The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2012

The Bill amends the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (the principal Act). The Act consolidates the law related to forests and forest produce. It prohibits certain activities, some of which are punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of Rs 500. These include making fresh clearances in forests and setting fire to a reserved forest. These offences can be compounded by officers empowered by the state government. [To compound an offence means to accept compensation in lieu of punishment. This relief is also allowed under Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 for certain offences.] Under the Act, only officers of the rank of a ranger or above, who draw a salary of at least Rs 100 per month may be empowered to compound offences. The Bill removes the minimum salary requirement of an officer to be empowered to compound offences. The Bill also requires forest officers to obtain and record the views of the Gram Sabha before they compound an offence in a Scheduled Area.

India Water Week

India celebrated India Water Week from April 10, 2012. The inaugural ceremony was chaired by the Prime Minister. The India Water Week is focussing this year on the important themes of water, food and energy security. The Ministry of Water Resources since this year has endeavoured to celebrate India Water Week annually as an international event to focus on water issues. It would provide a global platform for water related issues that will bring policy makers, industry leaders, experts, professionals and practitioners together to address the challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities, recognizing the excellence of professionals/organizations and celebrate their achievements. The first international event in the series of India Water Week on Water, Energy and Food Security: Call for Solutions was organized during April 10-14, 2012 at New Delhi.

Water resource scenario in India Challenges

With around 17% of the worlds population but only 4% of its usable fresh water, India has a scarcity of water.

Rapid economic growth and urbanisation are widening the demand supply gap. Climate change could further aggravate the availability of water in the country as it threatens the water cycle. Our water bodies are getting increasingly polluted by untreated industrial effluents and sewage.

Groundwater levels are falling in many parts due to excess drawals leading to contamination with fluoride, arsenic and other chemicals. The practice of open defecation, which regrettably is all too widespread, contributes to contaminating potable water sources. Initiatives

The Planning Commission has identified the challenge of managing our water resources in a rational and sustainable manner as one of the critical challenges in the Twelfth Five year Plan. It will require action on many fronts and coordination across different sectors of our economy.

India has launched a National Water Mission as part of Action Plan on Climate Change. The main objective of this Mission is to achieve integrated management of water resources by conserving water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within various States of our Union. The Mission proposed a review of the National Water Policy and a draft of the new Policy has been put in the public domain for widespread public consultation.

The draft National Water Policy recommends taking the river basin / sub-basin as a unit for planning and management of water resources and proposes that departments / organizations at the Centre and the States be restructured and be made multi-disciplinary.

It also proposes the establishment of water regulatory authorities in each State and a national forum to deliberate upon issues relating to water and evolve consensus, cooperation and reconciliation amongst the various States.

There is a suggestion that a broad over-arching national legal framework of general principles on water is necessary to pave the way for essential legislation on water governance in every State.

The National Water Mission sets a target of 20% improvement in water use efficiency. This is particularly critical in the agricultural sector, which uses about three fourth of our water resources and where the water use efficiency is low compared to international standards. Further steps to be taken

Management of our irrigation systems should move away from a narrow engineeringconstruction-centric approach to a more multi-disciplinary and participatory approach We need to focus on command area development in a holistic manner in our irrigation projects. We need to move towards transparent and participatory mechanisms of pricing of water by the primary stakeholders themselves.

On the supply side we have been working on watershed management, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. Over the next five years, we need to give renewed vigour to all schemes that involve water.

Conserving our groundwater is now an urgent priority because we depend on it for more than two thirds of our water needs. The decline in the water table across the country is a matter of serious concern. The present legal situation gives every land holder the right to pump unlimited quantities of water from a bore well on his own ground. There is no regulation of ground water extraction and no coordination among competing uses. Inadequate and sub-optimal pricing of both power and water is promoting the misuse of groundwater. We need to move to a situation where ground-water can be treated as a common property resource.

We need to map the aquifers of India to obtain basic information on ground water availability. This will be initiated in the Twelfth Plan. We also need to promote participatory management of aquifers to ensure sustainable and equitable use and promoting cropping patterns which are aligned with the groundwater actually available.

