation building.

Referring to the benefits of the Act reaching to the common citizen during the last three years since the Act has been in force, Dr. Singh called for more pro-active and voluntary disclosure of information. The public authorities, he added must endeavour to voluntarily put out in the public domain information of use to citizens. He termed this as a major challenge for public authorities in the arena of information house keeping. The Prime Minister also called for removing bottlenecks and some difficulties that applicants find to file applications such as limited modes of fee payment, adequate attention to the training of personnel and modernisation of records management. In addition, there is a need for greater publicity to the provisions of the Act, Dr. Singh added.

The Inaugural Session was attended among others by Shri Prithviraj Chauhan, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office and Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Chief Information Commissioner.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister's address on the occasion:

"I am very happy to be here in your midst for this third Annual Convention of Information Commissioners. I compliment the Central Information Commission for bringing all of you together and also for inviting participants from our neighbouring countries of South Asia to this Convention. Regional cooperation in South Asia can acquire a new meaning if we agree to share our experiences in processes of governance and learn from each other. I sincerely hope this Convention will promote greater mutual understanding of processes of governance in our region.

Our Government takes great pride in the implementation of the Right to Information Act. It is often said that in modern society information is power. By sharing that information with the people at large, we are therefore, proposing decentralisation and participatory governance. It is revolutionary enactment that has placed huge powers in the hands of the ordinary citizen of the country to demand a transparent and accountable administration. This transition from a tradition of secrecy in official matters has of course not been easy. It has involved not only the setting up of an appropriate institutional mechanism but also a change in the mindset of public servants.

I am happy that reports in the media show that the benefits of the Act are now reaching the common citizen. It is a matter of great satisfaction for us that the legislation has begun to facilitate a greater flow of information from public authorities to the common man. There are many heart- warming stories of problems faced by ordinary men and women, like getting a ration card or an electricity connection, being resolved through a simple procedure of filing an application for information under this Act. I see in all this a gradual but steady process of building a more accountable, transparent and citizen-friendly government.

I understand that there has been an exponential growth of requests for information by our citizens over the last three years the Act has been in force. Statistics show that the majority of Information Commissions are ordering disclosure of a vast range of information hitherto unavailable to the citizen. This is, in addition, to information that is being provided by Public Information Officers and the First Appellate Authorities. I am told that, in comparison to the first year, in the second year the number of requests that were rejected has come down by more than 4%. The measure of success in empowering citizens with information, however, should not be limited to the reduction in the number of rejection of requests by public authorities. There must be enhancement in the quality of voluntary disclosure so that information seekers are not required to join long queues.

Public authorities in our country have still to go a long distance in proactive disclosures. They must endeavour to voluntarily put out in the public domain information of use to our citizens. This will be a major challenge for public authorities in the arena of 'Information Housekeeping'. By improvement in data management practices and by computerization of records and work flows the time may not be far off when citizens may locate on their own the status of their requests in the work flow artery of public authorities. The Act itself in section 4 mandates as much. I am told that this has been integrated into Government plan of e-governance calling for the computerization of all Central Govt. Organizations.

There are also some difficulties in the implementation of the Act that we must remove. Applicants find it difficult sometimes to file applications because of procedural bottlenecks. The modes of payment of fees are also somewhat limited. At many places adequate attention has not been paid to training of personnel, and modernizing of records management systems. There is also a need for greater publicity of the provisions of the Act. I am sure that all these issues will be discussed upon in the Convention.

The Right to Information Act is a powerful instrument of citizens' empowerment. It is indicative of the process of nurturing of our democracy and the assertion of people's power at various levels of Government. However, our citizens must also constantly remember that democracy is not just about Rights. It is also about Responsibilities. Democracy is not just about asserting our own identity. It is also about respecting the identity of others. Democracy is not just about seeking benefits. It is also about contributing to the process of nation building. We are passing through a phase in our national life when each one of us is more conscious about our Rights, our entitlements, and about our identities. But we do not seem to be really equally conscious of our Responsibilities, our social obligations, and our national commitments as citizens of a free democratic country. Even as we celebrate our individual empowerment through legislations like the Right to Information Act, let us not forget our collective responsibilities and concern for our national goals.

