Civil Services Mentor February 2014

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AUGUST, 2012
FEBRUARY, 2014
Devyani Issue & Indo-US Relation
WTO Bali Package: An Analytical Review
Thailand in Crisis
Towards Double-Digit Inclusive Growth
14th Finance Commission : Gender Issues
I
n
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e
x

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Indias deputy consul in New
York, Devyani Khobragade was trans-
ferred to Indias Permanent Mission
in United Nations in New York on 18
December 2013. This was done by
India to boost her diplomatic
immunity. Earlier, Devyani
Khobragade was charged with crimi-
nal offences by US. Devyani, the IFS
officer was transferred to the post of
the deputy consul-general in New
York. The Permanent Mission of India
to the United Nations is located in
New York. She was moved to UN
because of the fear that she might be
detained again, as she was arrested
in the second week of December
2013 by US. She will have a complete
diplomatic immunity as an official of
UN, which was not available to her as
an official consulate.
At present, India wants the US
to apologize and drop the criminal
charges against Devyani Khobragade
and allow her to return home. John
Kerry, the US Secretary of State on
18 December 2013 called to the Na-
tional Security Adviser, Shivshankar
Menon to express his regret over the
episode.
Brief outline Brief outline Brief outline Brief outline Brief outline
Devyani Khobragade was ar-
rested by US law enforcement agen-
cies on Dec 12
th
, 2013 under charges
of visa fraud and providing false state-
ments to US authorities about the
terms of employment of an Indian
national to help her gain entry into
the US as a domestic help. Devyani is
an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) of-
ficer of 1999 batch who was working
as a Deputy Consul General at the
Indian Consulate General in New
York. The manner of her arrest and
the treatment meted out to her there-
after has generated much outrage in
the Indian media, public and govern-
ment.
Regarding the manner of her
arrest, it has been alleged that she
was publicly arrested just after she
dropped off her daughters at their
school in the morning at around
9:30am. According to Indian media,
she was handcuffed and subjected
to strip search and cavity search in
the US law enforcement agencys
custody. She was also allegedly kept
in prison along with drug criminals.
She was released later in the day on a
bail of 250000$.
The Indian government has
asked the US to issue an uncondi-
tional apology for the treatment
meted out to Khobragade and also
demanded the withdrawal of case
against her since in its view, the ar-
rest is against the Vienna Convention
on Consular Relations
Details of the complaint Details of the complaint Details of the complaint Details of the complaint Details of the complaint
The complaint filed by the US
State Departments Diplomatic Secu-
rity Service (DSS) charges Devyani
Khobragade on two accounts:
(1) Committing Visa fraud, wherein
it is alleged that she stated in
the visa application form of
Sangeeta Richards that
Richards would be paid a
monthly salary of $4500, which
was actually not paid to her
(2) Providing false statements to
US State Department in the
form of false employment con-
tract between her and Richards
In detail, the complaint states
that in Oct 2012, Devyani
Khobragade made a verbal deal with
Sangeeta Richards, the Indian citizen,
DEVYANI ISSUE & INDO-US RELATION
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to work for her in the USA as a nanny
and a babysitter. In this deal, it was
agreed that Sangeeta Richards would
get a monthly pay of Rs. 30000 for
her work.
Thereafter, as Richards did not
know how to operate a computer and
fill her visa application, Devyani
helped her in filling the visa form in
November. In this visa form, it is al-
leged in the complaint that Devyani
specified the salary to be paid to
Richards as $4500 per month, when
in fact she actually paid her only Rs.
30000 per month.
They also signed an employ-
ment contract which had to be sub-
mitted to US State Department. How-
ever, in this employment contract,
Devyani mentioned that Richards
would get the minimum US wage of
9.75$ per hour and have to work a 40
hour week which translated to a pay
of roughly 1500$ (Rs. 93,000) per
month, as opposed to the Rs. 30,000
agreed in the verbal deal.
Then in yet another twist, it has
been alleged that just before Richards
was to leave for the US, Devyani
signed a 2
nd
employment contract
with Richards, which was outside the
knowledge of US authorities, in
which the monthly salary was men-
tioned as Rs 30000. After going to
US, Richards continued to work until
June 22
nd
2013 when she suddenly
left Devyanis home and went miss-
ing. The complaint states that she had
gone to an NGO to complain about
the harsh working conditions she was
subjected to, including working
hours from 6am to 11pm every day
except just 2 hours off on Sunday for
going to Church, and being paid
much less than the US minimum
wages for the work. This NGO, along
with other US humanitarian agencies
complained to the US authorities,
which built up the case against
Devyani by collecting several evi-
dences and finally filed the complaint
against her which led to her arrest.
Defence by Devyani Defence by Devyani Defence by Devyani Defence by Devyani Defence by Devyani
Khobragade Khobragade Khobragade Khobragade Khobragade
She has claimed that she has not
violated any law of USA as regards
the wages she was paying to
Sangeeta Richards. On the first
charge regarding visa fraud, she says
that the complaint makes a wrong
charge that she had mentioned
4500$ as the salary to be paid to
Sangeeta in the visa form. Actually,
the visa form had asked the salary of
Sangeetas employer (Devyani)
which was mentioned as 4500$. On
the second charge regarding pay-
ment of less than minimum wages to
Sangeeta, she dismisses this as a lie.
According to Devyani, she paid
Sangeeta the required minimum
wage of 9.75$ per hour for a 40 hour
work week, every month from Nov 22,
2012 to June 22, 2013 after which
Sangeeta went missing. This roughly
translated to 1560$ or Rs. 93000 per
month.
However, this was not paid en-
tirely to Sangeetas account in New
York. Out of the 1560$, 560$ (Rs.
30000) were paid to Sangeetas ac-
count in India as decided by them in
the contract signed earlier in India in
November 2012. This was because
Sangeeta herself had asked Devyani
to transfer Rs. 30000 to her India ac-
count every month as her husband
was unemployed at that time. Out of
the remaining 1000$, about 375$
were deducted monthly from her sal-
ary to pay for her chargeable utilities,
her cable TV, her non work related
expenses, etc. The remaining 625$
were paid to Sangeeta in cash and
the receipts of these cash payments
were kept by Devyani. These receipts
would be produced in court by
Devyani as a part of her defence to
prove her innocence.
Defence of US authorities Defence of US authorities Defence of US authorities Defence of US authorities Defence of US authorities
against the objections raised against the objections raised against the objections raised against the objections raised against the objections raised
by Indian government by Indian government by Indian government by Indian government by Indian government
(1) On the objection of Indian gov-
ernment that USA violated the
Vienna Convention on Consu-
lar Relations which gives diplo-
matic immunity to Devyani
Khobragade, US has claimed
that Devyani enjoyed only con-
sular immunity which gives her
protection from arrest related
to her consular duties only and
not related to crimes commit-
ted on US soil
(2) On allegations about the strip
search, US has said that this is a
standard procedure done on
any arrested person in US, even
if he/she is a diplomat
(3) The US has denied that Devyani
was handcuffed or subjected
to cavity search or made to
spend time with drug addicts
in prison
(4) All in all, USA has turned down
demands of an apology and has
made it clear that it will not drop
the case
Reaction of Indian Reaction of Indian Reaction of Indian Reaction of Indian Reaction of Indian
Government to the arrest of Government to the arrest of Government to the arrest of Government to the arrest of Government to the arrest of
Khobragade Khobragade Khobragade Khobragade Khobragade
(1) Several Indian politicians and
legislators refused to meet the
US Congressional delegation
that was visiting India at the time
of outrage following
Khobragades arrest
(2) On Dec 17, 2013, the Delhi po-
lice removed security barri-
cades surrounding US embassy
in Delhi, citing obstruction to
smooth flow of traffic as the rea-
son
(3) Indian government blocked
perks enjoyed by US embassy
employees in India, such as im-
port of food and alcohol at
concessional rates
(4) Indian government has also
asked all US consulates to sub-
mit the salary and wages of do-
mestic helps, gardeners, and
other staff employed by them
to check for illegalities
Vienna Convention on Con- Vienna Convention on Con- Vienna Convention on Con- Vienna Convention on Con- Vienna Convention on Con-
sular Relations, 1963 sular Relations, 1963 sular Relations, 1963 sular Relations, 1963 sular Relations, 1963
Vienna Convention on Diplo-
matic Relations was inked in 1961 and
is an international accord and defines
a framework for diplomatic relations
between independent countries. It
governs the conduct of diplomats
and defines the immunities they en-
joy when serving in foreign countries.
Three articles of the Vienna Conven-
tion on Diplomatic Relations fall sig-
nificant and they are:
Article 40 Protection of Article 40 Protection of Article 40 Protection of Article 40 Protection of Article 40 Protection of
Consular Officers Consular Officers Consular Officers Consular Officers Consular Officers
The receiving State shall treat
consular officers with due respect
and shall take all appropriate steps to
prevent any attack on their person,
freedom or dignity
Article 41 Personal Invio- Article 41 Personal Invio- Article 41 Personal Invio- Article 41 Personal Invio- Article 41 Personal Invio-
lability of Consular Officers lability of Consular Officers lability of Consular Officers lability of Consular Officers lability of Consular Officers
1. Consular officers shall not be
liable to arrest or detention
pending trial, except in the
case of a grave crime and pur-
suant to a decision by the com-
petent judicial authority
2. Except in the case specified
in paragraph 1 of this article,
consular officers shall not be
committed to prison or be li-
able to any other form of restric-
tion on their personal freedom
save in execution of a judicial
decision of final effect.
3. If criminal proceedings are in-
stituted against a consular of-
ficer, he must appear before
the competent authorities.
Nevertheless, the proceedings
shall be conducted with the re-
spect due to him by reason of
his official position and, except
in the case specified in para-
graph 1 of this article, in a man-
ner which will hamper the ex-
ercise of consular functions as
little as possible. When, in the
circumstances mentioned in
paragraph 1 of this article, it has
become necessary to detain a
consular officer, the proceed-
ings against him shall be insti-
tuted with the minimum of de-
lay.
Article 43 Immunity from Article 43 Immunity from Article 43 Immunity from Article 43 Immunity from Article 43 Immunity from
Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Jurisdiction
1. Consular officers and consular
employees shall not be ame-
nable to the jurisdiction of the
judicial or administrative au-
thorities of the receiving State
in respect of acts performed in
the exercise of consular func-
tions.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1
of this article shall not, however,
apply in respect of a civil ac-
tion either:
(a) Arising out of a contract
concluded by a consular
officer or a consular em-
ployee in which he did
not contract expressly or
impliedly as an agent of
the sending State
(b) By a third party for dam-
age arising from an acci-
dent in the receiving
State caused by a vehicle,
vessel or aircraft
Effect of the case on India- Effect of the case on India- Effect of the case on India- Effect of the case on India- Effect of the case on India-
USA relations USA relations USA relations USA relations USA relations
The huge publicity given to the
case by media was a factor in the In-
dian government taking numerous
steps against US missions in India,
possibly going overboard in remov-
ing security barricades around US
embassy. A side-effect of this case
will be that in the short term at least,
India-USA diplomatic relations will
be far from conducive.
However, top leaders from both
the countries have emphasised that
this one-off incident should not be
allowed to derail the friendly relations
between them. In this context, it
would be appropriate to say that this
incident would have negligible effect
on the trade, defence, or security re-
lationship between the two countries.
At the most, US diplomats in India
would see their privileges curbed till
the time the case is taken to its logi-
cal conclusion in US.
Its important to understand the
issue at hand. The Khobragade epi-
sode has two levels to it, one, the case
itself and the other, the larger issue
of diplomatic courtesies and the han-
dling of this particular case. First, the
case that Indian diplomats landing in
trouble because of issues related to
their domestic help is not new or un-
usual. There have been a few cases
in the US itself, and the possibility of
such problems becoming more fre-
quent was quite imminent back in
2009, when US authorities started
insisting that the calculation of mini-
mum wages cannot include the
helps insurance cover, living, travel-
ling or food costs. It was made clear
that the wage would be the amount
paid directly to the domestic help
and so the declaration, in a sense, was
a bit more qualified. This turned into
a deterrent for Indian officials, many
of whom simply stopped taking do-
mestic help to the US.
But, in diplomacy, there are rules
and there are understandings. The
unwritten code in this instance was
that these declarations were essen-
tially necessary paperwork for getting
visas, which need not be taken seri-
ously beyond that. At least, that
seemed to be the understanding on
the Indian side, because seeking
privileges beyond the entitlement is
a negotiation of quid pro quos for
each others diplomats a negotiation
that happens almost on a daily basis
between foreign offices and diplo-
matic missions everywhere over rou-
tine issues, like special access to the
airport or increasing the limit on im-
porting liquor.
In this case, the law-enforcing
authorities apparently did get in
touch with the state department,
which seems to have given its con-
sent. This has further annoyed the
Indian side, since the mission had
been in touch with the state depart-
ment on the issue. The question be-
ing asked is whether the arrest was
necessary. Here, the US side has a lot
to explain. If the case was so serious,
any compendium on diplomatic re-
lations provides several options, rang-
ing from the minimal to the expulsion
of the diplomat. These alternatives
were never explored. Nor were
searching questions asked of the In-
dian mission in a bid to get to the
bottom of the matter.
In a world where it sometimes
seems the US doesnt have many
friends and allies, India has become
both. Most notably, since the attacks
September 11, 2001, India has been
a partner in fighting the war on terror.
India-U.S. bilateral relations have de-
veloped into a global strategic part-
nership, based on increasing conver-
gence of interests on bilateral, re-
gional and global issues. India and
U.S. have intensified and expanded
their strategic consultations in recent
years with dialogues covering East
Asia, Central Asia and West Asia. Sec-
tors like technology and energy have
become new driving forces for the
Indo-US ties. The bilateral trade be-
tween India and the US has risen to
USD 61.35 billion in 2012-13 from
USD 58.19 billion in 2011-12. India
has received foreign direct invest-
ment worth USD 11.62 billion from
America between April 2000 and
September 2013, which is 6 per cent
of the countrys total foreign inflows
during that period. In this global
world scenario, souring of ties over
such issues can seriously hamper the
growth prospects of each nation.
Reciprocity remains the key word if
the relationship between India and
the United States has to progress and
both the countries need to work to-
gether to resolve the serious issue of
mistreatment of diplomat, Devyani
Khobragade and other such matters,
amicably.
Steps to be taken to prevent Steps to be taken to prevent Steps to be taken to prevent Steps to be taken to prevent Steps to be taken to prevent
future occurrence of such an future occurrence of such an future occurrence of such an future occurrence of such an future occurrence of such an
i nci dent i nci dent i nci dent i nci dent i nci dent
Even though it cannot be said
with full conviction whether Devyani
had paid less than minimum wages
to Sangeeta Richards, it is not the first
time that such a case involving an In-
dian diplomat has come to light. In
this regard, Indian government should
bring out a strict system to prevent
such an incident in the future.
A Rule, which would ban Indian
diplomats from hiring Indian domes-
tic helps, can be brought in by the
Ministry of External Affairs. Indian
diplomats should be encouraged to
hire domestic helps from the citizens
of foreign host country itself. This
would prevent vulnerable Indian
domestic helps from being exploited
in a foreign country.
Additionally, an independent
officer should be stationed in each
Indian Mission abroad, who would be
responsible to receive complaints
from domestic helps, gardeners, and
other staff against Indian diplomats
regarding violation of labour laws and
this officer should also be empow-
ered to order a primary inquiry into
such complaints. Strong deterrent
action such as withholding of salary,
freeze of promotion for a few years,
etc. should be instituted against the
erring diplomats. This would provide
an internal mechanism to deal with
such complaints in future.
Md. Irshad Md. Irshad Md. Irshad Md. Irshad Md. Irshad