Access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are basic human needs. They are fundamentally linked to the health and wellbeing of our people. Groundwater sources of drinking water often fail due to competition over the same aquifer between public drinking water systems and private irrigation. In the absence of sound legal framework, drinking water systems often lose the contest.

Few Important schemes

Three new sub-schemes have been introduced under RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) from 2010-11. 1. First on extending green revolution to Eastern Region of the country - covering States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Eastern UP and West Bengal, with objective of increasing crop productivity of region by intensive cultivation through promotion of recommended agricultural technologies and package of practices. Allocation of Rs. 400 crore for 2010-11 has been made for this, out of which Rs. 260.62 crore have been released to the States so far. 2. Second sub-scheme is special initiative for Pulses and Oilseeds in Dryland Areas during 2010- 11, with an allocation of Rs. 300 crore in current year and is operationalized by organizing 60,000 Pulse and Oilseeds Villages in identified watersheds by providing farm machinery and equipment on custom hiring basis to pulses and oilseed farmers and dovetailing with other existing central schemes having components for promotion of oilseeds and pulses production. Rs. 238.50 crore have been released to the States under this sub-scheme so far. 3. Third sub-scheme is National Mission for Saffron-Economic Revival of J&K Saffron Sector with allocation of Rs. 39.43 crore for current year. Out of this, first instalment of Rs. 19.72 crore has been released to Jammu & Kashmir. So now RKVY includes 9 sub components.

special initiative for pulses and oilseeds development in selected pulses and oilseed growing villages in rain-fed areas, scheme to bridge yield gap in agriculture in eastern India, initiative on vegetable clusters, accelerated fodder development programme, rain-fed area development programme, promotion of oil palm, nutri- cereals, national mission for protein supplements and saffron mission.

Indira Awaas Yojana

Aim of Indira Awaas Yojana is to provide financial assistance to the rural poor living Below the overty Line (BPL) for construction of a house. The benefits of the Scheme have since been extended to the families of Exservicemen of the armed forces & paramilitary forces killed in action. Besides 3% of the houses are reserved for the physically & mentally challenged persons of the rural BPL families.

Funds are also been earmarked for coverage of minorities. Beneficiary is free to construct IAY house of their own choice. Hence, there is no architectural specification and layout given under IAY. A person is eligible for benefits even if he/ she has not plot.

Mega Food Park scheme

Launched in 2008, the scheme promotes fully-integrated food parks and provides half the total cost of the project, minus land and non-capital components such as operation and management costs. Such parks are expected to not only increase processing levels in the country only six per cent of fruits and vegetables grown in the country are processed but also promote cluster farming, benefiting farmers. For instance, each mega food park is to have a number of collection centres in a 120-km area around, where the farmer can directly sell his produce. The ministry has urged the state governments to adopt and implement its model State Agricultural Produce Marketing Act, so that the collection centres could be freed of mandi tax and farmers could get maximum returns, by dealing directly with buyercompanies.

Health insurance Portability is available to consumers from October 2011. The policy holder has to inform the new insurer about the time regarding the choice of switching. According to Irda guidelines, insurers need to be informed 45 days before renewing the existing policy. If the request for the portability is made after 45 days, the insurer may reject the request. Waiting period for certain illness varies from insurer to insurer. Hence, it is important for the policy holders to check the time period for pre-existing diseases. Besides the specific exclusions, other terms and conditions need to be scrutinised well before shifting.