I must also take this opportunity to caution that we need to strike a balance between the need for disclosure of information and the limited time and resources available with the public authorities. Also, vexatious demands should not be allowed to deprive genuine information seekers of their legitimate claims on limited public resources. I do hope your Convention will bring out certain suggestions to deal with this situation.

This annual convention provides an opportunity for introspection and an assessment of how far we have succeeded in realizing the objectives of democratic empowerment and participation in processes of governance. What future steps must we take? What course correction is if any required? Have we made mistakes? How can we correct them? I am sure that all these questions will be discussed in your Convention.

I hope that the Convention will give us a holistic assessment of our achievements and as well as our shortcomings in the implementation of the Right to Information Act. This will help us implement the Act better and, therefore, empower our citizens in a more effective manner. I also hope that those who are now venturing into the field would find the deliberations of the Convention useful. With this, I have great pleasure in inaugurating the Convention."

I wish the Convention all success."

* * * * *

RCJ/LV/RK /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)



Press Information Bureau
Government of India
******
PM Inaugurates Annual Convention on RTI
TERMS RTI A STEADY PROCESS OF BUILDING ACCOUNTABLE & TRANSPARAENT GOVT.

New Delhi : November 3, 2008

The 3rd Annual Convention on Right to Information (RTI) was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today. The theme of this year's convention is "RTI and its Ramifications for Good Governance." In his remarks, Dr. Manmohan Singh said the operationalisation of RTI shows a gradual but steady process of building the more accountable, transparent and citizen friendly governance. RTI Act is indicative of the process of maturing of our democracy and the assertion of people's power at various levels of governance, he said. The Prime Minister said, even as we celebrate our individual empowerment through legislations like the Right to Information Act, let us not forget our collective responsibilities and our national goals. ( The full text of the Prime Minister's speech is available on PIB website i.e. www.pib.nic.in)

Minister of State, Shri Prithiraj Chauhan in his remarks said that RTI is an enabling tool for citizens. A study is already underway to assess the implementation of the RTI Act. The Minister said, Indian law is only in the world with penal provisions for defaulting officials. A centrally financed plan scheme for capacity building and awareness generation related to RTI has already been approved by the government. To make information under RTI available on phone, a pilot project on 'call center for RTI on phone has been approved, the Minister added.

In his welcome address, the Chief Information Commissioner, Central Information Commission (CIC), Shri Wajahat Habibullah said that RTI Act has introduced transparency in the functioning of our bureaucracy. To ensure efficacy of RTI, role of Information Commissioners should be considered crucial. Shri Habibullah said, a national sub-committee on Good Governnance, set up by CIC, has suggested that fundamental change in the attitude of bureaucracy is necessary for effective implementation of RTI Act. The freedom of information that has been introduced in India through RTI would further the cause of democracy in Asia and the world at large, he said.

The convention will have seven technical sessions covering major aspects of governance. The present convention is being attended by representatives of Civil Society and media both from within the country and from SAARC countries. The two day deliberations are expected to produce documents of contemporary as well as long term relevance to South Asia. Technical Sessions are being chaired by Justice Sri JS Verma, Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court, Shri B N Yugandhar, Member Planning Commission, Smt Aruna Roy, Social Activist, Shri Prannoy Roy, CMD, NDTV, Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Chief Information Commissioner, CIC and Shri A N Tiwari, Information Commissioner, CIC.

The various sessions are assigned to the issues : "RTI and Transparent Governance","RTI – Need for a Different Strategy Specific to Rural Area", "RTI & Poverty Alleviation", "RTI and Protection of Individual Privacy", "Media, Civil Society and RTI; RTI in South Asia – An Overview and Current Assessment of RTI."
The Central Information Commission has been organizing the Annual Convention every year since 2006. The Right to Information Act, 2005 creates many obligations on the State and the Central Government authorities for its implementation and sound monitoring.
*****
RS/SR /:/…spandey/kol…(RelSet1_3Nov08)