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WTO Bali Package: An Analytical Review WTO Bali Package: An Analytical Review WTO Bali Package: An Analytical Review WTO Bali Package: An Analytical Review WTO Bali Package: An Analytical Review
The Bali Package is a trade
agreement resulting from the Ninth
Ministerial Conference of the World
Trade Organization in Bali, Indonesia
on 37 December 2013. It is aimed
at lowering global trade barriers and
is the first agreement reached through
the WTO that is approved by all its
members. The package forms part of
the Doha Development Round,
which started in 2001.
In just 84 days after assuming
office Roberto Carvalho de
Azevdo, the new director general
of the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) managed to produce a suc-
cessful outcome to a ministerial meet-
ing, something that had eluded his
predecessor for eight years. The
WTOs ninth ministerial meeting dur-
ing 3-7 December 2013 in Bali, Indo-
nesia, was a personal triumph for
Azevdo, who took office only three
months before the ministerial. Given
the pronounced descent of the or-
ganization towards irrelevance since
2005 under the leadership of the pre-
vious director general Pascal Lamy,
the Azevdo effect has dispelled
the cycle of negative perceptions
that the WTO cannot deliver. The Bali
outcome has brought WTO back into
the negotiating orbit. It has suddenly
raised the prospect of a revival of the
comatose 12-year-old Doha Round of
Trade Negotiations or the Doha De-
velopment Agenda (DDA) as it is oth-
erwise called.
An Unequal Package An Unequal Package An Unequal Package An Unequal Package An Unequal Package
The industrialised countries
along with a group of advanced de-
veloping countries, including China,
left no stone unturned in harvesting,
at Bali, a WTO agreement on trade
facilitation (TF), an agreement that is
meant to simplify customs procedures
and ease the ow of goods across
borders. Although TF forms part of
the Doha body, the manner in which
it was plucked out from the DDA
single undertaking constitutes an im-
portant victory for the United States
(US) and the European Union (EU).
Without having to deliver on
agriculture, which was to be the en-
gine of the Doha trade negotiations,
or the developmental benets
promised to the least developed
countries (LDCs), the trade elephants
succeeded in pushing through a
grand but grossly unequal Bali pack-
age. Without making any payment
in the other two pillars agriculture
and development of the Bali pack-
age, the industrialised countries have
walked away with a prize that can al-
low them to close their eyes to the
need to rescue the larger 12-year-
old DDA.The proclaimed goal of the
rst multilateral TF agreement since
the creation of the WTO in 1995 is
to simplify customs procedures by
reducing costs and improving their
speed and efficiency.
In reality, the new agreement
streamlines market access in devel-
oping countries and LDCs, and fur-
ther expands the WTOs remit into
domestic policy governance.
Azevdo, when he was the trade
envoy representing Brazil at the WTO,
had argued that TF was nothing but
market access for industrialised coun-
tries. It is another matter that as the
WTO chief he campaigned on a war
footing for a binding agreement. The
constant mantra that Azevdo and
think tanks in Washington have
chanted endlessly is that the TF
WTO BALI PACKAGE:
AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW
agreement will generate an addi-
tional $1 trillion to the global
economy.
The future direction of the mul-
tilateral trade negotiations will only
become clear in the next year. The
post-Bali work programme on
which there was little discussion ei-
ther in the run-up to the meeting or
at the ministerial contains ve para-
graphs in the Bali Ministerial Declara-
tion. On the DDA, the declaration
says, We instruct the Trade Negotia-
tions Committee to prepare within the
next 12 months a clearly dened
work programme on the remaining
Doha Development Agenda. This will
build on the decisions taken at this
Mini sterial Conference, particularly
on agriculture, development and LDC
issues, as wellas other issues under
the Doha mandate that are central to
concluding the Round. Issues in the
Bali Package where legally binding
outcomes could not be achieved will
be prioritised. Work on issues in the
package that have not been fully ad-
dressed at this Conference will re-
sume in the relevant Committees or
Negotiating groups of the WTO.
The Bali declaration candidly
admitted that there are no legally
binding outcomes in the agriculture
and development pillars of the pack-
age. There are four issues general
services, public stockholding for
food security purposes, understand-
ing of tariff rate quota administration
and export competition in the agri-
culture pillar. And then, there is the
issue of trade-distorting subsidies for
cotton (provided mainly by the US)
that has been hurting some of the
poorest countries in Africa and has
not been addressed since the Hong
Kong Ministerial Meeting of 2005
which called for an ambitious, ex-
peditious, and specific outcome to
help the cotton farmers in Benin,
Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso. In the
development and LDC areas, four is-
sues have been pending since 2005.
They include preferential rules
of origin for the poorest countries,
operationalisation of waiver concern-
ing preferential treatment to services
and services suppliers in LDCs, duty-
free and quota-free market access for
these countries, and a monitoring
mechanism on special and differen-
tial treatment flexibilities. None of
these issues were comprehensively
addressed in Bali and nothing was
treated on par with TF.
Uncertain Future for DDA Uncertain Future for DDA Uncertain Future for DDA Uncertain Future for DDA Uncertain Future for DDA
The Bali declaration, however,
contains a caveat on all these unre-
solved issues which are presented as
best endeavour outcomes so to en-
able the US to turn its back on the
declaration. The work programme
will be developed in a way that is
consistent with the guidance we pro-
vided at the Eighth Ministerial Con-
ference, including the need to look
at ways that may allow members to
overcome the most critical and fun-
damental stumbling blocks, the dec-
laration says. This is where the nub
lies: at a time when the two trade el-
ephants the US and the EU who
created the WTO as part of the
overarching Uruguay round agree-
ment are marching ahead with bi-
lateral, regional, and plurilateral
agreements, the so-called fresh lease
of life from the Bali accord to pre-
pare the work programme on the
core issues in DDA, especially agri-
culture, remains uncertain.
Indeed, at an informal closed-
door meeting in Geneva a week after
the Bali meeting, the US was already
cautioning about member-countries
rushing to deal with the difficult is-
sues in the DDA. After the
industrialised countries have tasted
victory at the WTO thanks to the able
leadership provided by a director
general from Brazil, it will be a litmus
test as to whether the US will sup-
port negotiations so that issues in the
Bali Package where legally binding
outcomes could not be achieved will
be prioritised.
More importantly, those who
established the WTO like a banyan
tree based on a single undertaking of
different agreements that include
binding dispute settlement rules, in-
tellectual property rules, services,
agriculture, and various other tradi-
tional areas, now want to ditch the
multilateral negotiating format be-
cause there is nothing more that the
WTO as a multilateral body can now
offer after the TF agreement. That the
Bali declaration is an eyesore is viv-
idly exposed. A binding TF agree-
ment standing like Mukesh Ambanis
27-floor residence in Mumbai is now
surrounded by many unregularised
slum dwellings such as an unbaked
deal on public stockholding for food
security purposes, and several other
agreements in the agriculture and
development pillars. How these
dwellings of the Bali package will be
regularised remains a challenge for
the developing and the LDCs in the
coming months and years. Dividing
Countries The Bali conference pro-
vided an early glimpse of what is likely
to happen at t he WTO. The run-up
to the ministerial meeting as well as
the proceedings at the conference
brought to the fore several inconsis-
tent practices that were adopted to
divide the developing and LDCs, and
prevent them from adopting common
positions on TF and public stock-
holding programmes for food secu-
rity y and other issues of interest to
them. Azevdo has deployed all his
energies from day one to aggressively
pursue a strategy that emphasised
that a failure at Bali will reduce the
organisation to an empty building
and empty chairs.
Success at the ninth ministerial
meeting in Bali, he said in the weeks
before the meeting, would restore
condence and breathe new life
into the multilateral trading system.
Otherwise, the world will not wait
for the WTO indenitely. It will
move on... and it will move on with
choices that will be not as inclusive
or efficient as the deals negotiated
within these (WTO) walls, the direc-
tor general argued. Several members
privately likened Azevdos strategy
to crying wolf and painting dooms-
day scenarios for the WTO as un-
healthy. At Geneva, ahead of the Bali
meeting, the WTO director general
opted for a combination of sustained
open-ended informal meetings as
well as closed door small group meet-
ings. Though Azevdo has said that
transparency and inclusiveness are
his priorities, he also took recourse
to practices that are secretive and
difficult to fathom. For example, how
descriptive and non-binding out-
comes on issues in the development
dossier of the Bali package were
nalised remains a mystery.
The four decisions in this area
duty-free and quota free market ac-
cess, cotton, preferential rules of ori-
gin for the LDCs, and the services
waiver involved Nepal (the coordi-
nator for the LDCs), the US, and the
director general. In all the four LDC
decisions, the US adopted intransi-
gent positions and refused to agree
to any binding commitments. Much
of the membership was clueless
about the actual negotiations. The
language that has emerged in the
development dossier is all based on
a should endeavour to text and
does not contain any binding deci-
sions. Effectively, the four outcomes
failed to provide any concrete, tan-
gible, and measureable immediate
market access to bread-and-butter
issues of the LDCs. The development
dossier was nalised in Geneva in
which the poorest countries agreed
to the outcomes with which they re-
mained unhappy.
Focus on Trade Facilitation Focus on Trade Facilitation Focus on Trade Facilitation Focus on Trade Facilitation Focus on Trade Facilitation
The 31-pages TF text basically
prescribed how developing coun-
tries and LDCs shall publish import
procedures, duty rates, and
classication/valuation rules; shall is-
sue advance customs rulings where
requested; shall provide administra-
tive/judicial review of customs rul-
ings; shall create infrastructure and
procedures for expedited shipments
of goods coming through air cargo
(basically for American courier ser-
vices); shall establish procedures for
pre-arrival processing; and shall allow
authorised operators to move their
goods on a fast track.
While the industrialised coun-
tries are not required to make any leg-
islative changes for these disciplines
as they already have them in place,
the developing countries and LDCs
are required to make many legislative
changes as well as create new physi-
cal infrastructure. The TF agreement
is structured into two sections. Sec-
tion 1 sets out all the new compre-
hensive binding disciplines that de-
veloping countries and the LDC sare
required to implement. Section 2
contains the road map for implement-
ing commitments by these groups of
developing countries in Section 1,
based on technical and nancial as-
sistance and a phased time frame.
Though t he developing and the poor
countries sought internal balance
between the comprehensive bind-
ing commitments in Section 1 and the
provision of nancial and technical
assistance to developing countries
and LDCs, the language in Section 2
is ambiguous and non-binding as re-
gards the nancial commitments by
the industrialised countries.
Further, the Geneva text on
public stockholding programmes for
food security was not acceptable to
India and Pakistan for different rea-
sons. Argentina expressed reserva-
tions on the weak language on ex-
port competition disciplines. Despite
the sombre and frank assessment
delivered at the last general council
meeting in Geneva before members
proceeded to Bali, Azevdo chose
to pursue a different plan that was
not known to members. First, he
ensured that the coordinators of the
African Group, the Africa, Caribbean
and Pacic (ACP), and the LDCs
sorted out their differences with the
US and the EU over the language in
Section 2 of the TF agreement. On a
parallel track, a group of countries
who are referred to as Friends of the
System goaded the WTO director
general to do everything possible to
reach an agreement at Bali notwith-
standing many unresolved technical
and legal issues in the TF. The
Friends included Australia, New
Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, Nor-
way, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Costa Rica, Chile and
Mexico among others. The EUstrade
commissioner Karel De Gucht also
encouraged the director general to
do everything that he deemed t to
achieve success at the Bali meeting.
The US, however, remained si-
lent without commenting on whether
the director general must take things
into his hand to deliver an outcome
at Bali. But it is an open secret that
the director generals overall strategy
was premised on the understanding
that nothing would move at the trade
body without Washingtons concur-
rence. And in order to secure US sup-
port, Azevdo believed that issues
in the Bali agenda notwithstanding
the structural imbalances would
have to be nalised according to the
broad parameters decided by the
US. Unlike his predecessor Lamy,
who failed to secure Washingtons
support despite delivering whatever
the White House or Congress de-
manded, Azevdo built strong and
enduring relationship with key US
officials ever since he negotiated the
compromise package with Washing-
ton in the cotton dispute that Brazil
won at the WTO.
Negotiations at Bali So, when
the trade ministers started trickling
into the Indonesian island, two things
http://www.civilservicesmentor.com 10 10 10 10 10 http://upscportal.com
happened. India, which was soft dur-
ing the nalisation of the draft texts
on TF and the public stockholding
programmes for food security follow-
ing a series of meetings with Wash-
ington since July this year, caused a
negotiating tsunami at Bali. Despite
the strong understanding between
some very senior ofcials outside the
commerce ministry and key ofcials
in Washington on TF and public
stockholding programmes for food
security, the sudden public uproar
at home on the draft text on food se-
curity forced the government to
change its negotiating position over-
night. Although it was well known
since last year about the concerted
opposition from the US and the EU
to the Group of 33 (G-33) (a WTO
grouping of like-minded developing
countries) proposal on food security,
the Manmohan Singh government
woke up only at the 11th hour. By
the time Union Commerce Minsiter
Anand Sharma arrived at Bali on 2
December, the focus had shifted to
what India would do. There was a
grand effort to isolate India within the
G-33 where the Indian negotiators
had played a central role in pressing
for changes in the agreement on ag-
riculture, especially the need to
update the external reference price
of 1986-88 (which plays a crucial role
in estimating the total size of agricul-
tural subsidies).
The G-33 consistently de-
manded language to ensure that
there is an umbilical link between the
interim provision giving exemption to
subsidies incurred in food stockhold-
ing programmes and the nal deci-
sion. But in Geneva the US had been
willing to concede only a peace
clause for two years, which it later
extended to four years. However, the
US, EU, Canada, Pakistan, and others
vehemently rejected language pro-
viding for a linkage between the in-
terim mechanism and a permanent
solution as well as for protection from
the WTOs subsidy and
countervailing measures agreement.
Meanwhile, at Bali the director gen-
eral quietly began pursuing negotia-
tions on the TF text with a small group
of members on special issues such as
expedited shipments, transit,
consularisation, and penalty disci-
plines. Even though India raised
strong reservations on expedited
shipments which is basically a mar-
ket access issue for the US courier
companies and penalty disciplines,
Azevdo did not invite the Indian
minister or his ofcials for any discus-
sion on the TF issue at Bali.
In the face of growing opposi-
tion from several countries who made
strong statements about the need to
ensure a balance at the plenary ses-
sion, the director general along with
the Indonesian chair of the confer-
ence, Gita Wirjawan, held a heads of
delegations meeting on 4 December.
The 50 countries who took part at the
meeting stuck to different narratives.
The so-called Friends of the System
gave the director general carte
blanche to do anything he deemed
appropriate for concluding the Bali
package.
However, several developing
countries such as India, South Africa,
Namibia, Kenya, Argentina and Cuba
made it known that the draft texts
were not ready for concluding the
Bali package. Cuba said that the WTO
chief had said that there would not
be any negotiations at the ministerial
conference itself while efforts were
being made at Bali to negotiate on
issues in trade facilitation and agri-
culture. Public Stockholding Deal
Along with the Indonesian chair,
Azevdo held a series of meetings
with the Indian minister on the pos-
sible language that could satisfy New
Delhi. It was basically a negotiation
between Azevdo and Anand
Sharma who was assisted by a senior
Indian ofcial. After initial discussions
on the linkage between the interim
mechanism and the road map to ne-
gotiate the nal solution for public
stockholding programmes, India gave
three alternative formulations with
language about the interim solution
leading to a nal solution for food
security. In response, the director
general informed the Indian minister
that the language in the interim
mechanism would be close to what
India had proposed.
However, the Indian delegation
was not given any language. In the
face what seemed like a cat-and-
mouse act, the nal compromise of-
fered to India failed to satisfy New
Delhi. When things were drifting, In-
dia gave its nal alternative in the
early hours of Friday, 6 December.
Apparently, the US created a
ruckus on the Indian proposal and
was not ready to accept it. That is
when India told the director general
that if the Indian proposal was not
acceptable to the US, New Delhi
would reject the Bali package. Finally,
there was a face-to-face negotiation
between the US, India, and the di-
rector general in which the United
States Trade Representative ac-
cepted the language in the interim,
until a permanent solution is found
for members to refrain from challeng-
ing the public stockholding
programmes for traditional staple
food crops. But, in return, the US,
however, inserted strong language on
notication requirements as well as
safeguard requirements.
The Indian minister, who had
mentioned New Delhis outstanding
concerns in the TF text during the
rst three days of the meeting gener-
ously conceded to his American
counterpart that New Delhi would
remove the square brackets on its
sensitive issues in the TF text. These
issues require India to carry out legis-
lative amendments as well as create
new infrastructure. Perhaps, the
Manmohan Singh government
seemed more eager to satisfy Wash-
http://upscportal.com 11 11 11 11 11 http://www.civilservicesmentor.com
ington even though what it got on the
food security issue was only a reprieve
with several conditions. The Bali out-
come on food security is only a pre-
lude to the battle that will unfold
between now and the WTOs 11th
ministerial meeting in four years.
WTO: Beyond the DDA? WTO: Beyond the DDA? WTO: Beyond the DDA? WTO: Beyond the DDA? WTO: Beyond the DDA?
More importantly, the Bali out-
come has provided a ruse to launch
negotiations on new issues regardless
of what happens to the vitals of the
DDA. The Economist magazine which
showered wholesome praise on
Azevdo for a successful Bali out-
come wants opening discussions on
fresher subjects. Investment is one
possibility: the WTO could work to
rein in subsidies and set rules pro-
tecting cross-border investment, the
magazine helpfully suggested.
Trade in environmental goods and
services, which covers everything
from air lters to green consulting, is
another candidate, it says. Not all
subjects need to be negotiated
among all WTO members, as the Bali
deal was, it has cautioned. Some
can be passed to those countries that
are eager to press forward
(plurilateral talks, in the jargon, as
opposed to multilateral ones), as long
as other WTO members are free to
sign up to any resulting agree-
ment, it said. So will the WTO now
abandon the DDA and move into new
areas?
Ajay Kumar Ajay Kumar Ajay Kumar Ajay Kumar Ajay Kumar
Thailand in Crisis Thailand in Crisis Thailand in Crisis Thailand in Crisis Thailand in Crisis
The proximate cause for the lat-
est wave of protests which has swept
through Bangkok since October was
the ruling partys attempt to ram
through legislative changes that
would have benefited the former
prime minister and deeply polarising
figure of Thaksin Shinawatra. How-
ever, the demonstrations reflact a
deep divide in Thai society accord-
ing to class, region and ideology, a
divide which has developed over the
past half century as growth has
centred on Bangkok while the rural
north and east have been left behind.
What started the protests? What started the protests? What started the protests? What started the protests? What started the protests?
Demonstrations kicked off in
November after Thailands lower
house passed a controversial amnesty
bill, which critics said could allow
former leader Thaksin Shinawatra to
return without serving time in jail. Mr
Thaksin, one of the most polarising
characters in Thai politics, was ousted
in a military coup in 2006. He now
lives in self-imposed exile overseas,
but remains popular with many rural
voters.
The amnesty bill, which was
proposed by his sister Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatras Pheu Thai
Party, was eventually rejected by the
Senate. However, anti-government
protests have continued.
Who are the protesters? Who are the protesters? Who are the protesters? Who are the protesters? Who are the protesters?
The protesters are united by
their opposition to Mr Thaksin, and
their belief that he is still controlling
the current Pheu Thai government.
The demonstrations are being led by
Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Thai
deputy prime minister who resigned
from the opposition Democrat Party
to lead the rallies. The protesters tend
to be urban and middle class voters.
Around 100,000 rallied in Bangkok
on 24 November, although turnout
then dropped. The protests were
largely peaceful for the first week but
turned deadly when violence broke
out near a pro-government red-shirt
rally on 30 November. At least eight
people have been killed since. There
was a pause in the protests to mark
the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol
Adulyadej. Protesters, however,
vowed to continue their demonstra-
tions after the royal celebration and
later returned to the streets, albeit in
smaller numbers.
What do the protesters want? What do the protesters want? What do the protesters want? What do the protesters want? What do the protesters want?
The demonstrators surrounded
and occupied government buildings
in an attempt to disrupt the govern-
ment and force Pheu Thai to step
down.Mr Suthep and his supporters
say they want to wipe out the politi-
cal machine of Thaksin and install an
unelected peoples council to pick
the countrys leaders. They say the
government bought votes in the last
election through irresponsible
spending pledges aimed at poor and
rural areas.
What will happen next? What will happen next? What will happen next? What will happen next? What will happen next?
On 8 December, all opposition
MPs in parliament resigned and it was
announced that protesters would
march to Government House, the
prime ministers office, the next day.
In response; Ms Yingluck called a snap
election for 2 February. Her Pheu Thai
party commands significant support,
especially with rural voters, and
would be likely to win the polls. The
opposition Democratic Party has
since said it will boycott the election,
THAILAND IN CRISIS
and the protesters have being trying
to disrupt electoral registration. They
have pledged to occupy and shut
down parts of Bangkok from 13 Janu-
ary.
On 8 January, meanwhile,
Thailands anti-corruption body said
it would charge more than 300 politi-
cians - mostly from the ruling party -
over an attempt to change the con-
stitution and make the Senate fully
elected. This move could ultimately
lead to the lawmakers being banned
from politics.
What impact will the protests What impact will the protests What impact will the protests What impact will the protests What impact will the protests
have? have? have? have? have?
Ms Yingluck early on warned
that further protests could cause the
economy to deteriorate. Protests in
2008 and 2010 hit Thailands
economy hard, especially the busi-
ness and tourism sectors. This time,
several countries have issued travel
warnings for Thailand.
Thailands troubles Thailands troubles Thailands troubles Thailands troubles Thailands troubles
Sept 2006: Sept 2006: Sept 2006: Sept 2006: Sept 2006: Army overthrows
government of Thaksin Shinawatra,
rewrites constitution
Dec 2007: Dec 2007: Dec 2007: Dec 2007: Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin People
Power Party wins most votes in elec-
tion
Aug 2008: Aug 2008: Aug 2008: Aug 2008: Aug 2008: Mr Thaksin flees
into self-imposed exile before end
of corruption trial
Dec 2008: Dec 2008: Dec 2008: Dec 2008: Dec 2008: Mass yellow-shirt
protests paralyse Bangkok; Constitu-
tional Court bans People Power Party;
Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
Mar-May 2010: Mar-May 2010: Mar-May 2010: Mar-May 2010: Mar-May 2010: Thousands of
pro-Thaksin red shirts occupy parts
of Bangkok; eventually cleared by
army; dozens killed
July 2011: July 2011: July 2011: July 2011: July 2011: Yingluck
Shinawatra leads Pheu Thai party to
general election win
Thailand: Reds and Yellows Thailand: Reds and Yellows Thailand: Reds and Yellows Thailand: Reds and Yellows Thailand: Reds and Yellows
The two bitterly divided camps
that have for years driven sporadic
protests in Thailand - The Red-shirts
and The Yellow-shirts.
The red-shirts began as sup-
porters of deposed former Prime Min-
ister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was
ousted by a military coup in Septem-
ber 2006. This support has trans-
ferred to Thailands ruling Pheu Thai
party led by his sister, Yingluck
Shinawatra. The yellow-shirts repre-
sent those opposed to Mr Thaksin and
they were the force behind the street
protests that led to the 2006 coup.
THE RED-SHIRTS THE RED-SHIRTS THE RED-SHIRTS THE RED-SHIRTS THE RED-SHIRTS
The red-shirts are formally
known as the United Front for De-
mocracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).
The focus of many red-shirts cam-
paigning zeal is former Prime Minis-
ter Thaksin Shinawatra.Members are
mainly rural workers from outside
Bangkok. But the red-shirt ranks also
include students, left-wing activists
and some business people who see
attempts by the urban and military
elite to control Thai politics as a threat
to democracy.
The source of the red-shirts dis-
content goes back several years. They
began as supporters of Mr Thaksin,
the prime minister ousted by the mili-
tary in a September 2006 coup.By
then Mr Thaksin - a telecommunica-
tions magnate - had governed Thai-
land for five years. He was very popu-
lar among the rural farmers and urban
working class because he initiated
policies that benefited them, such as
funding for health-care and educa-
tion. When elections were held 18
months after the military coup, this
rural support had not changed, even
though Mr Thaksin was in overseas
exile. Voters from Thailands north
and north-east returned his allies to
power, only to see the government
fall after a series of opposition pro-
tests and court rulings. So the red-
shirts began protesting.
Their first major protest began
in March 2009 with a series of sit-ins
outside government offices, but
quickly escalated. In April 2009 they
forced the cancellation of a regional
political summit after storming the
venue in the seaside resort of Pattaya.
Violence then erupted in Bangkok.
Clashes involving troops, protesters
and Bangkok residents left at least
two people dead and dozens hurt.
As troops massed, the red-shirts
called off their protests. Leaders said
they feared more loss of life. But their
anger had not gone away and, in
March 2010, they called fresh pro-
tests in Bangkok aimed at toppling
the government. Tens of thousands
of people occupied Bangkoks his-
toric and commercial districts and at
one point stormed parliament, forc-
ing MPs to flee. Red-shirts also
stormed a satellite transmission base,
in a bid to restart a television station
which had been shut down by the
government.
The first bloodshed occurred
on 10 April when at least four soldiers
and 17 civilians were killed in clashes
as the army tried to disperse the red-
shirts from one of their two bases in
Bangkok. The violence shocked the
city - but the red-shirts consolidated
their forces in one camp, closing
down the citys commercial heart for
several more weeks. On 19 May
armed government troops moved
into the red-shirt camp, smashing
through barricades. By the end of the
day, the camp had been cleared, sev-
eral of the groups leaders arrested
and dozens of people, including pro-
testers and soldiers, killed.
A year on, many of their leaders
have been released on bail. The red-
shirts are now allies of the ruling Pheu
Thai Party. Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr
Thaksins sister, led the party to a land-
slide victory in July 2011 and became
Thailands first woman prime minis-
ter.
THE YELLOW-SHIRTS THE YELLOW-SHIRTS THE YELLOW-SHIRTS THE YELLOW-SHIRTS THE YELLOW-SHIRTS
Like the reds, it was Thaksin
Shinawatra that initially united the
yellow-shirt camp. A loose grouping
of royalists, ultra-nationalists and the
urban middle class also known as the
Peoples Alliance for Democracy
(PAD), the yellow-shirts utterly op-
posed Mr Thaksin. They were behind
the huge street protests that led up
to the military coup of September
2006 and the ones two years later
which led to Mr Thaksins allies being
forced from power. Led by media
mogul Sondhi Limthongkul,
Chamlong Srimuang, who is a former
general with close ties to the kings
most senior adviser, the yellow-shirts
accused Mr Shinawatra of corruption
and abuse of power.
They also accused him of inad-
equate loyalty to the monarchy - and
wear yellow because it is the kings
colour.Street protests in Bangkok in
2006 attracted tens of thousands of
people, shutting the capital down.
Amid political deadlock, the military
ousted Mr Thaksin.There was calm for
several months. But rumblings began
when Mr Thaksins allies won the post-
coup elections in December 2007
and formed a government.In May
2008 the yellow-shirts restarted their
protests, arguing that the government
was merely a proxy for Mr
Thaksin.They staged sit-ins at govern-
ment offices and there were sporadic
outbreaks of violence.In late Novem-
ber they staged a week-long sit-in at
Bangkoks two airports, shutting
down air traffic and crippling the tour-
ism industry.After weeks of pressure,
a decision by the constitutional court
decision finally achieved the yellow-
shirts goal. The pro-Thaksin govern-
ing party was banned for alleged
electoral misdemeanours and a new
Democrat Party government under
Abhisit Vejjajiva took office.The yel-
low-shirts called off their protests.
As the red-shirt occupation
went on in 2010 - and in the months
after it was ended - the yellow-shirt
position towards the government of
Mr Abhisit changed.In January 2011
a group of about 2,000 began pro-
tests against his government, accus-
ing him of failing to safeguard Thai
sovereignty in a border dispute with
Cambodia.In June, the yellow-shirts
blocked parliament to postpone de-
bate on a reconciliation bill designed
to ease a six-year political crisis, fear-
ing that a proposed amnesty would
allow Mr Thaksins return.They con-
tend that the so-called reconcillation
bill would grant amnesty to people
guilty of political crimes between
2005-2010, when the country was in
crisis.
Rupa Jadhav Rupa Jadhav Rupa Jadhav Rupa Jadhav Rupa Jadhav
National Issues National Issues National Issues National Issues National Issues
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Lokpal and Lokpal and Lokpal and Lokpal and Lokpal and
Lokayukta Bill, 2013 Passed Lokayukta Bill, 2013 Passed Lokayukta Bill, 2013 Passed Lokayukta Bill, 2013 Passed Lokayukta Bill, 2013 Passed
Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2013
was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18
December 2013. Earlier, the Bill was
passed by the Rajya Sabha on 17
December 2013 after some
amendments. The Bill seeks to
establish an anti-corruption
watchdog that will have in its purview
even the office of Prime Minister. The
Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2013 was
passed by voice vote amid the
opposition from the members
Seemandhra region who were
protesting against division of Andhra
the amendments accepted by the
government are delinking of the
mandatory creation of lokayuktas by
the state governments, one of the
provisions which had stalled the
passage of the bill in December 2011.
Important features of Important features of Important features of Important features of Important features of
Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2013: Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2013: Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2013: Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2013: Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2013:
Lokpal at the Centre and
Lokayukta at the States
The Lokpal consists of a Chair-
person and a maximum of eight
members of which 50% shall be
judicial members
The Lokpal Chairperson or
member shall not be con-
nected with any political party
and one member will be an
eminent jurist nominated by the
President.
The selection of Chairperson
and members of Lokpal shall be
through a Selection committee
consisting of
1. Prime Minister
2. Speaker of Lok Sabha
3. Leader of Opposition in the
Lok Sabha
4. Chief Justice of India or sit-
ting Supreme Court judge
nominated by CJI
Pradesh to create Telangana state.
During the passage of the Bill,
Samajwadi Party members staged a
walk out from the Parliament while
Shiv Sena Party members voted
against the Bill. The passage of the
Bill has been welcomed by anti-
corruption crusader and social activist
Anna Hazare. He sat on the fast for
the Lokpal Bill passage for the fourth
time on 10 December 2013. Among
5. Eminent jurist to be nomi-
nated by the President of In-
dia on the basis of recom-
mendations of the four mem-
bers of the Selection Commit-
tee.
All ministers including Prime
Minister with some safeguards
and senior public servants are
covered by the ombudsman,
excluding the public servants
under Army, Navy and Coastal
guard.
All entities receiving donations
from foreign source in the
context of the Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act
(FCRA) in excess of 10 lakh
rupees per year are brought
under the jurisdiction of
Lokpal.
Provides adequate protection
for honest and upright Public
Servants..
Lokpal will have power of
superintendence and
direction over any investigation
agency including CBI for cases
referred to them by Lokpal.
A high powered Committee
chaired by the Prime Minister
will recommend selection of
the Director, CBI.
Directorate of Prosecution
headed by a Director of
Prosecution under the overall
control of Director
The appointment of the
Director of Prosecution, CBI will
be made on the
recommendation of the Central
Vigilance Commission.
Transfer of officers of CBI
investigating cases referred by
Lokpal with the approval of
Lokpal.
The Bill also incorporates
provisions for attachment and
confiscation of property
acquired by corrupt means,
even while prosecution is
pending.
The Bill lays down clear time
lines for Preliminary enquiry &
investigation and trial and
towards this end, the Bill
provides for setting up of
Special Courts.
A mandate for setting up of the
institution of Lokayukta through
enactment of a law by the State
Legislature within a period of
365 days from the date of
commencement of the Act.
A Brief History A Brief History A Brief History A Brief History A Brief History
The term Lokpal is an Indian
version of the Swedish term
Ombudsman. The institution of
Ombudsman was first established in
Sweden in 1808.
In India, the term Lokpal was
first used by the then Prime Minister
Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1963 and in
1966 a Lokpal for the Centre and
Lokayukta for each State were
proposed.
Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill was
first introduced in the Fourth Lok
Sabha in 1968 .
The Bill was re-introduced in
1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998,
2001 and 2011 but was never passed.
Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly
Elections 2013 Results Elections 2013 Results Elections 2013 Results Elections 2013 Results Elections 2013 Results
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on
8 December 2013 won the state
assembly election in Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. In Delhi
assembly elections BJP emerged as
the largest party and Aam Aadmi Party
(AAP) in its debut emerged as the
second largest party pushing the
ruling party Congress as the third
party. In Chhattisgarh, BJP won 49
seats and the opposition party
Congress won 39 seats. In Madhya
Pradesh the party won 161 seats,
whereas the main opposition party
Congress was able to secure 58 seats.
In Rajasthan, BJP won on 162 seats
by reducing the ruling party Congress
government to 21 seats only.
Total Seats in Chhattisgarh 90
Total Seats in Madhya Pradesh 230
Total Seats in Rajasthan 199
Total Seats in Delhi 70
Results of the Assembly Results of the Assembly Results of the Assembly Results of the Assembly Results of the Assembly
elections 2013 of the four states elections 2013 of the four states elections 2013 of the four states elections 2013 of the four states elections 2013 of the four states
are are are are are
Chhatti sgarh Chhatti sgarh Chhatti sgarh Chhatti sgarh Chhatti sgarh
Par t y Par t y Par t y Par t y Par t y Seats won Seats won Seats won Seats won Seats won
Indian National Congress 39
Bharatiya Janata Party 49
BSP 1
Others (Independent party) 1
Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh
BSP 4
Rajasthan Rajasthan Rajasthan Rajasthan Rajasthan
NPP 4
Others
(Independent party) 12
Del hi Del hi Del hi Del hi Del hi
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 28
e-inclusion Project Launched e-inclusion Project Launched e-inclusion Project Launched e-inclusion Project Launched e-inclusion Project Launched
The Union Government on 24
December 2013 launched e-
inclusion project to make people e-
literate. The project is an initiative to
make at least one individual in every
household e-literate. Union minister
of Communications and Information
Technology, Kapil Sibal also
launched the book on e-inclusion
after launching e-inclusion and e-
literacy through Common Services
Centres in New Delhi. IT training will
be provided to the economically
weaker sections of the society
including rural SC, ST and women
under this project. The project will
help people to participate in the
knowledge based activities and
access the financial, social and
government services by the use of
internet.
ICAO Accreditation and ICAO Accreditation and ICAO Accreditation and ICAO Accreditation and ICAO Accreditation and
Membership received by AAI Membership received by AAI Membership received by AAI Membership received by AAI Membership received by AAI
Airports Authority of India
(AAI) has received TRAINAIR PLUS
accreditation certificate and
membership plaque by the
International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO). ICAO is a
United Nations (UN) agency and is
headquartered at Montreal, Canada.
Herve Touron from ICAO Air
Navigation Bureau had visited the Fire
Training Centre (FTC) of Airports
Authority of India in October 2013
for an inspection of the facilities
before granting ICAOs TRAINAIR
PLUS membership. These certificates
are given for facilities to enhance
airport safety. By joining the
TRAINAIR PLUS programme, the Fire
Training Centre will have access to a
global sourcing of training package.
The Certificate and membership
plaque were handed over to V.P.
Agrawal, Chairman, AAI and G.K.
Chaukiyal, Member (Operations), AAI
by the General Manager (Fire
Service), Md Hanif. CATC,
Allahabad and AAI, New Delhi has
received TRAINAIR PLUS
accreditation earlier for its training
facilities.
About About About About About
Airports Authority of India Airports Authority of India Airports Authority of India Airports Authority of India Airports Authority of India
The Airports Authority of India
(AAI) under the Ministry of Civil
Aviation is responsible for creating,
upgrading, maintaining and managing
civil aviation infrastructure in India. It
provides Air traffic management
(ATM) services over Indian airspace
and adjoining oceanic areas.
International Civil Aviation International Civil Aviation International Civil Aviation International Civil Aviation International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) Organisation (ICAO) Organisation (ICAO) Organisation (ICAO) Organisation (ICAO)
The International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) is a specialized
agency of the United Nations. It was
created in 1944 to promote the safe
and orderly development of
international civil aviation throughout
the world. It sets standards and
regulations necessary for aviation
safety, security, efficiency and
regularity, as well as for aviation
environmental protection. The
Organization serves as the forum for
cooperation in all fields of civil
aviation among its 191 Member
States.
Harsher punishment for milk Harsher punishment for milk Harsher punishment for milk Harsher punishment for milk Harsher punishment for milk
adulterators favoured by SC adulterators favoured by SC adulterators favoured by SC adulterators favoured by SC adulterators favoured by SC
The Supreme Court of India on
5 December 2013 favoured
punishment of life imprisonment to
people indulging in production and
marketing of adulterated milk. The
court has also asked the state
governments to make amendment in
laws as has been done by the Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha.
The Supreme Court bench that
comprised of Justice K S
Radhakrishnan and Justice A K Sikri
said that the punishment of six months
jail term mentioned in Food Safety
Act is grossly inadequate. The
decision of the Supreme Court came
after hearing the Public-Interest
Litigations (PIL) seeking its direction
to state governments to stop practice
of milk adulteration, which is rampant
in various states.
The Food Safety and The Food Safety and The Food Safety and The Food Safety and The Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India Standards Authority of India Standards Authority of India Standards Authority of India Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI ) (FSSAI ) (FSSAI ) (FSSAI ) (FSSAI )
The Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) was
established under the Food Safety
and Standards Act, 2006. It
consolidates various acts and orders
that have hitherto handled food
related issues in various Ministries and
Departments. FSSAI has been
created for laying down science
based standards for articles of food
and to regulate their manufacture,
storage, distribution, sale and import
to ensure availability of safe and
wholesome food for human
consumption. Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare, Government of India
is the Administrative Ministry for the
implementation of FSSAI.
Definition of Adulteration Definition of Adulteration Definition of Adulteration Definition of Adulteration Definition of Adulteration
Adulterant means any material
which is or could be employed for
making the food unsafe or sub-
standard or mis-branded or
containing extraneous matter.
CBIs Legal wing now under CBIs Legal wing now under CBIs Legal wing now under CBIs Legal wing now under CBIs Legal wing now under
control of agencys Director control of agencys Director control of agencys Director control of agencys Director control of agencys Director
The Government of India in a
major step to allow more autonomy
to CBI placed the agencys legal wing
under the command of the CBI
Director, making his word final in
investigations on 25 December 2013.
Earlier, the legal wing of the agency
reported to the Law Ministry. The
Directorate of Prosecution has been
now placed under the stewardship
of the agency director, who will not
only see the promotions and postings
but will also write the annual
confidential reports, which was
earlier done by the Law Minister. In
CBI, the Directorate of Prosecution is
responsible for conducting and
supervising cases pending trial,
appeal and revision in courts. It also
supervises and monitors the conduct
of prosecution in the courts and gives
advice to the CBI officers on all legal
matters of general or specific issues,
which arose during trial or
investigation. The Director of
Prosecution was the chief functionary
of the Prosecution Wing of CBI and
was vested with powers of direction
and control over prosecuting
officers. Those powers have now
passed to the CBI Director. The new
arrangement gives the power to a final
view on investigations and
subsequently the charge sheets to
the CBI Director, which earlier was
overturned by the Directorate of
Prosecution. The Lokpal Bill recently
passed by the Parliament provides
that the DoP should be placed under
the CBI Director. The Lokpal Bill also
provides that the DoP headed by the
Director of Prosecution to be placed
under the CBI director. The Lokpal
Bill that the Director of Prosecution
will be appointed in consultation with
the Lokpal and CVC. A new
Directorate of Prosecution (DoP), O
P Verma has joined the agency on 24
December 2013.
Government sanction not Government sanction not Government sanction not Government sanction not Government sanction not
Required to Probe Public Required to Probe Public Required to Probe Public Required to Probe Public Required to Probe Public
Servants Servants Servants Servants Servants
Supreme Court ruled on 17
December 2013 that governments
prior sanction is not required to probe
a public servant. This will apply to the
cases where the probe is being
conducted by the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) under the
surveillance of the Court. A three-
judge bench of Justice RM Lodha,
Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice
Madan B. Lokur ruled that Section 6A
of the Delhi Special Police
Establishment (DPSE) Act does not
apply to the corruption cases being
monitored by the Court. Section 6A
of the DPSE Act requires prior
consent of the Central Government
to investigate top babus. Thus, it gave
the CBI power to investigate officers
of the rank of joint secretary and
above without the Centres prior
permission in cases where court is
monitoring the probe. The
Judgement was delivered while
hearing the plea filed by the CBI
contending that there was no need
for prior government sanction to
inquire a public servant in court-
monitored cases. As a result, the
deck has been cleared for the CBI to
prosecute bureaucrats allegedly
involved in coalgate scam without
waiting for governments sanction.
NSSO data showed that Urban NSSO data showed that Urban NSSO data showed that Urban NSSO data showed that Urban NSSO data showed that Urban
life quality improved by life quality improved by life quality improved by life quality improved by life quality improved by
JNNURM JNNURM JNNURM JNNURM JNNURM
The National Sample Survey
Office (NSSO) JNNURM scheme
improved key indicators of urban life
in India and it reached the poorest of
poor. The Government spent over
46000 crore rupees on infrastructure
augmentation under JNNURM
scheme. The NSSO data showed
that
Over 90 percent of
slumdwellers feel water
drainage, sewerage and
garbage collection and
disposal have improved.
24 percent of slums have
benefited from welfare
schemes such as JNNURM and
Rajiv Awas Yojana.
95.3 percent people living in
urban areas felt significant
improvement in water supply.
About 76 percent improved
their access to some sort of
garbage disposal system in
cities and towns.
According to the Urban
Development Ministrys data, among
539 projects sanctioned between
2005 and 2012, at least 217 projects
are completed and 322 are in a stage
of completion. Out of 806 UIDSSM
projects 413 projects are completed.
About JNNURM About JNNURM About JNNURM About JNNURM About JNNURM
Jawaharlal Nehru National
Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
was officially inaugurated on 3
December 2005 to improve the
quality of life and infrastructure in the
cities.
The JNNURM has two major The JNNURM has two major The JNNURM has two major The JNNURM has two major The JNNURM has two major
schemes: schemes: schemes: schemes: schemes:
Urban Infrastructure and Urban Infrastructure and Urban Infrastructure and Urban Infrastructure and Urban Infrastructure and
Governance (UIG): Governance (UIG): Governance (UIG): Governance (UIG): Governance (UIG): The main
focus of UIG is on infrastructure
projects relating to water supply,
sanitation, sewerage, solid waste
management, road network and
urban transport. It also focuses on
redevelopment of old city areas,
shifting industrial and commercial
establishments to confirming areas.
Urban Infrastructure Urban Infrastructure Urban Infrastructure Urban Infrastructure Urban Infrastructure
Development for Small and Development for Small and Development for Small and Development for Small and Development for Small and
Medium Towns (UIDSSMT): Medium Towns (UIDSSMT): Medium Towns (UIDSSMT): Medium Towns (UIDSSMT): Medium Towns (UIDSSMT):
UIDSSMT focus is integrated
development of slums and achieved
through various projects for shelter,
basic services and other related civic
amenities which provide utilities to
the urban poor.
150 stretches of river 150 stretches of river 150 stretches of river 150 stretches of river 150 stretches of river
identified as polluted by identified as polluted by identified as polluted by identified as polluted by identified as polluted by
CPCB CPCB CPCB CPCB CPCB
The Central Pollution Control
Board has identified 150 polluted
river stretches in the country with
Maharashtra and Gujarat topping the
list of having maximum of them.
Based on the level of BOD (bio
chemical oxygen demand) in water,
CPCB identified polluted river
stretches across 293 rivers. The
contaminants like utensils of daily use,
according to the CPCB, were
affecting aquatic environments. The
open drainage of sewage into various
rivers across the country had polluted
the rivers. These stretches are located
in almost all parts of the country
except Jammu & Kashmir and couple
of Union Territories and northeastern
states, including Arunachal Pradesh
and Mizoram. The Central pollution
control board (CPCB) had first
compiled its report on polluted river
stretches in December 2009, after
testing water samples taken between
1995 and 2008. These stretches are
being monitored constantly since
then through a network of 1429 water
quality monitoring stations in States
and UTs.
About BOD About BOD About BOD About BOD About BOD
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD) refers to the amount of
oxygen that would be consumed if
all the organics in one liter of water
were oxidized by bacteria and
protozoa.
Central Pollution Control Central Pollution Control Central Pollution Control Central Pollution Control Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) Board (CPCB) Board (CPCB) Board (CPCB) Board (CPCB)
Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) of India is a statutory
organisation under the Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF). It
was established in 1974 under Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974.
It is an apex organization in
country in the field of pollution
control and works as the technical
wing of MoEF.
Quadricycle added as new Quadricycle added as new Quadricycle added as new Quadricycle added as new Quadricycle added as new
Vehi cl e category Vehi cl e category Vehi cl e category Vehi cl e category Vehi cl e category
The Union Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways cleared
quadricycle as a new category of
vehicle on 23 December 2013. The
Ministry suggested that the
quadricycles should be registered
under the commercial transport
category for intra-city movement.
Quadricycles are seen as safer
than three-wheelers as they will
have four wheels with fully
enclosed body structure with
hard top and door.
These battery-powered or
electric four-wheelers will
come under quadricycle
category.
These vehicles will be allowed
to ply only on city roads as
transport vehicles and not as
personal vehicles.
These vehicles should have
dual car-type braking system
since there is no provision for
crash test of these vehicles.
The quadricycle have a
substantial upgrade over the
three-wheeler auto and will be
bigger than an auto-rickshaw
and smaller than a normal car.
No change in weight, size,
body and emission norms of the
vehicle.
The vehicle meant for carrying
passengers will be of 450 kg
and for carrying goods will be
of 550 kg. The length will be 3
metre for passenger version
and 3.7 metre for goods
version.
Quadricycles can carry a
maximum of four passengers
and goods vehicles can carry
500 kg which excluded the
weight of battery from total
vehicle weight.
As per the Ministry the final
notification will be released in less
than a month and these vehicles will
be allowed to ply after six months of
the notification. Inclusion of battery
operated four-wheelers as
quadricycle will bring more players
in competition including Mahindras,
Bajaj Auto, TVS, Tata Motors, Maruti.
The Prevention of Communal The Prevention of Communal The Prevention of Communal The Prevention of Communal The Prevention of Communal
Violence Bill 2013 approved Violence Bill 2013 approved Violence Bill 2013 approved Violence Bill 2013 approved Violence Bill 2013 approved
The Union Cabinet on 16
December 2013 approved the
Prevention of Communal Violence Bill
2013. The bill aimed to prevent and
tackle the communal violence in the
country and punish the perpetrators
of the violence. The Bill has been
named as The Prevention of The Prevention of The Prevention of The Prevention of The Prevention of
Communal and Targeted Communal and Targeted Communal and Targeted Communal and Targeted Communal and Targeted
Violence (Access to Justice and Violence (Access to Justice and Violence (Access to Justice and Violence (Access to Justice and Violence (Access to Justice and
Reparations) Bill, 2013. Reparations) Bill, 2013. Reparations) Bill, 2013. Reparations) Bill, 2013. Reparations) Bill, 2013. The Bill
has the provision of creating an
institutional arrangement for speedy
investigation, disposal of cases and
for providing relief and rehabilitation
to victims of communal violence. It
also seeks imposition of enhanced
punishment on persons involved in
communal violence.
The highlights of the Bill The highlights of the Bill The highlights of the Bill The highlights of the Bill The highlights of the Bill
The Bill defines communal
violence to include any act of
series of acts, whether
spontaneous or planned,
resulting in injury or harm to the
person or property knowingly
directed against any person by
virtue of his or her religious or
linguistic identity.
The Bill has proposed to punish
organized communal violence
with life imprisonment. Hate
propaganda will be punished
with up to three years
imprisonment or fine or both.
Funding of communal violence
will be punished with up to
three years or fine or both.
Dereliction of duty will invite a
punishment with imprisonment
ranging from two years to five
years and breach of command
with imprisonment of up to 10
years.
Earlier the power of
intervention of the Centre in
event of riots was unilateral, that
is, central could send
paramilitary forces without
consulting the state
governments. This has been
amended and now the State
governments will have
discretion in deciding whether
the assistance of the Centre is
needed or not.
The new bill makes bureaucrats
and public servants
accountable for any acts of
commission and omission while
handling communal violence.
However bureaucrats who
refuse to obey unlawful orders
of their superiors during
communal situations cannot be
held responsible for willful
neglect of duty.
The Bill provide compensation
of 7 lakh rupees to the next kin
of those killed in communal
violence, 5 lakh rupees for
rape, 3 lakh rupees to 5 lakh
rupees for disability and 2 lakh
rupees for grievous injury.
National Cancer Institute at National Cancer Institute at National Cancer Institute at National Cancer Institute at National Cancer Institute at
Jhajjar AIIMS campus Jhajjar AIIMS campus Jhajjar AIIMS campus Jhajjar AIIMS campus Jhajjar AIIMS campus
The Centre approved the
proposal to set up National Cancer
Institute at the Jhajjar campus of All
India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), New Delhi on 26 December
2013. The Health Ministry proposed
to set up Cancer Institute in Haryana.
The Cancer Institute costs 2035 crore
rupees and will be completed in a
period of 45 months. The National
Cancer Institute will operate on the
line of National Cancer Institute in
USA and Deutsches
Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) in
Germany. The institute will have
Tissue Repository which is the first of
its kind in India. The institute will
broadly have clinical division,
research division and disease
management groups (DMGs). DMGs
will maintain details of all issues
pertaining to management of various
cancers, site wise and other facilities.
The National Cancer Institute will
operate as a nodal center for
indigenous research, promotive,
preventive and curative aspects of
care and human resource
development. The institute aims to
plan, conduct and coordinate
research on cancers which are more
specific to India like tobacco related
cancers, cancer of uterine cervix, gall
bladder cancer and liver cancers.
HSSC (India) Ltd a public sector
enterprise under Union Health &
Family Welfare Ministry has been
appointed as the Project Consultant.
As a Project Consultant, HSSC (India)
Ltd will be responsible for concept,
detailed design & engineering,
contracting, project management
and medical equipment
procurement, installations and the
commissioning of the institute.
Cancer is emerging as a major public
health concern in India where eleven
lakh new cases are diagnosed every
year and the mortality rate is 5.5 lakh
per year. The National Cancer Control
Programme was launched in 1975-76
with the objectives of primary
prevention, early detection,
treatment and rehabilitation.
AAP recognised as AAP recognised as AAP recognised as AAP recognised as AAP recognised as
State Party in Delhi State Party in Delhi State Party in Delhi State Party in Delhi State Party in Delhi
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with
winning over 28 of the 70 seats in the
Delhi Assembly elections on 8
December 2013 met the eligibility
criteria of Election Commssion to
become a State Party. The Aam
Aadmi Party registered as a political
party by the Election Commission in
March 2013.
What are the criteria for What are the criteria for What are the criteria for What are the criteria for What are the criteria for
recognition of a Party? recognition of a Party? recognition of a Party? recognition of a Party? recognition of a Party?
Under the existing provisions of
the Symbol Order, a registered party
has to fulfill any of the following
conditions for recognition as a State
Party:
1. A political party should secure
at least six percent of the six percent of the six percent of the six percent of the six percent of the
total val i d votes total val i d votes total val i d votes total val i d votes total val i d votes pol l ed
during general election to a
State Legislative Assembly and
should, in addition, win at
l east two seats two seats two seats two seats two seats i n t hat
Assembly, or the party should
win at least three percent of
the total number of seats or
three seats in the Legislative
Assembly, whichever is more;
2. Alternatively, a political party
should secure at least six
percent of the total valid votes
polled in a State during a
general election to Lok Sabha
and win at least one seat in the
Lok Sabha from that State, or
the party should win at least
on the poll results of Assembly/
Lok Sabha general elections
and by-elections are not taken
into account for considering
this.
6. A party, which is recognised as
a State or National party, loses
its recognition if it performs
poorly in the subsequent polls.
Benefits under recognized Benefits under recognized Benefits under recognized Benefits under recognized Benefits under recognized
state Party state Party state Party state Party state Party
The AAP, which was allotted
broomstick as the election symbol
by the Commission from among the
common symbols following a request
in this regard from AAP, will now have
the choice of retaining broomstick
as its permanent election symbol or it
can design its own poll symbol
provided it fits within the rules and
regulations of the Commission. EC
recognition will entail the parties to
participate in the all-party meetings
convened by the EC/the State/
Central governments, get a
permanent common symbol for all
their contestants, privilege to address
the voters through the All India Radio
and Doordarshan during poll.
About Aam Aadmi Party About Aam Aadmi Party About Aam Aadmi Party About Aam Aadmi Party About Aam Aadmi Party
The Aam Admi Party was
launched by Aravind Kejriwal,
a former member of India
against Corrpution (IAC) move-
ment on 26 November 2012 in
Delhi.
AAP has a 23-member national
executive committee and
Aravind Kejriwal is national
convener of the Party.
Aam Admi Party has won 28 of
the 70 seats in the Delhi Assem-
bly elections on 8 December
2013.
The election symbol of AAP is
Broomstick.
Prohibition of Employment as Prohibition of Employment as Prohibition of Employment as Prohibition of Employment as Prohibition of Employment as
Manual Scavengers and their Manual Scavengers and their Manual Scavengers and their Manual Scavengers and their Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation Act, 2013 Rehabilitation Act, 2013 Rehabilitation Act, 2013 Rehabilitation Act, 2013 Rehabilitation Act, 2013
Prohibition of Employment as
Manual Scavengers and their
one seat in the Lok Sabha for
every 25 seats or any fraction
thereof allotted to that State.
3. Under the liberalized criteria,
one more clause has been
added to provide that even if a
Party fails to win any seat in a
State in a general election to
the Lok Sabha or Legislative
Assembly of the State, the party
will still be eligible for
recognition as State Party if it
secures 8 percent or more of
the total valid votes polled in
the State.
4. If a political party is recognised
as a State Party in four or more
States then it will automatically
become a national party.
5. Recognition is given only based
Rehabilitation Act 2013 came into
force on 6 December 2013 across
India except Jammu and Kashmir.
The law prohibits the employment of
manual scavengers, the manual
cleaning of sewers and septic tanks
without protective equipment and
the construction of insanitary latrines.
The law also provides
rehabilitation of manual scavengers
and alternative employment to them
within the time bound manner. From
now onwards, the construction and
maintenance of the insanity latrines
has became an offence, therefore no
one can be employed or engaged as
the manual scavenger.
Highlights of the Act: Highlights of the Act: Highlights of the Act: Highlights of the Act: Highlights of the Act:
(a) Prohibition of Insanitary and
Employment or engagement as
Manual Scavengers
The offences are The offences are The offences are The offences are The offences are
To construct or maintain an
insanitary latrine
Engage or employ a person
to work as the Manual Scav-
enger
Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention
First contravention is punish-
able with imprisonment up to
one year or with the fine up
to rupees fifty thousand or
both
Any subsequent contraven-
tion is punishable with impris-
onment up to two years or
with the fine up to rupees five
lakh or both
(b) Prohibition of person from en-
gagement or employment for
hazardous cleaning of a sewer
or a septic tank
Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention Penalty for contravention
First contravention is punish-
able with imprisonment up to
two years or with a fine up to
two lakh rupees or with both
Any subsequent contraven-
tion is punishable with impris-
onment up to five years or
with fine up to five lakh ru-
pees or with both
(c) Offences under the Act are
cognizable and non-bail able
(d) Survey of Manual Scavengers in
Urban and rural areas: which
should be conducted with a
time bound framework
(e) Comprehensive Rehabilitation
of the Manual Scavengers
within a time bound
framework
Photo Identity card to the
Manual Scavengers
Initial cash assistance
Scholarship to the children of
Manual Scavengers
Allotment of residential plot
with financial assistance for
the construction of the
house or a ready built house,
within the framework of rel-
evant scheme
Training in livelihood skill
Concessional loan with sub-
sidy for taking up alternative
occupation
Any other legal or program-
matic assistance
(f) Monitoring Mechanism
Vigilance/Monitoring Com- ring Com- ring Com- ring Com- ring Com-
mi ttee mi ttee mi ttee mi ttee mi ttee
L e v e l L e v e l L e v e l L e v e l L e v e l Chai r per s on Chai r per s on Chai r per s on Chai r per s on Chai r per s on
Vigilance Committees
District District Magistrate
Sub-Division Sub Divisional
Magistrate
Monitoring Committees
State Chief Minister
Centre Minister of Social
Justice and
Employment
National Commission for Safai National Commission for Safai National Commission for Safai National Commission for Safai National Commission for Safai
Karamcharis (NCSK) Karamcharis (NCSK) Karamcharis (NCSK) Karamcharis (NCSK) Karamcharis (NCSK)
Construction of adequate
number of sanitary community
latrines in urban areas, within three
years from the date of
commencement of this Act to
eliminate the practice of open
defecation
CCSD approved National CCSD approved National CCSD approved National CCSD approved National CCSD approved National
Skills Qualifications Skills Qualifications Skills Qualifications Skills Qualifications Skills Qualifications
Framework Framework Framework Framework Framework
The Cabinet Committee on Skill
Development on 19 December 2013
approved the National Skills
Qualifications Framework (NSQF). It
is a quality assurance framework,
which organizes qualifications
according to a series of levels of
knowledge, skills and aptitude.
NSQF levels can be defined as
the learning outcomes that a learner
must possess regardless how they
have acquired it may be through a
formal means of learning or a non-
formal or informal learning. It will help
in shifting the emphasis to outcome,
which is based learning both in the
general and vocational space. The
lack in uniformity in qualifications
across institutions leads to a problem
in establishment of equivalence of
certificates/ diplomas/degrees in
different parts of India turn impacts
in the employment and mobility to
the students. NSQF would help in
tackling the challenge. This often
leads to problems in establishing
equivalence of certificates/diplomas/
degrees in different parts of the
country, which in turn impacts the
employability and mobility of
students. By shifting the focus from
inputs to learning outcomes, the
NSQF would aim to tackle this
challenge. NSQF will also facilitate
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
that is largely lacking in the present
education and training scenario. It
would help alignment of Indian
qualifications to international
qualifications. The NSQF will allow
people to move between education,
vocational training and work at
different stages in lives and help
them in credit accumulation and
transfer system as per the needs and
convenience.
The National Skill Development
Agency (NSDA), an autonomous
body attached to the Ministry of
Finance will anchor and
operationalise the framework. NSDA
is mandated to coordinate and
harmonize skill development efforts
of the Government of India and the
private sector. National Skills
Qualifications Framework is a
nationally integrated education and
competency based skill framework
which will provide multiple pathways,
horizontal as well as vertical, both
within vocational education and
vocational training and among
vocational education, vocational
training, general education and
technical education, thus linking one
level of learning to another higher
level. There are 10 levels in the
framework, with the entry level being
1, and the highest level being 10. This
will enable a person to acquire
desired competency levels, transit to
the job market and, at an opportune
time, return for acquiring additional
skills to further upgrade
competencies.
Three Proposals to utilise Three Proposals to utilise Three Proposals to utilise Three Proposals to utilise Three Proposals to utilise
Nirbhaya Fund approved Nirbhaya Fund approved Nirbhaya Fund approved Nirbhaya Fund approved Nirbhaya Fund approved
The Union Ministry of Finance
on 16 December 2013 approved the
three proposals of different Ministries
to utilise the Resources in the
Nirbhaya Fund to Enhance the Safety
and Security of Women in the
country. In the Union Budget speech
on 28 Februry 2013, the Union
Finance Minister P.Chidambaram had
announced that the Government will
set-up a Fund called the Nirbhaya Nirbhaya Nirbhaya Nirbhaya Nirbhaya
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund and contribute 1000 crore
rupees to the Fund.
Three Proposals Three Proposals Three Proposals Three Proposals Three Proposals
(I) Proposal of the Union (I) Proposal of the Union (I) Proposal of the Union (I) Proposal of the Union (I) Proposal of the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs
designed in consultation with designed in consultation with designed in consultation with designed in consultation with designed in consultation with
Ministry of Information Ministry of Information Ministry of Information Ministry of Information Ministry of Information
Technology: Technology: Technology: Technology: Technology: Integration of the
police administration with the mobile
phone network to trace and respond
to distress calls with minimum
response time.
Instructions will be issued by the
Ministry of Information Technology to
all mobile phone manufacturers to
introduce, mandatorily, an SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS
alert button alert button alert button alert button alert button in all the handsets.
Manufacturers will also be instructed
to launch SOS alert system in the
existing handsets through free
downloading of suitable software.
The scheme will be launched in 157
cities in two phases (55 in phase I
and 102 in phase II). The expected
outlay is 1000 crore rupees.
Department of IT has already
initiated two projects in this
context. The first project A
Pilot Deployment of an
Electronic Personal Safety
System(ePSS) by C-DAC
(Trivandrum), that provides a
complete eco-system for
assisting women in distress, is
being implemented at Jaipur
Police Control Room.
Another project called Design
and Development of an
affordable Electronic Personal
Safety Device is being
implemented by IIT, Delhi for
development of personal
security device in the form of a
wrist watch.
(II) Proposal of Ministry of (II) Proposal of Ministry of (II) Proposal of Ministry of (II) Proposal of Ministry of (II) Proposal of Ministry of
Road Transport and Highways: Road Transport and Highways: Road Transport and Highways: Road Transport and Highways: Road Transport and Highways:
A scheme for security of women in
road transport in the country covering
32 towns each with a population of
over one million to be implemented
over a period of two years. The
scheme would have following
features:
Public Transport Vehicles to
compul sori l y have Global Global Global Global Global
Position System(GPS) Position System(GPS) Position System(GPS) Position System(GPS) Position System(GPS) f or
tracking and enforcement.
On-board unit should be a
necessary condition for giving
permit.
Control room in every city
having more than one million
population to track public
transport vehicles.
Public Transport Buses to have
CCTVs to record the events.
Passenger Information Systems
through smart phones, display
on bus stops etc.
IVR, Text and E-mail based
complaint system for transport.
Scrutiny and constant review of
every public transport vehicle
and driver.
Women enforcement wing in
transport department.
More women drivers and
conductors Training and
Licensing.
Awareness campaign.
The expected outlay is about
1700 crore rupees for this proposal.
(III) Proposal of Ministry (III) Proposal of Ministry (III) Proposal of Ministry (III) Proposal of Ministry (III) Proposal of Ministry
of Railways: of Railways: of Railways: of Railways: of Railways: A pilot scheme of
setting up an SOS alert system in trains
in select zones. The railway helpline
system will have the following
features:
The facility will cover all the
service providers from all the
telecom circles of mobile and
landline networks.
Call recording i.e. recording of
the conversations between
passengers and Call Centre
Agents.
Upgradability/compatibility for
SMS service.
To start with, the proposed call
centre will support English and
Hindi as languages of
communication. However the
system is flexible to be
upgraded to a distributed
mode wherein calls from a
centralized call centre can be
transferred to regional call
centers.
Rolling out of the scheme on All
India basis would require an
estimated amount of 25.17 crore
rupees.
Besides the above three
schemes, Ministry of Women and
Child Development (WCD) have
reported that they are formulating a
scheme for vulnerability mapping,
opening of response centres and
creating awareness for enhancement
of safety and security of women in
the selected 32 towns.
About Nirbhaya Incident About Nirbhaya Incident About Nirbhaya Incident About Nirbhaya Incident About Nirbhaya Incident
The 23-year old para-medical
student (also known as Damini or
Nirbhaya) was gang raped in New
Delhi on 16 December 2012. She
passed away in Mount Elizabeth
Hospital in Singapore on 29
December 2012. She was raped in
the moving bus by six men, one of
which included a minor. The 16
December gang rape led to massive
protests across the country.
Government of India also promised
strict punishment to the criminals of
the crime, new rules for safety and
security of women in the country. so
that Government announced the
Nirbhaya Fund for women safety.
Continuation of NSWF Continuation of NSWF Continuation of NSWF Continuation of NSWF Continuation of NSWF
approved in the 12th Plan approved in the 12th Plan approved in the 12th Plan approved in the 12th Plan approved in the 12th Plan
The Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 26
central sector scheme National
Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen
during the 12th Plan.
The Department of Animal
Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries,
Ministry of Agriculture has formulated
the scheme.
The objectives of the The objectives of the The objectives of the The objectives of the The objectives of the
scheme are: scheme are: scheme are: scheme are: scheme are:
(a) Provision of basic amenities like
drinking water and sanitation in
fishers villages
(b) Better living standards for
fishers and their families,
(c) Social security for active fishers
and their dependants, and
(d) Economic Security
Following benefits have Following benefits have Following benefits have Following benefits have Following benefits have
been targeted during the been targeted during the been targeted during the been targeted during the been targeted during the
twelfth plan period for the twelfth plan period for the twelfth plan period for the twelfth plan period for the twelfth plan period for the
fishermen across India: fishermen across India: fishermen across India: fishermen across India: fishermen across India:
i. Additional 4600 houses per
year
ii. Coverage of 3.5 lakh fishers
under Saving-cum-Relief every
year
iii. An additional coverage of 3
lakh fishermen under Group
Accident Insurance has been
set
iv. Covering 6400 fishermen per
year under Training and
Extension
The outlay to implement the
scheme is 640 crore rupees, which
involves the central outlay of 320
crore for remaining part of the 12th
Plan.
Components of the scheme Components of the scheme Components of the scheme Components of the scheme Components of the scheme
are: are: are: are: are:
i. Group Accident Insurance for
active fishermen
ii. Development of model
fishermen village
iii. Saving-cum-Relief, and
iv. Training and Extension
The amount of assistance and compensation enhan-cement The amount of assistance and compensation enhan-cement The amount of assistance and compensation enhan-cement The amount of assistance and compensation enhan-cement The amount of assistance and compensation enhan-cement
that has been approved by the cabinet are: that has been approved by the cabinet are: that has been approved by the cabinet are: that has been approved by the cabinet are: that has been approved by the cabinet are:
Item 11th Pl an 12th Plan
Cost of c onstructi on of
house
50000 rupee s per house 75000 rupees per house
Tube wel l
30000 rupees for all States and Union
Territori es
35000 rupee s for North Eastern States
40000 rupees for all States and Uni on
Terri tori es
45000 rupees for North Eastern States
Communi ty Hall
175000 rupe es per hal l 200000 rupees per hall
Rel ief under Saving cum
Rel ief component
1800 rupees ( 600 rupees per month for three
months ban peri od)
2700 rupees (900 rupees per month for