Draft of National Youth Policy 2012 unveiled

Key Features of Draft NYP 2012: The Draft NYP 2012 recognizes that youth is not a homogenous group and there are numerous differentials based on their habitat, environment in which they live, socio-economic status of the families they belong to and their own life style. The target groups identified are (i) Student Youth (ii) Migrant Youth (iii) Rural Youth (iv) Tribal Youth (v) Youth At Risk (vi) Youth in violent conflicts (vii) out of school/dropouts (viii) groups with social /moral stigma (ix) Youth in Institutional Care. Young women, Youth belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged communities /groups, and differentlyabled youth form the three priority groups among the target age group. The Draft NYP 2012 proposes to change the target age group from the existing 13-35 years to 16-30 years. This change is proposed mainly to realign the definition of Youth with the prevailing international definitions. The definition of Youth as per UN is 15-24 years and as per Commonwealth, it is 15- 29 years. The concerns of target groups and the priority groups therein, shall be addressed through a subsequent action plan based on policy interventions mentioned in the thrust areas of this policy. Draft NYP 2012 plans to divide broad age bracket of 16-30 years into three groups- the first sub-group will be 16-20 years covering mostly youth who require educational facilities. The second sub-group is 20-25 years who require access to employable skills. The third sub-group 25-30 who require access to self employment and enterprenuerial skills. The draft NYP 2012 aims at empowering youth through skill development for enhancing employability and providing entrepreneurship opportunities through convergence with other Ministries/Departments. The thrust areas are promotion of National values, social harmony, national unity, and empowering youth through employable skills, education, health, sports and recreation, gender justice, participation in community service, environment and local governance. The Draft NYP 2012 has monitorable indicators under five domains. Accordingly, Youth Development Index will include the indices viz.

Youth Health Index, Youth Education Index, Youth Work Index, Youth Amenities Index, Youth Participation Index.

The Draft NYP 2012 advocates establishment of strong coordination mechanism at the Centre and State Levels. The NYP 2012 proposes that Youth Policy be reviewed after every National Census. The Draft Youth policy, for the first time, has also been under pinned by the guiding principle of providing targeted employable skills to different youth segments in line with Prime Minister's Skill Development Mission, apart from identifying varied segments based on socio-economic, gender and geographical parameters as specific targets.

Gramin Bhandaran Yojna

The funds for this scheme are contributed by National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development, National Cooperative Development Corporation and by cooperative banks and cooperative societies. The main objectives of the scheme include creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to meet the requirements of farmers for storing farm produce, processed farm produce and agricultural inputs. Also, promotion of grading, standardization and quality control of agricultural produce to improve their marketability. the scheme also aims at prevention of distress sale immediately after harvest by providing the facility of pledge financing and marketing credit by strengthening agricultural marketing infrastructure in the country. To avail the scheme, an interested promoter will have to submit a copy of the project proposal for term loan and subsidy to the respective banks on an application form as prescribed by the concerned bank along with project report and other documents for appraisal and sanction of loan.

National Policy on Old Persons (NPOP)

The National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) was formulated in 1999 in response to the increasing number of persons 60 years and above. Key Elements of NPOP

Financial Security i. The old age pension scheme to eventually cover all older persons below poverty line ii. Pension scheme to be broadened to include both public and private sectors iii. Tax exemption for medical and nursing care, transportation and support services for the old or the son or daughter with whom they are staying iv. Public distribution system to reach out to cover all persons above the age of 60 living below the poverty line

Health Care and Nutrition i. Subsidy for the health care needs of the elderly poor and graded system of user charges for others ii. Provision of primary health services and health insurance to address preventive, curative, restorative and rehabilitative needs of older persons and geriatric care at secondary and tertiary levels iii. Tax relief, grants, land grant at concessional rates to NGOs and private hospitals to provide economical and specialised care for older persons iv. Setting up geriatric wards and conducting training and orientation programmes for geriatric care v. Expansion of mental health services and counselling facilities for the elderly having mental health problems Shelter i. Earmarking 10 per cent of the houses in private and Government housing schemes and easy access to loans. ii. Layout of housing colonies to be made sensitive to the needs of the older persons. iii. Quick disposal of cases relating to property transfer, mutation of property, property tax, etc. Education The concept of wellness in old age and related health education and information needs of the elderly should receive priority so that they are well-informed about safety, security as well as the evolving changes in lifestyle and living. Welfare Welfare is intended primarily for the extremely vulnerable elderly who are disabled, infirm, chronically sick and without any familial support. i. Identify the more vulnerable among the older persons such as the poor, the infirm and those without family support. Institutional care to be the last resort only. ii. Provide assistance to voluntary organisations by way of grants-in-aid for construction/maintenance of old age homes, daycare centres, multi-service citizens centres, outreach services, supply of disabilityrelated aids and appliances, etc. iii. Set up of welfare funds for older persons with support from the corporate sector, trusts, charities, individual donors and others for protection of life and property, involvement of NGOs and supporting senior citizens to realize their potential.

