Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2010
New Delhi: October 5, 2009
The Union Public Service Commission will hold the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2010 on February14, 2010 for admission to Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy for the Courses commencing in January 2011 and Officers Training Academy, Chennai for the Courses (Men and Women) commencing in April 2011.
For details regarding the eligibility conditions, syllabus and scheme of the examination, centers of examination, guidelines for filling up application form etc. aspirants must consult the detailed notice of the examination published in the Employment News/Rozgar Samachar dated September 26, 2009. Details are also available on UPSC website i.e.http://www.upsc.gov.in
Candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for its examinations, which can be purchased from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices (specified in Appendix-III of the Notice) throughout the country.
In case of any difficulty in obtaining application forms from the designated HPOs/Pos, the candidates should contact the concerned Post Master or UPSC's "FORMS SUPPLY MONITORING CELL" over Telephone no.011-23389366/Fax No.011-23387310.
The last date for all applications to reach the UPSC is October 26, 2009. However, in respect of candidates residing abroad or in certain remote areas specified in the Notice, the last date for receipt of application by post/speed post only (not by hand or by courier) is November 3, 2009.
In case of any guidance/information/clarification regarding their application, candidature etc. candidates can contact UPSC's Facilitation Counter in person or over Telephone No.011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 during working hours.
rs/sr/dk/kol/16:59 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Finance
Shift 6 percent voting power to DTCs to bring parity in Governance of World Bank: FM
New Delhi: October 5, 2009
The Finance Minister has suggested that we should carry forward the decision taken at Pittsburgh and aim at a 6 percent shift in voting power to Developing and Transition Countries (DTCs). Such a significant shift in voice power alone would bring parity in the Governance of the World Bank. Shri Pranab Mukherjee said this, while making an intervention to build on the results of the G-20 agreement. Speaking at the meeting of the Development Committee of the World Bank in Istanbul, today, Shri Mukherjee emphasized that economic weight must be the primary criteria in any methodology for realignment. Instead of any linkage with IMF, there should be a bank specific formula. GDP at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) should be the most relevant measure. He contended that developing countries expect an ambitious outcome from the Voice Reform Process. Voice of DTCs need to be enhanced in an effective way and not by some mechanical exercise, he added.
Shri Mukherjee also conveyed his strong support for a Capital Increase for both the World Bank and the IFC. He applauded Bank's response to the crisis and warned against complacency given the uncertain trajectory of recovery. Developing countries need a reliable lender who can provide adequate financial resources at a stable and cheaper rate. He said that this is what the World Bank is mandated for and hence to fulfill its mandate we should work for increase in World Bank's Capital resources.
bsc/by/gn -343/09/dk/kol/16:59 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Environment and Forests
First meeting of NGRBA held
New Delhi: October 5, 2009
The first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was held today under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand and Bihar, Union Ministers of Urban Development, Water Resources, Science & Technology and Environment and Forests, besides the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission. In the meeting the following decisions were taken.
(i) Approval for Mission Clean Ganga: No untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluent to enter Ganga by 2020 -- The Authority decided that under Mission Clean Ganga it will be ensured that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluents flow into Ganga. Currently there is a sewage treatment capacity of only about 1000 mld against 3000 mld sewage being generated in the towns along Ganga. An estimated investment of Rs 15,000 crores over next 10 years will be required to create the necessary treatment and sewerage infrastructure. It was agreed that the required resources will be provided by Centre and States over ten-year period to be shared suitably between Centre and states after Planning Commission consultations. New and innovative models for implementation like, for instance, special purpose vehicles to be adopted.
(ii) While comprehensive river basin management plan will be ready by December, 2010, on-going sewage treatment projects to be put on fast-track and states to formulate DPRs for new such projects in critical pollution hotspots and major towns on Ganga and major tributaries by November 30, 2009. Tripartite MOAs to be signed by February 1, 2010 and initial portfolio of projects to be sanctioned by March 1, 2010.
(iii) Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to work with states to prepare specific action plans for dealing with problem of industrial pollution in Ganga Basin by January 31, 2010.
(iv) The issue of hydro electric projects In the upper reaches of Bhagirathi (Loharinag Pala , Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati) to be studied by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Power and report submitted to NGRBA in 60 days time.
(v) A Standing Committee of NGRBA to be constituted headed by Union Finance Minister to meet more frequently and review implementation. An empowered Steering committee headed by Unoion Environment Secretary to be set up for fast track clearance of projects on JNNURM lines. Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to create separate and distinct professional team to service the NGRBA and the Empowered Standing Committee.
It may be recalled that the Authority was set up on 20th February, 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act as an empowered Authority to adopt a new holistic river basin approach to the cleaning of the river Ganga and address the issue of minimum ecological flows, besides pollution abatement works.
The following actions have been taken since the setting up of the Authority in February, 2009:-
• EOIs were invited for preparing a comprehensive Ganga river basin management plan. RFPs have been issued to 10 shortlisted firms. Work will be awarded by Dec 15.
• Rs 250 crore have been allocated in the Union Budget for 2009-10 for NGRBA. Rs 500 crore per year allocation in the remaining 2 years of 11th Plan has been agreed to by the Planning Commission.
• World Bank has been engaged for long term support of Authority's work programme. Assistance of $1 billion is indicated for first phase. Proposal of $3 million project preparation facility was forwarded to World Bank and has been approved.
• Empowered State River Conservation Authorities have been notified for West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
• A Model Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement between Centre, States & ULBs has been prepared by National Institute of Urban Affairs. It has been circulated to States for comments. The MOA will link flow of funds to achievement of milestones and measurable improvement in water quality.