three months ban peri od)
Compensati on under
Group Accident Personal
Insurance
50000 rupees in case of partial permanent
di sabi li ty and 100000 rupees in case of
death/total disabil ity
100000 rupees in case of partial
permanent disabil ity and 200000 rupees
i n case of death / total disabil ity
Traini ng and Extension
Stipend at 125 rupees per day subject to
maxi mumof 1875 rupees per partici pants for
maxi mum of 15 days of honorari um to
authors of handbook 15000 rupees
Honorari um for experts for preparation of
manual : 5000 rupees
Workshops/seminars: 50000 rupees
Construction of trai ni ng centre 30 lakh rupees
No Change
Grant i n Ai d to
FISHCOPFED
50 Lakh rupees No Change
Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved
Telangana draft Bill Telangana draft Bill Telangana draft Bill Telangana draft Bill Telangana draft Bill
December 2013 approved the 10
districts Telangana draft Bill. The
Cabinet approved the
recommendations of the Group of
Ministers (GoM) set up to look into
bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh for
carving out a new state of Telangana.
The 29th state of India, Telengana will
consist of ten districts, whereas
Andhra Pradesh will have 13 districts.
Hyderabad will be the common
capital for Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana for a period of 10 year.
The bill approved by the cabinet will
be sent to the President, Pranab
Mukherjee for making a reference to
the state assembly to obtain their
views. When the bill will be signed
and returned by the President, it will
be brought to the Parliament.
The highlights of the bill are:
Telangana will have 10 districts
and the rest of Andhra Pradesh
will have 13 districts
Hyderabad will remain the
common capital for both states
for a period not exceeding 10
years
The Government of India will
extend financial and other
support for the creation of a
new capital for the successor
state of Andhra Pradesh, which
will be identified by an expert
committee within 45 days of
the gazette notification
A joint public service
commission will be in place for
the two states
Both the states will have special
status under Article 371-D of
the Constitution for equitable
opportunities for education
and public employment
The Governor of Telangana will
be responsible for security of
life, liberty and property of
people, who resides in
Hyderabad, the common capi-
tal area. He will be assisted by
two advisors to be appointed
by the Government of India
To manage the resources and
projects will on Krishna and
Godavari rivers in an amicable
and equitable manner will be
but be the Institutional
mechanism with full
involvement and participation
of Government of India
Polavaram will be declared as
the national project, which will
be executed by the Union
Government following all
environmental and R&R norms
Matters related to coal, power,
oil and gas division of assets
and liabilities and allocation of
government employees
The bill also states that the
Government of India will assist
both the states for their police
forces to maintain the public
order
The admission quotas in
existence, in the higher
technical and medical
institutions will continue for a
period of five years
Ri ghts of Persons wi th Ri ghts of Persons wi th Ri ghts of Persons wi th Ri ghts of Persons wi th Ri ghts of Persons wi th
Di sabi l i ti es Bi l l , 2011 approved Di sabi l i ti es Bi l l , 2011 approved Di sabi l i ti es Bi l l , 2011 approved Di sabi l i ti es Bi l l , 2011 approved Di sabi l i ti es Bi l l , 2011 approved
December 2013 approved the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011.
The Bill is a comprehensive measure
that covers a whole spectrum of
problems from physical disabilities to
mental illness and multiple
disabilities. It will replace the Persons
with Disabilities (Equal Opportunity
Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act of 1995. The Bill
has been prepared on the basis of
recommendations made by Sudha
Kaul Committee. The Committee was
appointed in 2010 by the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment.
Main highlights of the Bill Main highlights of the Bill Main highlights of the Bill Main highlights of the Bill Main highlights of the Bill
Provides for 5% reservation in
public sector jobs and makes the
private sector more accountable for
creating a disabled-friendly
environment. It provides incentives
for the private sector to take such
measures.
To ensure political
participation, the Bill says that every
person with disability who fulfils
eligibility requirements is entitled to
be registered as a voter. He/she
should not be disqualified from
exercising the voting right on the
grounds of disability, irrespective of
any stipulation to the contrary in any
law for the time being in force.
Further, it says that any person who is
unable to vote in person due to
disability or because of admission to
hospital for treatment is entitled to
opt for postal ballot. It requires the
Election Commission to ensure that
all polling stations are accessible to
persons with disabilities. It allows
mentally unsound women the right
to fertility and prescribes punishment
for forced abortion or hysterectomy
on them. The Bill is based on the
premise of all rights for all disabled.
The Bill has been described as
historic by the social activists as it has
provided the definition of disability
in very expansive terms to cover all
kinds of disability whether physical
or mental.
Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas
Pipeline dedicated to Nation Pipeline dedicated to Nation Pipeline dedicated to Nation Pipeline dedicated to Nation Pipeline dedicated to Nation
Prime Minister of India Dr.
Manmohan Singh on 3 December
2013 dedicated GAIL India Ltds
1000 km Dabhol-Bangalore natural
gas pipeline to the Nation. Prime
Minister dedicated it to the nation
during the inauguration of the 8th Asia
Gas Partnership Summit (AGPS) in
New Delhi.
About Dabhol-Bangalore About Dabhol-Bangalore About Dabhol-Bangalore About Dabhol-Bangalore About Dabhol-Bangalore
Natural Gas Pipeline Natural Gas Pipeline Natural Gas Pipeline Natural Gas Pipeline Natural Gas Pipeline
The Dabhol Bangaluru
pipeline connects South India
to the national gas grid for the
first time.
Pipeline has been constructed
at an investment of 4500 crore
rupees with a design capacity
of 16 MMSCMD 16 MMSCMD 16 MMSCMD 16 MMSCMD 16 MMSCMD of natural
gas which can produce 3000
MW of clean energy.
The pipeline starts at Dabhol Dabhol Dabhol Dabhol Dabhol
in Maharashtra in Maharashtra in Maharashtra in Maharashtra in Maharashtra and passes
through Belgaum, Dharwad,
Gadag, Bellary, Devanagere,
Chitradurga, Tumkur,
Ramanagaram, Bengaluru Rural
and Bengaluru Urban districts.
It traverses through 18 National
Highways, 382 other road
crossings, 20 railway crossings,
83 cased crossings, 11 major
river crossings and 276 water
body crossings including Asias
largest river crossing in rocky
terrain at Ghatprabha.
10 December 2013 ordered red
beacons are allowed to be used by
persons holding Constitutional posts
and high dignitaries.
The decision came to prevent
the misuse of red beacons by local
politicians as a symbol of status. The
Supreme Court bench was headed
by Justice G S Singhvi has asked the
centre to issue a fresh list of people
eligible to use red beacons on their
vehicles. The apex court has also
asked the Government to amend the
rule within three months. It has also
said that the State Governments
cannot enlarge the list of VIPs eligible
for the red beacons. The Courts
order came on a PIL filled by a
resident of Uttar Pradesh, Abhay
Singh on misuse of the beacons.
Earlier, the bench had said that
misuse of red beacon and siren,
granted by government to VIPs, was
a menace to society and it must be
stopped. The Supreme Court also
said that the red light has become a
status symbol and police personnel,
who are put on duty for giving
security cover to VIPs, should be
deployed for better purposes like
making the roads safe for women.
Express Parcel and Business Express Parcel and Business Express Parcel and Business Express Parcel and Business Express Parcel and Business
Parcel Services Launched Parcel Services Launched Parcel Services Launched Parcel Services Launched Parcel Services Launched
Department of Posts, Under
Union Ministry of Communications &
IT, on 2 December 2013 launched
a n Express Parcel Express Parcel Express Parcel Express Parcel Express Parcel servi ce
and Business Parcel Business Parcel Business Parcel Business Parcel Business Parcel Services for
speedy delivery of parcels across the
country. The services were launched
by Smt. P. Gopinath, Secretary,
Department of Posts, at a function
organized at New Delhi G.P.O.
The construction operations
which continued for 19 months
involved pipeline laying in some
of the worlds steepest slopes
of 60 to 70 degrees and sharp
elevations of upto700 metres in
a 3.5 km stretch.
About Gas Authority India Ltd About Gas Authority India Ltd About Gas Authority India Ltd About Gas Authority India Ltd About Gas Authority India Ltd
GAIL (India) Ltd was
incorporated in August 1984 as
a Central Public Sector
Undertaking (PSU) under the
Union Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas.
Gas Authority of India Limited
is the largest state-owned
natural gas processing and
distribution company.
GAIL is a Maharatna Company.
Red Beacons are allowed for Red Beacons are allowed for Red Beacons are allowed for Red Beacons are allowed for Red Beacons are allowed for
Constitutional posts and high Constitutional posts and high Constitutional posts and high Constitutional posts and high Constitutional posts and high
di gni tari es di gni tari es di gni tari es di gni tari es di gni tari es
About the Parcel Services About the Parcel Services About the Parcel Services About the Parcel Services About the Parcel Services
Express Parcel is a premium
parcel service for retail as well as bulk
customers. It offered time bound, safe
and secure home delivery of parcels.
To have minimal transit time these
parcels will be given airlift wherever
needed. Bulk customers would also
have an economical option of surface
transported Business Parcel. These
two new parcel services aim to
promote the e-commerce market in
India by offering reliable and cost
efficient delivery solutions. Whereas
Express Parcel is an air mail service
providing guaranteed time bound
delivery of parcels, Business Parcel
will provide fast, secure and cost
efficient transmission of parcels
through surface. These services will
have Cash on Delivery facility which
has become a pre-requisite today for
e-commerce parcels. Though
Business Parcels will have a
nationwide coverage, the Express
Parcel service will initially be
available between 20 identified
cities: Agra, Banglore,
Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi
(NCR), Patna, Guwahati, Hyderabad,
Indoor, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata,
Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune,
Parwanoo, Shillong, Surat and
Thiruvanthapuram. This service will be
expanded nationwide in phased
manner.
The Code of Conduct for The Code of Conduct for The Code of Conduct for The Code of Conduct for The Code of Conduct for
Ministers revised Ministers revised Ministers revised Ministers revised Ministers revised
revision of the Code of Conduct for
Ministers in the Government of India
as well as the State Governments. The
Code of Conduct will now include
the proposed paragraph to Section
2, which reads: Section 2-After taking
office, and so long as he/he remains
in office, the Minister shall:- (f)
Uphold the political impartiality of the
civil services and not ask the civil
servants to act in any way, which
would conflict with the duties and
responsibilities of the civil servants.
The revised Code of Conduct for
Ministers will become effective
immediately from the date of issue
with regard to the Ministers of the
Union Government. The revised
Code will be forwarded to the Chief
Ministers of the states for adoption in
regard of the Ministers of State
Governments and the Union Territory
Administrations.
SC ordered to make 22 CBI SC ordered to make 22 CBI SC ordered to make 22 CBI SC ordered to make 22 CBI SC ordered to make 22 CBI
courts functional across India courts functional across India courts functional across India courts functional across India courts functional across India
10 December 2013 set a fresh four
month deadline for the centre and
states to make functional all the 22
CBI courts across the country for
trying corruption cases that involves
politicians and public servant. The
Court has also warned the chief
secretaries that failure to comply with
its order will invite contempt action
against them. The bench of Supreme
Court that comprised Justice GS
Singhvi and C Nagappan also
observed that these CBI Courts are
necessary for speedy and
expeditious disposal of corruption
cases. The Supreme Court had on 30
January directed the Centre to set up
22 special CBI courts within two
months across the country. The
Supreme Court also brought in notice
the letter written by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh to the Chief
Ministers for creation of additional
special courts, in July 2009. The
Government in 2009 took a decision
to set up 71 additional special courts
for trial of CBI cases in various states.
The Apex Court has been passing
orders for creation of the courts since
2011, but the Government failed in
creation of the court.
Constitutional Status to Constitutional Status to Constitutional Status to Constitutional Status to Constitutional Status to
Judicial Appointments Judicial Appointments Judicial Appointments Judicial Appointments Judicial Appointments
Commission Commission Commission Commission Commission
constitutional status to a proposed
Judicial Appointments Commission
(JAC) for appointment and transfer
of judges to the higher judiciary. The
status would ensure that composition
of the commission cannot be altered
through an ordinary legislation. A
Parliamentary standing committee
which examined the Judicial
Appointments Commission Bill, 2013
had also made a similar
recommendation. There were
demands that the composition as
well as the functions of the proposed
JAC should be mentioned in the
Constitution as a safeguard against
future changes. As per the proposal,
Article 124 A of the Constitution of
India will define the composition of
JAC and Article 124 B will define its
functions. At present the composition
of the panel is defined in the Judicial
Appointments Commission Bill 2013.
It was introduced with a separate
constitutional amendment bill in Rajya
Sabha in August 2013. The decision
to make Judicial Appointments
Commission was taken to do away the
Collegiums System of Appointment
of Judges that allows Judges to make
their own appointments. As per the
proposed Bill inclusion of two
eminent persons in the six-member
Judicial Appointments Commission is
to happen instead of the two jurists.
The decision was made to create a
balance and avoid the extra
weightage to judiciary in the body.
As per the new proposal the six
members Judicial Appointments
Commission would comprise of the
Chief Justice of India, two Supreme
Court judges, Union Law Minister and
two eminent persons, instead of two
jurists. To appoint the two eminent
persons for the appointments
commission would be done by the
collegium that will include the Prime
Minister of India, the Leader of
Opposition and the Chief Justice of
India. The secretary of the Law
Ministry will act as the convenor of
the Judicial Appointment
Commissions but not the member of
the commission.
Main Points of the Judicial Main Points of the Judicial Main Points of the Judicial Main Points of the Judicial Main Points of the Judicial
Appointments Commission Appointments Commission Appointments Commission Appointments Commission Appointments Commission
(JAC) Bill 2013 are (JAC) Bill 2013 are (JAC) Bill 2013 are (JAC) Bill 2013 are (JAC) Bill 2013 are
The JAC on creation will do
away the collegium system of
appointments to the High
Courts and Supreme Courts
The Article 124 (2) of the
Constitution of India will be
amended to give power to the
President of India to appoint
the Judges on the
recommendation of the JAC
The JAC will be determined by
an ordinary law as per the
Constitution (120th
Amendment) Bill 2013
introduced in the Parliament by
UPA government
Constitutional Amendment in
the JACs term will require two-
third majority for modification
in the Parliament. The ordinary
law requires a simple majority
Article 124(2) of the Article 124(2) of the Article 124(2) of the Article 124(2) of the Article 124(2) of the
Constitution of India: Constitution of India: Constitution of India: Constitution of India: Constitution of India: I n
appointing the Judges of the
Supreme Court, the President shall
consult the Chief Justice of India and
such other Judges of the Supreme
Court and of the High Courts as he
may deem necessary.
Panchayati Raj Ministry Panchayati Raj Ministry Panchayati Raj Ministry Panchayati Raj Ministry Panchayati Raj Ministry
proposal on BRGF approved proposal on BRGF approved proposal on BRGF approved proposal on BRGF approved proposal on BRGF approved
by CCEA by CCEA by CCEA by CCEA by CCEA
Economic Affairs on 12 December
2013 approved the proposal of the
Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj to
continue district component of
Backward Region Grants Fund
(BRGF) in the current financial year
(2013-14). The district component of
BRGF covers 272 backward districts
in 27 states and the entitlement of
each district is one crore rupees. The
amount is used primarily to build
capacity for elected representatives
and functionaries of Panchayati Raj
institutions. The BRGF will have
budgetary estimate of 6500 rupees
during 2013-14. The fund will
contribute towards poverty
alleviation in backward districts and
promote accountable and
responsible panchayats and
municipalities.
About Backward Region About Backward Region About Backward Region About Backward Region About Backward Region
Grants Fund (BRGF) Grants Fund (BRGF) Grants Fund (BRGF) Grants Fund (BRGF) Grants Fund (BRGF)
The Backward Regions Grant
Fund Programme (BRGF), launched
by the Prime Minister at Barpeta in
Assam on 19th February 2007,
signifies a new approach to
addressing persistent regional
imbalances in development. The
programme subsumes the Rashtriya
Sama Vikas Yojana (RSVY), a scheme
earlier being administered by the
Planning Commission.
Objectives of BRGF Objectives of BRGF Objectives of BRGF Objectives of BRGF Objectives of BRGF
The Backward Regions Grant
Fund is designed to redress regional
imbalances in development by way
of providing financial resources for
supplementing and converging
existing developmental inflows into
the identified backward districts, so
as to:
Bridge critical gaps in local
infrastructure and other
development requirements
that are not being adequately
met through existing inflows,
Strengthen, to this end,
Panchayat and Municipality
level governance with more
appropriate capacity building,
to facilitate participatory
planning, decision making,
implementation and
monitoring, to reflect local felt
needs,
Provide professional support to
local bodies for planning,
implementation and
monitoring their plans,
Improve the performance and
delivery of critical functions
assigned to Panchayats, and
counter possible efficiency
and equity losses on account
of inadequate local capacity.
Survey on drinking water, Survey on drinking water, Survey on drinking water, Survey on drinking water, Survey on drinking water,
sanitation and hygiene by sanitation and hygiene by sanitation and hygiene by sanitation and hygiene by sanitation and hygiene by
NSSO NSSO NSSO NSSO NSSO
The National Sample Survey
Office (NSSO) released the survey
of the key indicators of drinking water,
sanitation, hygiene and housing
condition in India on 24 December
2013. The Survey conducted from
July 2012 to December 2012 by
National Sample Survey Office
(NSSO) under the Ministry of
Statistics and Programme
Implementation.
The objective of the NSS survey
was to collect information on the
different aspects of living conditions
of Indian population necessary for
decent and healthy living and to
develop suitable indicators to assess
the situation. The improved sources
of drinking water include bottled
water, piped water into dwelling,
piped water to yard, public tap,
standpipe, tube well or bore well,
protected well, protected spring and
rain water collection.
Salient features of the Salient features of the Salient features of the Salient features of the Salient features of the
NSSO Survey NSSO Survey NSSO Survey NSSO Survey NSSO Survey
Drinking water: Drinking water: Drinking water: Drinking water: Drinking water:
Nearly 88.5 percent house-
holds in rural India and 95.3
percent households in urban
India improved source of drink-
ing water.
In Kerala rural household are
the worst hit with only 29.5
percent having access to safe
drinking water whereas in Tamil
Nadu it was 94 percent.
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and
Rajasthan are above national
average, people having access
to safe drinking water.
Bihar with 97.6 percent of rural
households and 99.7 percent
of urban households improved
source of drinking water and in
Uttar Pradesh with 96.6 per-
cent and 99.2 percent respec-
tively.
The availability of drinking wa-
ter from the principal source
was considered sufficient
throughout the year if in each
of the calendar months the
availability of drinking water
was sufficient.
of urban households lived in a
house with pucca structure
whereas 24.6 percent of rural
households and 5.0 percent of
urban households lived in a
house with semi-pucca
structure during 2012.
Only 26.3 percent and 47.1
percent households in rural
India and urban India
respectively had dwelling units
with good ventilation.
31.7 percent of rural
of urban households had
improved drainage facility in
the environment of their
dwelling units
32 percent of rural households
and 75.8 percent in urban
households areas had some
garbage disposal arrangement.
Only 10.8 percent of urban
dwelling units were situated in
slum.
The households living in slums/
squatter settlements,
percentage of households who
tried to move out of slums/
squatter settlements were 8.5
percent, 4.9 percent and 6.9
percent in case of notified
slums, non-notified slums and
squatter settlements
respectively.
At all-India level 70.8 percent
of households had cited better
accommodation as the main
reason for which they thought
to move out of the slum/
squatter settlement whereas
11.7 percent households had
identified proximity to place of
work as the main reason.
Supreme Court ruled Supreme Court ruled Supreme Court ruled Supreme Court ruled Supreme Court ruled
Homosexuality is offence Homosexuality is offence Homosexuality is offence Homosexuality is offence Homosexuality is offence
11 December 2013 upheld the
constitutional validity of Section 377
of the Indian Penal Code making gay
sex an offence punishable with upto
life imprisonment. A bench of justices
of urban households in India
had sufficient drinking water.
16 percent of Nagaland rural
households have sufficient
drinking water throughout year.
Sanitation & Housing Sanitation & Housing Sanitation & Housing Sanitation & Housing Sanitation & Housing
Condition: Condition: Condition: Condition: Condition:
Nearly 62.3 percent of rural
household and 16.7 percent of
urban households did not have
any bathroom facility.
59.4 percent and 8.8 percent
households in rural India and
urban India respectively had no
latrine facilities.
The households having latrine
facilities, 31.9 percent and 63.9
percent households in rural
India and urban India
respectively had access to its
exclusive use.
About 38.8 percent and 89.6
percent households in rural and
urban India respectively had
access to improved type of
latrine.
of urban households had
electricity for domestic use.
94.2 percent households in
rural India and 71.3 percent in
urban India had secured
tenure in their dwelling.
G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya
set aside the Delhi High Courts
verdict which had in 2009
decriminalised gay sex among
consenting adults in private.
The Supreme Court bench
allowed the appeals filed by various
social and religious organisations
challenging the Delhi high court
verdict on the ground that gay sex is
against the cultural and religious
values of the country.
The Supreme Court ruled that
there is no constitutional infirmity in
section 377 of the Indian Penal Code,
IPC which makes gay sex an offence
punishable with upto life
imprisonment. With the apex court
verdict, the operation of penal
provision against gay sex has come
into force. The bench stated
Parliament iks authorised to delete
section 377 of IPC but till the time
this penal provision is there, the court
cannot legalise this kind of sexual
relationship.
The court passed the order on
a batch of petitions of anti-gay right
activists and social and religious
organisations against the Delhi High
Courts verdict decriminalising gay
sex.
The Delhi High Court had on 2
July 2009 decriminalised gay sex as
provided in Section 377 of the IPC
and had ruled that sex between two
consenting adults in private would not
be an offence.
Section 377 in the Indian Section 377 in the Indian Section 377 in the Indian Section 377 in the Indian Section 377 in the Indian
Penal Code, 1860 Penal Code, 1860 Penal Code, 1860 Penal Code, 1860 Penal Code, 1860
Section 377: Section 377: Section 377: Section 377: Section 377: Unnatural
offences; Whoever voluntarily has
carnal intercourse against the order
of nature with any man, woman or
animal shall be punished with
imprisonment for life, or with
imprisonment of either description
for a term which may extend to ten
years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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UN to Reduce its UN to Reduce its UN to Reduce its UN to Reduce its UN to Reduce its
Staffs and cut Budget Staffs and cut Budget Staffs and cut Budget Staffs and cut Budget Staffs and cut Budget
United Nations on 27
December 2013 ordered to cut staff
and budget under the pressure from
United States and other austerity-
stricken industrialized powers. This
is the first time, since 1945 United
Nations has taken the decision to cut
the staff and budget. The decision
was taken because the governments
of members suffer from financial crisis.
After protracted negotiations, the
193-nation Assembly agreed to cut
221 staff or 2 percent at the UN
headquarters and ordered a one-year
pay freeze for the more than 10000
workers in New York. A two-year
freeze on benefits allowance was also
mentioned. The staff cut is part of the
2014-2015 UN budgets. The
members of UN have also voted to
cut its budget to 5.5 billion dollars
for 2014-15, which is 50 million
dollars below the final spending in
past two years. United States
provides about 22 percent of UN
budget. Apart from US, other
countries like France, Britain,
Germany and Japan are among the
top contributors in the budget of UN.
The general budget does not include
UN peacekeeping activities that cost
more than 7.5 billion dollars a year or
to operate several major UN agencies,
such as UNICEF and the World Food
Programme, which are funded by
voluntary contributions.
Offi ci al s banned from smoki ng Offi ci al s banned from smoki ng Offi ci al s banned from smoki ng Offi ci al s banned from smoki ng Offi ci al s banned from smoki ng
in public places in China in public places in China in public places in China in public places in China in public places in China
According to the Chinas official
Xinhua News Agency, Chinese
Government on 30 December 2013
banned its officials from smoking in
public places. Public places include
schools, offices, and hospitals, sports
venues, on Public transport or any
other places where smoking is
banned or to smoke or offer
cigarettes hen performing official
duties. Also, officials cannot use
public funds to buy cigarettes, and
within Communist Party or in
government office tobacco products
cannot be sold. The smoking ban
must be displayed in meeting rooms,
reception offices, passageways,
cafeterias and rest rooms. The
Officials have been asked to take the
lead in implementing government
ban on smoking in public places.
China with a population of 1.35 billion
has about 300 million smokers. China
is the Worlds largest cigarette
producer and consumer. Though
Chinas health authorities already
banned people from smoking in
indoor public places in 2011, the rule
is not seriously enforced or obeyed
in the country. India also banned
International Issues International Issues International Issues International Issues International Issues
smoking in public places which covers
offices, hotels, restaurants, hospitals,
college campuses, bars and discos
with effect from 2 October 2008. In
Asia, India, Hong Kong and China
have banned smoking in public
places.
UK to be Europes largest UK to be Europes largest UK to be Europes largest UK to be Europes largest UK to be Europes largest
economy by 2030 economy by 2030 economy by 2030 economy by 2030 economy by 2030
Centre for Economic and
Business Research (CERB) study
released in December 2013 has
predicted that UK will overtake
Germany as Europes largest
economy by 2030.
At present Germany is at the top
spot in Europe. It cites the UKs
population growth as an aid to
economic acceleration. CERB has
also predicted that strong growth by
emerging economies like India, Russia
and Brazil will make UK to slip down
on the global ranking over the next
two decades. It said that UK would
be the second most successful
western economy after US. Germany
will slip in the position of the
European economy to UK in 2030
because of its faster population
growth and its less dependence on
other European economies. The
report has echoed the recent
confidence of other business groups
such as the British Chambers of
Commerce, BCC. The CERB
released its annual World Economic
League Table in which the future
ranking of the economic is done
depending upon the ups and downs
of the global economies. CERB in its
release has also said that China will
take over the US economy in 2028
and India will be in the third place.
CERB compiled the forecasts of
growth, inflation and currency values
in its league tables to the size of
economies, which was measured in
US dollars in 2013, 2018, 2023 and
2028. In its release CERB has said that
its prediction should be treated as a
caution because of the
unpredictable fluctuations in
currencies.
As per the released report, India
will overtake Japan as the third
biggest economy in next 15 years
with Brazil as the fifth biggest
economy. The anti-deflation strategy
would lead to the weaken of Yen for
the future and would affect the value
of dollar of its national output.
However, as far as Germany, the
group said that should the euro break
up, that Germanys outlook would be
much better. As for France, the CEBR
said it will be one of the worst
performing of the Western
economies, and will be overtaken by
the UK by 2018. This is because of
slow growth due to high taxation in
addition to the general issues of
eurozone economies.
First Ministerial Level Talk First Ministerial Level Talk First Ministerial Level Talk First Ministerial Level Talk First Ministerial Level Talk
held for BCIM Trade Corridor held for BCIM Trade Corridor held for BCIM Trade Corridor held for BCIM Trade Corridor held for BCIM Trade Corridor
India, China, Bangladesh and
Myanmar in the third week of
December 2013 held the first ever
official-level discussions on the
ambitious corridor to link India and
China with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The BCIM corridor faced a rapid
boost for the first time after it was
discussed with ministerial level talk.
The four member countries namely,
Bangladesh, India, China, and
Myanmar proposed the
establishment of the BCIM Forum for
regional cooperation. Over the next
six months, each country will come
up with a joint study report proposing
concrete projects and financing
modalities, before the next meeting
of the four nations in June 2014. The
next meeting would be hosted by
Bangladesh. Presently, the four
countries come up with an ambitious
proposal that included developing
multi-modal transport, such as road,
rail, waterways and airways, joint
power projects and
telecommunication networks. As a
first step, the four countries will
identify realistic and achievable
infrastructure projects to boost
physical connectivity. The linking of
all four countries by road has further
strengthen the notion that this
corridor would subsequently open
up the whole of the northeastern
region of India to Southeast Asia and
China and turn it into a significant
channel of trade.
About BCIM About BCIM About BCIM About BCIM About BCIM
The corridor would cover 1.65
million square kilometers
encompassing an estimated 440
million people in the regions of
Yunnan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, West
Bengal, Bihar and states in Northern
India. The establishment of a trade
corridor by the BangladeshChina
IndiaMyanmar Forum for Regional
Cooperation (BCIM) was an idea
originally developed by Chinese
scholars in Kunming at the end of the
1990s, and then it is called the
Kunming Initiative. The Kunming
Initiative evolved into the BCIM
Forum for Regional Cooperation
during its first meeting in 1999.
Benefits of the Trade Corridor Benefits of the Trade Corridor Benefits of the Trade Corridor Benefits of the Trade Corridor Benefits of the Trade Corridor
The economic advan- economic advan- economic advan- economic advan- economic advan-
tages tages tages tages tages of the BCIM trade corridor are
considerable, most notably
Access to numerous markets in
Southeast Asia,
Improvement of transportation
infrastructure and
Creation of industrial zones
The construction of industrial industrial industrial industrial industrial
zones zones zones zones zones will have a two fold benefit
Firstly, it will lead to industrial
transfer boosting industries
such as processing,
manufacturing and commerce
logistics.
Secondly, as labor costs rise in
China, labor-intensive
industries such as textile and
agro-processing will eventually
be shifted out of China. These
industries will need to be
transferred to new regions with
lower labor costs.
EU granted EU granted EU granted EU granted EU granted
GSP-Plus status to Pakistan GSP-Plus status to Pakistan GSP-Plus status to Pakistan GSP-Plus status to Pakistan GSP-Plus status to Pakistan
The European Union on 12
December 2013 granted GSP-Plus
status to Pakistan. This move will
boost the textile and other industries
of Pakistan as it has given exporters a
duty free access to 27 European
Countries. 406 members of the
European Parliament supported the
move of the Union at a session in
Brussels.
Under this deal 75 Pakistani
products would have duty-free
access to European markets. The
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
governments top priority was to gain
an access into the European market
as part of its economic agenda. As
this status will enable Pakistan to
export products of 1 billion dollars
to international markets and help the
textile industry of the country to earn
profits of more than 1 trillion rupees.
Overall, the increase in the exports
will also facilitate economic growth
and generate millions of additional
jobs.
As per the analysts, the trade
concession to Pakistan from
European Union will benefit the
textile and clothing industry of the
country and also enable its products
to compete with the products of rivals
like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the two
countries that have duty-free access
to the bloc markets of European
Union. At present the textile and
clothing exports of Pakistan to the
European Union constitutes of its
total exports to the bloc of 9.5 billion
dollars. The GSP-Plus status will
provide duty free or preferential duty
rate access for total 3500 products
to Pakistan. Currently, the Pakistani
textile exports to European Union an
11 percent duty. To get the status,
Pakistan lobbied with several
countries of the European Union. To
get the deal done, it has held the
death penalty.
About GSP-Plus status of About GSP-Plus status of About GSP-Plus status of About GSP-Plus status of About GSP-Plus status of
European Union European Union European Union European Union European Union
The European Unions GSP
(Generalised Scheme of
Preferences) allows developing
country exporters to pay lower duties
on their exports to the European
Union. This gives them vital access to
European Union markets and
contributes to their economic
growth. The reformed GSP, which
will apply as from 2014, will further
focus support on countries most in
need. The EU has adopted a
reformed GSP law on 31 October
2012. In order to allow ample time
for economic operators to adapt to
the new scheme, the new
preferences will be applied from 1
January 2014.
There are three main There are three main There are three main There are three main There are three main
variants (arrangements) of the variants (arrangements) of the variants (arrangements) of the variants (arrangements) of the variants (arrangements) of the
scheme scheme scheme scheme scheme
The standard GSP scheme,
which offers generous tariff
reductions to developing
countries. Practically, this
means partial or entire removal
of tariffs on two thirds of all
product categories.
The GSP+ enhanced
preferences mean full removal
of tariffs on essentially the same
product categories as those
covered by the general
arrangement. These are
granted to countries which
ratify and implement
international conventions
relating to human and labour
rights, environment and good
governance
Everything but Arms (EBA)
scheme for least developed
countries (LDCs), which grant
duty-free quota-free access to
all products, except for arms
and ammunitions
Michelle Bachelet won Chile Michelle Bachelet won Chile Michelle Bachelet won Chile Michelle Bachelet won Chile Michelle Bachelet won Chile
Presidential Elections Presidential Elections Presidential Elections Presidential Elections Presidential Elections
Left-wing candidate Michelle
Bachelet on 15 December 2013
elected as the Chile President for a
second time by a wide margin.
Michelle Bachelet got 62 percent
votes against 38 percent votes for
Evelyn Matthei, a former minister from
the governing centre-right coalition.
Michelle Bachelet, candidate for a
centre-left coalition of parties known
as Nueva Mayoria, she first served from
2006 to 2010, but under Chiles
constitution she could not stand for a
second consecutive term. The major
contenders in the presidential
election are Evelyn Matthei of
conservative Alianza party and Franco
Parisi, an independent candidate.
Michelle Bachelet will succeed the
present president Sebastin
Piera.The General elections were
held in Chile on 17 November 2013
for the president post. The term of
the president is for four years.
About Michelle Bachelet About Michelle Bachelet About Michelle Bachelet About Michelle Bachelet About Michelle Bachelet
Michelle Bachelet, candidate
for a centre-left coalition of
parties known as Nueva
Mayoria: 61-year old Bachelet
served as Chiles president
between 2006 and 2010.
She is the daughter of a high-
ranking air force officer who
died from the effects of torture
while a prisoner of the military
junta led by Gen Augusto
Pinochet.
Michelle Bachelet was herself
tortured and spent some years
in exile before being allowed
to return and finish her medical
studies. Bachelet held the post
of health minister in Ricardo
Lagos government and was
Chiles first female defence
minister.
She became Chiles first female
president in 2006, and she had
a stunning 84 per cent approval
rating when she left office in
2010. In 2010, she was
appointed the first director of
the newly-created agency UN
Women.
About Chile About Chile About Chile About Chile About Chile
Chile officially the Republic of
Chile is a South American country
occupying a long, narrow strip of land
between the Andes mountains to the
east and the Pacific Ocean to the
west. Chile stretches over 4300 km
(2670 miles) north to south, but only
350 km (217 miles) at its widest point
east to west. It is bounded on the
north by Peru and Bolivia, on its long
eastern border by Argentina, and on
the west by the Pacific Ocean. The
capital of Chile is Santiago.
Foreign companies can drill Foreign companies can drill Foreign companies can drill Foreign companies can drill Foreign companies can drill
for Oil and Gas in Mexico for Oil and Gas in Mexico for Oil and Gas in Mexico for Oil and Gas in Mexico for Oil and Gas in Mexico
Enrique Pena Nieto, the
Mexican President on 20 December
2013 signed a controversial law that
allows foreign companies to drill for
oil. The law was signed for the first
time since nationalization of the
sector in 1938.
The Mexican Congress passed
the legislation on 13 December 2013
and was ratified by the majority of
Mexican states. This legislation has
changed three articles in the
Constitution of the country. It allows
foreign investment in oil, gas and
electricity. To drill oil and gas, private
companies have been allowed to sign
contracts with state controlled
Pemex. Pemex will get a share of the
profits. The law was signed to attract
investment to Mexico that will attract
the investment needed to boost the
falling oil output of the country. The
Mexican oil production has fallen
from 3.4 million barrels per day in
2004 to the current rate of 2.5 million
barrels per day.
Relocation of US airbase in Japan approved Relocation of US airbase in Japan approved Relocation of US airbase in Japan approved Relocation of US airbase in Japan approved Relocation of US airbase in Japan approved
Japan on 27 December 2013
approved the relocation of the US
military airbase on its southern island
of Okinawa. The relocation was
accepted by the Governor of
Okinawa, Hirokazu Nakaima. He
agreed to landfill work to develop a
new base in a less densely populated
part of the island. A document was
signed to give a green light to the
Governor of the landfill. It has paved
a way to the construction of the new
base on the coast. The relocation of
the airbase was accepted after the
Prime Minister of Japan, Shino Abe
pledged an annual injection of 300
billion yen (about 2.9 billion dollar)
into the islands economic stimulate
budget until 2021 fiscal.
The Governors nod is a
breakthrough to the 1996 agreement
to shut down the Futenma airbase
that is located in a densely populated
urban area of the island. The
agreement searched for a new site
for placing the new US base. The US
has around 26,000 troops on Okinawa
under a long-standing security
alliance with Japan.
Red Sea-to-Dead Sea Water Red Sea-to-Dead Sea Water Red Sea-to-Dead Sea Water Red Sea-to-Dead Sea Water Red Sea-to-Dead Sea Water
sharing Deal sharing Deal sharing Deal sharing Deal sharing Deal
Israel, Jordan and the
Palestinians 9 December 2013
signed a historic water-sharing
initiative at the World Bank in
Washington that could protect the
Dead Sea from rising demand for
water in the region. The agreement
was signed by Israeli Energy Minister
Silvan Shalom, Shaddad Attili, head
of the Palestinian water authority, and
Hazim el-Naser, head of the Jordanian
water ministry.
According to the agreement- a
pipeline will be built on the
Jordanian side of the Aqaba Gulf to
carry brine (sea water) from a
desalination plant at the Red Sea to
the Dead Sea, while providing
drinking water to the region. The
project is expected to cost 250m-
400m Dollars.
The Dead Sea water The Dead Sea water The Dead Sea water The Dead Sea water The Dead Sea water
Depl eti ng Issue Depl eti ng Issue Depl eti ng Issue Depl eti ng Issue Depl eti ng Issue
The Dead Sea is dropping by as
much as 1m (3.3ft) a year as the River
Jordan is depleted for use in
irrigation. The Dead Sea is so rich in
salt and other minerals that humans
float naturally on the surface. The area
around the sea has an established
tourism and health industry because
of the waters unique properties.But
the Dead Sea is losing water rapidly,
with some fearing the Dead Sea could
dry up entirely by 2050. The scheme
will pipe water from the Gulf of Aqaba
off the Red Sea through a
desalination plant in Jordan, sending
brine to the southern-most edge of
the Dead Sea. The sea water will be
used to test the impact of Red Sea
water being transported to the Dead
Sea. It will involve the construction
of a desalination plant in Jordan,
projected to yield 80 million-100
million cu m of water annually. A water
transfer deal will also see Israel supply
water to Jordan and the Palestinian
territories. The project also expected
to yield hydroelectric power for use
in the desalination process.
Iran has installed 1000 Iran has installed 1000 Iran has installed 1000 Iran has installed 1000 Iran has installed 1000
Second Generation IR-2m Second Generation IR-2m Second Generation IR-2m Second Generation IR-2m Second Generation IR-2m
cent ri f uges cent ri f uges cent ri f uges cent ri f uges cent ri f uges
Iran installed a one thousand
second generation IR-2m centrifuges
at one of its nuclear enrichment sites.
This was announced by Ali-Akbar
Salehi, the Head of Atomic Energy
Organization of Iran (AEOI) on 29
December 2013. Salehi is also a Vice
President of Iran. As per Salehi, at
present Iran have 19000 centrifuges
and is developing a new generation
of centrifuges, which will need all
kind of tests before being into
operation.
As per the report of ISNA, UF6
gas has not been injected into the
centrifuges in view of the ongoing
talks of Iran with the six world powers
on its nuclear issue. Earlier in
November 2013, Iran and the six
world powers together signed an
interim deal under which Iran agreed
to not operate its new centrifuges for
next six months. But the deal doesnt
stopped Iran from developing new
centrifuges. Fereidoon Abbasi, the
chief of AEOI in August 2013
announced that 18000 centrifuges
were available with Iran of which
10000 were operating. Salehi also
said that Tehran and Moscow are
discussing on the construction of four
nuclear power plants in Iran.
Abdul Kader Mullah hanged Abdul Kader Mullah hanged Abdul Kader Mullah hanged Abdul Kader Mullah hanged Abdul Kader Mullah hanged
for 1971 war crimes for 1971 war crimes for 1971 war crimes for 1971 war crimes for 1971 war crimes
Islamist leader Abdul Kader
Mullah of Bangladesh was executed
on 12 December 2013. His execution
was done at the Dhaka Central Jail at
22:01 local time. He was executed
for genocides done during the
Bangladeshs 1971 liberation war with
Pakistan.
He was the first person
convicted by Bangladeshs
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
and the first politician to be hanged
for such crimes. He was the senior
leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party.
The International Crimes Tribunal
(ICT) was set up in Bangladesh in
2010 to investigate on the abuses
committed during the 1971 conflict.
The prosecutors during his trial
described him as the Butcher of
Mirpur, the suburb of Dhaka where
he has been alleged to carry out the
crimes. He massacred unarmed
civilians and killed intellectuals, who
were supporting the independence
from Pakistan. Apart from Abdul
Kader Mullah, four other leaders of
Jamaat-e-Islami have been convicted
by the ICT and will face the death
penalty. 42 years ago in 1971
Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan
after a war after the military
intervention by India, in which many
were killed and about 10 million
people migrated as refugees.
Bangladesh International Bangladesh International Bangladesh International Bangladesh International Bangladesh International
Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
The International Crimes
Tribunal (ICT) is a war crimes tribunal
in Bangladesh, which was set up by
the Government in 2009. The ICT was
formed to investigate and prosecute
the suspects for the genocide
committed in 1971 by the Pakistan
Army and their local collaborators,
during the Bangladesh Liberation
War. During the 2008 general
election, the Awami League (AL)
when won the election with more
than two-thirds majority in Parliament
set up the tribunal. The first
indictment was issued in 2010.
First Country to Legalize First Country to Legalize First Country to Legalize First Country to Legalize First Country to Legalize
Marijuana Trade Marijuana Trade Marijuana Trade Marijuana Trade Marijuana Trade
Uruguay on 10 December 2013
became the first country in the world
to legalise marijuana for recreational
use with the state taking control of
the trade. In this regard Uruguay
senators gave the approval for
government-sponsored bill.
According to the new law-
Registered Uruguayans over the age
of 18 will be allowed to buy up to 40
grams of the drug a month. Tourists
will be excluded. The government
hopes it will help tackle drug cartels,
but critics say it will expose more
people to drugs. With introducing
new law, Uruguay became the first
country in the world to have a system
regulating legal production, sale and
consumption of the drug.
Uruguay Marijuana Law; Uruguay Marijuana Law; Uruguay Marijuana Law; Uruguay Marijuana Law; Uruguay Marijuana Law;
State controls the production,
distribution, commerce and
consumption of marijuana
Consumers have to be over 18
and registered
Marijuana to be sold at licensed
pharmacies
Sales are limited to 40g (1.4oz)
per month
Registered users can grow up
to six plants at home
Buyers and growers have to be
over 18
Tourists are excluded
Advertising is forbidden
Prices will be fixed by the
government
Yemen Parliament Banned use Yemen Parliament Banned use Yemen Parliament Banned use Yemen Parliament Banned use Yemen Parliament Banned use
of US Drones of US Drones of US Drones of US Drones of US Drones
The Yemen Parliament on 15
December 2013 banned the use of
US drones in the country after dozens
of civilians were killed by the
unmanned aircraft. In this regard an
anti-drone motion was passed by
Yemens parliament on 15 December
2013. The Parliament also stressed
the importance of protecting
innocent citizens from any airstrike as
well as preserving Yemens
sovereignty. The decision by the
Yemeni parliament to ban the use of
US drones comes after one of the
unmanned aircrafts mistakenly hit a
wedding convey in Al - Bayda
province, killing 17 Yemeni civilians
and wounding about 21 others on 12
December 2013. It was the second
airstrike mistake in a week after a US
drone killed at least four people
traveling on a road in the eastern
province of Hadramout on 9
December 2013. The United States
has stepped up drone strikes in
Yemen as part of a campaign against
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
(AQAP). The Yemen-based al-Qaida
offshoot has carried out a series of
attacks in Yemen targeting state
institutions, the military and foreign
missions in the country. However, the
US drone strikes have mistakenly hit
civilian targets several times in the past
two years. The Yemeni people staged
several rallies this year to demand an
end to the US drone strikes in the
country.
Defence spending to be Defence spending to be Defence spending to be Defence spending to be Defence spending to be
increased by Japan increased by Japan increased by Japan increased by Japan increased by Japan
Japan under the hawkish Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe has decided on
17 December 2013 to increase its
spending on defence by about 5%
over a period of 5 years (2014
2019). This is the biggest increase
in defence spending in 22 years,
although much of the growth reflects
higher import costs due to a weaker
yen. Abes government also decided
to review Japans ban on weapons
exports. This means that Japan could
revive struggling defence contractors
like Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd
and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
The decision to increase defence
spending to 24.6 trillion yen (239
billion dollar) was in response to
Chinas ever increasing military
budget. Besides, the decision has
come at a time when the tensions
between Japan and China have
soared over the ownership of tiny
islands in East China Sea. The tiny
islands in Japan are known as Senkaku
and in China as Diaoyu. The increase
in defence spending would include
an additional purchase of F-35
fighters, made by Lockheed Martin
Corp, as well as two more Aegis
warships, bringing the total to eight.
Japan will also be buying the tilt-rotor
Osprey surveillance aircraft, built by
Boeing Co and Textron Incs Bell
Helicopter unit, and drones including
Northrop Grumman Corps Global
Hawk.
Japans defence plan included
a five-year military buildup plan and
a 10-year defence guideline.
According to the plan, there is a need
for stronger air and maritime
surveillance capabilities. It also
improved ability to defend far-flung
islands through setting up a marine
unit, buying unarmed surveillance
drones and putting a unit of E-2C
early-warning aircraft on Okinawa
Islands in the south.
Japans 10-year guidelines also
mark a shift from its Cold War posture
of defending against a Russian attack
from the north, toward a potential
conflict with China to the west and
south.
The defence plan cuts Japans
tanks by 400 to 300 over 10 years,
while adding some faster, more
maneuverable combat vehicles that
could be flown in, say, to retake
islands. The new policy outline also
calls for Japan to beef up its ability to
defend against ballistic missile
attacks, such as from unpredictable
neighbor North Korea.
An Analysis An Analysis An Analysis An Analysis An Analysis
The new defence plan of Japan
is an update of the defence posture
that was last reviewed in 2010 under
the Yoshihiko Noda government.
Until 2010, past governments had
stretched the limits of a post-war
Pacifist Constitution that renounced
war and said Japan will never have
an army or navy.
Pacifist Constitution of Japan put
a limit on the participation of Japan
in defence related matters. Under the
current interpretation of Japans
pacifist constitution, Japans armed
forces are not permitted to fight on
behalf of friends or allies unless the
Japanese themselves come under
direct attack.
Prime Minister Shizo Abe wants
to change this policy which
constraints Japan from involving in
collective self-defence. The change
in the stance of Japan should be seen
in the light of Chinas increasing
military strength and assertiveness in
the Asia-Pacific region. This has led
to increasing calls for Japan to
participate in international peace and
security operations. In the two
decades through last year, Japan
remained the sixth-biggest military
spender, just behind Britain, with
outlays rising 13 percent in constant
2011 dollar terms, according to the
Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute. By contrast,
Chinas defence spending exploded
more than five-fold, vaulting the
country to second place from
seventh.
Still, given Chinas annual
double-digit increases in defence
spending, Japan will have to rely
heavily on cooperation with its close
ally, the United States, and others in
the region just to maintain the status
quo. Indeed, Abes national security
strategy calls for Japan not only to
upgrade its cooperation with the
United States but strengthen ties with
strategic partners including South
Korea, Australia, Southeast Asian
countries and India. Abe and leaders
of Southeast Asian countries called
at a Tokyo summit in the second week
of December 2013 for freedom of the
air and sea.
This was a veiled reference to
China, which has territorial disputes
with several countries in the
Association of South East Asian
Nations.
South Korea expanded its South Korea expanded its South Korea expanded its South Korea expanded its South Korea expanded its
defence zone in disputed defence zone in disputed defence zone in disputed defence zone in disputed defence zone in disputed
area with China area with China area with China area with China area with China
On 8 December2013 South
Korea expanded its defense zone in
the East China Sea, also called Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
This is the first time South Korea took
such a step in response to the
decision taken by China to set a
defense zone of its own in the
disputed area of East China Sea on
23 November.
This has increased regional
tensions; as now South Korea has
expanded its defense zone beyond
the southern edge of its present zone.
On 23 November China took a
unilateral decision to establish East
China Sea Air Defence Identification
Zone. It changed the status quo
creating apprehensions of frictions
and tensions among the littoral
countries that include Japan, South
Korea and Taiwan.
The ADIZ when expanded will
overlap with the areas of Chinas
Defence Identification Zone. The 23
November decision had displeased
South Korea as well as Japan because
it included the disputed Diaoyu or
Senkaku islands.
These are claimed by both
Japan and China. Moreover the
Chinese Defence Zone includes the
submerged Leodo reef which is
currently owned by South Korea.
Both Japan and South Korea have
contested the Chinese zone as China
claimed that it had reported at least
12 aircrafts of Japan and the US.
Air Defence Identification Air Defence Identification Air Defence Identification Air Defence Identification Air Defence Identification
Zone (ADIZ) Zone (ADIZ) Zone (ADIZ) Zone (ADIZ) Zone (ADIZ)
It is a defined area in
international space either on water
or land, within which aircrafts
reaching the territorial space of the
related nation are tracked and
observed for national security. They
go beyond a countrys airspace so
that a country can respond to foreign
aircrafts and events like hijackings in
time.The first Air Defence Zone was
established by the US immediately
after the Second World War. Now
several countries have such zones
including India.
All unfilled munitions by All unfilled munitions by All unfilled munitions by All unfilled munitions by All unfilled munitions by
Syrian Government have been Syrian Government have been Syrian Government have been Syrian Government have been Syrian Government have been
dest royed dest royed dest royed dest royed dest royed
The Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) on 6 November 2013 said
that the unfilled (Category 3)
munitions declared by the Syrian
Government have been destroyed.
The international chemical
weapons watchdog (OPCW) has
completed the key stage towards
destroying, the chemicals weapons
of Syria. The OPCW has also verified
the destruction of some chemical
weapons production facilities, which
has been rendered inoperable
during the first phase of the mission.
These activities were
conducted at the Homs cluster of
sites that had remained inaccessible
for some time due to security reasons.
The joint United Nations-OPCW
team is aimed to remove toxic
chemicals from Syria by the end of
the year for destruction at sea and
destroy the entire program by mid-
2014.
Organisation for the Organisation for the Organisation for the Organisation for the Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Prohibition of Chemical Prohibition of Chemical Prohibition of Chemical Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW) Weapons (OPCW) Weapons (OPCW) Weapons (OPCW) Weapons (OPCW)
The Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is
the implementing body of the
Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC), which entered into force in
1997. As of today the OPCW has 190
Member States, who are working
together to achieve a world free from
chemical weapons. They share the
collective goal of preventing
chemistry from ever again being used
for warfare, thereby strengthening
international security.
The Convention contains four The Convention contains four The Convention contains four The Convention contains four The Convention contains four
key provisions key provisions key provisions key provisions key provisions
Destroying all existing chemical
weapons under international
verification by the OPCW
Monitoring chemical industry to
prevent new weapons from re-
emerging
Providing assistance and
protection to States Parties
against chemical threats
Fostering international
cooperation to strengthen
implementation of the
Convention and promote the
peaceful use of chemistry
UN-OPCW UN-OPCW UN-OPCW UN-OPCW UN-OPCW
Relationship Agreement Relationship Agreement Relationship Agreement Relationship Agreement Relationship Agreement
The Relationship Agreement
between the United Nations and the
OPCW was concluded with the
United Nations in 2000 and entered
into force in 2001. This was the first
such agreement.
The Relationship Agreement
was approved by the OPCW
Conference of the States Parties in
decision on 17 May 2001 and by the
United Nations General Assembly in
resolution on 7 September 2001.
Non-Member Countries of Non-Member Countries of Non-Member Countries of Non-Member Countries of Non-Member Countries of
OPCW OPCW OPCW OPCW OPCW
Signatory Countries, which
have not yet ratified the
Chemical Weapons
Convention, are Israel and
Myanmar.
The countries that have neither
signed nor acceded to the
Chemical Weapons
Convention are Angola, Egypt,
North Korea and South Sudan.
China formally eased one- China formally eased one- China formally eased one- China formally eased one- China formally eased one-
child policy and abolished child policy and abolished child policy and abolished child policy and abolished child policy and abolished
labour Camps labour Camps labour Camps labour Camps labour Camps
The top legislature of China on
28 December 2013 adopted a
resolution that eases the one child
N NN NNew sanctuary to be build to ew sanctuary to be build to ew sanctuary to be build to ew sanctuary to be build to ew sanctuary to be build to
save Worlds rarest Javan save Worlds rarest Javan save Worlds rarest Javan save Worlds rarest Javan save Worlds rarest Javan
Rhinos Rhinos Rhinos Rhinos Rhinos
Indonesian Government
announced to build a new sanctuary
to save Worlds rarest Javan rhinos.
The new sanctuary will be carved out
of the Ujung Kulon National Park.
Ujung Kulon National Park, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is
situated on the western tip of
Indonesias main island of Java.
It will encompass 12,600 acres
of lush rainforest, freshwater streams
and mud holes in the park. In
Indonesia Javan rhinos are locally
termed as Abah Gede or the Great
Father.
As per the latest report of the
International Union For Conservation
of Nature (IUCN), decline in the
strength of rhinos had reached to the
level of extinction.
There are thought to be only
around 50 of the rhinos in existence.
Poaching in particular represents a
severe threat, with rhino horns used
in traditional Asian medicine. It
fetches higher prices in the black
market despite a lack of scientific
evidence showing horn has any
medicinal value.
Recently, Asia has stepped up
efforts to save the regions dwindling
rhino populations. There was a
conference held in October 2013
with representatives from several
countries on the issue in the western
Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Countries including Indonesia, Nepal
and India, pledged to take steps to
increase their rhino populations by
three percent annually.
policy of the country. The resolution
was passed by the standing
committee of the National Peoples
Congress (NPC).
The resolution has allowed the
couples of China to have two children
if either parentis an only child. Earlier,
a couple generally had a second child
only if both parents were only
children. It also approved proposal
that abolishes re-education through
labour camps. The policy had an
exception, which included the
ethnic minorities and couples who
both lacked siblings. The policy
changes were announced following
a meeting of top Communist Party
officials in November 2013. These
reforms came at the end of the six
day meet of the congress after this
was tested in parts of the country. To
be put into effect, it just needed a
approval by the legislature.
The one-child policy was
introduced in 1979 in China. The
decision was taken to curb the rapid
population growth. The policy
restricted the couples in urban areas
to only one child, whereas in rural
areas families were allowed to have
two children only in case the first one
was a girl. As per the policy about
one-third of the total population of
1.3 billion citizens of China couldnt
have a second child without incurring
a fine. This led to a gender imbalance
occurred in China because of the
preference for a boy child. The policy
has become increasingly unpopular
and leaders fear the countrys ageing
population will both reduce the
labour pool and exacerbate elderly
care issues. By 2050, more than a
quarter of the population will be over
65.
8 economic zones to be set 8 economic zones to be set 8 economic zones to be set 8 economic zones to be set 8 economic zones to be set
up in Sri Lanka up in Sri Lanka up in Sri Lanka up in Sri Lanka up in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankas Board of Investment
on 5 December 2013 announced
plans to start eight export processing
and industrial zones across the
country. These economic zones will
begin operations in 2014. As per the
Investment Promotion Minister of Sri
Lanka, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana
these zones will attract foreign
investment and will provide
economic development to the rural
areas. The largest of the eight zones
will be in Vavuniya in the North, which
will revive the economic activities
after the civil war. The three of the
economic zones will be at
Hambantota in the south. The
Government of Sri Lanka has invested
heavily to develop the region as a
commercial and industrial hub.
National referendum on new National referendum on new National referendum on new National referendum on new National referendum on new
draft of Constitution in Egypt draft of Constitution in Egypt draft of Constitution in Egypt draft of Constitution in Egypt draft of Constitution in Egypt
The Interim President of Egypt,
Adly Mansour on 14 December 2013
announced 14-15 January 2014 as
the date for national referendum on
the new draft of the constitution. The
2012 Constitution, which was
approved by the Islamist dominated
Parliament, under the ousted
President Mohamed Morsi will be
replaced by the new draft
Constitution. The Islamist drafted
constitution in existence was
approved by a referendum in
December 2012, with 64 percent of
the votes. Amr Moussa, the head of
the constitution drafting panel said
that the draft constitution is a
balanced constitution that provides
freedoms, rights and separation of
powers. As the new Constitution of
Egypt protects the freedom of belief,
opinion and creation, which
preserves intellectual property rights,
and provides gender equality. It bans
the political parties on religious lines
and provides for equality of
citizens. The amended draft was
submitted to Mansour on 3
December 2013 by the drafting
committee.
The draft of the new
constitution was prepared by a 50
member panel. Under the transitional
roadmap after the ouster of Mohamed
Morsi, the former President of Egypt
in July 2013, the amended
Constitution needs to be approved
by a national referendum. A
successful referendum vote would
be followed by elections. The
constitutional drafting committee,
during the amendment process
decided to leave the decision on
President Mansour that whether to
hold presidential or parliamentary
elections first.
Chinese Satellite System Chinese Satellite System Chinese Satellite System Chinese Satellite System Chinese Satellite System
opened completely for Asian opened completely for Asian opened completely for Asian opened completely for Asian opened completely for Asian
nei ghbours nei ghbours nei ghbours nei ghbours nei ghbours
China on 27 December 2013
welcomed the Asian countries to use
its home grown BeiDou Navigation
System for navigation system for free.
China is intended to widen the use
of its home grown BeiDou Navigation
System, which already has 16
satellites. China is keen to develop
BeiDou satellite as an alternative to
the American Global Positioning
System (GPS) and Russian GLONASS.
GPS has been active since the 1970s
and has satellites in orbit. The
satellites have been operating for
more than two decades.
BeiDou launched the first of its
current generation satellites only five
years ago. GPS (Global Positioning
System) comprises 30 satellites, while
BeiDou already has over sixteen and
is going to have another forty in orbit
by the time the network is complete
in 2020, at a cost of another 6 billion
dollar. The greater the number of
satellites, the easier it is for the system
to calculate location, time and
velocity of moving objects.
In this scenario, China offers the
use of its satellite for free to its
neighbouring countries on the lines
of American GPS. The focus will be
on countries in the Asia-Pacific
region, and particularly in South and
Southeast Asia, where the satellites
has offered the highest accuracy.
China is developing Stations in
Pakistan to improve the service
there. By January 2014, Thailand will
become the first country in 2014 to
build a satellite station based on
BeiDou, with both countries signing
a 319 million dollar deal. The
successful deployment of BeiDou
means the increasingly potent
Chinese armed forces will have an
accurate, independent navigation
system. It has a vital technology for
guiding the missiles, warships and
attack aircraft that allow Beijing to
claim great power status. The system,
which was first launched in 2011 for
use only by the government and
military, has over the past year begun
to be widely deployed for civilian
uses domestically. Currently, 80 per
cent of passenger buses and trucks
in China are using the system. The
Chinese State Council, or Cabinet,
said in a September report that the
domestic satellite navigation industry
would be valued at 400 billion Yuan
i.e. 4 lakh crore rupees by 2020.
BeiDou is the only satellite navigation
system that offers telecommunication
services. That means that, apart from
giving users location and time
information, BeiDou can also send
users information to other people
and communicate with users via text
messages.
China launched the first satellite
for the BeiDou system in 2000 and a
preliminary version of the system has
been used in traffic control, weather
forecasting and disaster relief work
on a trial basis, since 2003. More than
1000 BeiDou terminals were used
after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake to
provide information from the disaster
area. The system was also used during
the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
and the 2010 Shanghai Expo to
pinpoint traffic congestion and
supervise venues. The global satellite
navigation segment has become a
crowded marketplace over the past
decade, and looks to become even
more so. Russia recently completed
its constellation of Glonass satellites
(though it has since lost one). Europe
is unrolling its Galileo system, while
other countries such as India and
Japan plan to develop at least regional
navigation networks.
WTO revises Bali draft WTO revises Bali draft WTO revises Bali draft WTO revises Bali draft WTO revises Bali draft
The World Trade Organization
on 6 December 2013 agreed to allow
countries to provide subsidy on
staple food crops without any threat
of punitive action. The WTO has
issued a revised draft of the Bali Bali Bali Bali Bali
Package Package Package Package Package which addresses Indias
concerns on food security. The
decision has taken during the 9th
WTO Ministerial Conference Bal,
Indonesia. After tough negotiations
over the past four days in the face of
Indias unrelenting stand on the food
security issue, the 159-member WTO
reached a historic agreement that will
boost global trade by one trillion
dollars. The deal allows nations such
as India to fix a Minimum Support
Price for farm produce and to sell
staple grains to the poor at subsidised
rates. It also permits countries to store
food grains to meet contingency
requirements. Union Commerce and
Industry Minister Anand Sharma, was
represented the India at the 9th WTO
Ministerial Conference. The
conference was held in Bali,
Indonesia from 3 to 6 December
2013.
About World Trade About World Trade About World Trade About World Trade About World Trade
Organization Organization Organization Organization Organization
WTO was established with the
signing of the Marrakesh Agreement/
Marrakesh Declaration at Marrakesh,
Morrocco in 1994. WTO came up as
a replacement of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT). GATT was overseeing the
rules of commerce since 1948. GATT
covered trade in goods, whereas
WTO deals with trade of inventions,
designs and services too.
Muslim Brotherhood Muslim Brotherhood Muslim Brotherhood Muslim Brotherhood Muslim Brotherhood
Declared a Terrorist Group Declared a Terrorist Group Declared a Terrorist Group Declared a Terrorist Group Declared a Terrorist Group
Egypts ruling Government
declared the Muslim Brotherhood a
terrorist group. The decision came on
25 December 2013. The decision
came after government officials
blamed the Brotherhood for a suicide
bombing at a police headquarters in
north of Cairo that killed 16 people.
Egypts leaders were in conflict with
the movement since July 2013, when
the military deposed Mohamed Morsi
as a President.
Mohammed Morsi was a former
head of Muslim Brotherhood and
Egypts first democratically elected
President. Government has vowed to
treat anyone as a terrorist, who
belongs to Muslim Brotherhood or
even take part in its activities. 23
Muslim Brotherhood supporters were
arrested on charges of belonging to
a terrorist organization. A Cairo Court
has already banned activities by the
Muslim Brotherhood and has issued
orders for dissolving it and frozen its
assets.
About Muslim Brotherhood About Muslim Brotherhood About Muslim Brotherhood About Muslim Brotherhood About Muslim Brotherhood
Founded in Egypt by Hassan al-
Banna in March 1928, the group
spread to other Muslim countries but
has its largest, or one of its largest,
organizations in Egypt. It is a Sunni
Islamist religious, political and social
movement.
The party won almost half the
seats in the 201112 parliamentary
elections, and its candidate,
Mohamed Morsi won the June 2012
presidential election. 2012 election
was countrys first democratically
held elections. After the military coup
of the former President Mohamed
Morsi, the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Constitutional Court of
Ireland, Adli Mansour sworned in as
the interim President on 4 July 2013
to oversee early Presidential elections
of the country.
About Marijuana About Marijuana About Marijuana About Marijuana About Marijuana
Marijuana is a plant containing a
psychoactive chemical,
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in its
leaves, buds and flowers. Cannabis is
also major type of psychoactive
chemical, THC. Marijuana is the most
commonly used illicit drug by
American adults. Marijuanas effect is
less harmful than those of most drugs
like alcohol and tobacco. US
marijuana policy is unique among
American criminal laws in being
enforced so widely and harshly.
China s unmanned Lunar China s unmanned Lunar China s unmanned Lunar China s unmanned Lunar China s unmanned Lunar
Probe- Chang e-3 Probe- Chang e-3 Probe- Chang e-3 Probe- Chang e-3 Probe- Chang e-3
e
China on 2 December 2013
successfully sent an unmanned lunar
probe with a robotic rover to soft land
on the Moon, and to explore moons
surface. The probe Change-3 was
launched into orbit aboard an
enhanced Long March-3B Long March-3B Long March-3B Long March-3B Long March-3B carrier
rocket from the Xichang Satellite
Launch Centre. The mission was the
25th launch of the Long March-3B,
which is the most powerful launch
vehicle in the Long March fleet.
Change-3 comprises a lander and a
Moon rover called Yutu Yutu Yutu Yutu Yutu (Jade
Rabbit). The Change-3 mission is the
second phase of Chinas lunar
program, which includes orbiting,
landing and returning to Earth. It
follows the success of the Change-1
and Change-2 missions in 2007 and
2010. The lunar probe will land on
the Moon in mid-December 2013
according to the plan. So far, only the
United States and the former Soviet
Marijuana recreational pot Marijuana recreational pot Marijuana recreational pot Marijuana recreational pot Marijuana recreational pot
legalized in Colorado and legalized in Colorado and legalized in Colorado and legalized in Colorado and legalized in Colorado and
Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington
The two states of United States,
Colorado and Washington, became
the first to legalize Marijuana
recreational pot. The legalisation of
Marijuana as a recreational pot in
these two US States will become
effective from 1 January 2014. Voters
in Colorado and Washington
approved recreational pot in 2012.
Medical marijuana is legal and
regulated in 19 United States and in
most of them private consumption of
cannabis is not classified as a crime.
Outside the US, Uruguay also
legalized the marijuana recreational
pot in 2013. The market for medical
marijuana was huge in 2013 and it is
projected to grow in 2014 with
recreational pot added in Colorado
and Washington.
Union have soft-landed on the Moon.
I ndi a s Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-1, whi ch
was credited to have discovered
water in the lunar surface made a hard
landing on the Moon.
Two year cross-party budget Two year cross-party budget Two year cross-party budget Two year cross-party budget Two year cross-party budget
Bill Signed in US Bill Signed in US Bill Signed in US Bill Signed in US Bill Signed in US
Barack Obama, the President of
US on 27 December 2013 signed a
two year bipartisan federal budget
bill to avert the risk of shutdown of
the Government in January 2014. He
signed the Bill, while holidaying in
Hawaii at the end of the year. This
legislation was passed by both the
Senate and the House of
Representatives earlier this month.
The Bill was drafted by a cross-party
budget committee, which was set up
after 16-day government shutdown
in October. The bipartisan Bill has
been crafted by Congressman Paul
Ryan and Snator Patty Murray. He also
signed a defense spending bill that
includes the ways of altering the way
of the sexual assault in the military.
The bill has made it easier to transfer
the detainees out of Guantanamo Bay
detention facility in Cuba. He has also
signed six other Bills. With this
signing 52nd National Defense
Authorization Act has been
converted into a law. The US
Congress now has time till 15 January
2014 to pass the fiscal spending bill
of 1.012 trillion dollar for 2014.
Top four Republicans in the
Senate, who are in the minority in the
upper chamber has voted to block
the consideration of the budget Bill.
The bill aims to shave up to 23 billion
dollars from the nations 642 billion
dollars annual budget deficit. It also
rolls back 63 billion dollars in military
and domestic spending cuts
automatically imposed in January
when Democrats and Republicans
failed to reach a budget compromise.