Research and Training i. Encourage research and documentation on ageing. ii. Encourage medical colleges, training institutions for nurses and paramedical institutes to introduce courses on geriatric care. iii. NGOs associated with such activities to get support for training and orientation of their personnel for the provision of specialized services. Sensitizing the Media What is the implementation mechanism of National Policy for Older Persons? Ans. The Government has constituted the NCOP on 10th May 1999 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment. The NCOP is the highest body to advice and coordinate with the Government in the formulation and implementation of policy and programmes for the welfare of the aged. The NCOP has been reconstituted in 2005. The present strength of NCOP is 50. Besides, the Ministry has also set up an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) headed by Secretary (SJ&E) with the aim of effective implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons and for taking actions on the recommendations of NCOP. The Ministry periodically reviews progress on the implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons through meetings of NCOP and IMC.

Key issues in implementation as experienced during the last 10 years of the NPOP. These are the need for: (1) coordination among multi-sectoral partners with clearer accountability and measurable and time bound results; (2) financial outlays by different stakeholders within their respective mandates, but harmonised to produce policy outcomes; (3) a stronger role for the National Council for Older Persons with greater political and administrative power necessary to bring multiple stakeholders contribute to a common cause; (4) enhanced income security, including social pensions for the poor vulnerable senior citizens; (5) increased protection for older women who face socio-economic, cultural and legal barriers; and finally (6) the need for sharpening the policy focus as it addresses multiple issues with limited resources.

Recommendations by Smt. (Dr.) Mohini Giri Committee in Draft National Policy on Senior Citizens, 2011

The focus of the new policy:

1. Mainstream senior citizens, especially older women, and bring their concerns into the national development debate with priority to implement mechanisms already set by governments and supported by civil society and senior citizens associations. Support promotion and establishment of senior citizens associations, especially amongst women. 2. Promote the concept of "Ageing in Place or ageing in own home, housing, income security and homecare services, old age pension and access to healthcare insurance schemes and other programmes and services to facilitate and sustain dignity in old age. The thrust of the policy would be preventive rather than cure. 3. The policy will consider institutional care as the last resort. It recognises that care of senior citizens has to remain vested in the family which would partner the community, government and the private sector. 4. Being a signatory to the Madrid Plan of Action and Barrier Free Framework it will work towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly society. 5. Recognise that senior citizens are a valuable resource for the country and create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, protects their rights and enables their full participation in society. Towards achievement of this directive, the policy visualises that the states will extend their support for senior citizens living below the poverty line in urban and rural areas and ensure their social security, healthcare, shelter and welfare. It will protect them from abuse and exploitation so that the quality of their lives improves. 6. Long term savings instruments and credit activities will be promoted to reach both rural and urban areas. It will be necessary for the contributors to feel National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 assured that the payments at the end of the stipulated period are attractive enough to take care of the likely erosion in purchasing power. 7. Employment in income generating activities after superannuation will be encouraged. 8. Support and assist organisations that provide counselling, career guidance and training services. 9. States will be advised to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and set up Tribunals so that elderly parents unable to maintain themselves are not abandoned and neglected. 10. States will set up homes with assisted living facilities for abandoned senior citizens in every district of the country and there will be adequate budgetary support. Implementation Mechanism There will be efforts to provide an identity for senior citizens across the country and the ADHAAR Unique identity number will be offered to them so that implementation of assistance schemes of Government of India and concessions can be offered to them. As part of the policy implementation the Government will strive for: 1. Establishment of Department of Senior Citizens under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 2. Establishment of Directorates of Senior Citizens in states and union territories 3. National/State Commission for Senior Citizens