• A Proposal has been submitted to 13th Finance Commission for one time allocation of Rs 1320 crore for meeting O&M needs of STPs for 5 years;
• Pilot projects of Sankat Mochan Foundation at Varanasi (pond based treatment) and National Botanical Research Institute (plant based wastewater management) at Hardwar have been approved, in order to encourage innovative approaches to river cleaning.
• Work on GIS based mapping of Ganga basin has been entrusted to NIC. This will be completed by June 2010. It will be a useful decision making tool.
• Consultations with States, Urban Local Bodies and experts have been held for identifying river conservation projects to be implemented in PPP mode through special purpose vehicles.
• Action has been initiated for third party evaluation of schemes. Independent institutions will be appointed by Dec 2009 for this purpose.
• Improved water quality monitoring system is being put in place. Work on online data transmission from monitoring organisations and public access to WQM data is expected to be completed by Dec 2009.
• A Proposal has been finalized for awarding consultancy by January 2010 for creation of a state-of-the-art knowledge centre on Ganga.
• A Compendium of sewage treatment technologies has been prepared by IIT-Kanpur for guidance of implementing agencies/ULBs.
• A Status paper on Ganga has been prepared by Alternate Hydro Energy Centre, IIT Roorkee providing an overview of Ganga Basin.
vlk/ska/dk/kol/17:00 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Food Processing Industries
1st Conference of State Ministers of Food Processing Industries to be inaugurated by Prime Minister on October 6,2009
New Delhi: October 5, 2009
The 1st Conference of State Ministers of Food Processing Industries will be held here on October 6, 2009. Dr.Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India will inaugurate this prestigious conference. Food Processing is of paramount importance to the country as it has the potential to transform the current subsistence agriculture being practised in large parts of the country to a more remunerative and environmentally sustainable occupation. The role of food processing industry is accelerating the growth of agriculture sector in the country becomes critical as it has the potential to drive the rural economy by bringing synergy between industry and agriculture. A developed food processing industry leads to increase in farm gate prices translating into increased rural incomes, reduction in wastages, ensures value addition, promotes crop diversification, generates employment opportunities as apart from significantly contributing to export earnings.
Some of the key issues which are likely to be discussed in the conference:
· Government Policies and Procedures
· Inadequate infrastructure along the value chain
· Diversification of Product Portfolio and Commercialisation
· Capacity Building
· Enabling Policy Structure for Food Processing Sector
· Schemes for Infrastructure Development
· Scheme for Human Resource Development
· Scheme for Research and Development
· Scheme for Setting up/Up gradation of Food Testing Laboratories
· Scheme for Up gradation of Quality of Street Food
· Institutional Strengthening.
vlk/ska/dk/kol/17:00 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
Only an inclusive city can be a sustainable city: Selja
Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation celebrates World Habitat Day
New Delhi: October 5, 2009
The Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism minister Kumari Selja has said only an Inclusive city can be a sustainable city and we have to work towards an urban India where we would have addressed the developmental disparities in a comprehensive and holistic manner. Delivering the World Habitat Day Address here today she said, the indicator of livable cities, are good infrastructure, clean environment, good quality of life and vibrant economic base for all its citizens.
The minister said, it is necessary to break away from past trends and practices and to take decisive action for inclusive urban development that acknowledges the presence of the poor in cities, recognizes their contributions as essential to the city's functioning and redresses the fundamental reasons for inequity that ties them down to poverty. She said major programmes have been started by the government to address these shortages. She said the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) and the scheme for Affordable Housing in Partnership together seek to upgrade slums and create additional stock by enabling the construction of about 25 lakh houses with basic amenities for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG) by the end of 11th Five-Year Plan.
Referring to the proposed Rajiv Awas Yojana, the minister said, it proposes to bringing existing slums within the formal system and enabling them to avail of the same amenities as the rest of the town; redressing the failures of the formal system that lie behind the creation of slum and force the poor to resort to extralegal solutions in a bid to retain their sources of livelihood and employment. A slum-free India is an aggregate of the vision of slum-free state. The minister said the states who need to attend and arrest the problem through a two pronged approach; by upgradation of existing slums and preventing new slums. She said the scheme will focus on according property rights to slum-dwellers/urban poor by States/UTs, but facilitate an all-encompassing environ adopting a 'whole city' approach and providing basic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, internal and approach roads, street lighting and social infrastructure facilities in slums and low income settlements and enabling the construction of houses by the slum-dweller/ urban poor through access to subsidized credit. Kumari Selja said the government would extend support to states that are willing to assign property rights to people living in slum areas.
Listing another major initiative of the ministry, Kumari Selja said draft bill of the Model Real Estate (Regulation of Development) Act has been put on website of the Housing ministry inviting comments from public at large. She said the draft bill is essentially rooted in the need to promote planned and healthy real estate development of colonies and apartments, with a view to protection consumer interest on the one hand and to facilitate a smooth and speedy urban construction on the other.
The minister also gave away awards to the winners of NHB Essay Competition, BMTPC Painting Competition for physically and mentally challenged children, Design Idea Competition and HUDCO Painting Competition for street and shelter less children on the occasion.
The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October each year as the World Habitat Day (WHD). The idea is to reflect on the state of human settlements and the necessity of adequate shelter for all. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of human habitat.
The theme for the WHD 2009 is 'Planning our urban future'. The theme has been chosen in order to raise awareness for improvement of urban planning to deal with new challenges of the 21st century, as in both developed and developing countries, cities and towns are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, resource depletion, food insecurity, population growth and economic instability.
ad/db/dk/kol/17:00 hrs.
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