convenience.
Planning Commission
National
International
Economy
India And The World
Sports
In The News

India & The World India & The World India & The World India & The World India & The World
I
N
D
I
A

&

T
H
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W
O
R
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INDIA & USA INDIA & USA INDIA & USA INDIA & USA INDIA & USA
United States on 29 December
2013 initiated an inter-agency review
to look at the lapses that happened
in the Devyani Khobragade case that
triggered uproar in India and strained
bilateral ties. The decision on the
review was taken following a tough
stand of India on the arrest of Devyani
Khobragade. The US departments
involved in the review include the
National Security Council of the White
House, the State Department and the
Justice Department. The matter of the
diplomat has now landed up in the
year-old diplomat was strip searched
and held with the criminals on the
charges of making false declarations
in the visa application of her maid
Sangeeta Richard. In respond to it
India reacted strongly by
downgrading the privileges of certain
category of US diplomats among
other steps.
INDIA & SRI LANKA INDIA & SRI LANKA INDIA & SRI LANKA INDIA & SRI LANKA INDIA & SRI LANKA
Sri Lankan court on 26
December 2013 extended the
remand of 111 Indian fishermen, who
were caught by the Navy of the
country in December 2013. The
Trincomalee magistrates court has
extended the remand on the charges
of violating the international maritime
boundary. The court has held 6
January 2013 to review the case. The
judiciary and it mainly depends on
the judges for which the two bodies
are engaged actively. There was a
judgmental error in handling the case
and an inter agency team that is led
by the State Department is working
24x7 to get resolved the issue as
quickly it is possible. Devyani
Khobragade a 1999-batch IFS officer
is the Indias Deputy Consul General
in New York was arrested on alleged
visa fraud charges. Devyani, the 39-
same court, earlier also extended the
remand of two groups of 30
fishermen each. Rajitha Senaratne,
the Fisheries Minister of Sri Lanka has
said that none of the boats or the
fishermen of India will be released
until the 200 Sri Lankan fishermen,
who are in the custody of the India
were released. As per the Fisheries
Minister of Sri Lanka, the two countries
will held a meeting of the
representative of the fishermens
associations of the two countries in
January 2013. Also the Senaratne will
visit New Delhi in January 2013 to
discuss the issue with Sharad Pawar,
the Union Agriculture Minister, who
also holds the charge of the Indian
fisheries department.
Maritime Boundaries: India Maritime Boundaries: India Maritime Boundaries: India Maritime Boundaries: India Maritime Boundaries: India
and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka
The Government of the
Republic of India and the Republic
of Sri Lanka signed an agreement on
23 March 1976, establishing maritime
boundaries in the Gulf of Manaar and
the Bay of Bengal. Ratifications were
exchanged and the agreement
entered into force on 10 May 1976,
two years after the two countries
negotiated a boundary in the Palk
Strait.
Article V of the signed Article V of the signed Article V of the signed Article V of the signed Article V of the signed
agreement menti ons agreement menti ons agreement menti ons agreement menti ons agreement menti ons
(1) Each Party shall have
sovereignty over the historic
waters and territorial sea, as well
as over the islands, falling on its
side of the aforesaid boundary.
(2) Each Party shall have sovereign
rights and exclusive jurisdiction
over the continental shelf and
the exclusive economic zone
as well as over their resources,
whether living or non-living,
falling on its side of the
aforesaid boundary.
(3) Each Party shall respect rights
of navigation through its
territorial sea and exclusive
economic zone in accordance
with its laws and regulations
and the rules of international
law.
INDIA & PAKISTAN INDIA & PAKISTAN INDIA & PAKISTAN INDIA & PAKISTAN INDIA & PAKISTAN
Director Generals Military
Operations (DGMO) of India and
Pakistan took place on 24 December
2013 along the Wagah-Attari border.
The meeting was held to work out a
mechanism to ease tension between
the two sides and to ensure peace at
the Line of Control (LoC). Lieutenant
General Vinod Bhatia led the Indian
side, whereas, Major General Aamer
Riaz headed the Pakistani side. A
brigadier and three lieutenant
colonels also participated in the talks
from both each side. The DGMO-
level talks of the two nations have
been held after 14 years. Last time
the key army commaders of India and
Pakistan met in July 1999 after the
Kargil war. The decision of holding
the meet between India and Pakistan
DGMOs was taken at political level.
The DGMOs of the two country
discussed major issues that pertains
to tension on the LoC. They also
discussed issues on the working
boundary with a focus to maintain
ceasefire and bring normalcy. The
two sides met, three months before
the proposed meeting of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and his
Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to
defuse tensions. Initially Pakistan
proposed to include the Foreign
Ministry officials in the meet of the
military officers, which was rejected
by India. In 1949, United Nations
Military Observer Group in India and
Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was
established. It was established under
the resolution passed by the world
bodys council to supervise ceasefire
along the LoC.
INDIA & UAE INDIA & UAE INDIA & UAE INDIA & UAE INDIA & UAE
India and United Arab Emirates
on 12 December 2013 signed a
Bilateral Investment Promotion and
Protection Agreement (BIPPA) that
would accelerate fresh capital
investments of UAE in India. The
BIPPA agreement was signed by
Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, the Minister
of State for Financial Affairs of UAE
and Namo Narain Meena, the Minister
of State for Finance of India. At
present the Foreign Minister of UAE,
Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan is on a visit
to India.
The BIPPA has been worked on
as an exception to the norm of India
to freeze all BIPPA agreements until
a new template is in place. UAE wants
to explore major infrastructure
projects in India but was waiting till
the signature of the BIPPA. India and
UAE are the largest trading partners
of each other with the total bilateral
trade of 75 billion dollars. At present,
the UAE invests in India about 3
billion dollar. UAE controls the
second largest Sovereign Wealth
Fund in the world under the Abu
Dhabi Investment Authority.
At present, Abu Dhabi National
Energy Company (TAQA) wants to
invest 700 million dollars in Himachal
Pradesh in the electricity sector,
whereas the DP World Operations is
aimed at expansion of their footprint
in the port sector in India. In
February 2013, India-UAE High Level
Task Force on Investments that was
set up to speed up investment
opportunities met but before
proceeding UAE wanted to
conclude the BIPPA. This signing of
the agreement has opened the
possibilities of High Level Task Force
meetings in January 2014 to explore
investment opportunities. With the
signing of the India-UAE BIPPA, India
now has such agreements with all
GCC countries, which also opened
the possibilities of pursuing India-
GCC Free Trade Agreement, which
has been on the backburner so far.
INDIA & NEPAL INDIA & NEPAL INDIA & NEPAL INDIA & NEPAL INDIA & NEPAL
India and Nepal on 22
December 2013 agreed to address
each others concerns on commerce
and transit, including reduction of
will be made to facilitate the third
country import and export to build
infrastructure in newly identified
customs points.
India has also agreed to provide
10000 cows to Nepal in response to
the demand of milk and dairy
products of the country. India has
recognized the necessity of balancing
trade to make it sustainable for both
the countries. Both sides looked
towards trade in goods to increase
trade in services and investments for
balancing trade. Both the sides were
able to sort out important bilateral
issues. India will also help Nepal to
reduce its trade deficit.
INDIA & THE ARAB LEAGUE INDIA & THE ARAB LEAGUE INDIA & THE ARAB LEAGUE INDIA & THE ARAB LEAGUE INDIA & THE ARAB LEAGUE
India and Arab League on 17
December 2013 inked an MoU to
elevate the political, trade and
cultural relations. The MoU was
signed by Salman Khurshid, External
Affairs Minister of India and Nabil
Elaraby, Secretary General of the
League of Arab States during his visit
to India.
tariff barriers and checking illegal
trade along the border. The decision
was made during the two-day Inter-
Governmental Committee meeting
that concluded in Kathmandu.
The delegations of the two
sides were led by the Commerce
Secretaries of the two countries
namely SR Rao of India and Madhav
Prasad Regmi of Nepal. India and
Nepal has agreed on a 14-point
agenda to enhance trade, promote
co-operation and address concerns
of the private sector of both the
countries. Institutional arrangements
List of documents signed are: List of documents signed are: List of documents signed are: List of documents signed are: List of documents signed are:
S.N. Ti tle Signa tory from
I ndia n side
Signat ory from Ara b
League side
Deta ils
1. Memora ndum of
Cooperat ion
bet ween t he League of
Arab Sta tes a nd t he
Republi cof Indi a
Sal ma n Khurshi d,
External Af fa irs
Mi nist er
Nabil El ara by, Secreta ry
General of t he L eague of
Arab Sta tes
The new Memorandum of Coopera tion (MOC) ha s replaced
t he exist ing MOC signed in December 2008. The new MOC
prov ides f orrepl acing theHigh Level Joint Commit tee of t he
exist ingMOC wit h new f ormat s f or f ut ure meeti ngs, namel y
Minist erial and Senior Of ficial s meeti ng, i nvolv ing a ll the
member st ates and t he Ara b League Secreta ria t. It also
prov ides for sett ing up of a n Executiv e Programme, which
will berenewed every two years.
2. The Executiv e Program
of the Ara b-Indian
Cooperat ion Forum
bet ween t he League of
Arab Sta tes a nd t he
Republi c of India f or
2014-2015
Sal ma n Khurshi d,
External Af fa irs
Mi nist er
Nabil El ara by, Secreta ry
General of t he L eague of
Arab Sta tes
The Executiv e Progra mme i s much more specif ic in terms of
t he cooperat ion envi saged in diverse areas like t ra de &
investment , energy, sma ll and medi um enterprises, culture,
capaci ty bui lding, etc. and at tempt s t o specify t he moda lit y
f or ea ch ma jor activ ity . As per the EP, t he Lea gue of Arab
Stat es Mission in New Del hi and t he Indian Embassy in
Cai ro ha ve been designa ted as t he noda l points f or
coordi na tion.
INDIA & SOUTH SUDAN INDIA & SOUTH SUDAN INDIA & SOUTH SUDAN INDIA & SOUTH SUDAN INDIA & SOUTH SUDAN
India on 23 December 2013
evacuated all its employees from the
strife torn South Sudan. It has also shut
down all its oilfields amid escalating
violence in the country. The 11
employees deputed by ONGC
Videsh Ltd. at the Greater Nile Oil
Project and Block 5A in Sudan
working on 40000 barrels per day
have been airlifted. Evacuation has
happened in two batches and the
airlifted employees have arrived
safely to India. The company made
all arrangements to evacuate its
personnel as rebel forces loyal to
deposed South Sudanese Vice
President Riek Machar captured
Unity state in which most of the oil
fields are operating. ONGC Videsh
Ltd. is the overseas arm of the state-
owned Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC). Earlier,
United Kingdom sent an aircraft to
Juba in South Sudan to evacuate
Britons amid fighting that followed a
reported coup attempt.
Background Background Background Background Background
At present, South Sudan is
facing an ethnic violence, which is
led by the former Vice President of
South Sudan, Riek Machar. The
fighting in South Sudan broke on 15
December 2013 and by now it has
claimed about 500 lives, which
include a life of an Indian Soldier,
who was working as United Nations
peacekeeper. President Kiir, who is
a member of the majority Dinka ethnic
group, sacked the Vice President
Machar, who belongs to Nuer
community in July 2013. He was
sacked on accuse of coup attempt.
As per Machar, the President is
carrying out the trying to clean of his
rivals. Ethnic Nuer is the second
largest group in South Sudan. Riek
Machar was appointed as the Vice
president in 2005 and has retained
the post even after independence of
South Sudan in 2011, till the time he
was sacked by the President.
INDIA & INDIA & INDIA & INDIA & INDIA & VENEZUELA VENEZUELA VENEZUELA VENEZUELA VENEZUELA
India and Venezuela on 20
December 2013 signed a Programme
on Cultural Exchange. The
programme was signed by the
Secretary, Ministry of Culture,
Government of India, Ravindra Singh
and Minister of State for the
Promotion of Cultural Economy,
Ministry of Peoples Power for Culture,
Venezuela Javier Sarabia after
delegation level talks between the
two countries. Programme on Cultural
Exchange shall be valid for three
years. Thereafter, it shall be
renewed automatically for a term of
three years at a time unless either
Party gives in writing an advance
notice of its intention to terminate.
According to the According to the According to the According to the According to the
Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural
Exchange both the countries Exchange both the countries Exchange both the countries Exchange both the countries Exchange both the countries
have decided to have decided to have decided to have decided to have decided to
To promote the exchange of
bilingual publications
(traditional and contemporary
stories)
On a reciprocal basis,
participation of India in the
Venezuelas International Book
Fair
To provide the customs and tax
condition in accordance with
their domestic legislation, in
order to provide assistance to
the International Book Fairs in
their respective countries
To encourage the participation
of Venezuelan and Indian poets
and writers in the literature
festivals organized by both
countries
of India in the Venezuelas
World Festival of Poetry
Make an issue of the magazine
Actualidades (a CELARG
publication) on India or on
Indian writers
In the field of Film and In the field of Film and In the field of Film and In the field of Film and In the field of Film and
Media according to the Media according to the Media according to the Media according to the Media according to the
Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural Programme of Cultural
Exchange, both the countries Exchange, both the countries Exchange, both the countries Exchange, both the countries Exchange, both the countries
have to undertake have to undertake have to undertake have to undertake have to undertake
Indian will have to promoted
participation of Venezuelan
film works at international movie
exhibitions organized by India
of Indian movies in the National
Film Library and community
rooms of the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela.
The diplomatic/consular/
missions of both the countries
will organize movie
exhibitions
Fora should be organized with
the purpose of exchange in the
expertise between the film
makers and representatives
from both countries
Invite personalities and new
film makers to give lectures at
the National Lab of Film and
Media in the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela.
Encourage the institutional
links between the Autonomous
National Center of Film Making
of Venezuela and the Institute
of Cinema and Television of
India.
Encourage the acquisition of
Distribution Rights of Indian
film works by the film distributor
Amazonia Films
To promote the participation of
Venezuelan film works at Indian
international film festivals and
vice versa
In the field of Image and In the field of Image and In the field of Image and In the field of Image and In the field of Image and
Space Arts, both the countries Space Arts, both the countries Space Arts, both the countries Space Arts, both the countries Space Arts, both the countries
have to undertake have to undertake have to undertake have to undertake have to undertake
To increase the exchange of
knowledge with specialists in
the field of drawing techniques
with natural pigments,
specialists in dying with natural
inks and the use of enzymes
Six specialist will have to
organize workshops together
with the local specialist in the
Venezuelan communities as
per the interest of the Institute
of Image and Space Arts
Participation of two artists,
lecturers and/ or specialists to
the events organized by the
Institute of Image and Space
Arts
Knowledge exchange with the
purpose of training in the two
states of the Venezuela with
the help of a photographer or
specialist from India, a group
of thirty people consisting of
students, artists, and members
of the community in general
For the purpose of
encouraging the photographic
creation, the community
management of photography,
the curatorial and museum
experience, the use of new
means and technologies for the
promotion of photography, its
preservation or creation of data
bank and photo files Fundacin
Centro Nacional de la
Fotografa de Venezuela-
FUNDACENAF ( Foundation
National Center of Photography
in Venezuela), will organize an
event and invite one
photographer and /or specialist
in photography for the purpose
to participate in the event
In the field of Stage and In the field of Stage and In the field of Stage and In the field of Stage and In the field of Stage and
Music Arts, both the countries Music Arts, both the countries Music Arts, both the countries Music Arts, both the countries Music Arts, both the countries
undertake to undertake to undertake to undertake to undertake to
Participation of a Venezuelan
theatre company in the New
Delhi s Festival to diffuse the
Venezuelan theatre in India
Exchange of six specialists be-
longing to a Kathakali theatre
group for the purpose of orga-
nizing workshops and presen-
tations in the Venezuela for one
week
Participation of one dancer or
couple of dancers from India
at the International Dance Fes-
tivals Solos y Duetos (Solos &
Duets)

convenience.
Planning Commission
National
International
Economy
India And The World
Sports
In The News