4. Establishment of National Council for Senior Citizens A National Council for Senior Citizens, headed by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment will be constituted by the Ministry. With tenure of five years, the Council will monitor the implementation of the policy and advise the government on concerns of senior citizens. A similar body would be established in every state with the concerned minister heading the State Council for Senior Citizens. The Council would include representatives of relevant central ministries, the Planning Commission and ten states by rotation. Representatives of senior citizens associations from every state and Union Territory. Representatives of NGOs, academia, media and experts on ageing. The council would meet once in six months. 5. Responsibility for Implementation The Ministries of Home Affairs, Health & Family Welfare, Rural Development, Urban Development, Youth Affairs & Sports, Railways, Science & Technology, Statistics & Programme Implementation, Labour, Panchayati Raj and Departments of Elementary Education & Literacy, Secondary & Higher Education, Road Transport & Highways, Public Enterprises, Revenue, Women & Child Development, Information Technology and Personnel & Training will setup necessary mechanism for implementation of the policy. A five-year perspective Plan and annual plans setting targets and financial allocations will be prepared by each Ministry/ Department. The annual report of these Ministries/ Departments will indicate progress achieved during the year. This will enable monitoring by the designated authority. 6. Role of Block Development Offices, Panchayat Raj Institutions and Tribal Councils/Gram Sabhas Block Development offices would appoint nodal officers to serve as a one point contact for senior citizens to ease access to pensions and handle documentation and physical presence requirements, especially by the elderly women. Panchayat Raj Institutions would be directed to implement the NPSC 2011 and address local issues and needs of the ageing population. In rural/ tribal areas, the tribal council or gram sabha or the relevant Panchayat Raj institution would be responsible for implementation of the policy. The provisions of the 13thFinance Commission for special funding to them would be made applicable.

Elderly popuplation in India

What are the main features of elderly population of India? Ans. The profile of the elderly population indicates that:

a majority of them are in rural areas; feminization of the elderly population; and increase in the number of Oldest-old persons above 80 years and a large percentage (30%) of the elderly are below the poverty line.

What is the share of the older persons in the total population of the Country?

Currently in 2011 the share is 8.30 %, which is likely to be 12.40% in 2026.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 What are the important features of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007?

providing need-based maintenance to the parents/grand parents from their children. Tribunals will be set up for the purpose of settling the maintenance claims of the parents in a time bound manner. Lawyers are barred from participating in the proceedings of the Tribunals at any stage. provisions like protection of life and property of senior citizens, better medical facilities, setting up of old age homes in every district, etc. The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir and it applies also to the citizens of India outside India. The Act defines "children" as son, daughter, grandson and granddaughter who are not minor. The "Maintenance" includes provision for food, clothing, residence and medical attendance and treatment; A "senior citizen" means any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or above;

Whether a person other than claimant can file application on his/her behalf? Ans. An application for maintenance may be made by

a senior citizen or a parent, as the case may be; or if he is incapable, by any other person or organization authorized by him; or the Tribunal may take cognizance suo motu.

What is the time limit for disposing an application for claiming maintenance? Ans. An application filed under sub-section (2) for the monthly allowance for the maintenance and expenses for proceeding shall be disposed of within ninety days from the date of the service of notice of the application to such person. However, the Tribunal may extend the said period, once for a maximum period of thirty days in exceptional circumstances for reasons to be recorded in writing.

What is the monitoring mechanism for implementation of the Act by the States?

Ans. The Act has been enacted in pursuance of the provisions of Article 41 read with Entry 23 of the Concurrent List (Schedule VII) of the Constitution of India. State Governments are required to notify the Act and frame Rules for implementing the provisions of the Act. However, Section 30 of the Act enables the Central Government to give directions to State Governments for carrying into execution of the provisions of the Act. Further, Section 31 of the Act provides for periodic review and monitoring of the progress of implementation of the Act by the State Governments. The Ministry will act in accordance with these provisions to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Act by the States. The State Government are required to constitute for each Subdivision one or more Tribunals as per the need within a period of six months from the date of the commencement of this Act.

What are the provisions about revocation of will? Ans. As per the provision of Act, a senior citizen can seek to revoke any property, which has been transferred in favour of children/relative on the condition that such children/relative would provide maintenance to him but are not providing the same. The tribunals are empowered to declare such transfers as void on the applications of such parent.

Is any penalty/imprisonment is for the children who abandon their parents? Ans. Yes, imprisonment for a term of 3 months and a fine upto Rs. 5000/- or both on the children. What are the provisions for medical care of senior citizens provided in the Act? Ans. The Act provides that State Government shall ensure that,

the Government hospitals or hospitals funded fully or partially by the Government shall provide beds for all senior citizens as far as possible; separate queues be arranged for senior citizens; facility for treatment of chronic, terminal and degenerative diseases is expanded for senior citizens; research activities for chronic elderly diseases and ageing is expanded; there are earmarked facilities for geriatric patients in every district hospital duly headed by a medical officer with experience in geriatric care.

National Policy on Older Persons (discussed separately) Grant-in-Aid Schemes

What are the schemes under which financial assistance is provided for welfare of the older persons? Ans- The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment supports programmes for the welfare of the elderly through financial assistance to Non Governmental Organizations under the two schemes detailed below:

Scheme of "Integrated Programme for Older Persons", through which financial assistance up to 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centres, mobile medicare units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons. Scheme of Assistance for construction of old age homes for older persons under which funds are provided for construction of old age homes. The Scheme is presently under formulation.

Which agencies are eligible for obtaining grant-in aid under the Integrated Programme for Older Persons for implementing different projects? Ans. Under the scheme, assistance is sanctioned to the following agencies subject to terms and conditions laid down by this Ministry:

Panchayati Raj Institutions/Local bodies. Non-Governmental Voluntary Organizations. Institutions or Organizations set up by Government as autonomous/subordinate bodies Government Recognized Educational institutions, Charitable Hospitals/Nursing Homes, and recognized youth organizations such as Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sanghathan. In exceptional case, financial assistance under the Scheme shall also be provided to State Governments/Union Territory administrations.

What are the projects admissible for assistance under the Integrated Programme for Older Persons? Ans.

Maintenance of Old Age homes. Running of Multi Service Centres for Older Persons Maintenance of Mobile Medicare Units. Running of Day Care Centres for Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia Patients Physiotherapy clinics for older persons Disability and hearing aids for older persons Mental health care and Specialized care for the Older Persons Help-lines and Counselling Centres for older persons Sensitising programmes for children particularly in Schools and Colleges Regional Resource and Training Centres Awareness Generation Programmes for Older Persons and Care Givers. Formation of Vridha Sanghas/Senior Citizen Associations.

Any other activity, which is considered suitable to meet the objective of the scheme.

Whether the government is revising the schemes for welfare of the older persons? Ans. Yes. The Ministry has revised the 'Integrated Programme for Older Persons' by enhancing the quantum of assistance in line with the increase in CPI. Further, several new components like Helplines, Physiotherapy centres, mental healthcare facilities, etc. The revised Scheme comes into effect from 1.4.2008. In addition, the Ministry is also in the process of converting its non-plan scheme of assistance for construction of old age homes into a plan scheme. Schemes of Other Ministries The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the following facilities for senior citizens: i. Separate queues for older persons in government hospitals ii. Geriatric clinics in several government hospitals The Ministry of Rural Development Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under which Central assistance @ Rs. 200 per month is provided as old age pension to persons above 65 years who belong to a household below the poverty line. This in turn is meant to be supplemented by at least an equivalent contribution by the states, so that each beneficiary gets at least Rs. 400/- per month as pension. During 2008-09, about 155 lakh persons got the benefit of old age pension. Annapurna scheme:

Senior citizen eligible for pension under NOAPS but are not getting the pension are covered under this scheme 10 kg of foodgrain per person free of cost is supplied.