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N
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Y
RBI in Mid-Quarter RBI in Mid-Quarter RBI in Mid-Quarter RBI in Mid-Quarter RBI in Mid-Quarter
Monetary Policy Review Monetary Policy Review Monetary Policy Review Monetary Policy Review Monetary Policy Review
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in
its mid-quarter Monetary Policy
Review, announced on 18 December
2013, has kept the policy rate
unchanged at 7.75%. The move was
unexpected in light of the recent
spike in inflation, especially food
inflation. This has come as welcome
relief for the industry which already
is battling gloomy economic
environment as indicated 1.8%
growth in industrial output in
November 2013. The RBIs policy
Thus, on the basis of an Thus, on the basis of an Thus, on the basis of an Thus, on the basis of an Thus, on the basis of an
assessment of the current and assessment of the current and assessment of the current and assessment of the current and assessment of the current and
evolving macroeconomic evolving macroeconomic evolving macroeconomic evolving macroeconomic evolving macroeconomic
situation, the RBI decided to: situation, the RBI decided to: situation, the RBI decided to: situation, the RBI decided to: situation, the RBI decided to:
Keep the policy Repo Rate
under the Liquidity Adjustment
Facility (LAF) unchanged at
7.75%, and
Keep the Cash Reserve Ratio
(CRR) of scheduled banks
unchanged at 4.0% of the Net
Demand and Time Liability
(NDTL).
As a result, the reverse repo rate
under the LAF will remain
unchanged at 6.75%, and the
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate
and the Bank Rate at 8.75%.
About Policy Rates About Policy Rates About Policy Rates About Policy Rates About Policy Rates
Basis points Basis points Basis points Basis points Basis points: It is the increase
in interest rates in percentage terms.
For instance, if the interest rate
increases by 50 basis points (bsp),
then it means that interest rate has
been increase by 50%. One
percentage point is broken down
into 100 basis points. Therefore, an
increase from 2% to 3% is an increase
of one percentage point or 100 basis
points.
decision to keep the policy rate
unchanged is based on the
assessment that there exists great deal
of uncertainty with respect to the
short-term path of inflation from its
high current levels. Besides, given the
weak state of the economy, RBI felt
that it would be unwise to adopt an
overtly reactive policy action. It
would be more prudent to determine
the lag-effect of monetary policy.
Economy Economy Economy Economy Economy
Repo rate Repo rate Repo rate Repo rate Repo rate: Repo rate is the
policy rate and is part of RBIs
Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF).
It is the rate at which commercial
banks borrow from the RBI by selling
their securities or financial assets to
the RBI for a short-period of time. It
comes with an agreement that the
sold securities will be repurchased
by the commercial banks from the RBI
at a future date at predetermined
price. The repo rate is used by the
central bank to increase liquidity in
the system.
Reverse repo rate Reverse repo rate Reverse repo rate Reverse repo rate Reverse repo rate: Reverse
Repo Rate is also a part of LAF. It is
the rate of interest at which the
central bank borrows funds from
other banks for a short duration. The
banks deposit their short term excess
funds with the central bank and earn
interest on it. This rate is used by the
central bank to absorb liquidity from
the economy. Generally it is one
percentage less than the Repo rate.
Bank rate Bank rate Bank rate Bank rate Bank rate: The only way the
bank rate is different from the repo
rate is that the bank rate is the rate at
which banks borrow money from the
central bank without any sale of
securities. It is generally for a longer
period of time.
Cash reserve ratio Cash reserve ratio Cash reserve ratio Cash reserve ratio Cash reserve ratio: CRR is the
minimum percentage of cash
deposits that banks must keep with
the central bank. The current rate is
4%, which means for a cash deposit
of Rs. 100, the bank has to park 4
rupee with the central bank.
Marginal Standing Facility Marginal Standing Facility Marginal Standing Facility Marginal Standing Facility Marginal Standing Facility:
The Reserve Bank of India in its
monetary policy for 2011-12
introduced the marginal standing
facility under which banks could
borrow funds from RBI when there is
a considerable shortfall of liquidity.
This measure has been introduced by
RBI to regulate short-term asset
liability mismatches more effectively.
Under this facility, banks can borrow
up to 1% of their net demand.
Liquidity Adjustment Liquidity Adjustment Liquidity Adjustment Liquidity Adjustment Liquidity Adjustment
Facility Facility Facility Facility Facility: Under this facility, banks
borrow from the central bank by
pledging government securities.
Statutory Liquidity Ratio Statutory Liquidity Ratio Statutory Liquidity Ratio Statutory Liquidity Ratio Statutory Liquidity Ratio:
This is the percentage of deposits that
banks must mandatorily hold in the
form of government bonds. SLR
bonds are liquid assets that can be
sold at a short notice to meet any
unexpected demand from
depositors.
PPPAC appraised PPPAC appraised PPPAC appraised PPPAC appraised PPPAC appraised
five Port Projects five Port Projects five Port Projects five Port Projects five Port Projects
The Public Private Partnership
Appraisal Committee (PPPAC-a high
level committee of the Government
of India) on 30 December 2013
appraised five proposals in the Port
Sector. These projects will now be
recommended for grant of final
approval by the Cabinet Committee
on Economic Affairs (CCEA). For this
purpose of approval of the CCEA, a
Cabinet Note will be submitted by
the Ministry of Shipping.
The five projects are The five projects are The five projects are The five projects are The five projects are
Development of 4th Container
Terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru
Port Trust (JNPT) on DBFOT-
Design, Build, Finance,
Operate and Transfer basis
Development of Container
Terminal at Ennore Port Limited
(EPL) on DBFOT
Development of Multipurpose
Cargo at Mumbai Port Trust
(MPT) on DBFOT
Development of Mega
Container Terminal at Tuna
Tekra at Kandla Port (KPT) on
BOT
Development of Container
Terminal at Diamond Harbour
at Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on
BOT
These projects are proposed to
be awarded in the current financial
year by various Major Ports for
implementation under Public Private
Partnership (PPP) mode. The
proposed projects are to create an
additional capacity of 150 MMTPA
with an investment of about 17630
Crores rupees. In the year 2013, the
Ministry of Shipping has so far
conveyed approval for 16 projects
against a target of 30 and the major
ports have already awarded these
projects. Of the 16 projects that has
been granted an approval includes
six under PPP and 10 projects are
under non-PPP mode. It is expected
that these projects will add a capacity
of 89 MMTPA with an investment of
4200 crore rupees.
PSBs to PSBs to PSBs to PSBs to PSBs to
Act as Insurance Brokers Act as Insurance Brokers Act as Insurance Brokers Act as Insurance Brokers Act as Insurance Brokers
The Union Finance Ministry on
23 December 2013 directed public
sector banks (PSBs) to act as
insurance brokers from 15 January
2014. In the Budget speech 2013-
14, the Finance Ministry remarked
that banks will be permitted to act as
insurance brokers to increase
insurance penetration and mis-selling
of insurance products.
The Guidelines are as The Guidelines are as The Guidelines are as The Guidelines are as The Guidelines are as
follows: follows: follows: follows: follows:
At present the banks are
allowed to sell products of one
life, one nonlife and one health
insurance Company.
There is an arbitrage available
for private sector banks since it
is not made mandatory for them
to sell multiple companies
products.
Recently Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) released the guidelines
for banks to become brokers
with stringent capital
requirements
Banks with large bad loans, low
capital and losses may not
qualify to start insurance
broking firms.
The Insurance Regulator and
Development Authority (IRDA) on
August 2013 released the final
guidelines of bancassurance that the
companies must not have more than
a 50% exposure to any one client. For
the life insurance sector, the
bancassurance (corporate agency-
bank) channel accounts for 30% of
total new business premium
collection.
About Bancassurance: About Bancassurance: About Bancassurance: About Bancassurance: About Bancassurance:
Bancassurance is the bank
insurance model (BIM).
Banacassurance is the
partnership between a bank
and an insurance company.
Financial sector regulators Financial sector regulators Financial sector regulators Financial sector regulators Financial sector regulators
asked to implement FSLRC asked to implement FSLRC asked to implement FSLRC asked to implement FSLRC asked to implement FSLRC
proposals proposals proposals proposals proposals
Union Finance Minister P
Chidambaram told the regulators
must implement proposals of the
Finance Sector Legislative Reforms
Commission (FSLRC).The Finance
Sector Legislative Reforms
Commission (FSLRC) report contains
12 key proposals and these do not
require legislative changes.
According FSLRC reports proposal,
financial sector regulators likely to
take serious action with higher
penalties on violators and time bound
investigations that would act as
deterrents and improve consumer
protection. The report included a
draft Indian Financial Code that is
expected to replace the current
financial sector legislations but is
unlikely to be tabled in Parliament
soon. The Financial Stability and
Development Council on October
2013 had decided to finalize an
action plan for implementation of all
FSLRC principles on regulatory
governance, transparency and
improved operational efficiency that
do not require legislative action. The
FSLRC proposals that called for
penalties discourage the future
violations as a multiple of the
illegitimate gain of violations.
Regulators should also put in place
internal manuals on conducting
investigations. The investigating
officer would be kept different from
the officer who would decide the
penalty for the crime.
Indias trade deficit with Indias trade deficit with Indias trade deficit with Indias trade deficit with Indias trade deficit with
China surges to 29.5 billion China surges to 29.5 billion China surges to 29.5 billion China surges to 29.5 billion China surges to 29.5 billion
dollar dollar dollar dollar dollar
According to the data released
by the Chinas General Administration
of Customs on 13 December, Indias
trade deficit with China reached a
record $29.5 billion in the period
January-November 2013. The trade
deficit with China in 2013 was higher
than the trade deficit in 2012. The
numbers underline the sharp decline
in once-burgeoning trade, which
reached 74 billion dollar in 2011
when China became Indias biggest
trading partner. In 2012, Indias the
trade deficit with China registered a
10% decline to reach 66.50 billion
dollar, even as both the countries
announced an ambitious 100 billion
trade target to be achieved by 2015.
The decline was partly the result of
20% slump in Indias exports, largely
on account of iron ore mining bans
by China and partly on account of
global slowdown. The latest figures
have casted doubt on whether that
target may be achieved. During the
period January-November 2013,
even as Chinas trade with the rest of
Asia as well as with its major Western
trading partners has picked up, trade
with India has remained in a slump.
This suggests that causes were more
structural rather than a reflection of
global trends. After 11 months of this
year, Indias exports to China reached
only 14.87 billion dollar out of total
bilateral trade of 59.24 billion dollar.
Trade between the two countries was
down by 2.7% year-on-year, even as
Chinas overall global trade rose 7.7%.
This was driven by an export sector
that has continued to show signs of
revival, growing 12.7% and marking
the second straight month of rising
exports. Trade has grown more than
50 times since 2006, when the Nathu
La pass between Sikkim and the
Shigatse prefecture in Tibet was
reopened. Most of the trade is made
up of imports of Indian goods into
Tibet, which reached 12 million
dollar in 2012. Authorities said the
border market is open for only six
months of the year opening on May
1 and closing on November 30.
Cabinet approved FTA with Cabinet approved FTA with Cabinet approved FTA with Cabinet approved FTA with Cabinet approved FTA with
ASEAN ASEAN ASEAN ASEAN ASEAN
The Cabinet approved free
trade agreement between India and
the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) on 19 December
2013. The Agreement of Trade in
Services and Agreement was signed
under the Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation (CECA) between and
the ASEAN. The CECA between
India and ASEAN was signed in
2003. The Cabinet approved the
Agreement on Trade Goods under
the CECA with the ASEAN in 2009.
The agreement will help to boost the
movement of Indian professionals in
the ASEAN region and also facilitate
more investments in the services
sector. In 2011, the implementation
of the free trade pact in goods, made
both sides engaged in widening the
base of the pact by including services
and investment sectors. Trade
between India and ASEAN countries
was of about 76 billion dollar in 2012-
13. Both the sides aim to increase it
to 100 billion by 2015.
About ASEAN About ASEAN About ASEAN About ASEAN About ASEAN
The Association of South East
Asian (ASEAN) was
established in 1967 in Bangkok,
Thailand.
The member of ASEAN
countries are Brunei
Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam.
Business Confidence Index Business Confidence Index Business Confidence Index Business Confidence Index Business Confidence Index
Business Confidence Index
(BCI) was released by the
Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) for the period October-
December 2013-14 on 29 December
2013. The Index indicated pick-up
in the economic activity in the Quarter
4 of 2013-14. BCI rose sharply to 54.9
during the Q4 of 2013 -14 from 45.7
in the Q3 of 2013-14 indicating that
there are signs of economic
turnaround in the fiscal year 2013-
14.This improvement in BCI
happened because of improvement
in export performance, said the CII
Director-General Chandrajit
Banerjee. The growth in BCI for the
Q4 came as a major relief for the
Indian economy which has braved
the onslaught of the slowdown for
the last several quarters and been
awaiting the return of growth.
However, the BCI also revealed
downside risks to the economy. These
include: domestic economic and
political instability, slackening
consumer demand, high level of
corruption, persistent high inflation
and risk from exchange rate volatility.
HSBC Business HSBC Business HSBC Business HSBC Business HSBC Business
Confi dence Index Confi dence Index Confi dence Index Confi dence Index Confi dence Index
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
has teamed up with Middle East
Economic Digest and YouGov to
create a unique index of business
sentiment in the Middle East. The
first edition of the HSBC - MEED
Middle East Business Confidence
Index was published in the Middle
East Economic Digest magazine on
18 June. HSBC Trade Confidence
Index for India stood at the highest
142 points, followed by UAE (132
points) and Indonesia (127 points).
Currency swap agreement Currency swap agreement Currency swap agreement Currency swap agreement Currency swap agreement
between RBI and Bank of between RBI and Bank of between RBI and Bank of between RBI and Bank of between RBI and Bank of
Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and
Japans Central bank, Bank of Japan,
decided on 18 December 2013 to
enhance the bilateral currency swap
arrangement from 15 billion dollars
to 50 billion dollars. The agreement
would help bring stability in the
financial markets in both the
countries. The deal is basically aimed
at lifting sentiments and allaying any
fears that India has insufficient
cushion to finance its current account
deficit (CAD) if the situation worsens
drastically. The arrangement implies
that, the Bank of Japan will accept
rupees and give dollars to the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI). Similarly, Indias
central bank will take yen and send
dollars to the Bank of Japan. The
arrangement will help stabilise the
currencies of the two nations in time
of contingencies. It can be put into
operation whenever there is
depletion of foreign exchange
reserves or speculators hammer the
currencies. Further, this will help
reduce the demand for dollars in the
short-term and boost exports and
could be effective hedge against the
volatility in the foreign exchange
market. India should only enter into
such agreements with countries with
which it does not have a big trade
imbalance. The currency swap
arrangement was first signed in 2008
and was limited to 3 billion dollars. In
2011, the deal was renewed and the
size was increased to 15 billion
dollars.
What is Currency Swap ? What is Currency Swap ? What is Currency Swap ? What is Currency Swap ? What is Currency Swap ?
A currency swap is defined as
the exchange of principal and
interest in one currency for the same
in another currency. It is considered
to be a foreign exchange transaction
and is not required by law to be
shown on a companys balance sheet.
For example, suppose a U.S.-based
company needs to acquire Swiss
francs and a Swiss-based company
needs to acquire U.S. dollars. These
two companies could arrange to
swap currencies by establishing an
interest rate, an agreed upon amount
and a common maturity date for the
exchange. Currency swap maturities
are negotiable for at least 10 years,
making them a very flexible method
of foreign exchange.
Fiscal deficit to touch 5.2% Fiscal deficit to touch 5.2% Fiscal deficit to touch 5.2% Fiscal deficit to touch 5.2% Fiscal deficit to touch 5.2%
Ratings agency CRISIL (Credit
Rating Information Services of India
Limited) on 24 december 2013 said
governments fiscal deficit would
touch 5.2% during current Fiscal ,
above the target by 0.40%. In the
Union Budget 2013-14 , government
had set the target to curb the fiscal
deficit by 4.8%.
The Centre can reduce its fiscal
deficit by as much as 20000 crore
rupees this fiscal by using cash
reserves of public sector units. The
top 20 public sector undertakings
will have a cash reserve of 160000
crore rupees by March 2014 and are
comfortably placed to pay a special
dividend.
The public sector undertakings
considered for this report include
Bharat Electronics, Bharat Heavy
Electronics, Bharat Petroleum Corp,
Coal India, Container Corporation,
Engineers India, Gail, MMTC, MOIL,
Nalco, Neyveli Lignite Corp, NHPC,
NMDC, NTPC Ltd, Oil India, Oil and
Natural Gas Corporation, Power Grid
Corporation, Shipping Corporation,
SJVNL, and Sail.
About Crisil About Crisil About Crisil About Crisil About Crisil
CRISIL - Credit Rating
Information Services of India
Limited.CRISIL is a global analytical
company providing ratings, research,
and risk and policy advisory
services.CRISILs majority shareholder
is Standard & Poors, a division of
McGraw-Hill Financial and provider
of financial market intelligence. Its
rating capabilities span the entire
range of debt instruments and it has
worked across the corporate strata,
from large corporates in the country
to the SMEs.
What is fiscal deficit What is fiscal deficit What is fiscal deficit What is fiscal deficit What is fiscal deficit
Fiscal deficit is the difference
between the governments
expenditures and its revenues
(excluding the money its borrowed).
A countrys fiscal deficit is usually
communicated as a percentage of its
gross domestic product (GDP).
What are the causes of fiscal What are the causes of fiscal What are the causes of fiscal What are the causes of fiscal What are the causes of fiscal
defi ci t defi ci t defi ci t defi ci t defi ci t
Government spending
inflation
lower revenue
Slow economic growth
Sluggish economic activities
How fiscal deficit can be bad How fiscal deficit can be bad How fiscal deficit can be bad How fiscal deficit can be bad How fiscal deficit can be bad
for India for India for India for India for India
A large fiscal deficit is an
indication that the economy is in
trouble and will have reasons to
worry. A high fiscal deficit could pose
an inflation risk, minimize the growth
of the economy, doubt the
governments abilities; it could affect
the countrys sovereign rating, which
in turn will limit foreign investors from
looking at India as one of the
investment hubs.
CIL allowed to pump gas from CIL allowed to pump gas from CIL allowed to pump gas from CIL allowed to pump gas from CIL allowed to pump gas from
CBM mines CBM mines CBM mines CBM mines CBM mines
Economic Affairs (CCEA) allowed
state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL) to
pump methane gas trapped in coal
seams of its existing mines. The
decision by the CCEA would open a
new revenue stream for the worlds
largest coal miner CIL. Further it
would help unlock several mines that
have remained out of bounds
because of the presence of the
explosive gas that make mining
unsafe.
Currently, rules and regulations
prohibit mining firms from extracting
CBM during mining as the policy does
not allow for simultaneous extraction
of methane (CBM) and coal. CBM
extracted by CIL will be priced and
marketed as per the governments gas
pricing and utilization policy. At
present, only those companies that
successfully bid for mines with CBM
are allowed to explore and produce
such gas.
The government has auctioned
33 CBM blocks since 2001. CIL holds
at least 20% of the estimated 60
billion tonnes of coal resources in
India. It has several coal mines in eight
States, which are estimated to have
CBM reserves of 3.5-4 trillion cubic
feet.
Coal bed methane Coal bed methane Coal bed methane Coal bed methane Coal bed methane
Coal bed methane (CBM),
coalbed gas, or coal mine methane
(CMM) is a form of natural gas
extracted from coal beds. It is an
unconventional source of energy
because methane gas is contained in
the coal and does not migrate to other
rock strata. In recent decades it has
become an important source of
energy in United States, Canada, and
other countries. Australia has rich
deposits where it is known as coal
seam gas.
Coal Bed Coal Bed Coal Bed Coal Bed Coal Bed
Methane Policy in India Methane Policy in India Methane Policy in India Methane Policy in India Methane Policy in India
CBM Policy was the
Government of India on 19 July 1997
with an aim to offer the block for the
exploration of CBM through open
competitive bidding system. It
provides infrastructure status to the
exploration and exploitation of CBM.
It asks the contractor to pay royalty at
a flat rate of 10% ad valorem as is
applicable to natural gas. These
amounts will accrue to the State
Governments concerned.
The duration of the CBM
contract will be for 38 years for
blocks located in a normal area and
40 years for blocks in a frontier area.
Government will not have any
participating interest. Foreign/Indian
companies could have 100%
participating interest.
Inflation Indexed Saving Inflation Indexed Saving Inflation Indexed Saving Inflation Indexed Saving Inflation Indexed Saving
Bonds Bonds Bonds Bonds Bonds
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
launched an inflation indexed saving
bonds on 23 December 2013. The
newly launched indexed savings
bonds offer protection to retail
investors from price rise. It will be
open for subscription between 23 to
31 December. These securities
were launched in the backdrop of
announcement made in the Union
Budget 2013-14 to introduce
instruments that will protect savings
from inflation, especially the savings
of the poor and middle classes. The
minimum limit for investment on the
indexed saving bonds is 5000 rupees
and maximum is 5 lakh rupees per
be a university under section 3 of the
University Grants Commission Act,
1956 (3 of 1956). The eligible
investors can approach three private
sector banks HDFC Bank, ICICI
Bank and Axis Bank and Stock
Holding Corporation of India.
The Ragarajan Panel The Ragarajan Panel The Ragarajan Panel The Ragarajan Panel The Ragarajan Panel
Recommendation for Recommendation for Recommendation for Recommendation for Recommendation for
Highway sector Highway sector Highway sector Highway sector Highway sector
The C Rangarajan panel
recommended the guidelines
prescribing bailout packages for
developers of highway projects and
the task of implementation lie with
the National Highway Authority of
India (NHAI. The panel
recommended that 75% of the
premium amount payable to the
government will be restricted in the
first three years of the contract.
Further it recommended that the road
developers should submit the entire
premium amount three years before
the completion of full contract.
At present companies pay some
amount of premium to the
government in the first year of the
project which keeps increasing in the
subsequent years. The panels
recommendations, if accepted, will
lead to huge reduction in the
premium payment in the first years.
As a result, it will provide relief to the
developers like GMR Infrastructure
Ltd and GVK Power and
Infrastructure Ltd and 23 other road
developers.
Background Background Background Background Background
The panel was appointed by
the Government in October 2013 o
fine-tune and decide all terms and
annum. Interest rate on these
securities would be linked to final
combined Consumer Price Index
(CPI) Interest rate would comprise
two parts - fixed rate (1.5%) and
inflation rate based on CPI and the
same will be compounded in the
principal on half-yearly basis and paid
at the time of maturity. Early
redemptions would be allowed after
one year from the date of issue for
senior citizens (i.e. above 65 years of
age) and 3 years for all others, subject
to penalty charges at the rate of 50%
of the last coupon payable for early
redemption. Early redemptions,
however, will be made only on
coupon dates.
These securities will be issued
in the form of Bond to be held in the
Bond Ledger Account (BLA) and all
the provisions of Government
Securities Act, 2006 shall be
applicable. The eligible investors for
these bonds would include
individuals, Hindu Undivided Family
(HUF), charitable institutions
registered under section 25 of the
Indian Companies Act and
Universities incorporated by Central,
State or Provincial Act or declared to
conditions of the bailout policy for
the road developer who were pulling
out of road projects due to the
premium burdens.
The six-member panel is
headed by the Prime Ministers
Economic Advisory Council Chairman
C Rangarajan.
The other members of the panel
include Secretary Planning
Commission Sindhushree Khullar,
Expenditure Secretary R.S. Gujral,
Secretary, Economic Advisory
Council Alok Sheel, Roads Secretary
Vijay Chhibber, Joint Secretary Road
Transport and Highways Rohit Kumar
Singh and Chairman National
Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
R.P. Singh. Earlier in October 2013,
the Cabinet note, which included
suggestions of the finance ministry,
planning commission and law
ministry, had suggested that
developers pay a discount rate of 12%
on the premium payment and also
pay a penalty of up to 0.5% of the
total project cost in case default was
on their part.
The proposal says if toll
revenues turn out to be more than
projected, the money left after
servicing debt and other necessary
costs would go to NHAI as advance
payment.
Further the concessionaire
cannot claim return to equity till
premium equals or exceeds what was
originally quoted for that particular
year. The highways sector has seen a
drastic reversal of fortune since 2012-
13 with developers and financiers
steering clear of the sector even while
multiple projects have failed to take-
off.
The National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) managed
to award only 479-km till now as
against target of 3000 kms by
September 2013. In the previous
financial year, only 1,116-km was
awarded against the target of 9,500-
km.
Sugar Industry got 6600 crore Sugar Industry got 6600 crore Sugar Industry got 6600 crore Sugar Industry got 6600 crore Sugar Industry got 6600 crore
rupees free loan rupees free loan rupees free loan rupees free loan rupees free loan
Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved
6600 crore rupees interest-free loans
to cash starved sugar industry on 19
December 2013. The loans will be
provided by banks to sugar mills
exclusively for making payments to
sugarcane farmers, including arrears.
The loans are equivalent to the excise
duty paid by the mills in the past
three years.
The Interest subvention will be
12 percent which will be borne by
the Centre and Sugar Development
Fund. Mills have to repay the loans in
five years and can avail of a
moratorium on repayment for the first
two years.
The loans will help the industry
reduce around 500 crore rupees
annually of interest burden in the next
5 years. The informal Group of
Ministers (GoM) set up by the Prime
Minister under the chairmanship of
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad
Pawar recommended the proposal to
address the cash crunch of the sugar
industry. The sugar industry is facing
financial problems due to higher cost
of production and lower sugar prices
in the wake of surplus production in
the last few years.
FDI Policy for unlisted FDI Policy for unlisted FDI Policy for unlisted FDI Policy for unlisted FDI Policy for unlisted
Companies modified Companies modified Companies modified Companies modified Companies modified
The Government of India on 6
December 2013 modified the FDI
policy allowing unlisted companies
to directly list on stock exchanges
abroad. The move will facilitate
raising of funds for acquisitions or
clearing overseas debts. It may help
India in containing its high Current
Account Deficit (CAD).
Presently, unlisted companies
are not allowed to directly list in
overseas markets without prior or
subsequent listing in the Indian
market.
According to the Revised According to the Revised According to the Revised According to the Revised According to the Revised
FDI Policy; FDI Policy; FDI Policy; FDI Policy; FDI Policy;
1. Unlisted companies shall be
allowed to raise capital abroad
without the requirement of
prior or subsequent listing in
India initially for a period of two
years.
2. The capital raised abroad may
be utilised for retiring
outstanding overseas debt or
for operations abroad
including for acquisitions.
3. In case the funds raised are not
utilised abroad, the company
should repatriate the funds to
India within 15 days and park it
with a scheduled bank and
may be used domestically.
4. While raising funds abroad, the
listing companies would have
to be fully compliant with the
FDI policy.
5. The listing company would also
have to comply with the
instructions on downstream
investment and the criteria of
eligibility of who can raise
funds through American
depositary receipts (ADR) or
global depository receipts
(GDR) would be as prescribed
by the government.
6. The new scheme will be
implemented on a pilot basis
for a period of two years.
Unlisted Company Unlisted Company Unlisted Company Unlisted Company Unlisted Company: a
company whose shares are not traded
on a stock exchange. Its shares are
therefore not available for trade to
the general public.
Listed company Listed company Listed company Listed company Listed company: a company
whose shares are bought and sold on
a particular stock market. The share
price of a listed company is quoted
and traded on a stock exchange.
Justice Sodhi Committee Justice Sodhi Committee Justice Sodhi Committee Justice Sodhi Committee Justice Sodhi Committee
submitted report submitted report submitted report submitted report submitted report
The High Level Committee to
Review the SEBI (Prohibition of
Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992
constituted under the Chairmanship
of Justice N.K. Sodhi on 7 December
2013 submitted its report to SEBI
Chairman, UK Sinha at Chandigarh.
Justice N.K. Sodhi has been the
former chief justice of Karnataka and
Kerala High Courts and has been the
former presiding officer of the
Securities Appellate Tribunal. The
Committee has made many
recommendations to the legal
framework for prohibition of insider
trading in India. It has also focused
on making this area of regulation more
predictable, precise and clear by
suggesting a combination of
principles-based regulations and
rules that are backed by principles.
The Committee has also suggested
that each regulatory provision may be
backed by a note on legislative
intent.
Some features of the Some features of the Some features of the Some features of the Some features of the
proposed regulations are: proposed regulations are: proposed regulations are: proposed regulations are: proposed regulations are:
While enlarging the definition
of insider, the term
connected person has been
defined more clearly and
immediate relatives are
presumed to be connected
persons, with a right to rebut
the presumption. The term
immediate relative would
cover close relatives, who are
either financially dependent or
consult an insider in connection
with trading in securities.
Insiders would be prohibited
from communicating, providing
or allowing access to UPSI
unless required for discharge of
duties or for compliance with
law.
The regulations would bring
greater clarity on what
constitutes unpublished price
sensitive information (UPSI) by
defining what constitutes
generally available information
(essentially, information to
which non-discriminatory
public access would be
available). A list of types of
information that may ordinarily
be regarded as price sensitive
information has also been
provided.
Trading in listed securities
when in possession of UPSI
would be prohibited except in
certain situations provided in
the regulations.
Insiders who are liable to
possess UPSI all round the year
would have the option to
formulate pre-scheduled
trading plans. In such cases, the
new UPSI that may come into
their possession without having
been with them when
formulating the plan would not
impede their ability to trade.
Trading plans would, however,
be required to be disclosed to
the stock exchanges and have
to be strictly adhered to.
Conducting due diligence on
listed companies would be
permissible for purposes of
transactions entailing an
obligation to make an open
offer under the Takeover
Regulations. In all other cases,
due diligence would be
permissible subject to making
the diligence findings that
constitute UPSI generally
available prior to the proposed
trading. In all cases, the board
of directors would need to
opine that permitting the
conduct of due diligence is in
the best interests of the
company, and would also have
to ensure execution of non-
disclosure and non-dealing
agreements.
Trades by promoters,
employees, directors and their
immediate relatives would
need to be disclosed internally
to the company. Trades within
a calendar quarter of a value
beyond 10 lakh rupees or such
other amount as SEBI may
specify, would be required to
be disclosed to the stock
exchanges.
Every entity that has issued
securities, which are listed on
a stock exchange or which are
intended to be so listed would
be required to formulate and
publish a Code of Fair
Disclosure governing
disclosure of events and
circumstances that would
impact price discovery of its
securities.
Every listed company and
market intermediary is required
to formulate a Code of Conduct
to regulate, monitor and report
trading in securities by its
employees and other
connected persons. All other
persons such as auditors, law
firms, accountancy firms,
analysts, consultants etc, who
handle UPSI in the course of
business operations may
formulate a code of conduct
and the existence of such a
code would evidence the
seriousness with which the
organization treats compliance
requirements.
Companies would be entitled
to require third-party
connected persons who are
not employees to disclose their
trading and holdings in
securities of the company.
Merger and Acquisition Merger and Acquisition Merger and Acquisition Merger and Acquisition Merger and Acquisition
Guidelines for Telecom Guidelines for Telecom Guidelines for Telecom Guidelines for Telecom Guidelines for Telecom
Sector approved Sector approved Sector approved Sector approved Sector approved
The Empowered Group of
Ministers (EGoM) headed by
Finance Minister P Chidambaram,
approved the guidelines on telecom
merger and acquisition on 3
December 2013.
In addition to this EGoM cleared
the sale of over 400 MHz of 2G
spectrum (1800 MHz band), which
are to be auctioned in January 2014.
EGoM also approved payment of
market rates for spectrum above 4.4
MHz allotted to the acquired entity.
The EGoM also cleared the sale of
403 MHz of 2G spectrum, which is
valued at about 36000 crore Rupees,
as per the reserve price
recommended by the Telecom
Commission.
The Telecom Commission has
already approved the draft M&A
guidelines, which says that the market
share of a merged entity should not
exceed 50 per cent of the subscriber
base.
The much-awaited mergers and
acquisitions guidelines would pave
way for consolidation of mobile
market which presently has 12
mobile operators. All these decision
would now be forwarded to the
Union Cabinet for final approval.
8TH Financial Stability Report 8TH Financial Stability Report 8TH Financial Stability Report 8TH Financial Stability Report 8TH Financial Stability Report
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
released its 8th Financial Stability
Report (FSR) on 30 December 2013.
The FSR was released against the
backdrop of a mild positive market
reaction to the announcement of
tapering in the US Federal Reserve
bond purchase plan from January
2014.
Major Highlights of the Major Highlights of the Major Highlights of the Major Highlights of the Major Highlights of the
report are: report are: report are: report are: report are:
Indias external sector has
improved with reduction in
Current Account Deficit
(CAD). CAD is expected to be
less than 3 per cent of the GDP
during the current financial year
2013-14.
Report revealed that the
banking system is facing rising
tide of bad loans. The gross
non-performing assets (NPAs)
in the system will rise to 4.6 per
cent by September 2014 from
4.2 per cent in September
2013.
The amount of recast loans
touched an all-time high of 10.2
per cent of the overall
advances as of September
2013.
The state-run banks will be the
worst-affected, the report said,
pegging the gross NPAs for
public sector banks at 4.9 per
cent by March 2015. It
projected the gross NPAs for
private banks at 2.7 per cent in
the same period.
Asset quality continues to be a
major concern for Scheduled
Commercial Banks (SCBs). The
Gross Non-performing Assets
ratio of SCBs as well as their
restructured standard
advances ratio has increased.
Five sectors infrastructure,
iron & steel, textiles, aviation
and mining have a high level
of stressed advances. At system
level, these five sectors
together account for around 24
per cent of total advances of
commercial banks and around
51 per cent of their total
stressed advances.
Due to the interconnectedness
with banks, liquidity pressure is
felt by the money market mutual
funds (MMMFs) whenever
redemption requirements of
banks are large and
simultaneous. Regulatory
measures are taken to reduce
the degree of
interconnectedness seem to
have been successful in
reducing the liquidity risk in the
system.
However, macro-economic
adjustment is far from complete,
with persistence of high
inflation amidst growth
slowdown. Fall in domestic
savings and high fiscal deficit
are other major concerns for
India.
Macro stress tests on credit risk
suggest that if the adverse
macroeconomic conditions
persist, the credit quality of
commercial banks could
deteriorate further. However,
under improved conditions,
the present trend in credit
quality may reverse during the
second half of 2014.
RIL allowed to sell gas at RIL allowed to sell gas at RIL allowed to sell gas at RIL allowed to sell gas at RIL allowed to sell gas at
higher price with bank higher price with bank higher price with bank higher price with bank higher price with bank
guarant ee guarant ee guarant ee guarant ee guarant ee
Economic Affairs (CCEA) resolved
the issue of Reliance Industries (RIL)
to sell KG-D6 block gas at a higher
price with effect from April 2014. RIL
has been asked to provide bank
guarantees that would be in force till
an international court of arbitration
gives its final ruling on whether RIL
has willfully violated contractual
obligations on 80 per cent of
committed gas output or resorted to
hoarding.
The government said that
details of the bank guarantee
including its periodicity would be
worked out by January 2014, taking
into account the law ministrys views.
According to the government, the
short-supply of gas at KG-D6 so far
has been around 1 trillion cubic feet.
About New pricing Formula About New pricing Formula About New pricing Formula About New pricing Formula About New pricing Formula
The new pricing is based on the
Rangarajan committee formula. The
new formula will be valid for five
years and applies only to new
contracts or renewals when existing
ones expire. It does not apply to
contracts which contain a specific
formula for natural gas price
indexation or fixing. As per the
Rangarajan formula, beginning 1 April
2014, all domestic gas will be priced
at an average of international hub
prices and the cost of LNG imported
into India. The increased domestically
produced gas price in the country
would hover around 7-8/mmBtu
dollar at the current rate. This would
be almost double that of the current
rate. This would also result in higher
subsidy outgo, as the input costs for
fertiliser and gas-based power plants
will go up.
Benchmarks Benchmarks Benchmarks Benchmarks Benchmarks
There are two broad elements
which are used for an average which
will be used as an unbiased arms
length price.
These are These are These are These are These are
1. A price obtained by taking the
cost of liquefied natural gas
(LNG) imports into India under
long-term contracts and
removing charges such as
transportation to obtain a
theoretical price at the point of
production in exporting
countries. This is known as the
netback price. The
government decided not to
include spot import costs. It
will be a weighted average.
2. The weighted average of
prices at three major gas
trading points - the hub price
at Henry Hub in the United
States, the price at the National
Balancing Point of the UK and
the netback price at sources of
supply for Japan.
Mauritius-India agreement on Mauritius-India agreement on Mauritius-India agreement on Mauritius-India agreement on Mauritius-India agreement on
revised Tax Treaty revised Tax Treaty revised Tax Treaty revised Tax Treaty revised Tax Treaty
Mauritius and India agreed on 9
December 2013 to include
Limitation of Benefit Limitation of Benefit Limitation of Benefit Limitation of Benefit Limitation of Benefit
(LoB) (LoB) (LoB) (LoB) (LoB) clause in the revised tax
treaty. This was revealed by the
Mauritius Financial Services
Commission (FSC) Chairman Marc
Hein. He was in Mumbai to participate
in an international taxation
conference. While details of this
clause in the India-Mauritius tax
treaty are being worked out, LoB
clauses aim to prevent treaty treaty treaty treaty treaty
shopping shopping shopping shopping shopping or inappropriate use of
tax agreements by third-country
investors. Treaty benefits are limited
by this clause to those who meet
certain conditions, including those
concerned with business, residency
and investment commitments of
anyone seeking benefit of a Double
Taxation Avoidance Agreement
(DTAA).
Financial Services Commission Financial Services Commission Financial Services Commission Financial Services Commission Financial Services Commission
( FSC) ( FSC) ( FSC) ( FSC) ( FSC)
The FSC is Mauritius integrated
regulator for global business
companies and non-banking
financial services sector. Marc Hein
is its present chairman.
Double Taxation Avoidance Double Taxation Avoidance Double Taxation Avoidance Double Taxation Avoidance Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreement (DTAA) Agreement (DTAA) Agreement (DTAA) Agreement (DTAA) Agreement (DTAA)
It is a tax agreement that India
has with 65 nations. It means those
Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who are
the residents of the country in which
they stay and pay income taxes in that
country are eligible to pay a lower
tax on their incomes earned in India
in the same financial year. For
example many Indian companies
have offices in Mauritius and they
route their investments to India
through that country because the
general taxation rates are lower than
compared to India. This means India
gets to lose tax revenue as DTAA
ensures that these investments are
taxed at much lower rates than
investments of the same quantity but
not routed through Mauritius or any
other nation with which India has a
DTAA. This is called Round Round Round Round Round
tripping tripping tripping tripping tripping.
This also leads to conditions
conducive to money
laundering. Money laundering Money laundering Money laundering Money laundering Money laundering i s
when the sources of money are not
known. So it may be money earned
through corrupt means and money
meant for funding terrorist activities.
Such money is called dirty money. dirty money. dirty money. dirty money. dirty money.
Direct transfer of Cash Direct transfer of Cash Direct transfer of Cash Direct transfer of Cash Direct transfer of Cash
subsidy soon on kerosene subsidy soon on kerosene subsidy soon on kerosene subsidy soon on kerosene subsidy soon on kerosene
The government of India puts a
way ahead to launched Cash
subsidy on kerosene after the
successful implementation of cash
subsidy on LPG for BPL (below
poverty line) families. The scheme
would be known as DTCK (direct
transfer of cash subsidy on PDS
kerosene).
This would be on the lines of
DBTL( direct benefit transfer of
subsidy on LPG (cooking gas). The
mode of implementation would be
covered under two phases , In the
first phase seven districts of three
states would be covered under the
subsidy. In Maharashtra , the scheme
would be lunched in Nandurbar ,
Wardha and Amrawati . while in
Rajasthan , Alwar , Ajmer and Udaipur
would be covered. Similarly, the
initiative would be covered in north
Goa. So far , Centre had grant a subsidy
of around 1700 crore rupees for
DBTL , but now the exchequer would
be expected to face a subsidy bill of
30000 crore rupees for providing fuel
to BPL families. A pilot DTCK scheme
has been running in Kotkasim tehsil
of Rajasthans Alwar district since
December 2011. The results have
been encouraging.
What is direct transfer of What is direct transfer of What is direct transfer of What is direct transfer of What is direct transfer of
cash subsidy : cash subsidy : cash subsidy : cash subsidy : cash subsidy :
The price of the commodity
remain same as that of the market
price , government itself decide the
subsidized price and pay the
difference between market price and
subsidized price directly to the family
of the BPL in their account. Instead
of paying subsidy to the manufacturer
, government directly pay cash to the
poor people.
The change in the subsidy The change in the subsidy The change in the subsidy The change in the subsidy The change in the subsidy
policy able to tackle the policy able to tackle the policy able to tackle the policy able to tackle the policy able to tackle the
following shortcomings of the following shortcomings of the following shortcomings of the following shortcomings of the following shortcomings of the
system : system : system : system : system :
Dual pricing
Black Marketing
Unresponsiveness to customer
needs
Poor targeting of BPL
population
Diversion and leakages
Under recoveries for Oil
Manufacturing companies (
OMCs) .
Bolsa Famlia Program Bolsa Famlia Program Bolsa Famlia Program Bolsa Famlia Program Bolsa Famlia Program
(BFP): (BFP): (BFP): (BFP): (BFP):
The largest and the most
successful conditional cash transfer
program is the Bolsa Famlia Program
(BFP) in Brazil that covered close to
100 percent of Brazils poor in 2007.
Under the programme, the
government transfers cash straight to
a family subject to conditions such as
school attendance, nutritional
monitoring, pre-natal and post-natal
tests. The entire system is managed
through efficient targeting,
disbursement and regular monitoring
of the disbursed funds.
Impact on government Impact on government Impact on government Impact on government Impact on government
The new system is expected to
reduce this cost and subsidy
bill through better targeting
In the Union Budget 2012-13,
target is to keep 2012-13
subsidies under 2 percent of
GDP and under 1.75 percent
of GDP in the next 3 years .
Companies Foreign Funding Companies Foreign Funding Companies Foreign Funding Companies Foreign Funding Companies Foreign Funding
Norms for Infra Projects eased Norms for Infra Projects eased Norms for Infra Projects eased Norms for Infra Projects eased Norms for Infra Projects eased
The Reserve Bank of India on 3
December 2013 eased norms for
companies raising foreign funds for
infrastructure projects. The new
norms will help Companies to raise
funds through the External
Commercial Borrowing (ECB) route
for their infrastructure projects
through their holding firms or core
investment firms. This will enable
them to arrange finances for their
projects faster and strengthen the
flow of resources in the sector. The
RBI also stated that such funds should
be used in special purpose vehicles
(SPVs) for a specific project.
Presently, the SPVs are allowed to
bring in ECB funds for infrastructure
projects, while there were
restrictions for parent firms in doing
so. The Reserve bank, however, has
listed a series of conditions to avail
this facility.
What is External Commercial What is External Commercial What is External Commercial What is External Commercial What is External Commercial
Borrowi ng? Borrowi ng? Borrowi ng? Borrowi ng? Borrowi ng?
External Commercial Borrowing
is an instrument used in India to
facilitate the access to foreign money
by Indian corporations and PSUs.
External Commercial Borrowings
(ECB) refers to commercial loans in
the form of bank loans, buyers credit,
suppliers credit, securitized
instruments (e.g. floating rate notes
and fixed rate bonds, non-
convertible, optionally convertible or
partially convertible preference
shares) availed of from non-resident
lenders with a minimum average
maturity of 3 years.
Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved Union Cabinet approved
Reserve price for Spectrum Reserve price for Spectrum Reserve price for Spectrum Reserve price for Spectrum Reserve price for Spectrum
Aucti on Aucti on Aucti on Aucti on Aucti on
finalization of the reserve price for the
auction of spectrum in 1800 MHz
band for all service areas. It also
finalized the reserve price for auction
of spectrum for 900 MHz band in
metro in service areas of Delhi,
Mumbai and Kolkata. The cabinet
has approved the following points on
the recommendation of the
Empowered Group of Ministers:
(i) The reserve price for 1800 MHz
band of 1765 crore rupees per
MHz Pan India, which works
out to be 8825 crore rupees for
5 MHz Pan India
(ii) The reserve price for 900 MHz
band of 360 crore rupees, 328
crore rupees and 125 crore
rupees per MHz in Metro
service areas of Delhi, Mumbai
and Kolkata respectively.
The decisions will help in
further efficient utilization of the
scarce natural resource of spectrum
facilitating expansion of telecom
services in the country.
Deposit Requirements for Deposit Requirements for Deposit Requirements for Deposit Requirements for Deposit Requirements for
members of the Debt members of the Debt members of the Debt members of the Debt members of the Debt
Segment Segment Segment Segment Segment
Securities and Exchange Board
of India (SEBI) on 19 December 2013
laid out the minimum deposit
requirements for members in debt
segment of the stock exchanges.
SEBI on 20 January 2013 announced
a separate debt segment on bourses
and had amended norms to enable
registration of the stock broker,
proprietary trading member, clearing
member and the self clearing
member on platform.
In the newly issued circular,
SEBI has said that the minimum capital
requirements as per the norms for
stock brokers and proprietary trading
members will be applicable for the
debt segment as well. As per the
market regulator, SEBI for a member
seeking registration in the debt
segment, no deposit will be required
if they are already member if some
another segment on the stock
exchange. It also said that the
Clearing Member (CM)/Self Clearing
Member (SCM) will have to deposit
10 lacks rupees. No exposure shall
be granted against such deposit
requirement of the Clearing Member/
Self Clearing Member. The circular
also said that no deposit shall be
payable in case a CM/SCM clears and
settles trades only on gross basis for
both securities and funds, and where
no settlement guarantee is provided
by the clearing corporation. This
circular was issued in exercise of
powers conferred under Section 11
(1) of the Securities and Exchange
Board of India Act, 1992 to protect
the interests of investors in securities
and to promote the development of
and to regulate the securities market.
CCEA noded to provide aid to CCEA noded to provide aid to CCEA noded to provide aid to CCEA noded to provide aid to CCEA noded to provide aid to
sugar industry sugar industry sugar industry sugar industry sugar industry
Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 26
guidelines for providing financial
assistance to the sugar industry for
payment of cane price arrears. The
expenditure for the scheme will be
met fully from the Sugar
Development Fund (SDF). The
Central Government will provide an
interest subvention up to 12 percent
at a simple rate of interest for the
additional working capital loans to the
sugar undertakings. Banks will
provide the additional working
capital loan that is equal to last three
sugar seasons excise duty, cess and
surcharge on sugar. Sugar
undertakings with loan classified Non
Performing Assests (NPA) by the
banks are also eligible for the loans
only if the concerned state
government will give a guarantee for
their new loans. The interest
subvention on the total loan has been
provided for five year, which
includes moratorium period of two
years. In the principal repayments, no
interest subvention will be provided
for the period of defaults. The loans
would be meant exclusively for
effecting cane price payments by
the sugar mills.
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Fi rst telecommuni cati on
Satellite of Bolivia launched
Bolivia on 20 December 2013
l aunched the country s fi rst
telecommunication satellite Tupak
Katari. The satellite has been named
upon an indigenous national hero,
who fought the 18th century Spanish
colonial rule. The rocket carrying the
satellite blast off from Xichang
Satellite Launch Center in China.
Bolivia is one of the last countries in
South America to have its own
satellite. Ivan Zambrana is the Director
of the Bolivian Space Agency. He
said that the satellite should be fully
operational by March 2014 and help
to bring down communication cost
and improve television and Internet
services for people living in rural
areas.
of the Internet network by sat-
ellite
With the emergence of very
powerful broadband satellites,
users equipped with their
own broadband interactive
satellite terminals get access
to the Internet regardless of
their distance from the nearest
terrestrial node
In most remote and some not-
so-remote parts of the world,
satellite communications con-
tinue to play a fundamental role
in the infrastructure of tele-
phone and other services
First human artificial heart
i mplanted
The first human artificial heart
implantation performed in Georges
Pompidou Hospital, Paris on 18
Telecommunicati ons satelli te
Satellite telecommunication is
the most mature of space
applications. Starting 50 years ago
with the launch of Telstar in 1962 and
Syncom i n 1963, satcom has
continued to grow ever since. At first,
satellite performance was very
limited. The use of satellites was
limited to long distance telephony
and to the transport of television
signals between studios.
Use of Telecommuni cation
satell i tes
While listening to the radio and
watching T.V. the signals, we
receive is distributed from the
satellite
Most news agencies use satel-
lites to distribute text, audio
and video to their affiliates
Access to the Internet is pos-
sible only by satellite commu-
nication
Satellites are being used for
tele-education, telemedicine
or videoconference systems
Internet service providers of-
ten link their servers to the core
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December 2013 was successful. The
artificial heart designed by the
French biomedical firm Carmat and
developed by the Dutch based
European Aeronautic Defence and
Space Company (EADS). The
artificial heart can give patients up to
five years of extra life, which replaces
the real heart. The previous heart
assistance devices are created mainly
for temporary use. The artificial heart
uses biomaterials including bovine
tissue and an array of sensors to mimic
the contractions of the heart. The
patient has to wear a belt of lithium
batteries to power the heart. Inside
the heart, surfaces that come into
contact with human blood are made
partly from bovine tissue instead of
synthetic materials which can cause
blood clots. The artificial heart
weighs as little as less than a kilogram
(900grams), almost three times
heavier than an average healthy
human heart.
Malaria vaccine developed by
Oxford Scientists
Oxford scientists recently
developed a novel new Malaria
Vaccine which can protect against
the deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The vaccine has shown promising
results in the first clinical trial to test
whether it can protect people against
the disease. The trial was carried out
by researchers led by Professor
Adrian Hill of the Jenner Institute
at Oxford University, along with
researchers from the biotechnology
company Okairos. Its the first time
that a vaccine has been shown to
have a protective effect through a
sufficiently high immune response
involving cells called CD8 T cells. It is
CD8 immune cells that are seen to
mount a protective response against
malaria in similar studies in mice.
Every existing vaccine in use -
bar one - generates antibodies. But
there are two arms to the bodys
i mmune system for fi ghti ng
i nfecti on: ant i bodi es and T
cell s.This new vaccine aims to
stimulate an immune response
involving T cells. CD8 T cells are
important because they are the
primary killer cells in the immune
system. They can attack nearly all
types of infected cells in this case
liver cells infected with the malaria
parasite. But this first demonstration
of a large CD8 response from a
vaccine coul d be rel evant for
tackling other diseases too.
Science journals top 10
breakthroughs of 2013
Ultimately, we concluded,
cancer immunotherapy passes the
test. It does so because this year,
clinical trials have cemented its
potential in patients and swayed
even the sceptics. The field of cancer
immunotherapy hums with stories of
lives extended the woman with a
grapefruit-size tumour in her lung
from melanoma, alive and healthy 13
years later; the 6-year-old near death
from leukaemia, now in third grade
and in remission; the man with
metastatic kidney cancer whose
disease continued fading away even
after treatment stopped, notes a
paper publ ished recentl y i n
the journal that ranked the top
10 Sci ence
Breakthroughs of 2013
The cancer research
community experi enced a sea
change in 2013 as a strategy, decades
in the making, finally cemented its
potential. Promising results emerged
from cli ni cal tri als of cancer
immunotherapy, in which treatments
target the bodys immune system
rather than tumours directly. The new
treatments push T cells and other
immune cells to combat cancer
and the editors of believe that such
approaches are now displaying
enough promise to top their list of the
years most important scientific
breakthroughs. Though the ultimate
impact on the disease is not known,
results so far have been highlighting
its success.
This annual l i st of
groundbreaki ng scientifi c
achievements, selected by and its
international nonprofit publisher,
AAAS, al so i ncl udes maj or
breakthroughs i n solar cel l
technol ogies, genome-edi ting
techniques and vaccine design
strategies, to name a few. This year
there was no mistaking the immense
promise of cancer immunotherapy,
Tim Appenzeller, chief news editor
of the journal said in a press release
by the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS).
So far, this strategy of harnessing the
immune system to attack tumours
works only for some cancers and a
few patients, so its important not to
overstate the immediate benefits. But
many cancer speci al ists are
convinced that they are seeing the
birth of an important new paradigm
for cancer treatment.
Many of todays advances in
cancer immunotherapy revolve
around CTLA-4 (cytotoxi c T-
lymphocyte antigen 4) a receptor
on T cells that was discovered in 1987.
The early steps were taken by French
cancer immunologist James Allison,
now at the University of Texas, MD
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
CTLA-4 prevented the T cells from
attacking invaders with their full
force. In 1996, James Allison showed
that blocking CTLA-4 in mice could
unleash T cells against tumour cells
in the animals that finally erased
tumours in mice. In the meantime,
Japanese researchers identified
another brake on T cells known as
PD-1. Clinical trials involving this
receptor began in 2006, and
preliminary results in small groups of
patients appear to be promising.
Another area of interest involves
genetically modifying T cells to make
them target tumours. In 2011, this
strategy, which was known as
chimeric antigen therapy, or CAR
therapy, electrified the cancer
research field, and it is now the
subject of numerous clinical trials,
particularly in bl ood cancers.
Accordingly, many pharmaceutical
companies that wanted nothing to
do with immunotherapy several years
ago are now investing heavily, the
release noted. There is still plenty of
uncertainty regarding how many
patients will benefit from these
therapies, most of which remain
experimental and for which forms
of cancer they will work best, the
release noted. Scientists are busy
trying to identify biomarkers that
might offer answers, and thinking of
ways to make treatments more
potent. But a new chapter in cancer
research and treatment has begun.
The journals list of nine other
groundbreaki ng scientifi c
achievements from the past year
follows.
CRISPR: Akin to the discovery
of the microscope in the 1920 that
touched off a revolution in surgical
procedures, the discovery of a
bacterial protein Cas9 gives
researchers the equivalent of a
molecular surgery kit for routinely
disabling, activating, or changing
genes, the paper notes.
Though CRISPR, the gene-
editing technique was discovered in
bacteria, researchers use it as a
scalpel for surgery on individual
genes. Its popularity soared this year
with over 50 publications in 10
months as more than a dozen
teams of researchers used it to
manipulate the genomes of various
plant, animal and human cells.
Cl oni ng human
embryos: After years of failure,
researchers were able to derive stem
cells from cloned human embryos this
year. Scientists were able to clone
sheep, mice, pigs, dogs and other
animals, but human cells proved really
tricky.
But in 2007, researchers at the
Oregon National Primate Research
Center in Beaverton succeeded in
cloning monkey embryos and extract
embryonic stem cells. In the process
they realised that caffeine plays an
important role in the process,
stabilizing key molecules in delicate
human egg cells.
CLARI TY: Thi s i magi ng
technique, which renders brain tissue
transparent by by removing the fatty,
light-scattering lipid molecules that
form cellular membranes. The lipids
are replaced with molecules of clear
gel but all neurons (as well as other
brain cells) are left intact and on full
display. This has changed the way
researchers look at this intricate organ
in 2013.
According to the paper,
researchers say the advance could
speed up by 100-fold tasks such as
counting all the neurons in a given
brai n regi on and coul d make
traditional methods of imaging post-
mortem brain tissue irrelevant.
Currently, the technique is limited to
small amounts of tissue.
Mi ni - organs: Researchers
made remarkable progress growing
mini human-like organoids in vitro
this year. These included liver buds,
mini -ki dneys and ti ny brains.
miniaturized human organs may
prove to be much better models of
human disease than animals.
If it is a challenge to coax stem
cells to grow into specific tissues
prodding pluripotent stem cells to
develop into organized structures has
been nearly impossible. Not any
more. Researchers in spectacular style
were able to grow a variety of
organoids in the lab liver buds,
mini-kidneys, and, most remarkably,
rudimentary human brains.
Cosmi c rays t raced t o
supernova remnants: Although
originally detected 100 years ago,
scientists have not been sure where
the high-energy particles from outer
space known as cosmic rays come
from. This year, they finally tied the
rays to debri s cl ouds l eft by
supernovae, or exploding stars.
Perovski t e sol ar cel l s: A
new generation of solar-cell materials,
cheaper and easier to produce than
those in traditional silicon cells,
garnered plenty of attention this past
year. Perovskite cells are not as
efficient as commercial solar cells
yet, but they are improving very
quickly.
Structural bi ology gui des
vacci ne desi gn: Thi s year,
researchers used the structure of an
antibody to design an immunogen
the main ingredient of a vaccine
for a childhood virus that hospitalizes
millions each year. It was the first time
that structural biology led to such a
powerful tool for fighting disease.
Our mi crobes, our
health: Research on the trillions of
bacterial cells that call the human
body home made it clear how much
these mi crobes do for us.
Personalized medicine will need to
take these microbial tenants into
account in order to be effective.
Why we sleep: Studies with
mice showed that the brain cleans
itself by expanding channels
between neurons and allowing more
cerebrospinal fluid to flow through
much more efficiently during
sleep. The finding suggests that
restoration and repair are among the
primary purposes of catching Zs.
Why do we dream when we
sl eep?
There are various theories
medical as well as metaphysical as
to why we get dreams. Sleep has two
parts, non REM sleep and REM (rapid
eye movement) sleep. Dreams occur
in the latter stage of sleep, that is, REM
sleep also known as paradoxical
sleep. It is paradoxical in the sense
that although we are sleeping, still the
metabolic activity of our brain is
comparable to that of the awake state
and our eyes are moving as if
following a scene. This scene is
actually a dream. So that we do not
enact our dreams, our skeletal
muscl es are paral yzed during
dreaming. Dreams serve an important
purpose. They allow us to confront
situations that may/may not occur in
our daily lives and we do not have to
experience them in reality to learn
them. Dreaming is actually a learning
behaviour where we exercise our
brain. That is why dreams constitute
the most bizarre chronologies ever.
That is why a new born spends more
proportion of his sleep dreaming than
an elderly person. Also dreams consist
of visual perceptions mostly.
We usually dont hear people
talking or smell things during dreams.
This is principally because the blood
supply to the visual centre of our brain
is greatly increased during dreaming.
Some people also believe that
dreaming is an essential part of
developing a reflex action. It is also
theorised that we dream about things
that we are thinking about just before
going to sleep. So it is kind of building
upon that thought process and
exploring various possibilities to it
while in the dream state. This dream
can allow us to reach the most bizarre
consequences of our thought
process and help us take better
decisions. In a disorder called REM
sleep behaviour disorder, people
start enacting their dreams which
become dangerous for the patient as
well as the bed partner. In the end it
suffices to say that dreams serve an
i mportant purpose i n the
development of human behaviour
and those who do not dream have
behaviour abnormalities.
Phosphorus found in
supernova Cassiopeia A
Sci enti sts di scovered
Phosphorus for the first time in the
cosmic leftovers from the supernova
- Cassiopeia A explosion. The study
was published in a science journal
on 13 December 2013. The discovery
of Phosphorus confirmed that
massive exploding stars are crucibles
in which the element is created.
Phosphorus is 100 times more
abundant in the remai ns of a
supernova than elsewhere in the
galaxy. Abundance of carbon,
nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur has
been measured in supernova
remnants before. Now supernova
remnant Cassiopeia A revealed the
first measurement of the relatively
scarce phosphorus. These five
elements are essential to life and can
only be created in massive stars. They
are scattered throughout our galaxy
when the star explodes and become
part of other stars, planets and
humans. The observations of the
object were made wi th a
spectrograph mounted on a
telescope at Palomar Observatory at
the California Institute of Technology.
Scientist said that Cassiopeia A
exploded 300 years ago.
About Phosphorus:
Phosphorus is an essential com-
ponent of living systems and it
is found in nervous tissue,
bones and cell protoplasm.
Phosphorus used in the manu-
facture of safety matches, py-
rotechnics, incendiary shells,
smoke bombs.
Phosphorus used in pesticides
and also in the production of
special glasses.
Na3PO4 is important as a clean-
ing agent, water softener and
for preventing boiler scale and
corrosion of pipes and boiler
tubes
Phosphorus found in food items
are pumpkin, soya foods,
cheese, nuts like badam and
fish.
Gaia satellite launched by
Europe
Europe on 19 December 2013
launched the Gaia satellite one of
the most ambitious space missions in
the history. Gaia lifted on a Soyuz
rocket from Europes Spaceport from
the Kourou in French Guiana at 6:12
local time. It will map the precise
positions and distances to more than
a billion stars. This will give the first
realistic picture of how the Milky
Galaxy has been constructed and will
also detect thousands of unseen
objects like asteroids and new
planets. The satellite is carrying two
telescopes that will throw light on to
a huge, one billion-pixel camera
detector connected to a trio of
instruments. It has been developed
to sample the ultra-stable and
supersensitive optical equipment to
pinpoint. Gaias journey will take
about a month as it will travel about
one and half kilometers to the
observatory station from the earth.
Mars Orbiter Spacecraft
successful ly pl aced
Indias Mars Orbiter Spacecraft
successfully placed in Mars transfer
trajectory on 1 December 2013 by
ISRO scientists. Now, the Mars
spacecraft will travel 780 million
kilometers (485 million miles) over
300 days (ten months) to reach an
orbi t around Mars planet i n
September 2014. With thi s
achievement the journey towards
Mars, Mangalyaan has reached the
next phase of its journey. The team
of scientists at ISRO telemetry,
Tracking and Command network
Bangalore will monitor every minute
detail of the movement of the orbiter.
It was raised in six stages until it
reached 1.92 lakh kilometres as it
circled earth several times. PSLV
C25 carrying the orbiter was placed
in the earths orbi t on the 5th
November 2013 and is expected to
reach the Mars orbit in September
2014. This landmark technological
mission of ISRO will fulfill the
objective of deep space
communication, navigation, mission
planning and management. The flight
path of the vehicle will be monitored
by ground stations at Canberra in
Australia,Goldstone in the US and
Madrid in Spain. The Indian Space
Science data centre will receive and
disseminate the payload datas of
the Mangal yaan. One of the
payloads in the spacecraft the Mars
Col our Camera i s al ready i n
operation. The other payloads are
lyman alpha photometer, Methane
sensor for mars, mars exospheric
neutral composition analyser and
Thermal i nfrared imaging
spectrometer to understand the soil
features and minerals available in the
red planet- the Mars.
If liver has the capacity to
regenerate then why does one need
to have liver transplantation?
Liver regeneration is a misnomer
because the removed liver will not
grow back, not the same sort of
regeneration as we see i n
echinoderms such as the Sea Star
where the cut off arm grows into a
new arm and also the regeneration of
limbs in amphibian models. Liver
regenerati on i s a complex,
evolutionarily conserved process. In
case of humans, the liver actually
hypertrophies by increasing the
number of l i ver cel l s thereby
increasing the size of the liver. It is
the division of mature functioning
cells of the remnant liver through
hyperplastic response instead of
recruitment of liver stem cells or
progenitor cells. During this process,
the proliferation stops once the liver
has attained its original size which is
highly regulated and determined by
the demands of the organism. Our
body knows the size of the liver that
it needs to carry out the normal
metabolism. Though liver has the
capacity to regenerate, in certain
cases liver transplantation is the only
way to prolong ones life. Biliary
atresia in children and cirrhosis in
adults require a liver transplantation
for survival. Cirrhosis is the final phase
of chronic liver disease with scarring
of the liver and poor liver function.
The most common causes of
cirrhosis are hepatitis B or C infection
and alcohol abuse along with a few
less common causes. Biliary atresia is
a blockage in the ducts that carry bile
from the liver to the gallbladder.
Biliary atresia leads to liver damage
which is deadly if not treated. Living
donor liver transplant and cadaverous
liver transplant are the liver transplant
methods. In li vi ng donor l iver
transplantation, a piece of liver is
removed from a living donor and
transplanted into a recipient whereas
in cadaverous liver transplantation,
the liver from brain-dead patients are
transplanted into the recipients. Both
the donor and the recipient body
send signals to the liver to remodel
and grow to its normal size. These
events occur so quickly within a week
or so and continue to do so over six
months to a year. For quicker and
successful regeneration both have to
be supplied with a lot of extra
nutri ents after the surgery.
Regeneration is required even in
cadaverous liver transplantation due
to the loss of liver cells from ischaemic
injury to the graft.
Novel evolution of Mexican
tetra fish
The Mexican tetra, Astyanax
mexicanus, is a type of fish found in
northeastern Mexico. It is also found
in a blind form and is known as blind
cavefish. Many thousands of years ago
some of these fish found their way
i nto caves that were nearl y
completely dark. Over the years, they
adapted to this environment by totally
losing their eyes and colouring. There
are however eyed forms of this fish
which did not get into caves, and
these can interbreed, making them
members of the same species.
Studying this, Nicolas Rohner et al,
state in Science an explanation of
how this major evolutionary change
happened in, relatively, such a short
time-span. Tying up with an idea by
Susan Lindquist, they propose that
the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90),
found in the cells, plays a major role
in this quick evolution to eyeless and
depigmented forms. When HSP90 is
present, any mutation happening at
the level of the genes is masked and
prevented from manifesting as traits.
If for some reason, HSP90 is depleted
from the cell, the mutation shows up
as physical changes. In the case of
the cavefish, they say that the
environmental change acts as a stress
that causes depletion of HSP90 in the
cells of the cavefish.
The authors tested this theory
by an experiment involving surface
and cavefish. When surface fish (the
form with eyes) were raised in the
presence of a drug that blocks HSP90
activity, they developed smaller eyes
over a few generations. Cavefish, on
the other hand, under the same
conditions did not show increase in
the eye-orbits. (Though they do not
have eyes, they have eye-orbits in
their skulls.) The next step was to
effect the depleti on of HSP90
through external, environmental
stress. They identified that the caves
in which the fish were reared had
water with low conductivity. They
repeated the experiments with a low-
conductivity environment, and found
compatible results.
Malarial drug resistance
marker identifi ed
Scientists have uncovered
mutations of a gene that make the
most dangerous malarial parasite
resistant to front line drug therapy.
More than half a million children die
each year from malaria caused
by Plasmodium falciparum . Drugs
with artemisinin have led the fight
against this single-celled parasites
depredations and contributed to a
decline in the worlds burden of
malaria.
However, strains of P.
falciparum that are resistant to
artemisinin have been detected in
Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and
Vietnam, raising fears that these drug-
resistant forms could spread to other
parts of the world and put at risk the
advances that have been made in
combating malaria. An international
team of scientists have identified a
parasite gene whose mutations are
associ ated wi th artemi sini n
resistance. Such mutations could be
a useful molecular marker for
tracking the emergence and spread
of resistance, noted Frdric Ariey
of the Institut Pasteur in France and
his colleagues in a paper published
last week in Nature .
Australia opened worlds first
standing classroom
In an effort to know the effects
of long sitting , scientists had started
a new initiative in Australia. Mont
Albert Primary School had launched
the worlds first standing classroom
as part of the Experiment by Baker
IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
Researchers. Since the desks were
introduced more than two months
ago, most students have taken the
opportunity to stand. A grade six
class at Primary School was fitted with
height-adjustable desks to allow the
pupils to sit or stand, as part of an
experiment. Previous studies have
shown students spent two-thirds of a
school day sitting, and prolonged
childhood sitting can contribute to
the onset of such diseases such as
Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular
disease and obesity.
Oldest known human DNA
decoded
The scientists on 4 December
2013 decoded the oldest DNA from
ever found 400000 year old thigh
bone of human family. This research
has expanded the knowledge of the
human genetics by 300000 years and
also suggests the journey of man
evolution. The thigh bone was found
at a burial site Sima de los Huesos
(Bone Pit) that was preserved in
Spains northern Sierra de Atapuerca
highlands.
The researchers have found that
the mi tochondri al genome of
Denisovans belongs to the extinct
relatives of Neanderthals in Asia. The
researchers at the Max Pl anck
Insti tute for Evol uti onary
Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany,
have determined an almost complete
mitochondrial genome sequence of
a 400000 year old representative of
the genus Homo. The researchers
sampled two grams of bone powder
extracted from a femur and
sequenced the genome of
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which
is passed down along the maternal
line. Further, they compared the
code with the modern humans, apes,
Neanderthals and their sister group,
Denisovans. In the result they found
that the Spanish hominins were more
closely related to the geographically
more distant Denisovans than to
Neanderthals. The bone pit (Sima de
los Huesos) is a cave site in Northern
Spain that has given the largest
assembly of Middle Pleistocene
hominin fossils of the world, which
consist of 28 skeletons.
Potential mal aria vaccine
di scovered
Researchers have discovered a
key process during the invasion of the
blood cell by the Malaria parasite, and
have found a way to block this
invasion. With this new knowledge,
the scientists from Singapores
Nanyang Technological University
(NTU) are looking to collaborate with
the industry on a vaccine against
malaria which can be developed
withi n the next five years i f
accel erated by vacci ne
development companies. Lead
scientist Professor Peter Preiser said
his teams scientific breakthrough will
be instrumental in paving the way
towards eradicating Malaria in the
long run. The parasitic diseases
expert said that they have identified
a region of the malaria parasite which
it uses to attach to a healthy blood
cell then pushes itself into the cell.
To prevent thi s invasi on, we
developed antibodies which can
interfere with this invasion process.
So imagine the parasite has the key
to unlock a door to the red blood cell,
but we muck the key up, so no matter
how hard the parasite tries, the door
just refuses to open, the researcher
said. The patented discovery also
opens the doors to new drug targets,
which will allow scientists to develop
more methods to interfere and
disrupt the parasites act of invasion.
This research outcome was made
possible with the development of a
new screening assay that allows the
rapid characterization of parasite
signalling, which is significantly faster
than conventional methods. The study
i s publi shed i n the scientifi c
journal Nature Communications .
Unique cancer call ed
histiocytosis
Team of Doctors at Chennai
performed a surgery on unique
cancer called Histiocytosis found in
the patients food pipe and stomach
and removed it on the third week of
December 2013. The Histiocytosis is
generally believed to affect the
blood cells and is found in the nasal
region of the person. The cancer
escaped several endoscopic and
laparoscopic biopsies and finally
team of doctors from the surgical
gastroenterology department at the
Government General Hospi tal,
Chennai operated the patient and
put the tissues under the microscope,
it showed up as Histiocytosis of the
esophagus and stomach.
First indigenous Thalassaemia
testing kit
The Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) on 17 December
2013 unveiled the first indigenously
developed thalassaemia and sickle
cell anaemia testing kit. The testing
kit was developed by the National
Institute of Immuno Haematology
(NIIH) in Mumbai. The testing kit is a
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
based test that screens for eight
genetic mutations, six of which can
cause thalassaemia and two sickle cell
anaemia.
The kit would bring down the
cost of screening for both the genetic
diseases to a tenth of the 15000
rupees to 20000 rupees in the private
sector. The test costs 4000 rupees in
Al l Indi a Institute of Medical
Sciences (AIIMS).The testing kit
would be of immense help for
premarital and post-pregnancy
counselling. This is because two
carriers of a defective gene have a
25 per cent chance of having a baby
born with thalassaemia. There are 3-
4% (30-40 million) beta thalassaemia
carriers in India and 10000-12000
thalassaemic babies are born every
year and 5000 with si ckle cell
anaemi a. The prevalence i s
between 5 and 15 per cent among
Si ndhi s, Kutchi s, Punj abi s,
Bhanushalis, Jains and Muslims.
Scientists who developed the kit,
meanwhile, rued the fact that a PCR
machine which costs about Rs 1
lakh was available in only 10 per
cent of medical colleges.
About Thalassaemia
Thalassaemia is a group of
inherited blood disorders that affect
the bodys ability to create red blood
cells. In case of thalassaemia bone
marrow does not produce the
haemoglobin causing anaemia and
reducing the oxygen carrying
capacity. There are two types of
thalassaemia that is alpha thalassaemia
and beta thalassaemia.
Indi an Scienti sts devel oped
Insulin Pill for diabetics
The Indian Scientists, National
Insti tute of Pharmaceutical
Education and Research (NIPER)
developed insulin pill for diabetics
in third week of December 2013. The
Scientists developed a long-sought
insulin pill that could spare millions
of diabetics and soughed a way the
delivery of insulin therapy from a jab
to a pill.
The experiments with rats, the
pill lowered blood glucose levels
almost as much as injected insulin and
the effects of the pill lasted longer
than injected insulin. The bodys
digestive enzymes in the body are so
good at breaking down food also
break down insulin before it can get
to work. In addition, insulin does not
get easily absorbed through the gut
into bloodstream. To solve these
problem researchers from National
Insti tute of Pharmaceutical
Education and Research (NIPER) in
Punjab combined two approaches to
shield insulin from the digestive
enzymes and then get it into the
blood.
The team of researchers Ashish
Kumar Agrawal, Harshad Harde,
Kaushik Thanki and Sanyog Jain,
packaged insulin in tiny sacs made of
lipids or fats called liposome.Then
wrapped the liposomes in layers of
protecti ve mol ecul es call ed
polyelectrolytes. To get absorbed and
to transport the layersome across the
intestinal wall into the blood stream
they attached folic acid and a kind of
vitamin B. This was published in
American Chemical Society journal
biomacromolecules, Washington.
First Trajectory Correction
Manoeuvre of Mangalyaan
performed
The first Trajectory Correction
Manoeuvre (TCM) of Spacecraft of
Indias maiden interplanetary mission
to Mars was carried out successfully
at 06:30 hrs (IST) on 11 December
2013. The TCM was fired by the 22
Newton Thrusters for duration of 40.5
seconds. The spacecraft at present
is travelling at a distance of about 29
lakh (2.9 million) km away from
Earth. The correction has been done
to fine tune the trajectory path of the
spacecraft to keep it travelling in the
intended track towards Mars (red
planet). To place the spacecraft on a
right path the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) has planned four
Trajectory Correction Manoeuvres for
Manglayan for its journey to Mars.
They oeuvres are needed to
keep the spacecraft on the required
path. It is also essential for maintaining
the required velocity. Mangalyaan is
on a 680 million km voyage to Mars.
The Spacecraft moved out from the
orbi t of Earth on 1 December
2013. The 1350 kilogram Mars Craft
was successfully injected into the
orbit around earth from the national
space agencys PSLV C 25 from the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre at
Sriharikota. It was launched on the 5
November 2013 and it is expected
that the spacecraft will reach to the
Martian orbit by 24 September 2014.
Mars rover got Software
Upgrade
NASA engi neers have
upgraded the Software of the NASAs
Mars rover Curiosity 20 December
2013. The NASA team i s now
planning to check the wear and tear
on the wheels of the rover.
As per Jim Erickson of NASAs
jet Propulsion Laboratory project
manager for the NASA Mars Science
Laboratory Project, Curiosity is now
operating on version 11 of its flight
software. Since 16 month of landing
of Curiosity on Mars, this is the third
upgrade version. Completing the
switch from Version 10 took about a
week NASA said. An earlier switch
to versi on 11 prompted an
unintended reboot on 7 November
and a return to version 10, but the
latest transition went smoothly. The
upgrades in Curiosity have allowed
advances in its capabilities like
versi on 11 has expanded the
capabilities of robotic arm of Curiosity
at the time, when it is at slope. It has
also improved its flexibility to store
the information overnight to use in
resuming autonomous driving on a
second day. An upcoming activity
would be driven to a relatively smooth
patch of ground to take a set of
images of Curiositys aluminum
wheels, by the use of Mars Hand Lens
Imager (MAHLI) camera at the end
of the rovers arm. NASAs Mars
Science Laboratory Project is using
Curiosity inside Gale Crater to assess
ancient habitable environments and
maj or changes i n Martian
environmental conditions. JPL, a
division of the California Institute of
Technology in Pasadena, built the
rover and manages the project for
NASAs Science Mission Directorate
in Washington.
Why are we advised not to
breathe through our mouth?
Two important functions of the
nose are, as a respiratory passage and
organ of smell. Receptors for smell are
placed in the upper one-third of
nasal cavity and this part is lined by
olfactory (related to smell) mucosa.
Rest of the nasal cavity is lined by
respiratory mucosa. Filtering or
cleaning functions of the nose are
carried out by hair in the nostrils,
mucous blanket covering the nasal
cavity and the cilia present in the nasal
epithelial covering. Hairs in the
nostrils strain out many foreign
parti cl es greater than100
micrometres. Most of the remaining
particles of this size are settled on the
mucous membrane of the nose and
the throat. Mucous blanket is a sheet
of secretion of mucous secreting
glands of the nose. This blanket traps
the foreign particles which are
removed. Particles of size 2-10
micrometres entering the lower
airway are also removed away from
the lungs by the ciliary escalator
which is present from nose up to the
lower airways. When ciliary motility is
defective, mucous transport is virtually
absent and this leads to chronic
sinusiti s and recurrent l ung
infections. Nasal mucosa can cool or
warm the inspired air so that very hot
or very cold air is at or near the body
temperature by the time it reaches
the lungs. Relative humidity of the
atmospheric air depends on various
climatic conditions.
Air is dry in winter and saturated
with moisture in summer. Nasal
mucosa adjust the relative humidity
of the inspired air to 75 per cent or
more. Water to saturate the air is
provide by the serous and mucous
secretions. Curved bony projections
from the inner side of nose called as
nasal conchae or turbinates play a
significant role in the above said
functions of the nose by providing a
larger surface area. Nasal breathing
also has a vital role in preserving the
oro-facial structural and functional
harmony. Mouth breathers breath
orally even in relaxed and restful
situations.
To begin with, new born child
is an obligatory nasal breather. Mouth
breathing is an acquired habit which
is learnt either as a mere habit or due
to various anatomic reasons like
obstructing nasal airway or short
upper lip. Oral breathing causes
drying of gums (gingiva) of the upper
front teeth and this predisposes to
redness, swelling and easily bleeding
tendency of gums called as gingivitis.
Sali va i s evaporated due to
continuous airflow through the mouth
which will lead to dryness and
promotes dental decay(dental
caries).
Chinas first lunar rover
landed on Moon
The first lunar rover of China,
which was carried by an unmanned
remotely piloted spacecraft Change-
3 was deployed successfully on moon
on 14 December 2013. The lunar
rover has been named Jade Rabbit
(called Yutu in Chinese). Change-3
was blasted off on a Long March-3B
carrier rocket. The Chinese moon
exploration has made it one of the
only three nations that have soft
landed on the surface of moon after
United States and the Soviet Union.
In past three decades, China is the
first country to do so. Earlier, Luna 24
Probe of Soviet Union was the last
space mission to land on moon in
August 1976. It landed after four
years after the launch of the manned
Apollo 17 mission by United States.
About the lunar rover - Jade
Rabbi t
It is a six-wheeled lunar rover
It is equipped with four cam-
eras and two mechanical legs,
which can dig the soil samples,
up to a depth of 30 meters
For at least for next three
months, the solar-powered
rover will patrol the moons sur-
face to study the structure of
lunar crust, soil and rocks
It weighs 140 kilograms and
carries an optical telescope for
astronomical observations
It also have a powerful ultravio
let camera to monitor the ef-
fects of solar activity on various
layers of Earths atmosphere
namely troposphere, strato-
sphere and ionosphere
Radioisotope heater units of the
rover will help it to be functional
during cold lunar nights, the
time when the temperature of
moon goes down up to -180C
As per the Shanghai Aerospace
Systems Engineering Research
Institute, the rover can climb the
slopes up to 30 degrees and it
can travel at 200 meters per
hour
China has been increasingly
ambitious in developing its space
programmes, for military, commercial
and scientific purposes.
ISROs SDSC to be shifted
Sati sh Dhawan Space
Centre(SDSC) , Sriharikota , the
satellite launching centre of ISRO
would be shift its northern boundary
to make a way for the oil exploration.
The consortium of Cairn India , Tata ,
ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corp ) had
to explore oil and Gas in Bay of
Bengal. ISRO woul d shift the
boundary of the prohibited zone
seven kilometers south to permit
exploration drilling by operator Cairn.
The consortium had put in $31 million
in exploring block PR-0SN-2004/1 in
Palar basin. As the consortium claims
that a site in the zone has best chance
of establishing petroleum system. It
was held for huge potential to attract
investors in the future. ISRO had
stopped effective exploration in last
two years as DoS(Department Of
Space) refused to give drilling
permission as the site was within 10-
km radius of Satish Dhawan Space
Centre a strategic zone in terms of
national security. The DoS had
maintained for years that there was a
vulnerability of radio frequency
interference as well as the risk of
space debris fall i ng on any
i nstall ati ons that come up for
exploration.
Sati sh Dhawan Space Centre
The Satish Dhawan Space
Centre is the launch centre for the
Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO). It is located in Sriharikota,
Andhra Pradesh, 80 km north of
Chennai. Originally called Sriharikota
High Altitude Range (SHAR) and then
Sriharikota Launching Range, the
centre was renamed in 2002 after the
death of ISROs former chairman
Satish Dhawan.
Sperm-based biobots
created in Germany
Scientists led by Oliver Schmidt
created the biological robots or
biobots powered by sperm in the
Institute for Integrative Nanosciences
in Dresden, Germany on December
2013. It is also called as biohybrid
micro-robot. The researchers created
magnetic nanotubes that were 50
microns long by 5 to 8 microns in
diameter and dropped these into a
fluid containing bull sperm. The
tubes were narrower at one end to
stop the sperm from escaping and
can be rotated by using magnetic
fields. The tail-like flagellum of the
sperm cell sticks outside the end of
the tube and power the bibot like a
propeller.
Benefi ts
These biobots can be used to
guide individual sperm or to deliver
targeted doses of drugs or fertilizing
an egg.
Schmidt Said that sperm cells
are an attractive option because they
are harmless to the human body, do
not require an external power source
and swam through viscous liquids. Till
now researchers has only managed
to persuade groups of cells to
cooperate with the help of chemical
gradients and magnetic fields.
EXTREME ADAPTATI ON OF
BURMESE PYTHON
The Burmese pythons ability to
ramp up its metabolism and
enlarge its organs to swallow and
digest prey whole can be traced
to unusually rapid evolution and
specialized adaptations of its
genes and the way they work.
RECYCLED PLASTIC KILLS
DRUG-RESI STANT FUNGI
Researchers have converted
polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
widely used to make plastic
bottl es into a non-toxi c
biocompatible material with
superior fungal killing properties,
which is a potential life-saver.
STUDI ES TO
IMPROVE COCHLEAR IMPLANTS
Researchers are investigating the
implementation of signals in the
auditory nerve and the subsequent
neuronal processing in the brain.
Using computer models, better
cochl ear impl ants may be
manufactured.
NEW, LONG-LIVED GREENHOUSE GAS
FOUND
Perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA)
a novel chemical lurking in the
atmosphere, is the most radiatively
efficient chemical found to date,
breaki ng all other chemi cal
records for its potential to impact
climate.
EARTH WILL LOSE ITS OCEANS IN A
BI LLION YEARS
The natural increase in solar
luminosity a very slow process
unrelated to current climate
change will cause temperatures
to rise over the next few 100
mi ll i on years, resulti ng i n
evaporation of the oceans.
NO LION THREAT TO CHEETAH CUBS
Cheetah cubs in the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park were seven
times more likely to survive than in
Serengeti and lions were not the
main threat.
NEW MEANS OF GROWING INTESTINAL
STEM CELLS
Researchers have shown that they
can grow unlimited quantities of
intestinal stem cells, then stimulate
them to develop into nearly pure
populations of different types of
mature intestinal cells.
2012 SOLAR STORM POINTS UP NEED
FOR PREPARATI ON
A massive ejection of material from
the sun that narrowly missed Earth
last year is an event solar scientists
hope wil l open the eyes of
poli cymakers regardi ng the
impacts and mitigation of severe
space weather.
GENE RESPONSI NG TO
COCAINE IDENTI FI ED
Scientists have identified a gene
that may determine the intensity
of our response to cocaine. The
gene determines how mammals
respond to cocaine.
MOUSE INHERITS LEARNED
SENSITIVI TY TO SMELL
When a mouse learns to become
afraid of a certain odor, his or her
pups will be more sensitive to that
odor, even though the pups have
never encountered it.
ANCIENT LAKE BED ON MARS WAS
IDEAL FOR LIFE
The clay-bearing Yellowknife Bay
habitat, scoured by Mars rover
Curiosity, an ancient lakebed,
consi sted of water that was
neither too acidic nor too salty, and
had the right mix of elements to
be an energy source for life.
UNCERTAINTY IN FORESTS ROLE AS
CARBON SINK
The length of time carbon remains
in vegetation during the global
carbon cycle i s the key
uncertainty in predicting how
Earths terrestrial plant life and
consequently almost all life will
respond to higher CO{-2}levels.
KI WI PROBABLY ORIGINATED IN
AUSTRAL I A
New Zealands iconic kiwi bird
probably descended from an
ancestor that flew in from Australia.
It did not evolve from the extinct
giant moabut was more closely
related to emu. Kiwi and emu
evolved from a common ancestor,
which originated in Australia.
DESIGNER SPERM LEADS TO
CUSTOM GENES
Introducing new genetic material
via a viral vector into the sperm of
mice leads to the presence and
activity of those genes in the
resulting embryos. If successful in
humans this discovery could
advance genetic medicine.

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India - South Africa test
Seri es
South Africa on 30 December
2013 clinched the two match series
with India in Durban 1-0. It defeated
India by 10 wickets in the second
cricket test to win the series. In the
second inning of the match, India
gave a 58 runs target to chase on the
fifth day. It was all out on 223 runs in
the second innings in which Ajinkya
Rahane scored 96 runs. For South
Africa, Robin Peterson claimed four
wickets while Dale Steyn and Vernon
Philander took three each.
Brief Scores
India: 334 and 223 all out
South Africa: 500 and 59 for
no loss
in the longest format in his farewell
match. Now, he is behind Sachin
Tendulkar (15921) and Ricky Ponting
(13378) in the all-time list. Retiring
South African all-rounder Jacques
Kallis was given a guard of honour by
the Indian players as he walked out
to bat in the second and final Test at
Kingsmead on 29 December 2013.
CRICKET
Man of t he Mat ch: Dal e
Steyn
Man of the Seri es: AB De
Villers
Jacques Kallis, who was playing
his last Test hit a superb 115 runs in
the first innings. With this knock he
surpassed Rahul Dravid of India as the
third highest run-getter 13289 runs
India - South Africa ODI series
South Africa on 11 December 2013 won the three one day match cricket
Sports
series 2-0 against India. The third
match played on Centurion was
washed away due to rain, after South
Africa scored 301 runs for 8 in 50
overs. Q de Kock of South Africa was
selected as the Player of the series.
The previ ous two one day
international matches were won by
South Africa. In the second match
South Africa defeated India by 134
runs at Kingsmead, Durban and in the
first match India was defeated by 141
runs at New Wanderers Stadium,
Johannesburg, while chasing massive
score on 358.
ICC Annual Awards
The Indian cricketer and a Rising
Test batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara on
13 December 2013 bagged the
Emerging Cricketer of the Year trophy
at the ICC Annual awards announced
in Dubai. This is the first ever ICC
Award for Pujara. He became the
second fastest Indian to score 1000
Test runs during the course of his
double hundred against Australia on
March at Hyderabad. He put on the
board 370-run record second wicket
partnership with Murali Vijay. Pujara,
the 25 year old cricketer has scored
1310 runs in 15 tests with an average
of 65.50. Apart from Pujara, the
Captain of Indian cricket team
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the Indian
to win ICC Annual award and he got
LG Peopl es Choi ce Award.
Australian captain Michael Clarke was
the winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers
trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year
and was also named as the ICC Test
Cricketer of the Year. In total, there
were eleven individual awards.
the fifth day of the first cricket test
match against South Africa i n
Johannesburg at the Wanderers
Stadium.
With the 300 wickets, Zaheer
joined the club of bowlers of India,
who has taken 300 wickets namely
Kapil Dev (434 wickets), Anil Kumble
(619 wickets) and Harbhajan Singh
(413 wickets). He also became the
most successful left arm fast bowler
after Wasim Akram of Pakistan (414
wickets) and Chaminda Vaas of Sri
Lanka (355 Wickets).
About Zaheer Khan
Zaheer has taken 282 wickets
in 200 one day international
matches
17 wi ckets i n Twenty20
Internationals
Zaheer was the highest wicket-
taker for India in the 2011
World Cup
In 2011, he was conferred with
the Arjuna Award, the second
highest sporting award of In-
dia
In 2008, he was selected as the
Wisden Cricketer of the Year
He debuted in the International
one days and test matches in
2000
He has pl ayed for
Worcestershire i n County
Cricket
He plays for Mumbai in Indian
domestic cricket
ICC ODI rankings
retained its top position in the latest
ICC ODI rankings. India topped the
The full list of winners is:
ICC Cricketer of the Year
(Si r Garfi el d Sobers Tro-
phy) Michael Clarke (Aus-
tralia)
ICC Test Cricketer of the
Year Michael Clarke (Aus-
tralia)
ICC Womens ODI Cri ck-
eter of the Year Suzie
Bates (New Zealand)
ICC ODI Cri cketer of the
Year Kumar Sangakkara (Sri
Lanka)
ICC Emerging Cricketer of
t he Year Cheteshwar
Pujara (India)
ICC Associate and Affiliate
Cri cket er of t he Year
Kevin OBrien (Ireland)
I CC Twent y20 I nt er na-
tional Performance of the
Year Umar Gul (Pakistan)
ICC T20I Womens Cri ck-
eter of the Year Sarah
Taylor (England)
I CC Spi r i t of Cri cket
Award Mahel a
Jayawardena (Sri Lanka)
I CC Umpi re of t he Year
(wi nning the Davi d Shep-
herd Trophy) Ri chard
Kettleborough
LG Peoples Choice MS
Dhoni
The award function was hosted
by Ri cky Ponting, the former
Australian Captain. Ponting is the
winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers
Trophy in 2006 and 2007 and was
the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in
2006. Apart from this he was also
appointed captain of ICCs ODI Team
of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Zaheer 4th Indian bowler to
claim 300 wickets in Test
cri cket
Zaheer Khan on 22 December
2013 became the fourth Indian
bowler to claim 300 wickets in Test
Cricket. Jacques Kallis was his 300th
wicket in international test cricket on
Sports
rankings table with 120 points, which
is followed by Australia with 114
rating points. The latest ICC ranking
was released in Dubai. Even after,
the dismal performance against South
Africa, the Indian team was able to
stick on the number one position
because of the games played by it
on the home ground. Apart from this,
in the player rankings released A.B.
Devilliers of South Africa moved
ahead of Virat Kohli as the Worlds
number one Batsman. The Indian
Cricket captain, M.S. Dhoni was
placed at number six and the Shikhar
Dhawan was placed at tenth position
in the rankings chart. In the bowlers
rankings, Indian bowler Ravindra
Jadeja was pushed on the seventh
place in the ranking chart. Saeed
Ajmal, the Pakistan spinner was
placed at number 1 and is followed
by the South African pace man, Dale
Steyn. In the category of Al l
Rounders, Shaki b Al Hasan of
Bangladesh retained his number one
position and was followed by Shane
Watson of Australia. Ravindra Jadeja
of India was placed at fifth position
in the rankings.
Star India new Official
Sponsor of Indian Cricket
Star India replaced Sahara India
as the new Official Sponsor of Indian
cricket team. This was declared by
the Board of Cricket Control in India
(BCCI) at a meeting held in Chennai
on 9 December 2013. Star India
Private Limited was awarded with the
Team Sponsorship Rights that will
cover BCCI Events, ICC Events and
ACC Events. The sponsorship rights
will be for a period of three years
starting from 1 January 2014 to 31
March 2017. According to the
Boards Marketing Committee, Rights
include the right to be called the
`Official Team Sponsor` and to display
a commercial logo on the team
clothing of the Senior Men`s Cricket
Team, the U-19 Men`s Cricket Team,
the Men`s A-Team and the Women`s
Team. Although the BCCI has slashed
the base price to Rs 1.5 crore from Rs
2.5 crore three years ago, the Star
India will have to shell out Rs. 1.92
crore per match organized by the
Board. The total amount bid by Star
India stood at Rs. 203 crore. Star India
i s the Ti tl e Sponsor for BCCI
international and domestic matches
for the period October 2013 to 31
March 2014, as well as the Holder of
the Broadcast, Internet and Mobile
Rights of cricket in India, for the
period July 2012-March 2018.
Graeme Swann retired
Engl and spinner Graeme
Swann announced his retirement
from international and first-class
cricket midway through the Ashes
ICC ONE DAY
INTERNATI ONAL TEAM RANKINGS
Ra nk Te a m Mat c he s Poi nt s Ra t i ng
1 India 58 6967 120
2 Australia 42 4808 114
3 England 42 4671 111
4 Sri Lanka 51 5605 110
5 South Africa 44 4825 110
6 Pakistan 53 5279 100
7 West Indies 44 3958 90
8 New Zealand 34 2899 85
9 Bangladesh 26 2165 83
1 0 Zimbabwe 26 1439 55
ICC T20 team Rankings
Ra nk Te a m Mat c he s Qf y Matches Poi nt s Ra t i ng
1 Sri Lanka 20 24 2570 129
2 India 15 19 1843 123
3 South Africa 23 29 2818 123
4 Pakistan 30 40 3638 121
5 West Indies 17 22 2041 120
6 England 21 28 2357 112
7 Australia 20 26 2047 102
8 New Zealand 21 27 2139 102
9 Ireland 9 14 783 87
1 0 Bangladesh 11 15 791 72
Top 10 Batsmen in One Day
Internati onal Cri cket
I D Ra t . Na me
1 872 A.B. de Villiers
2 859 V. Kohli
3 839 H.M. Amla
4 835 G.J. Bailey
5 830 K.C. Sangakkara
6 789 M.S. Dhoni
7 766 T.M. Dilshan
8 754 I.J.L. Trott
9 722 Misbah-ul-Haq
1 0 717 S Dhawan
Top 10 Bowlers in One Day
Internati onal Cri cket
I D. Ra t . Na me
1 . 763 Saeed Ajmal
2 . 742 D.W. Steyn
3 . 730 S.P. Narine
4 . 708 S.T. Finn
5 . 696 J.M. Anderson
6 . 695 H.M.R.K.B. Herath
7 . 692 R.A. Jadeja
8 . 674 L.L. Tsotsobe
9 . 673 M. Morkel
1 0 . 670 M.G. Johnson
Sports
Series on 22 December 2013. The
surprise announcement came days
after England lost the coveted Ashes
in the third Test in Perth to fall 3-0
behind in the five-test series.Swann
had long been Australias Ashes
tormentor.
He pl ayed a key rol e i n
Englands run of three successive
series wins against their arch-rivals
Australia. He topped the bowling
table with 26 wickets in the Ashes
Test series held in 2012 in England.
England won the series by 3-0
margin. In the process, he became
the first English spinner since Hedley
Verity in 1934 to take five wickets in
an Ashes Test innings at Lords.About
SwannSwann made his test debut
against India at Chennai in 2008
wherein he took four wickets.He
retires as the sixth highest Test
wicket-takers of England. He took
255 wickets from his 60 matches at
an average of 29.96.He has taken
more wickets since his debut in
December 2008 than any other
bowler in Test cricket, including Dale
Steyn and James Anderson.He also
took 104 wickets in 79 one-day
internationals at an average of 27.76
after making his debut against South
Africa in Bloemfontein in 2000 at the
age of 20.He took 51 T20 wickets in
39 T20 matches at an average of
16. 84. In additi on, he helped
England clinch their first major global
worl d ti tle at the 2010 Worl d
Twenty20 i n the Cari bbean.
Englands highest Test wicket-
takers383: Ian Botham329: James
Anderson325: Bob Willis307: Fred
Trueman297: Derek Underwood255:
Graeme Swann252: Brian Statham
About Swann
Swann made his test debut
against India at Chennai in 2008
wherein he took four wickets. He
retired as the sixth highest Test
wicket-takers of England. He took
255 wickets from his 60 matches at
an average of 29.96. He has taken
more wickets since his debut in
December 2008 than any other
bowler in Test cricket, including Dale
Steyn and James Anderson. He also
took 104 wickets in 79 one-day
internationals at an average of 27.76
after making his debut against South
Africa in Bloemfontein in 2000 at the
age of 20. He took 51 T20 wickets in
39 T20 matches at an average of
16. 84. In additi on, he helped
England clinch their first major global
worl d ti tle at the 2010 Worl d
Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
Shane Shil lingford suspended
by ICC for illegal Bowling
acti on
The Internati onal Cri cket
Council (ICC) on 16 December 2013
suspended Shane Shill ingford,
the West Indies offspinner, from
bowling in international cricket after
his action was found illegal. Another
West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels,
who is a part-time offspinner, also has
been prohibited from bowling
quicker deliveries in international
cricket. Both the players were
reported for suspect action on 16
November 2013, during the second
Test against India in Mumbai. They
underwent biomechanical analysis in
Perth on 29 November 2013. An ICC
statement stated that an
independent biomechanical analysis
had reveal ed that for both
Shillingfords standard off-break
delivery and his doosra, the amount
of elbow extension in his bowling
action exceeded the 15 degrees
level of tolerance permitted under
the ICC regul ations. Shane
Shillingford will remain suspended
until he submits a fresh analysis that
proves his action has been corrected.
Shane Shillingford had earlier been
suspended from bowl i ng i n
international cricket in December
2010, a month after being reported
for a suspect bowling action on West
Indi es tour of Sri Lanka. He
underwent remedial action on his
bowling and was cleared by the ICC
in June 2011. Shane Shillingford,
(born 22 February 1983) is a West
Indian cricketer who plays first-class
and List A cricket for the West Indies
cricket team. He played 14 Tests
(debut 2010, 65 wickets).
ICC Test ranking
South Africa fast bowler Vernon
Philander declared on the No. 1
position in the latest ICC Test rankings
in bowling and batting released on
24 December 2013. Virat Kohli and
Faf du Plessis, had moved in the right
directi on on rankings for Test
batsmen. Philander recorded figures
of four for 61 and three for 68, Steyn
managed just one wicket. The
contrasting performances resulted in
Philander gaining 13 ratings points
and Steyn conceding 13 ratings
points. Steyn was on this position from
july 2009. Philander is now the
seventh South Africa bowler to claim
the number-one rank after Aubrey
Faulkner (1914-1921), Hugh Tayfield
(1955-1958), Peter Pollock (1969),
Allan Donald (1998-1999), Shaun
Pollock (1999-2003) and Dale Steyn
(2008-2013). Kohli, who stroked 119
and 96, has jumped nine places to a
career-best 11th position, du Plessiss
134 in the second innings has helped
Sports
him rocket 16 places to a best-ever
28th position. Of the other two
century-makers in the Test, number-
one ranked AB de Villiers and Indias
Cheteshwar Pujara have consolidated
their number-one and number-seven
spots, respectively. The ICC Player
Rankings are a widely followed system
of rankings for international cricketers
based on their recent performances.
Team Rankings :
Ra nk Te a m Ra t i ng
1. South Africa 131
2. India 119
3. England 116
4. Pakistan 102
5. Australia 101
6. Sri Lanka 88
7. West Indies 87
8. New Zealand 82
9. Zimbabwe 34
10. Bangladesh 18
Top 10 Bats men i n Test
I D Rat. Na me
1 909 A.B. de Villiers
2 898 H.M. Amla
3 868 M.J. Clarke
4 866 K.C.Sangakkara
5 854 S. Chanderpaul
6 835 R.L. Taylor
7 801 C.A. Pujara
8 783 Misbah-ul-Haq
9 771 G.C. Smith
10 769 Younus Khan
Top 10 Bowl ers i n Test
I D Ra t . Na me
1 912 V.D.Philander
2 890 D.W.Steyn
3 831 H.M.R.K.B.Herath
4 824 Saeed Ajmal
5 808 R. Ashwin
6 796 R.J. Harris
7 786 P.M. Siddle
8 756 P.P. Ojha
9 745 S.C.J. Broad
10 719 T.A. Boult
High altitude cricket stadium
inaugurated in Kerala
South Indias first high altitude
cricket stadium was inaugurated on
17 December 2013 at Krishnagiri in
Waynad district of Kerala. The stadium
was inaugurated by Kerala Governor
Nikhil Kumar. This is the second
cri cket ground i n India after
Dharamsala stadium to be located as
such height. The stadium spreads
over 4.4 hectares area and is situated
at about 2800 feet above the sea
level.
The Kerala Cricket Association
had invested 6.5 crore rupees for
construction of the stadium. The
stadium has all amenities on par with
international standards and can
accommodate about 10, 000
spectators.
Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime
Achi evement award 2013
Kapil Dev, the Former Captain
and legendary All-rounder of Indian
Cricket Team on 18 December 2013
selected for the BCCIs prestigious
Col. CK Nayudu Li feti me
Achievement award for the year
2013. Kapil Dev had played 131 Tests
for India taking 434 wickets. He was
the first player to complete 5000 runs
and 400 wickets in Tests. He played
225 ODIs, in which he took 253
wickets and scored 3783 runs. His
most memorable contribution to
Indian cricket was the victory in the
1983 World Cup. Sunil Gavaskar won
this award for the year 2012. Other
cricketers to have bagged the
coveted award include, Mohinder
Amarnath, Ajit Wadekar, Mohinder
Amarnath, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi,
Lala Amarnath, Syed Mushtaq Ali and
Capt. Vijay Hazare.
About Col. CK Nayudu and
the Lifetime Achievement
Award
Col. CK Nayudu Li feti me
Achievement Award, comprises a
trophy, a citation and a cheque of 25
lakh Rupees.
This award, named after Indias
fi rst Test captai n, i s gi ven to
individuals whose contribution to
Indian cricket, on and off the field by
BCCI. Col. CK Nayudu or Cottari
Kanakaiya Nayudu was the first
captain of Indian Cricket Team in Test
Matches, and he played the first class
cricket for India till 1958. The ruler of
Holkar in 1923 conferred him with the
honour of Colonel in Holkars Army at
Indore. Nayudu was appointed as
the first captain of Indian team for its
first test tour of England in 1932 after
the previously appointed captain and
vice-captain of the team, Maharaja of
Porbandar and Ghanshyamsinhji of
Limbdi respectively were out of the
series due to health problems.
TENNIS
Stefan Edberg to join Roger
Federers coachi ng team
Roger Federer on 28 December
2013 announced that Stefan Edberg,
the former Swedish tennis player will
join his coaching team in 2014. Stefan
Edberg will join the long-time coach
Severin Luthi as part of his team
before the start of first grand slam
(Australian Open) in 2014. Edberg
will train to Federer for a short period
of time across the year and Luthi the
person who is training Federer for past
7 years will coach him for the most
time. Edberg who will coach Rogar
Federer in January 2014 has been his
Sports
childhood hero. Federer, who is the
17 times major winner ranks at sixth
position at present.
Stefan Edberg
Stefan Bengt Edberg was born
on 19 January 1966
He is a former world no. 1 pro-
fessional tennis player in both
singles and doubles from Swe-
den
From 1985 to 1996, Edberg
had won six grand slam singles
title and three grand slams in
double titles, which includes
Australian Open in 1985 and
1987, Wimbledon in 1988 and
1990 and US Opens in 1991
and 1992
He was a part of the Swedish
Davis Cup winning team for four
times
He has won the Masters Grand
Prix
He has won four Masters Series
titles and four Championship
Series titles
HOCKEY
Mens Junior Hockey World
Cup 2013
Germany on 15 December 2013
lifted the Mens Junior Hockey World
Cup for a record sixth time. In the
title clash at New Delhi, defending
champi ons Germany defeated
France, 5-2 to retain the title. For
the Germans, Nilkas Wellen scored
the hat-trick goals with Jonas Gomoll
and Christopher Ruhr being the other
goal scorers. For France, Gaspard
Baumgarten scored both the goals.
In another match, the Netherlands
beat Malaysia, 7-2 to finish third in the
tournament. The Indian team finished
at the 10th spot, after losing to
Pakistan in penalties in the 9th-10th
position match on 14 December
2013.
Final Positions: 1. Germany,
2. France, 3. The Netherlands, 4.
Malaysia, 5. Australia, 6. Belgium, 7.
New Zealand, 8. Korea, 9. Pakistan,
10. India, 11. Argentina, 12. South
Africa, 13. Spain, 14. England, 15.
Egypt, 16. Canada.
Individual Awards:
Player of the final: Ni kl as
Wellen (Germany).
Player of the
Tournament: Chri stopher Rhr
(Germany)
Goal -keeper of the
Tournament: Edgar Reynaud
(France)
Top Scorer: Chri st opher
Rhr (Germany), 9 goals
Goal of the Tournament: Jean-
Laurent Ki ef f er (France),
Argent i na vs. France, 3rd
French goal (48th minute)
The Junior Hockey world Cup
2013 was held in New Delhi, India
from 6-15 December 2013. A total of
16 teams were participated in this
tournament.
About Mens Junior Hockey
World Cup
The Mens Juni or Hockey
World Cup also known as the Roger
Danet Trophy is an international field
hockey competition organised by the
International Hockey Federation
(FIH). The tournament was first held
at France in 1979. Since 1985 it has
been hel d every four years.
Competitors must be under the age
of 21 as of December 31 in the year
before the tournament is held.
FOOTBALL
Under-17 FIFA World Cup
2017 in India
India was chosen as the host
country for Under-17 FIFA World
Cup in 2017 by the FIFA executive
committee in its meeting at Salvador
de Bahia in Brazil on 5 December
2013. By virtue of being the host
country, India will take part in the 24-
nation tournament for the first time in
its history. This will be the biggest
ever football tournament in the
Sports
country as this is the first FIFA event
i n the countrys hi story. The
tournament comprises 24 teams and
it will be held in six cities across India
Including New Delhi.
The Uni on cabinet has
sanctioned the 125 crore rupees for
i nfrastructure development.
Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Ireland and
South Africa were the other bidders
of the 2017 edition.
Unlike the senior mens and
womens world cups which are held
every four years, Under 17 world cup
conducted every two years. The
Under 17 world cup started in 1985
with China hosting the first edition.
Saudi Arabia is the only Asian country
to have won this tournament in 1989.
Japan, South Korea and the UAE are
the other Asian countries to have
hosted this tournament. India has
hosted Asian Footbal l
Confederati ons Youth
Championships (Under-20) in 2006
and then the AFC Challenge Cup in
2008 but never has hosted any FIFA
tournament. United Arab Emirates
hosted the tournament this year while
Chile will be the host country for the
2015 edition.
Soccer Club World Cup 2013
Bayern Munich defeated Raja
Casablanca 2-0 in the finals of the third
club World Cup 2013 and became
the new world champions. The
European champions added a record
fifth title to their trophy cabinet at the
tournament of continental champions
to go with the Champions League,
Bundesl iga, German Cup, and
European Super Cup triumphs in
2013. Dante scored early to deflate
the Moroccan hosts at Marrakech
Stadium, and Thiago Alcantara put
the Bavarian side in command with
his goal. Unheralded Raja, which beat
Copa Libertadores champion Atletico
Mineiro in the semifinals, used its
speed on the break and came close
to scoring but ultimately couldnt
keep up with the German champions.
About FIFA
The FIFA Club World Cup,
commonly referred to as the Club
World Cup, is an international
Association football competition
organi zed by the Fdrati on
Internati onal e de Footbal l
Association (FIFA), the sports global
governing body. The championship
was first contested as the FIFA Club
World Championship in 2000. Since
2005, the competition has been held
every year, hosted so far by Brazil,
Japan, the United Arab Emirates and
Morocco.
BRAZUCA unvei led
Brazuka, the official 2014 FIFA
World Cup match ball was unveiled
on 3 December 2013 by
manufacturers Adidas in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. The ball is called the
Brazuca after a public vote by more
than one million football fans in the
host nation Brazil. Brazuca is an
informal local term which means
Brazilian, or relating to a Brazilian
way of life. The ball was named
Brazuca in September 2012 following
a public vote in Brazil involving one
million football fans. The colours of
the ball reflect those of the Brazilian
flag and tournament logo, while the
design is a representation of the
colourful wristbands that Brazilians
often wear. The ball, the successor
to the Adidas Jabulani used at the
2010 World Cup in South Africa, has
already been tested in competitive
international matches, at the Under-
20s World Cup, with a different print
design, and in the friendly between
Sweden and Argentina in February
2014. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will
be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an
i nternati onal mens footbal l
tournament, tournament is scheduled
to be held in Brazil from 12 June to
13 July 2014.
BADMINTON
National Badminton
Championshi p
Ki dambi Srikanth and PV
Sindhu won the mens and womens
titles respectively at the 78th Senior
National Badminton Championship in
Siri Fort Sports Complex at New Delhi
on 23 December 2013. Srikanth won
the mens singles crown of the Senior
National Badminton Championship
by defeating M V Guru Sai Dutt
21-13, 22-20 in the finals.
In the Womens singles, PV
Sindhu defeated the Junior National
Champion Rituparna Das 21-17, 21-
11 in the finals to win the title. In the
mens doubles the second seeded
Pranav Chopra and Akshay Devalkar
beat the top seeds Munnu Atri and
Sumit Reddy 21-19, 21-17 to lift the
title. Womens doubles title was won
by Jwala Gutta and Ashwani
Sports
Badmi nton i n Indi a. Based i n
Lucknow, BAI is an association
registered under the societies act. It
was formed in 1934 and has been
holding national-level tournaments in
India since 1936. BAI has 33 State
Associati ons and 4 other
organizations as its members that
conduct Badminton tournaments and
have a 2x voting power compared to
the 8 affiliate members, who do not
conduct tournaments and have a
single vote each in the association.
Macau Open Badminton
Si ngl es title
Indian shuttler PV Sindhu on 1
December 2013 won the Womens
Singles trophy at the Macau Open
Grand Pri x Gold Badmi nton
Tournament. In the title clash,
Sindhu, defeated seventh seed Li
Michelle of Canada in straight games,
21-15, 21-12. With this victory,
Sindhu has bagged yet another Tier-
III title this season, after her triumph
at the Malaysia Open Grand Prix in
May 2013.
Besides the Malaysia Open
triumph, she also became Indias first
womens singles medallist at the
World Championship in August 2013.
This was Indias first singles medal at
the World Championships since
Prakash Padukone won a bronze in
the 1983 edition.
Punnappa. Jwala and Punnappa
regained the womens doubles
crown for the fi rst time, since
2009. Defending mixed doubles
champions Aparna Balan and Arun
Vi shnu retai ned thei r ti tl e by
defeating Tarun Kona and Ashwini
Ponnappa 21-10 21-17. The second
seeded pair of Jwala and Ashwini
prevailed over top seeds Pradnya
Gadre and Siki Reddy N 21-17 21-
16. 78th Senior National Badminton
Championship-2013 was held from
16 December 2013 to 23 December
2013 in New Delhi. It held five types
of events namely Mens Singles,
Mens Doubles, Womens Single,
Womens Doubl es and Mixed
Doubles.
About Badminton Association
of India (BAI)
Badminton Association of India
(BAI) is the governing body for
KABADDI
Kabaddi World Cup 2013
India defeated Pakistan 48-39
in the Kabaddi World Cup in the final
played at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium
in Ludhiana, Punjab on 14 December
2013. With this win, India retained the
title for fourth consecutive time.
Hardavinder Singh Dulla and Balbir
Singh from India were named as the
Best Raider and Best Stopper of the
tournament, respectively. In the semi-
finals, hosts India crushed England
63-32 while Pakistan beat USA 51-
33. After the end of the final game,
the wi nni ng team Indi a was
presented with a cash reward of two
crore rupees and the runner-up team,
Pakistan won a cash prize of one crore
rupees. The awards were given by
the Chief Guest of the match, Chief
Minister of Pakistans Punjab Shahbaz
Shrief along with Chief Minister of
Punjab Parkash Singh Badal and
Deputy Chief Minister. When the
World Kabaddi Cup concluded, the
Chief Minister of Pakistans Punjab
Mian Shahbaz Shrief promised that
the fifth edition of the Kabaddi Cup
would be held jointly at Lahore and
Ludhiana. Earlier on 13 December
2013, the Indian women Kabbadi
team defeated New Zealand by 49-
21 and received 51 lakh rupees as
winning amount. The last three
editions of the Kabaddi World Cup
have been won by India by defeating
Canada once and Pakistan twice.
Womens Kabaddi World Cup
2013
won the womens Kabaddi World
Cup championship for the third time
in a row, defeating New Zealand 49-
21 in the summit clash in Jalandhar,
Punjab. The Indian womens team led
their New Zealand counterparts for
most part of the match and held out a
strong challenge by the visitors in the
second hal f, on course to a
resounding win.
The Indian team took home a
first-place prize of 1 crore rupees.
Anu Rani was adjudged the best
stopper whil e Ram Bateri was
declared the best raider. Both
received a Maruti Alto car each. In
Earlier matches, India defeated
Pakistan and New Zealand defeated
Denmark respectively in the semi-
finals. In third place match, Denmark
took the third place by 34-33 points,
while Pakistan took the fourth place.
Sports
34th National Archery
Championshi p
Deepika Kumari won her sixth
consecutive title at the 34th National
Archery Championships at JRD Tata
Stadium of PSPB, Jamshedpur on 25
December 2013. Deepi ka by
winning the sixth National title
consecutively has set the record of
winning the most individual titles at
the national meet. Earlier it was Dola
Banerjee who won five national titles.
Archer Krishna Ghatak with seven
consecutive individual titles has the
record of winning most individual
titles.
He won the National titles
between 1975 and 1982. Deepika
Kumari won her sixth consecutive title
at the 34th Nati onal Archery
Championships at JRD Tata Stadium
of PSPB, Jamshedpur on 25
December 2013.
Deepika by winning the sixth
National title consecutively has set
the record of winning the most
individual titles at the national meet.
Earlier it was Dola Banerjee who won
five national titles. Archer Krishna
Ghatak with seven consecutive
individual titles has the record of
winning most individual titles. He
won the National titles between
1975 and 1982.
ARCHERY/SHOOTING
GOLF
Asia-Pacific Junior Golf Team
Ti tl es
India won the boys and girls
team titles in the Asia-Pacific junior
golf championship at the Royal
Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC). It was
Indias first ever victory in the Asia
Pacific Junior Golf Championship. In
the boys category, the team of Viraj
Madappa and Manu Gandas took
India A to win the team title. On the
other hand, in the girls category, the
team of Aditi and Ridhima Dilawari
fashioned India B to win the team
title. In the individual category, Aditi
Ashok lifted the individual title in the
girls category after a thrilling play-off
with second-placed Min-Jou Chen of
Chinese Taipei.
Resul ts
Team Boys
1. India A (Manu Gandas, Viraj
Madappa)
2. Thai land B (Ekthumrong
Luanganuruk, Suradi t
Yongcharoenchai)
3. Chinese Taipei A (Sung I Yu,
Chun An Yu)
Team Girls
1. India B (Ridhima Dilawari,
Aditi Ashok)
2. Chinese Taipei A (Yu-Hsin
Chang, Min-Jou Chen)
3. Chinese Taipei B (Hsin-En
Tsai, Cih-Hui Chen)
Indonesia Open Golf
Tournament 2013
Indian Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar
on 1 December 2013 won the 2013
edition of the Indonesia open at
Jakarta. Bhullar finished 72 holes on
the Pantai Indah Kapuk Course at
Damai Indah Golf at 16-under-par
268. Bhullar, who led the tournament
from the outset with a 64 in his
opening round, finished at 16-under,
three shots ahead of Malaysian
Nicholas Fung and Thail ands
Chapchai Nirat at 13-under. Malaysias
Nicholas Fung (66) finished tied
second al ongsi de Thai l ands
Chapchai Nirat (66).
Bhullars victory also credited
him 135000 dollars in prize money
and jump two places to be placed
fourth in Asias Order of Merit with
total earnings of 462378 Dollars. This
is Bhullars fifth Asian Tour title.
The 2013 edition of Indonesia
Open is one of the tournaments in
the Asian Tour, scheduled from 28
November to 1 December at the
Pantai Indah Kapuk course at Damai
Indah Golf, Jakata.
F1/MOTOR RACING
Sergio Perez joined Sahara
Force Indi a
British-based Sahara Force
India on 12 December 2013 signed
Sergio Perez as race driver for the
team in 2014 and beyond. He has
signed a multi-year contract with the
Force India team.
Earl i er, he
d r o p p e d
England based
McLaren at the
end of the 2013
Formula one season.
About Sergi o Perez
Perez was a member of the
Ferrari Driver Academy until
2012 and took his first Formula
One podium at the 2012 Ma-
laysian Grand Prix
Sports
Perez joined McLaren for the
2013 season by replacing Lewis
Hamilton
Sergio Perez along with the
German Nico Hulkenberg will be the
race drivers of Force India for the
team in 2014 and beyond. The two
have finished at 11th and 10th in the
2013 F1 Drivers standi ngs,
respectively.
VARI OUS
Naypyitaw South East Asian
Games