The Ministry of Railways provides the following facilities to senior citizens: i. Separate ticket counters for senior citizens at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres, if the average demand per shift is more than 120 tickets ii. 25 per cent and 50 per cent concession in rail fare for male and female senior citizens respectively The Ministry of Finance provides income tax benefits to senior citizens 65 years of age and above: i. Income tax exemption for income up to certain higher limits than regular limit. ii. Deduction of Rs 20,000 for medical insurance premium under Section 80D iii. Deduction of the amount incurred or Rs 60,000, whichever is less, for medical treatment (specified diseases in Rule 11DD of the Income Tax Rules) under Section DDB Ministry of Civil Aviation provides concession up to 50 per cent for male senior citizens aged

65 years and above, and female senior citizens aged 63 years and above in air fares on the national carrier, Air India. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organises the International Day of Older Persons every year on 1st October to increase awareness about ageing.

Road Map for Panchayati Raj

The national level plan for improving the functioning of PRIs is chalked out in the Roadmap for Panchayati Raj (2011-2017). It contains a series of recommendations for a wide number of issues in Panchayati Raj. It logically delineates the issues and specific action plans within the larger governance framework for creating an effective Panchayati Raj structure. It highlights key aspects for empowerment, enablement and accountability of the PRIs for better governance and faster development including devolution of functions, funds and functionaries as envisaged in the Constitution, Capacity Building of the Panchayats and Functionaries, decentralized planning, effective implementation of PESA, empowered elected village councils in the Sixth Scheduled Areas and changes in the constitutional and legal framework. This national Roadmap is enabled and assisted by the Government by the provision of funds under several schemes. The Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) provides untied grants to the Panchayats in the backward regions in order to reduce development deficits of the country, with the requirement that the District Plans for utilization of the grant be prepared by the involvement of the Gram Sabhas. The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY) which aims at Capacity Building and Training of the Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as the Functionaries. States have been incentivized to devolve funds, functions and functionaries (3Fs) to Panchayats.. MoPR has also supported Capacity Building and Training (CB&T) of Elected Representatives and Panchayat functionaries through its schemes Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY), Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan (PMEYSA). Under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, four applications have gone live. Six more applications have been launched in April, 2012 on the occasion of National Panchayat Day.

ET in the classroom: Pension Bill - What will it do?

On Thursday, the government was forced to defer a decision on the pension bill following objections raised by some UPA allies. Here's a look at the provisions of the bill: What is the pension bill? The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill 2011 is usually referred to as the pension bill. It wa The government had introduced a similar bill in 2005 but it had lapsed as the term of the 14th Lok Sabha expired before it could be passed. What does the bill seek to do? The government was finding it difficult to manage its rising pension liability because of the defined-benefit system, under which the pension paid to employee was based on their last salary drawn. In 2004, it shifted to a defined contribution system, which required employee to save for retirement from their earnings. Towards this end, it set up a new pension system (NPS) for those joining government service after January 2004 and subsequently set up the Interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority to oversee the scheme that already managed the retirement savings of lakhs of state and central government employees. The NPS was later extended to private individuals. The government now hopes to establish the NPS as the premier retirement savings scheme. The pension bill seeks to give statutory or legal powers to the PFRDA, and set the framework for the regulation of pension fund schemes, including the ones being currently offered. What is the current status? The standing committee had submitted its report on the bill in August last year. The government has to now take a stand on the recommendations and bring an updated bill. However, it has not been able to build a consensus on the terms of the proposed law within the coalition. What are the bill's key provisions? Powers to PFRDA to regulate and develop the sector. Provides for foreign investments in the sector but has not set a limit. Detailed frame-work for the management of the NPS, which has two types of accounts, Tier-1 and Tier-2. Withdrawal from Tier-1 accounts will be allowed only on retirement. The NPS has three investment options of varying exposure to equities, govt debt and corporate debt. What are the committee's main suggestions? Mention a FDI limit of 26%, same as that for the insurance sector. Allow emergency withdrawal facility even from Tier-1 account and a 100% government securities option for subscribers. A minimum guaranteed return. Why are UPA allies against the bill? They are objecting to provisions enabling foreign direct investment in the sector and allowing management of pension schemes by private players. s introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 24 last year and was subsequently referred to the standing committee on finance for a detailed examination.