The 27th edition of South East
Asian Games are kicked off in
Naypyitaw, the new state capital of
Myanmar on 11 December 2013.
This is the biggest sporting event in
South East Asia. The games involve
34 events with participation from 11
Countries. More than 1500 medals are
to be given to the winners. The 27th
edition of SEA Games is scheduled
from 11 to 22 December 2013.
Myanmar is hosting the South East
Asian Games after 40 years. Myanmar
was the host for 1961, 2nd SEAP
Game and 1969, 5th Southeast Asian
Peninsular Games (SEAP). The
Theme for this year SEA Game
is: Green, Clean and Friendship
About Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games is a
biannual multi-sport event involving
participants from the current 11
countries of Southeast Asia. The
games are under regulation of the
Southeast Asian Games Federation
with supervision by the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) and the
Olympic Council of Asia. In order to
participate, all athletes must be
entered by their National Olympic
Committee. The previous edition- the
26th South East Asian Games were
held in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011.
The first edition of SEA games were
held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1959.
Delhi Half Marathon 2013
Ethi opian runner Atsedu
Tsegay on 15 December 2013 won
the Mens Delhi Half Marathon
(21.097 km) by creating a new race
record. Tsegay clocked 59 minutes
10 seconds beating the previous
record of 59 minutes 15 seconds
held by Deri ba Merga since
2008. Former junior world champion
Geoffrey Kipsang of Kenya came
second, while his compatriot Wilson
Kiprop finished third. G. Laxman
was the top finisher for India, with a
timing of 1 hour 04 minutes and 44
seconds.
Womens category
In womens category Kenyan
athlete Florence Kiplagat finished on
top with a timing of 1 hour 07 minutes
and 58 seconds. Gladys Cherono
came second, while Lucy Kabuu
finished third. Among the Indian
athletes, Preeja Sreedharan was the
top finisher. She clocked 1 hour 20
minutes 04 seconds. The winners of
the both men and women category
won the prize money of 25000,
18000, and 12000 US Dol lars
respectively according to their top
three positions.
About Airtel Delhi Half
Marathon
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon
is an annual half marathon event held
in New Delhi, India. Established in
2005, it is both an elite runner and
mass participation event. Indian
telecommunicati ons services
company Airtel took the titl e
ownership of the marathon in 2008.
Prior to this, telecom provider
Vodafone had the title sponsorship.
A total of 31000 pl us runners
participated in the 2013 Delhi half
marathon.
Asian Youth & Junior Championships
Sports
Indian Judokas in second week
of December 2013 won silver and
four bronze medals in the Asian Youth
and Junior Championships, which
concluded in Hainan, China. The
junior Indian team comprised of
seven boys and seven girls. The youth
team also comprised of seven girls
and boys. The championship was
held from 11 to 13 December 2013.
The Indian youth team won Silver and
two bronze medals and the junior
team won two bronze medal. Obaid
Al-Anzi, the President Judo Union of
Asia (JUA) opened the 7th Asian
Youth & 14th Asian Junior Judo
Championships 2013 at Hainan,
China.
7th Asian Youth Judo
Championships 2013
As per the schedule the 7th
Asian Youth Judo Championships
2013 concluded on 11 December
2013 at Hainan, China. 17 Nations
parti cipated i n this Youth
Championships. The host country
China won overall Championship by
winning 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze,
and South Korea placed runner-up
by winning 3 Gold and 3 Bronze,
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan placed
third and fourth places.
14th Asian Junior Judo
Championships 2013
The 14th Asian Junior Judo
Championships 2013 concluded on
13 December 2013 at Hainan, China.
95 Men and 60 Women from 19
Nati ons parti ci pated in thi s
Championship. Japan won overall
Championship by winning 10 Gold
and 1 Silver medal, however South
Korea placed runner-up by winning
2 Gold, 2 Silver and 5 Bronze medals,
and Mongolia won 2 Gold and Silver
placed third.
About Judo Union of Asia
Judo Union of Asia came into
existence in the year 1956 with 7
National Judo Federations as its
members. Chinese Taipei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines
and Thailand were the Founding
Members of JUA. The 1st Asian Judo
Championships (Men) was held in the
year 1966 in Manila, Philippines, and
teams from 8 Member National Judo
Federations participated in the
Championships. JUA Membership
has been increasing year by year. By
the end of the year 1970, National
Judo Federations from Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Turkey,
Vietnam, DPR Korea, Burma
(Myammar, at present), Singapore,
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh,
Iran and Syria also joined JUA, thus
expanding the membership to 23.
57th National Shooting
Championshi p
At the 57th National Shooting
Champi onship bei ng hel d at
Tughlakabad on 14 December 2013,
Malaika Goel of Punjab and Prakash
Nanjappa of Karnataka won Gold in
their respective categories. Malaika
won the Gold in womens 10-meter
air pistol whereas Prakash won Gold
in 50-meter free pistol. The 16-year-
old Malaika beat seasoned Harveen
Srao by 5.3 points in the final to win
the gold. Earlier she beat Olympians
Heena Sidhu and Annu Raj Singh to
make the final. Malaika also swept the
junior and youth Gold medals as well,
on the basis of her qualification score
of 385 that had placed her second in
qualification for the womens final.
The 37-year-old Prakash battling
Bells Palsy disease (dryness of eye)
scored a total of 550 to win the Gold
medal in the final.
The Resul ts:
EVENTS POSITION
MEN
50-METER FREE PISTOL
1. Prakash Nanjappa
2. Kapil Kumar
3. Gurpal Singh
JUNIORS
1. Sukhwinder Singh
2. Kapil Kumar
3. Prashant Malik
WOMEN
10-METER AIR PISTOL
1. Malaika Goel
2. Harveen Srao
3. Shreya Gawande
JUNIORS
1. Malaika Goel
2. Nayani Bhardwaj
3. Shreya Gawande
YOUTH
1. Malaika Goel
2. Nayani Bhardwaj
3. Gauri Sheoran
Volgograd rocked ahead of
Olympic Games
A bomb blast took place at the
busy railway station of Volgograd on
29 December 2013. 18 people were
reported dead and more than 50
were critically injured in the attack.
City was rocked by an explosion
detonated by a suicide bomber. A
suicide bomber blew herself up in a
train station in the Russian city of
Volgograd. Russian government had
launched an inquiry into a suspected
act of terror. Volgograd is located 400
miles northeast of Sochi, a Black Sea
resort i n the North Caucasus
Mountains. Sochi is scheduled to
hold Winter Olympics in February
2014.
Vol gograd:
The city of Volgograd was
known as Stalingrad in the Soviet era.
The city of Stalingrad is famous for
the Battle of Stalingrad which took
place in 1942-43 and was a turning
point of the World War II. The Battle
of Stalingrad is one of the most
ferocious and decisive battle fought
in the World War-II. The Battle led to
destruction of German 6th Army and
led to the decline of Axis Forces in
the Eastern Front.
29th Junior National Athletics
Championshi ps
Keral a emerged as the
champion state in the 29th Junior
National Athletics Championships
which concluded on 7 December
2013. The championship was held at
Sree Kanteerava Stadi um i n
Bengaluru. Keral a ended the
competition with a 585 score, way
ahead of the second placed Tamil
Nadu. Haryana was placed third.
Significantly Kerala has been the
champion for 19th time in the 29 year
old history of the event. At the
championship many national records
were broken. The list of athletes who
broke national records in various
events is given below:
Best athl etes of the 29th
National Junior Youth Athletic
Championship
BOYS
U- 20 : Sumi t Mal i k
(Himachal Pradesh 400m)
U- 18 : Nirbhay Singh
(Haryana Discus Throw)
U- 16 : Manki rat Singh
(Punjab Shot Put)
U- 14 : Sourav (Haryna
Shot Put)
GIRLS
U- 20 : Archana Suseendran
(Tamil Nadu 100m)
U- 18 : G. Karthika (Tamil
Nadu Long Jump)
U- 16 : Ti asha Samadder
(West Bengal 400m)
U- 14 : Maharshi Baloda
(Delhi Shot Put).
NAME STATE EVENT RECORD
Swapan Burman West Bengal Girls High Jump (U-18) 1.71 M
Gayathri Shivakumar Kerala Girls High Jump (U-14) 1.55 M
Chandan Bauri West Bengal Boys 400 m (U-16) 48.24 sec
Sahil Mahabali Haryana Boys Long Jump (U-16) 7.27 M
Mahashri Baloda Delhi Boys 3-kg Iron Ball Throw 11.63 M
Athira Suchendran Kerala Youth Girls Triple Jump 12.86 M
Chandan Bauri West Bengal Boys 200-m (U-16) 22.11 sec
Pune International Marathon
Runners from Ethiopia have won the both the mens and womens events in the 28th edition of the Pune
International Marathon on 1 December 2013. Belachew Endale Abayneh won the mens 42.195 km race in 2 hours,
17 minutes and 52 seconds, while Aberu Zewude Tesema claimed the top spot in the womens half distance race
clocking 1 hour, 16 minutes and 54 seconds.
Category First Country Second Country Third Country
Mens
fullmarathon(42km)
Belachew
Endale
Abayneh
Ethopia Ezekiel Cherop Kenya Edisa Merga Eiigu Ethiopia
Mens
halfmarathon(21km)
Habtamu Arga
Wegi
Ethopia YEgon Daniel Cheruiyot Kenya
Melaku Belachew
Bizuneh
Ethiopia
Womens halfmarathon
Aberu Zewude
Tesema
Ethopia
Mestawot Tradesse
Shankutie
Ethopia
Romeha
AleneWoldu
Ethiopia
Mens 10km Man Singh India Arjun Pradhan India Ankit Malik India
Womens 10km Nilam Rajput India Kavit Raut India Lalita Babar India
AAI banned six states and 14 athletes
The Athletics Federation Of India(AFI), after the meeting of Executive committee of AFI on 23 December
2013 had ban six states and 14 athletes for one year. The decision was taken in order to curb the fielding of
overaged athletics. Overall 44 overaged athletes were found in six states and was suspended for one year. The six
states namely Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar , Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh was banned for next season .
Although, these states can take part in national events under the banner of AFI. 14 Athletes were suspended on the
charge of doping for two years. As per provision of constitution of AFI, if the president or secretary desire, the
athletes may be allowed to participate under the banner of AFI.
Athletics Federation of India

The Athletics Federation of
India (AFI) is the apex body in
Athletics in India and is responsible
for conducting Competitions in the
country. It was earlier called as
Amateur Athletic Federation of India
(AAFI). It is associated with both
Asian Athletics Association (AAA)
and International Association of
Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Dopi ng
The use of drugs by athletes,
which can aid performance and give
competitors an unfair advantage is
consi dered unethi cal by most
international sports organizations,
including the International Olympic
Commi ttee. Doping test was
conducted by NADA in India under
the supervision of WADA.
IMET Squash Open 2013
Indian squash player Mahesh
Mangaonkar has won the IMET Open
2013 in the Slovaki an capital
Bratislava on 16 December 2013.
Mahesh, the 19-year-old World No.98
from Mumbai downed defending
champion Greg Lobban, the No.2
seed from Scotland 7-11, 11-8, 11-4,
6-11, 11-7 to take the title. With this
victory Mahesh Mangaonkar also
became the first Indian squash
player to win the IMET Open.
About IMET Squash Open
The IMET Open is the PSA
World Tour Challenger 5 event. The
IMET Open 2013 was held from 12
to 15 December 2013 at the IMET
Squash Centrum in the Slovakia capital
Bratislava. The prize money for the
title winner is 5000 Dollars. This is the
sixth edition of the tournament.
IBSF World Snooker
Championshi ps
Chitra Magimairajan won the
bronze at the IBSF World Snooker
Championship held at Daugvapils,
Latvia. She lost to Wendy Jans of
Belgium 1-4 in the semifinals. In the
final , Wendy Jans successfully
defended her title by defeating
Chunxia Shi of China 5-3. In the mens
final, Zhou Yuelong of China defeated
compatriot Zhao Xintong 8-3 to win
the IBSF title. The next edition of the
IBSF World Snooker Championship
will be held at Bangalore in November
2014. The last edition was held at
Sofia, Bulgaria in 2012.

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Awards and Prizes Awards and Prizes Awards and Prizes Awards and Prizes Awards and Prizes
A
W
A
R
D
S

&

P
R
I
Z
E
S
Sahitya Academy Awards Sahitya Academy Awards Sahitya Academy Awards Sahitya Academy Awards Sahitya Academy Awards
Announced for the year 2013 Announced for the year 2013 Announced for the year 2013 Announced for the year 2013 Announced for the year 2013
T h e
S a h i t y a
A k a d e m i
Awards 2013
w a s
announced on
18 December
2013 by
S a h i t y a
A k a d e m i .
Poetry writers
h a v e
domi n a t e d
the awards
announced in
2013. Eight
books of poetry, four of essays, three
of novels, two each of short stories
and travelogues, one each of
autobiography, memoirs and play
have won the Sahitya Akademi Award
2013. The awards were
recommended by jury members, who
represent 22 Indian languages and
approved by the Executive Board of
the Sahitya Akademi that met under
the Chairmanship of Dr. Vishwanath
Prasad Tiwari, President of the Sahitya
Akademi. Assamese and Gujarati
language awards
will be declared
l ater on. The
books were
selected on the
basis of
recommendations
made by a Jury of
three members
in the concerned
languages in
accordance with
the procedure
laid down for the
p u r p o s e .
According to the
procedure, the
Executive Board declared the
Awards on the basis of unanimous
selections made by the Jurors or
selection made on the basis of
majority vote. The Awards relate to
books first published during the three
years immediately preceding the year
of Award (i.e., between 1 January
2009 and 31 December 2011). The
Award in the form of a casket
containing an engraved copper-
plaque, a shawl and a cheque of
100000 rupees will be presented to
the authors of these books at a special
function to be held on 11 March 2014
at New Delhi during the Festival of
Letters organized by Sahitya
Akademi.
Winning poets of these Winning poets of these Winning poets of these Winning poets of these Winning poets of these
awards were: awards were: awards were: awards were: awards were:
Javed Akhtar for poetry Lava in
Urdu language
Namdev Tarachandani in
Sindhi language for poetry
Mansh-Nagari
Arjun Charan Hembram for po-
etry Chanda Bonga in Santali
language
Radhakant Thakur for poetry
Chaladuravani in Sanskrit
Ambika Dutt for poetry
Aanthyoi Nahi Din Hal in
Rajasthani
Sitaram Sapolia for poetry Doha
Satsai in Dogri
Anil Boro for poetry Delphini
Onthai Mwdai Arg Gubun
Gubun Khonthai in Bodo
Subodh Sarkar for poetry
Dwaipayan Hrader Dhare in
Bengali
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List of Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year of 2013 List of Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year of 2013 List of Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year of 2013 List of Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year of 2013 List of Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year of 2013
L a ngua ge L a ngua ge L a ngua ge L a ngua ge L a ngua ge Title and Genre Title and Genre Title and Genre Title and Genre Title and Genre Aut hor Aut hor Aut hor Aut hor Aut hor
Bengali Dwaipayan Hrader Dhare (Poetry) Subodh Sarkar
Bodo Delphini Onthai Mwdai Arw Gubun
Gubun Khonthai (Poetry) Anil Boro
Dogri Doha Satsai (Poetry) Sitaram Sapolia
English Laburnum For My Head (Short Stories) Temsula Ao
Hindi Miljul Man (Novel) Mridula Garg
Kannada Akyana-Vyakyana (Essays) C.N. Ramachandran
Kashmiri Aina Aatash (Short Stories) Mohi-ud-Din Reshi
Konkani Manmotayam (Essays) Tukaram Rama Shet
Maithili Sangharsh Aa Sehanta (Memoirs) Sureshwar Jha
Malayalam Kathayillathavante Katha (Autobiography) M.N. Paloor
Manipuri Chinglon Amadagi Amada (Travelogue) Makhonmani Mongsaba
Marathi Vachanaryachi Rojanishee (Essays) Satish Kalasekar
Nepali Manka Lahar Ra Raharharu (Travelogue) Man Bahadur Pradhan
Odia Banaprastha (Play) Bijoy Misra
Punjabi Nirvaan (Novel) Manmohan
Rajasthani Aanthyoi Nahi Din Hal (Poetry) Ambika Dutt
Sanskrit Chaladuravani (Poetry) Radhakant Thakur
Santali Chanda Bonga (Poetry) Arjun Charan Hembram
Sindhi Mansh-Nagari (Poetry) Namdev Tarachandani
Tamil Korkai (Novel) R.N. Joe D Cruz
Telugu Sahityaakashmlo Sagam (Essays) Katyayani Vidmahe
Urdu Lava (Poetry) Javed Akhtar
Sahitya Akademi Sahitya Akademi Sahitya Akademi Sahitya Akademi Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of
India on 12 March 1954. As a national organization it is responsible to work
for the development of Indian letters and to set the literary standards in all
the Indian languages. It functions as an autonomous organization. It was
registered as a society on 7 January 1956, under the Societies Registration
Act, 1860.
eASIA Award 2013 eASIA Award 2013 eASIA Award 2013 eASIA Award 2013 eASIA Award 2013
Directorate General of Foreign Trades e-BRC project has won the 2013
eASIA Award under Trade Facilitation category. The award was announced
by Asia Pacific Council for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (AFACT)
in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 29 November 2013.
About e-BRC Project About e-BRC Project About e-BRC Project About e-BRC Project About e-BRC Project
electronic Bank Realization
Certificate (e-BRC) project was
launched on 5 June 2012, to
electronically transmit foreign
exchange realization details on
exports from the respective banks to
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
(DGFT).
The project has created an
integrated platform for receipt,
processing and subsequent use of all
Bank Realization related information
by exporters, banks, central and state
government departments. It was
made mandatory with effect from 17
August 2012.
The Bank Realization Certificate
is required for discharge of export
obligation and to claim incentives
under Foreign Trade Policy. Earlier,
this certificate was issued by banks
manually. BRC is also used by state
government departments for refund
of VAT.
About the Award About the Award About the Award About the Award About the Award
The award is administered by
Asia Pacific Council for Trade
Facilitation and Electronic Business
(AFACT). Its principal focus is to
facilitate international transactions,
through the simplification and
harmonization of procedures and
information flows, and so contribute
to the growth of global commerce.
AFACT aims to support in the Asia
Pacific region and its adjacent
countries and economies policies
and activities, especially those
promoted by United Nations Center
for Trade Facilitation and Electronic
Business (UN/CEFACT), dedicates to
stimulate, improve and promote the
ability of business, trade and
administrative organizations, to
exchange products and relevant
services effectively through the
simplification and harmonization of
processes, procedures and
information flows in a non-political
environment.
What is PAA? What is PAA? What is PAA? What is PAA? What is PAA?
Pan Asian eCommerce Alliance
(PAA) is the Association member of
the AFACT and the member
countries are:
Afghanistan Australia
China
Chinese Taipei
Cambodia
India Indonesia
R. Iran Japan
Malaysia Mongolia
Pakistan Philippines
Korea Singapore
Sri Lanka
Saudi Arabia Thailand
Vietnam
US Presidential US Presidential US Presidential US Presidential US Presidential
Early Career Award Early Career Award Early Career Award Early Career Award Early Career Award
Two Indian Americans are
among 102 scientists who received
the Presidential Early Career Awards
for Scientists and Engineers. The
awards were given by President
Barack Obama on 23 December
2013. The Indian American who
received the award are Dr. Karunesh
Ganguly of San Francisco and Dr.
Hardeep Singh of Houston. They will
receive their awards at a Washington,
DC, ceremony in the coming year.
The award is categorized as the high-
est US honour for young profession-
als in these fields. Dr. Karunesh
Gangulys research was aimed to-
wards the development of novel
therapies for patients with chronic
neurological deficits following stroke
or other forms of brain injury.
Dr. Hardeep Singhs research
involved detecting, understanding
and reducing missed and delayed
diagnosis in the outpatient setting, as
well as in using health information
technology to achive safe and
effective health care.
Presi denti al Presi denti al Presi denti al Presi denti al Presi denti al
Early Career Award Early Career Award Early Career Award Early Career Award Early Career Award
Initiated by President Clinton in
1996 and coordinated by the Office
of Science and Technology Policy,
the awards are the highest honors
given by the U.S. on young scientists,
researchers and engineers.
ware exporter and also for the impres-
sive scale of his philanthropy. The
2013 ET Awards for Corporate Ex-
cellence were given in Mumbai on 9
December 2013.
The ET Awards were decided
by a jury headed by Anshu Jain, co-
CEO of Deutsche Bank. The theme
of the awards was Governance.
ET Lifetime Achievement ET Lifetime Achievement ET Lifetime Achievement ET Lifetime Achievement ET Lifetime Achievement
Award 2013 Award 2013 Award 2013 Award 2013 Award 2013
Wipro Chairman Azim Premji,
68, won the Economic Times Lifetime
Achievement Award 2013 for his role
in creating Indias third-largest soft-
The list of the 2013 ET Award winners: The list of the 2013 ET Award winners: The list of the 2013 ET Award winners: The list of the 2013 ET Award winners: The list of the 2013 ET Award winners:
NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME CATEGORY CATEGORY CATEGORY CATEGORY CATEGORY CONTRI BUTI ON CONTRI BUTI ON CONTRI BUTI ON CONTRI BUTI ON CONTRI BUTI ON
Kumar Mangalam Birla Business Leader of the Year Chairman of the 40 billion dollar commodities-to-telecom Aditya Birla Group was chosen
for his feat in transforming a traditional Indian family enterprise - which he inherited in
1995 after the sudden death of his father - into a globalised conglomerate, with 51% of
its revenues coming from abroad.
P Chidambram Business Reformer of the Year Finance Minister of India was chosen for his Herculean efforts in turning around the
fortunes of the economy.
Vinod Khosla Global Indian of the Year A storied venture capitalist, Khosla was one of the founders of Sun Microsystems, where
he pioneered open systems. He then went on an equally stellar career in venture capital
at Kleiner, Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), which he joined in 1986. In 2004, he set up
Khosla ventures, which has a bent for startups in the clean energy space and microfinance.
Sachin Bansal Entrepreneur of the Year The founder of Flipkart, was picked for creating an e-commerce company valued at over
$1 billion that showed the appetite for risk-taking by Bansal.
Azim Premji Lifetime Achievement Award Chairman of Wipro was recognised by the jury not only for his role in creating Indias
third-largest software exporter but also for the impressive scale of his philanthropy.
Larsen & Toubro Corporate Citizen of the Year A M Naik led L & T got the award for its contribution to public good through commitment
to critical social causes that influence the lives of thousands of needy Indians.
Bookmyshow Start-up of the Year Ashish Hemrajani led Bookmyshow is the Indias most popular ticketing website and the
jury recognized it for its potential to rapidly establish itself as an innovative and financially
successful company
Sun Pharma Company of the Year The jury recognised Dilip Shangavi led Sun Pharma for its considerable achievements:
the number one Indian pharma company by sales, net profit and market capitalisation.
The latter was an eye-popping Rs 1.18 lakh crore at the Wednesday close, up 54% in
2013.
Last year Last year Last year Last year Last year s ET Award s ET Award s ET Award s ET Award s ET Award
wi nners wi nners wi nners wi nners wi nners
Business Leader of the year:
Anil Agarwal
Corporate Citizen of the year:
Aditya Birla Group
Entrepreneur of the year: Devi
Prasad Shetty
Global Indian of the year:
Anshu Jain
Policy Change Agent of the
year: Sam Pitroda
Company of the year: HDFC
Bank
Emerging Company of the
year: Jubilant FoodWorks
Lifetime Achievement Award:
PRS Oberoi
Itihas Ratna award Itihas Ratna award Itihas Ratna award Itihas Ratna award Itihas Ratna award
Eminent historian Bipan
Chandra on 17 December 2013 was
awarded Itihas Ratna from Asiatic
Society Bihar. The award was given
to Bipan Chandra on his 86th
birthday. He was honoured by O.P.
Jaiswal, the Secretary of the Asiatic
Society of Bihar in the Jawaharlal
Nehru University (JNU) Campus,
New Delhi. Bipan Chandra is the
fourth historian to be honoured with
the Itihas Ratna by the society.
The three others, who have The three others, who have The three others, who have The three others, who have The three others, who have
been honoured with the Itihas been honoured with the Itihas been honoured with the Itihas been honoured with the Itihas been honoured with the Itihas
Ratna are: Ratna are: Ratna are: Ratna are: Ratna are:
Ram Sharan Sharma, who was
awarded on 19 November
2010
Irfan Habib was awarded on 9
September 2011
J S Grewal awarded on 9 Sep-
tember 2012
About Bipan Chandra About Bipan Chandra About Bipan Chandra About Bipan Chandra About Bipan Chandra
The Rise and Growth of Eco-
nomic Nationalism, is one of his
known and one of the earliest
books
He served the Indian History
Congress as its Sectional Presi-
dent and then as the General
President in 1985
He has been a Chairperson of
the centre for historical studies
at Jawaharlal Nehru University
in New Delhi
In 1993, he became a member
of the University Grants Com-
mission
From 2004-2012, he has served
National Book Trust, New Delhi
as its Chairperson
He was at the forefront of the
communist struggle in India
since independence
He is an Indian historian and has
specialized in economic and
political history of modern In-
dia
He was born in 1928 in Kangra
Valley of Himachal Pradesh
IFFI Award 2013
East Ti mor fi l m Beatriz s Beatriz s Beatriz s Beatriz s Beatriz s
War War War War War bagged Golden Peacock
award for Best Film Best Film Best Film Best Film Best Film at the 44th
International Film Festival of India at
Panaji, Goa on 30 November 2013.
The film, directed by Bety Reis and
Luigi Acquisto, is a passionate story
of one womans conviction to remain
true to the man she loves. The award
carries a Golden Peacock, a
certificate and a Cash Prize of 40 lakh
Rupees. Indian Director Kaushik
Ganguli bags the award for Best Best Best Best Best
Director Director Director Director Director for his Bengali film Apur Apur Apur Apur Apur
Panchali . Panchali . Panchali . Panchali . Panchali . The award carries a
Silver Peacock, a certificate and a
cash prize of 15 lakh Rupees. Special
Jury Award went to Turkish film Thou Thou Thou Thou Thou
Gildst The Even, Gildst The Even, Gildst The Even, Gildst The Even, Gildst The Even, di rected by
Onur Unlu. The award carries a Silver
Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize
of 15 lakh rupees. Best Actor (Male)
award went to Alon Moni Aboutboul
for his performance in Israeli
movi e A Place in Heaven A Place in Heaven A Place in Heaven A Place in Heaven A Place in Heaven. The
award carries a Silver Peacock, a
certificate and a cash prize of 10 lakh
rupees. Best Actor (Female) award
was presented to Boczarska
Magdalena for her excellent
performance in Polish film I n I n I n I n I n
Hiding Hiding Hiding Hiding Hiding. The Award carries a Silver
Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize
of 10 lakh Rupees. The Special
Centenary Award was given to
Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara Meghe Dhaka Tara Meghe Dhaka Tara Meghe Dhaka Tara Meghe Dhaka Tara ,
directed by Kamaleshwar Mukherjee.
The award carries a Silver Peacock, a
certificate and a cash prize of 10 lakh
Rupees.
Sword of Honour Award Sword of Honour Award Sword of Honour Award Sword of Honour Award Sword of Honour Award
Rajiv Gandhi International
Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad awarded
the Sword of Honour for safety
management in London in the second
week of December 2013. Rajiv
Gandhi International Airport Ltd is
operated by GMR Hyderabad
International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) and
it is first airport in India to receive this
award. The airport received award in
recognition of its effective
implementation of occupational
health and safety management
systems from the British Safety
Council for health and safety works
at the airport. The Sword of Honour
is considered to be Oscar of the
Safety World. The Organization has
achieved 5-star certification in the
British Safety Councils audit
Programme.
Dubai International Film Dubai International Film Dubai International Film Dubai International Film Dubai International Film
Festival Award Festival Award Festival Award Festival Award Festival Award
Irrfan Khan on 13 December
2013 won the best actor award for
his brilliant performance in his film
The Lunchbox at the 10th edition of
Dubai International Film Festival
(DIFF).
Ritesh Batra, the Writer-Director
of the film The Lunchbox, got a
special mention for screenplay for the
film in the same category. Irrfan won
the award in the Muhr Asia Africa
Feature Category. Dubai
International Film Festival was held
from 6 December to 14 December
2013. The jury at the DIFF was
headed by renowned filmmaker
Shekhar Kapur.
The 2013 other Award The 2013 other Award The 2013 other Award The 2013 other Award The 2013 other Award
wi nner s wer e wi nner s wer e wi nner s wer e wi nner s wer e wi nner s wer e
Apart from this, Ilo Ilo the story
of a Filipina maid from
Singapore bagged the Best
Picture Prize, whereas its star,
Yeo Yann Yann won the Best
Actress Award.
Sandeep Ray won the best di-
rector award for his Bengali lan-
guage film Shirno Bahu or the
Thin Arms, which revolves
around an ailing octogenarian
woman in the Muhr Asia Africa
shorts category
The Palestinian work, Omar,
won the top Muhr Arab Feature
Prize. Omar, which was
opened in the current 10th
edition of the Festival, but also
played at Cannes in May and
Toronto in September. Omar is
also Palestines submission for
the Foreign Language Oscar.
The movie is a thriller and talks
about the relationship be-
tween a young Palestinian and
a hardcore Israeli agent. Its di-
rector Hany Abu Assad was ad-
judged the best helmer
In the Muhr Arab Feature Prize
category, Yasmine Raees won
Best Actress Award for the
buzz-worthy Egyptian movie,
Factory Girl a work about the
nations stifling social mores.
Hassan Badid was declared the
Best Actor for his performance
in Moroccos They are the Dogs
Among the documentaries,
Salma El Tarzi, a Egyptian film-
maker bagged the Best Direc-
tor trophy for Underground on
the Surface, while the Best
Documentary spot was filled by
Karim Amers The Square
Emirates NBD Peoples Choice
Award: Chris Buck, Jennifer
Lee for American film Frozen
and Amal Al-Agroobi for The
Brain That Sings (UAE)
India Pride Award India Pride Award India Pride Award India Pride Award India Pride Award
IRCON International Limited on
20 December 2013 has been
awarded the prestigious India Pride
Awards for Excellence in Central
PSUs in India Image Enhancement.
The award was received by Mohan
Tiwari, the CMD of IRCON from M.M.
Pallam Raju, the Union Minister for
Human Resources Development.
About IRCON About IRCON About IRCON About IRCON About IRCON
IRCON International Limited is
a government company that was
incorporated by the Central
Government (Ministry of Railways)
under the Companies Act, 1956 on
28 April 1976 originally under the
name Indian Railway Construction
Company Limited. It is a leading
turnkey construction company in the
public sector known for its quality,
commitment and consistency in
terms of Performance. IRCON has
widespread operations in several
States in India and in other countries
like Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh,
Mozambique, Ethiopia, Afghanistan,
U.K. Algeria, Sri Lanka and others. The
Company has earned total foreign
exchange of 2117 crore rupees in
the last five years. IRCON has so far
completed over 100 projects in more
than 20 countries.
KMC-INTACH KMC-INTACH KMC-INTACH KMC-INTACH KMC-INTACH
Heritage Award 2013 Heritage Award 2013 Heritage Award 2013 Heritage Award 2013 Heritage Award 2013
The 103-year-old Park Mansions
on Kolkatas upscale Park Street was
given the prestigious heritage award
for the restoration of its colonial era
structure. The KMC-INTACH Heritage
Award 2013 was given to the Park
Mansions by the Kolkata Municipal
Corporation and Indian National Trust
for Art and Cultural Heritage. The
heritage property was restored at a
cost of more than 10 crore rupees to
its original glory in 2010, the centen-
nial year of the building. It is owned
by the Karan Paul led Apeejay
Surendra Group. The building was
constructed in 1910 for both residen-
tial and commercial use and it is
spread over more than 5 bighas. The
architecture is a mixture of Victorian
and Indo-Saracen styles with a bul-
bous dome on the roof, British-style
interiors with a touch of Indian archi-
tectural style on the facade. The In-
dian National Trust for Art and Cul-
tural Heritage (INTACH) is a non-
profit organization set up in 1984 to
involve its members in protecting and
conserving Indias vast natural, built
and cultural heritage.
I
N