NREGA 2.0
5 Ways NREGA 2.0 will Address Legacy Challenges Skill Training: The logical next step, from manual to skilled. One person from each household that completes 100 days of work will be trained under NRLM on a range of skills like carpentry. CAG Audit: An annual CAG audit - limited to the utilisation of NREGA funds - will help bring in more transparency. This year's report will be in by November, to be submitted to Parliament by December. END to Minimum Wage Row: The AP High Court ruling that NREGA payments below state minimum wages amounted to forced labour had put GoI in a quandary. The ministry will now amend the NREGA Act to put an end to the controversy. Safeguards to ensure that states don't arbitrarily jack up minimum wages will be put in place. MoRD funds for MoPR: The rural development ministry will transfer 1% of its entire budget of Rs 99,000 crore to the panchayati raj ministry for capacity building and training of panchayats. This, it hopes, will bring in a sea change in NREGA implementation at the ground level. Rural Sanitation: NREGA funds will be deployed to promote rural hygiene. For every toilet built (estimated cost of Rs 10,000) Rs 4,500 will go out from the NREGA kitty. The mandatory 60:40 labour-to-material ratio will be maintained at the gram panchayat level.

Five Critiques that Often Come the NREGA Way......And a reality check 1) NREGA's making farming unviable IN A WAY, YES. But that's only in areas where the actual agri wages are lower than what the state guarantees as minimum. Available research indicates that trends of reduced labour force in agriculture precede MGNREGA. The real culprit could be elsewhere: high non-farm wages. According to the National Sample Survey Organisation, the decline in agriculture labour as a share of total economic activity trend is since 2004, two years before MGNREGA. 2) Stay home, draw unemployment allowance Nothing's further from the truth. NSS data notes that around 19% of the rural households sought but did not get employment from June 2009 to July 2010. Now if an applicant is not provided employment within 15 days of receipt of his application or from the date on which the employment has been sought, he/she is entitled to a daily unemployment allowance. This is a provision that's honoured mostly in its breach because the onus to provide the allowance is on

the state. 3) Assets built under NREGA are not durable Partly, yes. As late as 2011, the World Bank noted that he objective of asset creation runs a very distant second to the primary objective of employment. The main culprit here is the lack of planning. Yet, there are states that have worked around this. For instance, MP and Maharashtra encourages building kuchcha roads under NREGA. This is then black-topped using funds from the Chief Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana. 4) It was supposed to make panchayats work, but NREGA has only decentralised corruption Yes & no. NREGA has transferred unprecedented resources to panchayats but lack of training and zero investment in capacity building has muddled the scene.Vigilance and monitoring committees haven't taken off. But NREGA 2.0 envisages certification of the accounts of gram panchayats through a district panel of chartered accountants. So there will be a psychological pressure to bring in more accountability and transparency. 5) After 7 years, NREGA has run its course ... No. While fingers point to scams and low-quality assets, few look at the ancillary effects. For one, the concept of minimum wages is a tangible reality in Indian villages, thanks to NREGA. Also, the programme has encrusted the idea of wage parity: In 2011-12, around Rs 12,000 crore was spent on wages for women and around 50% of the total persondays generated have been by women. Caste equations have been altered irrevocably, distress migration has come down

Clean India Campaign

Under the Clean India Pilot Project, all issues regarding the heritage site are taken care of including providing drinking water facilities, renovation of toilets, proper signages in and around the premises, placing of garbage bins, maintenance of parking lots at Qutab Minar, conversion of Qutab Minar Complex into friendly zone for physically challenged persons, various repair/replacement work, 24 X 7 management and garbage clearance, tourist help desks and deployment of volunteers for better management amongst others. Clean India Campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective to increase tourist arrivals to the country and to improve quality of services and provide a hygienic environment in and

around tourist destinations across the country in sync with the 12th Five Year Plan of the Government of India. In the first phase of the campaign, 36 such monuments have been identified by the Ministry of Tourism and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Clean India Campaign is a multi pronged action and comprehensive strategy to ensure an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene practices at tourist destinations for an inclusive and sustainable development of tourism through ownership and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders. This initiative aims to create a collective mindset that promotes cleanliness and hygiene by a balance of persuasion, education, sensitization, training, demonstration, regulation and involvement of every individual.