T
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M. Veerappa Moily M. Veerappa Moily M. Veerappa Moily M. Veerappa Moily M. Veerappa Moily
Marpadi Veerappa Moily , the
petroleum and natural gas Minister on
24 December 2013 took an
additional charge of the Environment
and Forests Ministry after the exit of
Jayanthi Natarajan. The last
Environment minister from congress
was Jayanthi Natarajan. Marpadi
Veerappa Moily (born 12 January
1940) is a congress MP from the state
of Karnataka, and the current Minister
of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He was
the former Minister of Corporate
Affairs and Minister of Power in the
Indian government. Moily was
elected as MP of the Chickballapur
district. Moily was the former Chief
Minister (and the first ethnic Tuluva
CM) of the Indian state of Karnataka
(19 Nov 1992 - 11 Dec 1994). He was
elected to Karnataka state legislative
assembly from Karkala constituency
of Udupi district. He is also currently
serving as the All India Congress
Committee General Secretary in
charge of Andhra Pradesh.
Angela Merkel Angela Merkel Angela Merkel Angela Merkel Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel was on 17
December 2013 elected as the
German Chancellor for third term by
the German Parliament- Bundestag.
Angela Merkels conservative Union
bloc - the Christian Democratic Union
(CDU) had secured a stunning hat-
trick win in the 22 September 2013
elections but failed to grab an
outright majority, forcing them to
enter into coalition with the rival
Social Democrats (SPD). With a
whopping 504 of the 631 seats,
Angela Merkels centre-right Christian
Democrats Union (CDU) bloc and the
SPD now hold a comfortable majority
in the Bundestag, the lower house of
parliament. Angela Merkel was
confirmed by 462 votes on 17
December 2013, with nine
abstentions. For the vote, 621
members of parliament were present,
of whom 150 voted against Merkel.
Angela Merkel is the third chancellor
to win a third four-year term after
Helmut Kohl (1982-1998) and
Konrad Adenauer (1949-1963).
Germany, as the EUs most
industrialised and populous state,
with its biggest economy, it
dominates decision-making for the
Eurozone.
APPOINTED
In the News In the News In the News In the News In the News
Vinod Kumar Duggal Vinod Kumar Duggal Vinod Kumar Duggal Vinod Kumar Duggal Vinod Kumar Duggal
Vinod Kumar Duggal, the former
Home Secretary has been appointed
the new Governor of Manipur on 23
December 2013. His appointment
will come into effect from the date
on which, he will assume the charge
of the office. He will replace the
present Governor of the state,
Ashwani Kumar, who was given an
additional charge of Manipur, while
being a Governor of Nagaland. The
post of Manipur Governor had fallen
vacant in July 2013, when former
Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief
Gurbachan Singh Jagats tenure of
five years had ended. Ashwani Kumar
was given the additional charge till
Duggal appointment. At the time of
appointment, he was serving as a
member of the National Disaster
Management Authority and was the
in charge of the relief operations after
the natural disaster that struck
Uttarakhand and Odisha in 2013.
Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed
Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed
appointed as Prime Minister by the
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud
last week was approved
overwhelmingly by the Somalian
Parliament. Abdiweli replaced
outgoing Prime Minister Abdi Farah
Shirdon. Abdi was ousted in
November 2013 by the Parliament
following a rift with the Somali
President over policy differences. In
the voting held for the endorsement
of the new Prime Minister in the
Parliament, 239 votes out of total 243
were put in favour of Abdiweli. The
result was announced by the Somali
Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh
Osman Jawari on 22 December
2013.The endorsement of Abdiweli
Sheikh Ahmed as Prime Minister was
welcomed by the head of the UN
Assistance Mission in Somalia
(UNSOM) Nicholas Kay.
About Somalia About Somalia About Somalia About Somalia About Somalia
Somalia is a country located in
the Horn of Africa and its capital is
Mogadishu. It is bordered by Ethiopia
to the west, Djibouti to the northwest,
the Gulf of Aden to the north, the
Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya
to the southwest. Somalia has the
longest coastline on the mainland.
Somalias Political System: Somalias Political System: Somalias Political System: Somalias Political System: Somalias Political System:
Somalia was renamed as Federal
Republic of Somalia on 20 August
2012 following the end of interim
mandate provided by the
Transitional Federal Government
(TGF). The TGF was formed in
November 2004 as part of Roadmap
for the End of Transition, which was
a political process that provided clear
benchmarks leading toward the
establishment of permanent
democratic institutions in Somalia by
late August 2012. Concurrent with the
end of the TFGs interim mandate on
20 August 2012, the Federal
Parliament of Somalia was
inaugurated, ushering in the Federal
Government of Somalia, the first
permanent central government in the
country since the start of the civil war
in 1991.
Federal Parliament: Federal Parliament: Federal Parliament: Federal Parliament: Federal Parliament:
Federal Parliament of Somalia is
225-member bicameral parliament
comprising of an upper house seating
54 Senators as well as a lower house.
30% of the total seats in the
Parliament are earmarked for women.
The President is appointed via a
constitutional election. The President
selects a Prime Minister, who then
appoints a Cabinet.
Lal Thanhawla Lal Thanhawla Lal Thanhawla Lal Thanhawla Lal Thanhawla
Lal Thanhawla of Congress party
has sworn in as the Chief Minister of
Mizoram for the second successive
term on 14 December 2013. Governor
of Mizoram, Vakkom B.
Purushothaman administered the
oath of office and secrecy to Lal
Thanhawla and his Cabinet
colleagues at Raj Bhavan in
Aizawl. The first session of the
seventh Mizoram Assembly will
commence on 16 December 2013.
Lal Thanhawla was formally elected
as its leader by Congress Legislature
Party on 11 December 2013. The
result of the Mizoram Assembly polls,
held on 25 November 2013 was
declared on 9 December 2013. In the
In The News In The News In The News In The News In The News
elections, Congress swept 34 seats
of the 40 seats and the main
opposition parties, Mizo National
Front (MNF) was able to secure only
five seats and Mizoram Peoples
Conference (MPC) secured only one
berth.
S.B. Nayar S.B. Nayar S.B. Nayar S.B. Nayar S.B. Nayar
S.B. Nayar was appointed as
chairman and managing director
(CMD) of India Infrastructure Finance
Co. Ltd (IIFCL). IIFCL is a state-
owned firm that funds infrastructure
projects. Nayar will have a term of
three years. He presently works as
head of Industrial Finance
Corporation of India Limited (IFCIL),
another state-owned financier.
About I I FCL: About I I FCL: About I I FCL: About I I FCL: About I I FCL:
India Infrastructure Finance
Corporation Ltd (IIFCL) was incorpo-
rated in 2006 as a wholly-owned Gov-
ernment of India company. It was
set up as a special purpose vehicle
(SPV) to provide long term finance
to viable infrastructure projects. A
SPV is a legal entity formed to direct
the resources for a single, well de-
fined and narrow purpose. In India,
the genesis of SPV is found in the
Union Budget 2005-06.
Ranjan Mathai Ranjan Mathai Ranjan Mathai Ranjan Mathai Ranjan Mathai
Ranjan Mathai, the former For-
eign Secretary of India on 9 Decem-
ber 2013 took over as the Indias High
Commissioner to the UK. He has suc-
ceeded Jaimini Bhagwati, who re-
tired recently from the post.
Ashraf Jehan Ashraf Jehan Ashraf Jehan Ashraf Jehan Ashraf Jehan
Ashraf Jehan a female judge on
30 December 2013 sworn-in at
Pakistans national sharia court which
hears cases under the Islamic
legislation.
Ashraf Jehan took oath and
became the first female judge to be
appointed in the courts history. She
was serving as an additional judge at
the Sindh High Court. The Court was
established during the rule of military
dictator Ziaul Haq as part of his policy
towards Islamisation of Pakistans
institutions. The law is also known as
the Hudood Laws, which run parallel
to the penal code.
Anurag Bhushan Anurag Bhushan Anurag Bhushan Anurag Bhushan Anurag Bhushan
Anurag Bhushan, a career dip-
lomat on 30 December 2013 took
charge as the Consul General of In-
dia in Dubai and Northern Emirates
in the UAE. Before taking the charge
as the Consul General, he was serv-
ing as the head of the Regional pass-
port office in New Delhi. He is the
14th Consul General of India in Dubai,
since 1973 and he is the successor of
Sanjay Verma, who has been ap-
pointed as the ambassador of India
to Ethiopia. He joined the Indian
Foreign services in 1995. Apart from
being the Consul General of India in
Dubai, his other overseas assignments
have included economic, commer-
cial, visa and administration respon-
sibilities in Dhaka, political, informa-
tion and cultural work in Tokyo and
administration wings in the Indian
Embassy in Berlin. While being at
the Foreign Service Instituted in New
Delhi, he was responsible for training
the foreign diplomats as well as In-
dian Foreign officers. He is an alum-
nus of IIT Kanpur and holds a Post
Graduate Diploma degree in Execu-
tive Management from Indian Insti-
tute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Sushma Singh Sushma Singh Sushma Singh Sushma Singh Sushma Singh
Ms. Sushma Singh, a former IAS
officer of Jharkhand cadre, has been
appointed as the next Chief
Information Commissioner (CIC) of
India and will succeed Ms. Deepak
Sandhu, whose term is ending on 31
December 2013. She will become
the second woman to be appointed
as the CIC after Deepak Sandhu. The
decision on appointing Ms Singh as
the next CIC was taken unanimously
by a panel comprising Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, Leader of the
Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma
Swaraj and Law Minister Kapil Sibal.
After retiring from Indian
Administrative Service (IAS) in 2009,
Ms Singh became Information
Commissioner on September 23,
2009 in the Central Information
Commission.
She has served at various
Secretarial positions in the
Government of India, namely
Secretary in the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, the
Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the
Ministry for the Development of the
North Eastern Region (DONER).
J.N.Chaudhary J.N.Chaudhary J.N.Chaudhary J.N.Chaudhary J.N.Chaudhary
J.N.Chaudhary was appointed
as new head of NSG (National
Security Guard) on 26 December
2013. He is a 1978 batch IPS officer
of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
J.N.Chaudhary got his name clear from
the Union Home Ministry.
He will take his charge from
incumbent Arvind Ranjan. He had
also served in Intelligence Bureau. He
is due to retire in may 2015.
Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
The Union Government on 13
December 2013 appointed Harsh
Kumar Bhanwala as the Chairman of
the National Bank for Agriculture and
Rural Development (NABARD) for a
period of five years. Prior to this
appointment, Bhanwala was an
Executive Director at India
Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd
(IIFCL), a state-owned infrastructure
lender. Bhanwala succeeds Prakash
Bakshi, who retired as NABARD
Chairman in September 2013. Before
joining IIFCL, Bhanwala was senior
vice president in IL&FS Water Ltd,
which was involved in development
work in water and waste water
projects. He has also worked in
various capacities as an officer in
NABARD (National Bank for
Agriculture & Rural Development)
and was the Managing Director of
Delhi State Cooperative Bank Ltd
(DSCB) during its turning around
(2000 to 2005).
Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag
Eastern Army Command, Lieu-
tenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag on
12 December 2013 was designated
as the Vice Chief of Army Staff
(VCoAS). He will take over from Lieu-
tenant General SK Singh as the Vice
Chief of Army Staff retires on 31 De-
cember 2013. He will be replaced
by Lieutenant General MMS Rai at the
Kolkata based Eastern Army Com-
mand. Lieutenant General Arun
Kumar Sahni will head the Jaipur-
based Southwestern Army Com-
mand. It is expected that, Lieutenant
General Suhag by seniority after the
post of Vice Chief of Army Staff would
succeed as the Chief of the Indian
Army Staff, after the retirement of
General Bikram Singh on 31 July
2014. Earlier, the former Army Chief
V K Singh in 2012 imposed a promo-
tion ban on him for disciplinary rea-
sons. The ban was later lifted by Gen
Bikram Singh.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
became the Ambassador of US in
December 2013. He is the successor
of Nirupama Rao and his position in
Beijing will be taken by Ashok k.
kantha. Jaishankar, who has played
a key role in negotiation of US-India
nuclear agreement, was named as the
next Ambassador to the USA on 14
September 2013.
Ahmet Uzumcu Ahmet Uzumcu Ahmet Uzumcu Ahmet Uzumcu Ahmet Uzumcu
Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu on
4 December 2013 was re-appointed
as the OPCW Director General at the
18th Session of the Conference of
State Parties. This will be his second
term in the office. The Director-
General called 2013 a truly historical
year in his statement during the
opening of the conference as the year
has witnessed an unprecedented
challenge for the OPCW in the form
of eliminating Syrias chemical
weapons in the midst of an active war.
Siddarth Birla Siddarth Birla Siddarth Birla Siddarth Birla Siddarth Birla
Sidharth Birla, Chairman of Xpro
India Limited took the charge as the
President of Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI) on 21 December 2013.
Sidharth Birla succeeded the HSBC
India Country Head Naina Lal Kidwai.
Chairperson and Managing Director
of Bharat Hotels, Joytsna Suri elected
as Senior Vice-President of FICCI and
Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group,
Harshavardhan Neotia as Vice-
President of FICCI.
CVR Rajendran CVR Rajendran CVR Rajendran CVR Rajendran CVR Rajendran
CVR Rajendran was on 13
December 2013 appointed as the
Chairman and Managing Director of
Andhra Bank. He was appointed by
Union Ministry of Finance,
Government of India. Rajendran is
appointed for a period of five years
or until superannuation, whichever is
earlier. He is due to superannuate in
April 2015. Prior to this post,
Rajendran was Executive Director of
Bank of Maharashtra. Rajendran
started his career in Corporation Bank,
and has experience in international
banking and investment banking,
among other divisions. He also held
the post of general manager of the
treasury and information technology
division of Corporation Bank.
Krishna Iyer Krishna Iyer Krishna Iyer Krishna Iyer Krishna Iyer
Krishna Iyer was appointed
President and CEO of Wal-Mart India.
It was announced by the US retail
giant Wal-Mart on 13 December
2013. The appointment will be
effective January 20, 2014, the
company said in a statement. Iyer,
who will report to Wal-Mart Asia
regional President and CEO Scott
Price, will replace interim CEO
Ramnik Narsey, who is taking a new
role as senior vice president, Wal-Mart
International. According to Scott
Price, president and CEO of Wal-Mart
Asia, Krish will be responsible for
leading the growth and success of
our India operations while also
continuing to develop our future retail
strategy there.
Devendra Kumar Pathak Devendra Kumar Pathak Devendra Kumar Pathak Devendra Kumar Pathak Devendra Kumar Pathak
Devendra Kumar Pathak has
been appointed as the Special DG,
Border Security Force (BSF) on 30
December 2013. At the time of his
appointment in BSF, he was serving
as the Special DG, Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF). His
appointment as the Special DG, BSF
started with immediate effect and
will continue till the date of
superannuation in March 2016 or until
any further orders. Pathak is an
(Indian Police Service) IPS of 1989-
batch of Assam-Meghalaya cadres.
He has been serving Central Reserve
Police Force since 11 November
2011.
P.H. Parekh P.H. Parekh P.H. Parekh P.H. Parekh P.H. Parekh
Senior advocate P.H. Parekh has
been appointed as the President of
the Supreme Court Bar Association
(SCBA) for 2013-14. This is Mr.
Parekhs sixth term as SCBA
President.
Arvind Ranjan Arvind Ranjan Arvind Ranjan Arvind Ranjan Arvind Ranjan
Arvind Ranjan was appointed
the full time chief of the Central
Industrial Security Force (CISF) on
26 December 2013. Ranjans name
for the post was cleared by Union
Home Ministry. He is a 1977 batch
kerala cadre IAS officer. Ranjan
took over his charge from January. He
will take his charge from incumbent
Director General Rajiv.
Shivakumar appointed as the Shivakumar appointed as the Shivakumar appointed as the Shivakumar appointed as the Shivakumar appointed as the
CEO of PepsiCo India CEO of PepsiCo India CEO of PepsiCo India CEO of PepsiCo India CEO of PepsiCo India
D Shivakumar was appointed as
the Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo
India. The post was lying vacant since
Manu Anand quit the US food and
beverage maker PepsiCo India in
June 2013 to join foods company
Cadbury Kraft.
He will now be responsible for
the strategic deployment of the Rs
33,000-crore investment in the
country announced by the company
in November 2013. In his new role,
Shivakumar will oversee all aspects
of PepsiCos India business, which
includes food and beverage brands
such as Pepsi, Frito Lays potato chips,
Slice mango beverage, Kurkure
snacks, Tropicana juices and Quaker
oats. Besides, he will also oversee the
business of NourishCo a joint
venture with Tata Global Beverage
and franchise businesses in
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka
and the Maldives. Shivakumar will
report to Sanjeev Chadha, CEO -
PepsiCo Asia, Middle East and Africa
(AMEA). Shivakumar is PepsiCo
Indias first outsider CEO since Rajeev
Bakshi, who led the firm from 2001 to
2006. D Shivakumar is an engineer
from IIT-Chennai and an MBA from
IIM-Calcutta and has worked at
Hindustan Unilever, Philips and
Nokia.
Pradeep Kumar Pradeep Kumar Pradeep Kumar Pradeep Kumar Pradeep Kumar
P Pradeep Kumar on 29
December 2013 was appointed as
the Managing Director (Corporate
Banking) of State Bank of India (SBI),
the biggest lender of the country. As
one of the four managing Directors,
he will look after the corporate
banking portfolio of the bank. As per
a Government of Indias notification
P Pradeep Kumar will be the
Managing Director and Group
Executive (Corporate Banking) of
SBI with effect from 27 December
2013.
The position will be occupied
by him till the end of October 2015.
Pradeep Kumar is a post graduate in
Statistics and he joined SBI in 1976
as a probationary officer. He has held
several key assignments, which
includes banks US operations. He has
served State Bank of Travancore as
its managing Director.
At the time of his appointment
at this position, he served as the
deputy managing director and group
executive of the corporate banking
group that looks after the corporate
accounts and project finance of the
bank.
Usha Sangwan Usha Sangwan Usha Sangwan Usha Sangwan Usha Sangwan
Usha Sangwan was appointed
as the first woman managing director
of the Life Insurance Corporation of
India (LIC) by the Government. She
is the first woman director of LIC in its
near six decades of existence. With
this appointment, LIC is set to function
at its full strength of four MDs after
almost two years. These would be S
B Mainak, Sushobhan Sarkar,
Sangwan and V K Sharma.
DEATH
Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, the anti-
apartheid revolutionary of South
Africa died on 5 November 2013. He
was of 95 years old. He died in his
house at Johannesburg following a
long illness. He was also known as
Madiba in South Africa. He was
receiving intensive medical care at
home for a lung infection after
spending three months in hospital. His
death was announced by the South
African President, Jacob Zuma. He
announced that Mandela will receive
a full state funeral and the flags would
be flown at half-mast until the state
funeral. Nelson Mandela was one of
the worlds most revered statesman
for preaching reconciliation despite
being imprisoned for 27 years. He
was the first black South African to
hold the office of President from 1994
to 1999, and the first elected in a fully
representative multiracial election.
Mandela was married three times,
fathered six children and had 17
grandchildren. The three wives were
Evelyn Ntoko Mase, Winnie
Madikizela-Mandela and Graca
Machel Mandela.
About Nelson Mandela About Nelson Mandela About Nelson Mandela About Nelson Mandela About Nelson Mandela
He was born on 1918 in East-
ern Cape
He joined the African National
Congress in 1943
In 1962, he was arrested and
was convicted of incitement
and leaving country without a
passport. He was sentenced to
five years in prison
In 1964, he was charged with
sabotage, sentenced to life
He was freed from the prison
in 1990
In 1999, he stepped down as
leader
In 2001, he was diagnosed with
prostate cancer
Awards received by Nelson Awards received by Nelson Awards received by Nelson Awards received by Nelson Awards received by Nelson
Mandel a Mandel a Mandel a Mandel a Mandel a
Mandela has received more
than two hundred and fifty awards
over four decades, some of the
awards are:
He was the winner of the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1993
He was the recipient of Bharat
Ratna and Mahatma Gandhi
peace award
The United Nations General As-
sembly proclaimed 18 July,
Mandelas birthday, as Mandela
Day, for his contribution to the
anti-apartheid struggle
In 1973 a nuclear particle dis-
covered by scientists at the Uni-
versity of Leeds was named
Mandela nelson
In 1979 he became the recipi-
ent of the Jawaharlal Nehru
Award for International Under-
standing, by the Indian Coun-
cil for Cultural Relations New
Delhi, India
In 1981, a panel of International
Judges, Vienna, Austria, chose
him for the Bruno Kreisky
Award for merit in the field of
human rights
Politically an African nationalist
and democratic socialist, he served
as the President of the African
National Congress (ANC) from 1991
to 1997. Internationally, Mandela was
the Secretary General of the Non-
Aligned Movement from 1998 to
1999. Mandela served 27 years in
pri son, i ni ti al l y on Robben Robben Robben Robben Robben
Island, Island, Island, Island, Island, and l at er i n Pollsmoor Pollsmoor Pollsmoor Pollsmoor Pollsmoor
Pr i son Pr i son Pr i son Pr i son Pr i son a nd Victor Verster Victor Verster Victor Verster Victor Verster Victor Verster
Pri son. Pri son. Pri son. Pri son. Pri son. Mandela published his
autobi ography Long Walk to Long Walk to Long Walk to Long Walk to Long Walk to
Freedom Freedom Freedom Freedom Freedom and opened negotiations
with President F.W. de Klerk to
abolish apartheid and establish
multiracial elections in 1994, in which
he led the ANC to victory. As South
Africas first black President
Mandel a formed a Government formed a Government formed a Government formed a Government formed a Government
of National Unity of National Unity of National Unity of National Unity of National Unity in an attempt to
defuse racial tension. He
al so promulgated a new promulgated a new promulgated a new promulgated a new promulgated a new
constitution and created the constitution and created the constitution and created the constitution and created the constitution and created the
Truth and Reconciliation Truth and Reconciliation Truth and Reconciliation Truth and Reconciliation Truth and Reconciliation
Commission Commission Commission Commission Commission to investigate past
human rights abuses. Continuing the
former governments liberal
economic policy, his administration
introduced measures to encourage
land reform, combat poverty, and
expand healthcare services.
Internationally, he acted as mediator
between Libya and the United
Kingdom in the Pan Am Flight 103
bombing trial, and oversaw military
intervention in Lesotho. He declined
to run for a second term, and
was succeeded by his deputy, succeeded by his deputy, succeeded by his deputy, succeeded by his deputy, succeeded by his deputy,
Thabo Mbeki Thabo Mbeki Thabo Mbeki Thabo Mbeki Thabo Mbeki . Mandela
subsequently became an elder
statesman, focusing on charitable
work in combating poverty and HIV/
AIDS through the Nelson Mandela
Foundation. Awarded the US US US US US
Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Medal of Freedom,
and the Order of Canada and the Order of Canada and the Order of Canada and the Order of Canada and the Order of Canada he was
the first living person to be made an
honorary Canadian citizen. The last
recipient of the Soviet
Union s Lenin Peace Prize Lenin Peace Prize Lenin Peace Prize Lenin Peace Prize Lenin Peace Prize from
the Soviet Union, in 1992 received
Pakistans Nishan-e-Pakistan Nishan-e-Pakistan Nishan-e-Pakistan Nishan-e-Pakistan Nishan-e-Pakistan. In
1992 he was awarded the Atatrk Atatrk Atatrk Atatrk Atatrk
Peace Award Peace Award Peace Award Peace Award Peace Award by Turkey by Turkey by Turkey by Turkey by Turkey whi ch
he accepted in 1999. Elizabeth II
awarded him the Bailiff Grand Bailiff Grand Bailiff Grand Bailiff Grand Bailiff Grand
Cross of the Order of St. Cross of the Order of St. Cross of the Order of St. Cross of the Order of St. Cross of the Order of St.
John John John John John and the Order of Merit. Order of Merit. Order of Merit. Order of Merit. Order of Merit.
Farooq Sheikh Farooq Sheikh Farooq Sheikh Farooq Sheikh Farooq Sheikh
Veteran Bollywood actor
Farooq Sheikh died on 28 December
2013 due to heart attack in Dubai.
He died at the age of 65 and was born
on 25 March 1948. He is survived by
wife Rupa and daughters Shaista and
Sanaa. He was best known for roles
in films like Garam Hawa (1973),
Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977), Noorie
(1979), Chashme Baddoor (1981),
Umrao Jaan (1981), Bazaar (1982)
and Kissi Se Na Kehna (1983). He
won 2010 National Film Award for
best supporting actor in Lahore (a
sports film). He started his
Bollywood career in 1973 with
Garam Hawa and his last performance
was inClub 60'. Earlier he was seen
in the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
in 2013. He was a theatre personality.
He was the host of the popular show
Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai on television,
in which he interviewed the
celebrities of Bollywood. Sheikh
worked with Directors like Satyajit
Ray, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and
Muzaffar Ali. He started his
Bollywood career in 1973 with
Garam Hawa and his last performance
was in Club 60. Earlier, he was seen
in the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
in 2013. He was a theatre personality.
He was the host of the popular show
Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai on television,
in which he interviewed the
celebrities of Bollywood. Sheikh
worked with Directors like Satyajit
Ray, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and
Muzaffar Ali.
Marthanda Varma Marthanda Varma Marthanda Varma Marthanda Varma Marthanda Varma
Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda
Varma, head of Travancore royal fam-
ily who ruled south Kerala before In-
dependence died on 16 December
2013 due to cardiac arrest. He was
92 years of age. Varma was the
younger brother of the last ruler of
Travancore, Chithira Tirunal Balarama
Varma. He assumed as the head of
the royal family after the death of
Balarama Varma. Varma was the chair-
man of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy
Temple, recently where a treasure
worth of 1 lakh crore rupees was dis-
covered.
Mikhail Kalashnikov Mikhail Kalashnikov Mikhail Kalashnikov Mikhail Kalashnikov Mikhail Kalashnikov
Mikhail Kalashnikov, who
invented the AK47 weapon died at
the age of 94 due to ill-health on 23
December 2013 in Izhevsk, Udmurtia
province of Russian Republic.
Kalashnikov worked as weapon
designer for the Soviet Unions Red
Army during World War II. He
died on 23 December 2013 in
Bangalore. He was 87. He is known
as the new age poet of Kannada in
literary circles and his poems are
acclaimed for balancing images and
emotions.
Michiaki Takahashi Michiaki Takahashi Michiaki Takahashi Michiaki Takahashi Michiaki Takahashi
Dr. Michiaki Takahashi who
developed a vaccine for the chicken
pox virus died at the age of 85 due to
heart failure on 23 December 2013
in Osaka, Japan. Takahashi
developed the vaccine for the
chicken pox in 1972, within few years
Japan and some other countries had
begun vaccination programs. The
vaccine did not treat the disease, but
it prompted immune systems to
produce antibodies.
Ronnie Biggs Ronnie Biggs Ronnie Biggs Ronnie Biggs Ronnie Biggs
Ronnie Biggs who took part in
the Great Train Robbery in Britain in
1963 died at the Carlton Court Care
Home in East Barnet, north London
on 18 December 2013 due to
multiple strokes. He was 84 years old.
The Great Train Robbery was called
the Crime of the Century. The gang,
of which Biggs was a part, escaped
with 2.6 million pound (equivalent to
40 million pounds today) from the
Glasgow to London mail train on 8
August 1963. He was given a 30-year
sentence in 1964, but he escaped
after 15 months by fleeing over the
walls of Londons Wandsworth prison
in April 1965. He was again jailed in
2001 after being on the run for 36
years, mainly in Australia and Brazil.
He was finally freed in 2009 on
compassionate grounds by then
Justice Secretary Jack Straw who said
he was not expected to recover.
Christopher Pickard was the ghost
writer of Biggs autobiography titled
Odd Man Out. It was published in
1994. He was generally referred as
the tea-boy or The Brain. The BBC
would be releasing two film dramas
made on Biggs. The name of films are
A Robbers Tale and A Coppers Tale.
Narasimharaja Wodeyar Narasimharaja Wodeyar Narasimharaja Wodeyar Narasimharaja Wodeyar Narasimharaja Wodeyar
The last King of the erstwhile
Mysore royal family, Srikantadatta
Narasimharaja Wodeyar passed away
in Bangalore on 10 December 2013
due to heart attack. Maharaja
Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar
Bahadur also known as Srikanta
Wadeyar was the last prince of Mysore
Kingdom under Wodeyar dynasty.
Wodeyar Dynasty ruled the Kingdom
of Mysore between 1399 and 1950.
was born in 1953. He was the only
son of Maharaja Jayachamarajendra
Wodiyar, the last ruling Maharaja of
Mysore and his second wife Maharani
Tripura Sundari Ammani Avaru. He
was elected as a Member of
Parliament representing the Mysore
Parliamentary Constituency four times
as a candidate of Indian National
Congress. Besides politics, he also
designed the AK47 (Avtomat
Kalashnikov), which was officially
accepted by the Soviet in 1947.
Kalashnikov was decorated with
numerous honors including the Hero
of Socialist Labour and Order of Lenin
and Stalin Prize.
About AK47 About AK47 About AK47 About AK47 About AK47
The AK first used in East Berlin
riots in 1953 and the Hungarian
Revolution of 1956. AK47 is the
worlds most popular firearm favored
by guerrillas, terrorists and the
soldiers of many armies. The weapon
was simple, easy to use and maintain.
It was reliable in any extreme
conditions (hot, cold, wet or sandy).
Sis Ram Ola Sis Ram Ola Sis Ram Ola Sis Ram Ola Sis Ram Ola
The Union Labour Minister, Sis
Ram Ola died on 15 December 2013
after a prolonged illness in Medanta
Hospital in Gurgaon, Haryana. He was
of 83 years in age. He took over as the
Labour Minister in June 2013 after
Mallikarjun Kharge was shifted to
Railways. Under the UPA 1
Government under Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, he served as the as
Labour Minister and Union Cabinet
Minister of Mines. In the 11th Lok
Sabha in 1996, he was elected and
served as an Union Minister of State
for Chemicals and Fertilizers
(Independent Charge) from 1996 to
1997. From 1997 to 1998, he served
as a Union Minister of State for Water
Resources (Independent Charge). In
1968, he became a recipient of
Padma Shri award for social work
Shi varudrappa Shi varudrappa Shi varudrappa Shi varudrappa Shi varudrappa
The renowned Kannada,
Rashtrakavi G. S. Shivarudrappa, poet
had keen interest is fashion designing
and was a regular at fashion shows.
He used to design for his own brand
of silk sarees -
Royal Silk. Royal Silk. Royal Silk. Royal Silk. Royal Silk. Maharaj a
Bahadur was the last link with the
Mysore citys royal past. He played a
key role in conducting the ten-day
Dasara celebrations each year in
Mysore city. Every year the famous
Mysor e Dasara festival Dasara festival Dasara festival Dasara festival Dasara festival dr aws
lakhs of tourists from across the world.
Pran Chopra Pran Chopra Pran Chopra Pran Chopra Pran Chopra
Pran Chopra, the veteran
journalist and first editor of The
Statesman died on 22 December
2013 at the age of 92. He is survived
by his wife and two daughters. Born
in 1921 in Lahore, Pran began his
journalism in 1941 in civil and military
gazette. In 1940s he served All India
Radio as a War Correspondent in
China and Vietnam. He wrote the
foreword of the book If Im
Assassinated a book of former
Pakistan Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto. The Editors Guild of India
has condoled the death of Chopra,
who was the former executive
member of the body.
Paul Walker Paul Walker Paul Walker Paul Walker Paul Walker
US actor Paul Walker died in a
car accident in Southern California on
30 November 2013. He was 40. The
incident occurred while he was
coming back from his organizations
charity event.
Paul Walker was working on the
latest Fast & Furious Fast & Furious Fast & Furious Fast & Furious Fast & Furious movie at
the time of his death. He also starred
in the suspense drama, Hours Hours Hours Hours Hours, a
movie that is set for release in
December 2013.
The actor, who is best known
for playing Brian OConner in the Fast
& Furious film series, has also done
films like Into the Blue, Shes All
That Eight Below and Takers
among others. Paul William Walker IV
was born on 12 September 1973. He
became famous in 1999 after his role
in the hit film Varsity Blues.
Paul Torday Paul Torday Paul Torday Paul Torday Paul Torday
Paul Torday, the British
businessman who turned an author
died on 19 December 2013 at the
age of 67 in Northumberland. His
debut novel Salmon Fishing in the
Yemen was his comic best seller.
Publisher, Weidenfeld and Nicolson
announced about his death. His
novel, Salmon Fishing won the
Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse
Prize in 2007 and went on to be
filmed in 2011 and starred Ewan
McGregor and Emily Blunt. It also won
the Waverton Good Read Award in
2008 and has been sold over 500000
copies in the UK. Light Shining in the
Forest was his most recent novel and
was published in 2013
Peter O Toole Peter O Toole Peter O Toole Peter O Toole Peter O Toole
Peter O Toole, the Lawrence of
Asia star, died on 14 December 2013
at the Wellington Hospital in London
after a prolong illness. He was 81
years. He began his acting career in
1955 with Bristol Old Vic theater and
played notable role in Hamlet and
Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.
These stage plays were critically
acclaimed.
He moved to films with a small
role in Walt Disneys family adventure
Kidnapped in 1960. He shot to
stardom with the title role of
Lawrence of Arabia, which earned
seven Oscars, including best picture
and director for David Lean. Peter
OTooles grand performance as
British adventurer T.E. Lawrence
brought him his first best-actor
nomination but set him on an
unenviable path of Oscar futility. His
eight losses without a win is a record
among actors.
OToole earned best-actor
Oscar nominations for Becket (1964),
The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye,
Mr. Chips (1969), The Ruling Class
(1972), The Stunt Man (1980) and
My Favorite Year (1982). Seamus
Peter OToole was born Aug. 2, 1932,
the son of Irish bookie Patrick Spats
Peter OToole and his wife Constance.
There is some question about
whether Peter was born in
Connemara, Ireland, or in Leeds,
northern England, where he grew up.
A Book titled Hellraisers: The Life and
Times of Burton, Harris, OToole &
Reed written by Robert Seller talks
about the life of three Hollywood
actors who were contemporaries of
each other.
Jayanthi Natarajan Jayanthi Natarajan Jayanthi Natarajan Jayanthi Natarajan Jayanthi Natarajan
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan resigned
as the minister of state for
environment and forest from the
Council of Ministers (COM) on 21
December 2013. The President of
India, as advised by the Prime
Minister, accepted the resignation of
Jayanthi Natarajan from the Council
of Ministers. The Prime Minister
advised the President of India that
M. Veerappa Moily, Minister of
Petroleum & Natural Gas shall be
given additional charge of the work
of Ministry of Environment & Forests.
Jayanthi Natarajan expected to return
to party work which is relating to
manifesto and other election matters
of the Congress Party.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Shivraj Singh Chouhan Shivraj Singh Chouhan Shivraj Singh Chouhan Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
resigned from the Vidisha assembly
seat on 20 December 2013 and
retained the Budhni seat. Earlier, he
was elected from Budhni and
Vidisha assembly segments in the
recently concluded state assembly
elections. As per the rules, if a
person is elected from two
constituencies, he/she has to tender
resignation from one segment within
14 days of the constitution of the new
Assembly. He submitted his
resignation from Vidisha seat to
Vidhan Sabha Secretariat on 20
December 2013, which was
accepted. In the recent concluded
election, Chouhan declared that he
will retain the seat that will give him
the highest victory margin. From
Budhni seat, he won by 84805 votes,
which was the second highest margin
in Madhya Pradesh, whereas from
Vidisha seat, he won by 16996 votes
gap against Shashank Bhargava of
Congress. Earlier, in the last assembly
elections the Vidisha seat was
represented by a former leader of BJP
Raghavji. In July 2013, Raghavji
resigned from the seat over the
allegations of sexually harassing his
domestic help and was later expelled
from BJP and arrested.
Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit, the Chief Minister
of Delhi resigned from her post on 8
December 2013 after Congress party
faced a defeat in the Delhi Assembly
polls. She sent her resignation to the
Lt Governor. Sheila Dikshit was
defeated in her constituency in New
Delhi from Arvind Kejriwal of Aam
Aadmi Party by over 5000 votes. She
has been the Chief Minister of Delhi
three times. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
with 28 seats has emerged as the
second largest party in New Delhi in
its debut elections after Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP).
Hisham Qandil Hisham Qandil Hisham Qandil Hisham Qandil Hisham Qandil
Hisham Qandil, the former Prime
Minister of Egypt was arrested by
Egyptian police on 24 December
2013. He served under the ousted
President Mohammed Morsi. As per
the interior ministry, Qandil was
caught in a mountainous area with
smugglers, while he was trying to flee
to Sudan. He was arrested on the
order of the Court that was issued
against him. He was sentenced for a
year in prison, while he was in office
for failing to carry out the ruling of
the court to re-nationalise a company
Tanta Flax and Oil Company, which
was privatized in 1996. The lawsuit
was instigated against the former
Prime Minister by a number of
companys workers.
The sentence was upheld by a
Cairo appeals Court in September
2013 after two months when Morsi,
the then President was overthrown.
He Qandil in July 2012 became the
youngest Prime Minister of Egypt
since 1954. He won the first truly
democratic elections of Egypt, which
was followed the fall of Hosni
Mubarak, the autocrat President in
2011. He is not a member of Muslim
Brotherhood or any other Islamist
political organization. He
represented an alliance of pro-Morsi
Islamist groups in meets with the
mediators of Europe, who tried to
defuse tensions with the military
installed government.
ACCUSED/RESIGNED/CONTROVERSY
Ali Osman Taha Ali Osman Taha Ali Osman Taha Ali Osman Taha Ali Osman Taha
Ali Osman Taha, the Vice
President of Sudan resigned to pave
way for the new Government. His
resignation was announced by the
Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir
in Khartoum on 7 December 2013.
He resigned and vacated his office
at the presidency ahead of his cabinet
reshuffle. Taha has been replaced by
Lieutenant General Bakri Hassan
Saleh. The second Vice President
selected is Hasbo Mohamed
Abdulrahman and the parliament
head is Alfateh Ezziddin. Taha has
been the first Vice President of
Sudan, the second highest political
party. He was the main negotiator of
Sudans Comprehensive Peace
Agreement in 2005, which led to the
end of Sudanese Civil War.
Chandra Kant Birla Chandra Kant Birla Chandra Kant Birla Chandra Kant Birla Chandra Kant Birla
Chandra Kant Birla, Chairman of
Hindustan Motors Limited resigned
from the board on 29 December
2013. He also stepped down from the
post of director of Hindustan Motors
(HM). During the 18- month period,
that is April 2012 September 2013,
company incurred a huge loss of 71
crore rupees as compared to a loss of
29 crore rupees in 2011-12. The
slowdown in the economy has
affected HM. HM faced some
additional challenges in term of cash
flow problems for the company.
Panruti Ramachandran Panruti Ramachandran Panruti Ramachandran Panruti Ramachandran Panruti Ramachandran
Panruti S. Ramachandran, the
Chairman of the Desiya Murpokku
Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on 10
December 2013 announced his re-
tirement from active politics. He has
also decided to quit from the post of
Member of Legislative Assembly from
Alandur constituency from where he
was elected in 2011 Assembly elec-
tions. Ramachandran of 76 year has
handed over his resignation to the
Assembly Speaker, P Dhanpal. He has
retired on the health grounds.
HONOUR
Pope Francis Pope Francis Pope Francis Pope Francis Pope Francis
Pope Francis on 11 Decmber
2013 was named as the Person of the
Year 2013 by Time Magazine. He was
named the Person of the Year for
changing the perception of the
Catholic Church within nine months.
As per Time magazine, Popes
dedication to humility and his fight
against poverty placed him at the top
position of the year. Edward
Snowden the person who leaked the
secret documents about NSA
surveillance activities was selected at
the second position in the list. Edith
Windsorthe gay marriage pioneer,
Bashar Al-AssadPresident of Syria
and Ted Cruzthe US Senator from
Texas has placed on the top five
slots. Earlier, Vanity Fair Italia also
named Pope Francis, the Man of the
Year in July 2013.Time Magazine has
chosen a Pope as its Person of the
Year for the third time and the others
to be honoured with the title were
Pope John XXIII in 1962 and Pope
John Paul II in 1994. Pope Francis is
the first non-European pope in almost
1300 years and first pontiff from the
America. He took Francis as his Papal
name after Saint Francis of Assisi, who
was the reformer of 13th Century.
His original is Jorge Bergoglio, who
was chosen as the new Pope by the
cardinals of the Roman Catholic
Church on 13 March 2013 after the
resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He
is a first Pope from Latin America and
the first Jesuit.
Alyz Henrich Alyz Henrich Alyz Henrich Alyz Henrich Alyz Henrich
Miss Venezuela Alyz Henrich on
7 December 2013 was crowned with
the pageant of Miss Earth 2013 at the
Versailles Palace, Philippines. She was
crowned with the pageant of Miss
World by Tereza Fajksova, the Miss
Earth 2012 from Czech Republic. This
was the 13th edition of the annual
Miss Earth. With this winning, Alyz
Henrich has joined the roster of
beauty queens and will be an
ambassador for environmental
preservation.
Other winners are: Other winners are: Other winners are: Other winners are: Other winners are:
Miss Earth Fire: Miss Korea
Catharina Choi
Miss Earth Water: Miss Thailand
Punika Kulsoontornrut
Miss Earth Air: Miss Austria Katia
Wagner
Indias participant for the
pageant was Sobhita Dhulipala, who
failed to make it in the list of top 16.
arlier, she won the Miss Photogenic
and the Miss Eco Beauty Title
contests. For the crown of the Miss
Earth, 88 beauties competed from
across the earth.
The show was presented by
popular television show host, Oli
Pettigrew and Singapore-based
fashion model, Linda Black.The
contest began in 2001 to promote the
preservation of the environment.
Nicole Faria is the first Indian
contestant to have won the title in
2010.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
Nirbhaya: Ek Atmachintan Nirbhaya: Ek Atmachintan Nirbhaya: Ek Atmachintan Nirbhaya: Ek Atmachintan Nirbhaya: Ek Atmachintan
Mumbai University on 16
December 2013 launched a book
t i t l ed Nirbhaya: Ek Nirbhaya: Ek Nirbhaya: Ek Nirbhaya: Ek Nirbhaya: Ek
Atmachintan Atmachintan Atmachintan Atmachintan Atmachintan to mark a year since
the brutal gangrape of a Delhi
paramedic student. The books
prologue is written by Justice
Chandrashekhar Dharamadhikari and
is edited by the vice-chancellor of
the Mumbai University, Rajan Welukar.
Several notable writers and thinkers,
such as, Nirja Dhulekar, Kumar Ketkar,
Asha Bage, Vijaya Wad, Judge
Mrudula Bhatkar, etc have
contributed to the book. The topics
that these writers have covered
include women empowerment in the
fields of economic, social and
political spheres, the rights which are
given to them and their safety. The
23-year old para-medical student
(also known as Damini or Nirbhaya)
was gang
raped in New
Delhi on 16
D e c e m b e r
2012. She
passed away in
M o u n t
E l i z a b e t h
Hospital in
Singapore on
29 December
2012. She was
raped in the
moving bus by
six men, one of
w h i c h
included a minor. The 16 December
gang rape led to massive protests
across the country.
Unbreakable unveiled Unbreakable unveiled Unbreakable unveiled Unbreakable unveiled Unbreakable unveiled
Olympic medal-winning boxer
M C Koms autobiography, titled
Unbreakable was unveiled by the
Bollywood megastar Amitabh
Bachchan on 9 December 2013. Mary
said that her struggle has been one
that many in country face, especially
women. The reason behind to pen
down her story was so that others
could read it and feel that if she could
achieve what she had, so can they.
Mary kom was born on 1 March 1983
in Kangathei, Manipur, India. Mary
Kom turned professional boxer after
her victory in the Manipur state
womens boxing championship in
2000. Mary made her international
debut at the first AIBA Womens
World Boxing Championship held in
the United States, where she bagged
a silver medal in the 48 kg weight
category. Subsequently, she won a
gold medal in the 45 kg class at the
second AIBA Womens World Boxing
Championship in Turkey in 2002. Kom
has total 5 world boxing
championship titles in her name.
The government of India had
awarded her with the Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in
2009, which is the countrys
highest award given to a sports-
man.
She also received the Arjuna
Award in 2003 and Padma
Shree Award in 2006.
She was also appointed the In-
ternational Boxing
Associations Ambassador for
Womens Boxing in 2009.
She won bronze at Summer
Olympics held in London in
2012.
Kisan Diwas Kisan Diwas Kisan Diwas Kisan Diwas Kisan Diwas
Kisan Diwas was observed
across the country on 23 December
2013 to celebrate the birthday of
Chaudhary Charan Singh. On this
occasion, farmer seminars were
organised at the divisional, district
and block levels. Political leaders
cutting across party lines paid tributes
to fifth PM of India on his 11th birth
anniversary. Leaders visited the
former PMs samadhi at Kisan Ghat in
New Delhi. Government in 2001 had
decided to observe 23 December
every year as Kisan Diwas (Farmers
Day).
Sashi Tharoor Sashi Tharoor Sashi Tharoor Sashi Tharoor Sashi Tharoor
Sashi Tharoor, the Union
Minister of State for Human Resource
Development was named as the
Person of the Year by the animal rights
Getting to Zero Getting to Zero Getting to Zero Getting to Zero Getting to Zero
HIV/AIDS remains a major glo-
bal issue, having claimed more
than 36 million lives so far since
the discovery of the virus more
than 20 years ago.
According to the World Health
Organisation, there were ap-
proximately 35.3 million
people living with HIV in 2012.
Since the inception of World
AIDS Day in 1988, it has been
observed on 1st December
every year with different
themes.
The theme for this year is Get-
ting to Zero- means zero new
infections, zero discrimination
and zero AIDS-related deaths.
The theme will be repeated
until 2015, focusing on Zero
AIDS Related Deaths as well
as pushing towards better ac-
cess to treatment for all.
World AIDS Day is celebrated
around the world on December 1st
each year. It has become one of the
most recognized international health
days and a key opportunity to raise
awareness, commemorate those who
have passed on, and celebrate
victories, such as increased access to
treatment and prevention services.
Prithvi -2 Missile Prithvi -2 Missile Prithvi -2 Missile Prithvi -2 Missile Prithvi -2 Missile
successfully test fired its surface to
VARIOUS
body PETA India for taking steps to
advance animal protection.
The director of National Coun-
cil of Educational Research and Train-
ing (NCERT) was encouraged by
Tharoor to examine PETAs Central
Board of Secondary Education ap-
proved programme for incorporation
into its textbooks. He also wrote a
letter to Health Minister Gulam Nabi
Azad urging him to implement non-
animal methods of teaching in medi-
cal courses. In 2012, the Ministry of
Environment and Forests issued a di-
rective instructing all the institutes or
establishments associated with teach-
ing of medical, pharmacy and other
courses in life sciences to follow UGC
guidelines for discontinuation of dis-
section and animal experimentation
in universities and colleges and in-
troduce use of alternatives to animal
experimentation. Past recipients of
the award are Hema Malini and R
Madhavan.
World AIDS Day World AIDS Day World AIDS Day World AIDS Day World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day was observed
on 1 December 2013 across the
globe to raise awareness about the
HIV/ AIDS. The theme for the year
2013 is:
surface ballistic missile Prithvi-ll from
Chandipur in the Balesore district of
Odisha. The test which is a part of
the user training exercise of the
Indian Army and it was conducted
from lunch complex 3 of the ITR in
Chandipur along the Odisha coast.
The last user trial of Prithvi-II was
successfully carried out from the
same base on 7 October 2013.
Prithvi-II Missile features Prithvi-II Missile features Prithvi-II Missile features Prithvi-II Missile features Prithvi-II Missile features
1. Inducted into Indias Strategic
Forces Command in 2003, the
Prithvi II missile is the first mis-
sile to be developed by DRDO
under India s Integrated
Guided Missile Development
Programme.
2. It is capable of carrying 1000
kg of warheads and thrusted by
liquid propulsion twine en-
gines, uses advanced inertial
guidance system with
manoeuvring trajectory.
3. The nine meter long Prithvi-II
missile is equipped with ad-
vanced high accuracy naviga-
tion system and guided by an
innovative guidance scheme.
4. The improved Circular Error
Probability (CEP) achieved by
the missile is a testimony to
specify the efficacy of this mis-
sile system.
5. Prithvi uses an advanced iner-
tial guidance system with
manoeuvring capabilities and
comes within metres of its tar-
get.
TEJAS Team Set New Record TEJAS Team Set New Record TEJAS Team Set New Record TEJAS Team Set New Record TEJAS Team Set New Record
Tejas, Indias Light Combat
Aircraft (LCA) set a new record on
27 December 2013 of flying 500
sorties in 2013. This is the highest
sorties achieved in a calendar year so
far. The previous record stood at 300
sorties.In 2013, the team participated
in seven detachments across the
country and carried out tests like
shutting off and reignition of the
engine, high energy brake testing,
flight envelope expansion, missile
firing with radar guidance, air-to-
ground weapon testing and wet
runway trials, the DRDO said.
Minorities Rights Day Minorities Rights Day Minorities Rights Day Minorities Rights Day Minorities Rights Day
Minorities Rights Day was ob-
served on 18 December 2013 across
the Nation to create awareness on
rights of minorities. Minorities Rights
Day is celebrated on 18th Decem-
ber every year. The day is celebrated
to protect rights of the minority com-
munities as well as bringing the bet-
ter understanding among religious
minorities in India.
AGNI -I I I AGNI -I I I AGNI -I I I AGNI -I I I AGNI -I I I
Agni-III the nuclear capable
ballistic missile was successfully test-
fired by India on 23 December 2013.
It was test-fired for its full range of
3000 kilometer from the Wheeler
Island of Odisha Coast. The test fire
of the surface-to-surface missile was
conducted by Strategic Forces
Command (SFC) of the Indian Army
with the logistic support from the
Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO). The missile was
flight-tested from a mobile launcher
at launch complex number 4 of the
Integrated Test Range. The Agni-III
missile is powered by a two-stage
solid propellant system.
The entire trajectory of the trial
was monitored through various te-
lemetry stations, electro-optic sys-
tems and sophisticated radars lo-
cated along the coast and by naval
ships anchored near the impact point
for data analysis. It has a length of 17
metres, 2 metres diameter and
launch weight is around 50 tonnes. It
can carry a warhead of 1.5 tonne,
which is protected by carbon all
composite heat shield. The missile
has already been inducted into the
armed forces is equipped with the
hybrid navigation, guidance and con-
trol systems along with advanced on-
board computer. The electronic sys-
tems are hardened for higher vibra-
tion, thermal and acoustic effects.
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park
Scientists in the first week of
December 2013 in their report
claimed that the super volcano lying
beneath Yellowstone National Park in
US is much larger than it was thought
previously. As per the study, the
magma chamber is 2.5 times bigger
than previous estimations and the
carven stretches for more than 90
Kilometers and contain 200 to 600
cubic kilometer of molten rock. The
findings were presented at the
American Geophysical Union Fall
Meeting in San Francisco. In case the
Yellowstone Super Volcano is blown
now than it would bring in
catastrophic consequences.
The major volcanic eruption
happened 640000 years ago, which
sent ash across North America and
affected the climate of earth. To
map the magma chamber, the team
of scientists used a network of
Seismometers situated around the
park. They recorded the earthquakes
in and around Yellowstone to
measure the seismic waves as they
travel through ground. The waves
from the hot and molten material
travel slower and this helps the
scientists to measure, what is beneath
the earth over there. As per the
findings the scientists found a
colossal, magma chamber that reach
depths from 2 kilometer and 15
kilometer. They also identified that
the carven was 90 kilometers long and
30 kilometer wide. BY now, there
have been only three major eruptions
so far, the first happened around 2.1
million years ago, the second one
happened around 1.3 million years
ago and the third one happened
640000 years ago.
International International International International International
Anti-Corruption Day Anti-Corruption Day Anti-Corruption Day Anti-Corruption Day Anti-Corruption Day
International Anti-Corruption
Day is observed across the world on
9 December 2013 to raise awareness
about the menace of Corruption and
what people can do to fight it. The
theme for the year 2013 is: Act Act Act Act Act
against Corruption Today. against Corruption Today. against Corruption Today. against Corruption Today. against Corruption Today. The
day is observed on December 9 each
year to raise awareness about the
corruption. The UN General
Assembly by resolution of 58/4 of 31
October 2003 designated 9
December as International Anti-
Corruption Day. This decision aimed
to raise peoples awareness of
corruption and of the role of the
United Nations Convention against
Corruption in combating and
preventing it. The United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
is the secretariat for the Conventions
Conference of States Parties. The
Convention entered into force in
December 2005.
Tyler Armstrong Tyler Armstrong Tyler Armstrong Tyler Armstrong Tyler Armstrong

Tyler Armstrong on 27 Decem-
ber 2013 became the youngest per-
son to reach the summit of
Aconcagua, the highest mountain of
America. The nine year old boy of
United States climbed the mountain
in the Argentine Andes with his fa-
ther and Tibetan Sherpa, Lhawang
Dhondup. In 2012, he climbed Mount
Kilimanjaro - Africas highest peak.
More than 100 people have died at-
tempting to conquer Aconcagua,
which rises 6962 metres above the
sea level. Before Tyler, Matthew Moniz
from the United States was the young-
est person to climb the mountain at
the age of 10 in the year 2008.
Procurement of Israeli Barak-I Procurement of Israeli Barak-I Procurement of Israeli Barak-I Procurement of Israeli Barak-I Procurement of Israeli Barak-I
missile approved by DAC missile approved by DAC missile approved by DAC missile approved by DAC missile approved by DAC
Defence Acquisition Council
(DAC) headed by the Defence
Minister, A K Antony, lifted
restrictions on the further
procurements of Israeli Barak missiles
on 22 December 2013.
Additional 226 Israeli Barak
Surface-to-air precision-
guided missiles
Two naval projects for 16 Anti-
Submarine Warfare (ASW) war-
ships which is capable of op-
erating in shallow waters, worth
of 13440 crore rupees
Two diving support vessels
meant for rescuing sailors from
disabled submarines, worth of
1500 crore rupees.
41 Dhruv Advanced light Heli-
copters (ALH) worth of 300
crore rupees being manufac-
tured by Hindustan Aeronau-
tics Ltd (HAL) was cleared.
The diving support vessels or
deep-submergence rescue vessels
(DSRVs) will be acquired through
floating global tender and the ASW
boats will be built with foreign
collaboration for torpedoes. Final nod
from the Cabinet Committee on
Security is required to go-ahead with
the acquisition of Barak-I missiles.
Barak Missiles Barak Missiles Barak Missiles Barak Missiles Barak Missiles
The Barak deal was originally
signed in 2000 by India during the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
regime. The Barak missiles are
effective missile interceptors used as
the last layer of defence to destroy
advancing missiles within a 10 km
range.
Hoquiam Hoquiam Hoquiam Hoquiam Hoquiam
Nirvana Day will be celebrated
in Hoquiam, a small town of US on 10
April 2014. Nirvana Day will be
celebrated as the bands Nirvana was
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame the same day. This is the first
time that the day will be celebrated
by Hoquiam. The day will be
celebrated to pay a tribute to the
bands late frontman, Kurt Cobain. He
was born and raised just four miles
away from Hoquiam in Aberdeen and
he lived in Hoquiam, Washington for
a very short time. As per Jack
Durney, the Mayor of the city, Nirvana
will bring great honour to the entire
community of the town. Nirvana
was a band formed by Cobain and
Krist Novoselic in 1987 and a
drummer Dave Grohl joined it in 1990.
The debut album of Nirvana band
was each was launched in 1989.
Cobain committed suicide at the age
of 27.
Vijay Diwas Vijay Diwas Vijay Diwas Vijay Diwas Vijay Diwas
Vijay Diwas was observed on 16
December 2013 across the Nation to
celebrate the Indias military victory
over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Vijay
Diwas commemorates the victory of
the Indian Armed Forces and the
Mukti Bahini in the Indo-Pak war
which culminated in the liberation of
Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, on 16
December 1971 and the historic
surrender of over 93000 Pakistani
soldiers. After the Indias victory, Lt.
Gen. A K Niazi, Pakistani Army
Comander in the Eastern Command
was surrendered to the Indian
Armed Forces, which led by the then
General Officer Commanding-in-
Chief Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora and
al so si gned the Instrument of Instrument of Instrument of Instrument of Instrument of
Surrender Surrender Surrender Surrender Surrender that resulted in the birth
of Bangladesh. The day is also
observed across the country by
paying tributes to the martyrs who laid
down their lives for the nation. This
year is the 42nd anniversary of the
War. Union Defence Minister A K
Antony accompanied by three
Services Chiefs laid wreathes at Amar
Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in the
National Capital -New Delhi.
MBLR Pinaka MBLR Pinaka MBLR Pinaka MBLR Pinaka MBLR Pinaka
successfully test-fired the
indigenously
developed
P i n a k a
from a
base at
Chandipur-
o n - s e a
n e a r
Balasore,
off the
Od i s h a
c o a s t .
Pinaka is
a mul t i -
b a r r e l
r o c k e t
launcher (MBRL). Six rounds of
Pinaka were successfully tested from
the proof and experimental
establishment at Chandipur. The tests
were conducted by personnel from
Armament Research and
Development Establishment (ARDE),
Pune unit. Since 1995, the Pinaka
has undergone several tests has been
inducted in the armed forces and the
present trials were conducted with
some improvements in the system. To
supplement the artillery guns, rockets
with a range of 40 kilometer capable
as a force multiplier has been
developed. The quick reaction time
and high rate of fire of the system
gave an edge to the Army during a
low-intensity conflict situation. Earlier
in July 2013, more advanced second
generation Pinaka Mark II Multi-Barrel
Rocket Launcher System had
undergone successful firing trials at
Chandhan area in Pokhran field firing
ranges in western Rajasthan.
The Main Features of The Main Features of The Main Features of The Main Features of The Main Features of
Pi naka Pi naka Pi naka Pi naka Pi naka
Pinaka is an area weapon sys-
tem with a range of 40 km.
The quick reaction time and
high rate of fire of Pinaka will
give an edge to the Army dur-
ing a minor conflict situation.
Pinaka system can fire a salvo
of 12 rockets in 44 seconds.
The battery of six launchers can
neutralise
at a
time a
target
area of
3.9 sq
km.
Pinaka
is ca-
pabl e
to in-
corpo-
r a t e
several
t ypes
of warheads, which make the
weapon deadly for the enemy
as it can even destroy solid
structures and bunkers.
Human Rights Day Human Rights Day Human Rights Day Human Rights Day Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day was ob-
served across the world on 10 De-
cember 2013 to bring to light the
Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. 2013 Theme of the day is 20
Years Working for Your Rights. NHRC
in India organized a programme in
New Delhi on this Day.

convenience.
Planning Commission
National
International
Economy
India And The World
Sports
In The News

Selected Articles from Various Newspapers & Journals Selected Articles from Various Newspapers & Journals Selected Articles from Various Newspapers & Journals Selected Articles from Various Newspapers & Journals Selected Articles from Various Newspapers & Journals
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The challenge of The challenge of The challenge of The challenge of The challenge of
5 per cent growth 5 per cent growth 5 per cent growth 5 per cent growth 5 per cent growth
Indias GDP grew at 4.8 per cent
for the second quarter of the current
year, July-September 2013. The data,
released by the Central Statistics Office
on Friday, are entirely in line with ex-
pectations. Together with the 4.4 per
cent clocked in the first quarter, which
marked a four-year low, economic
growth during the first half of the year
has been a meagre 4.6 per cent.
Policymakers are banking on much
higher growth rates in the vicinity of
5.5 per cent during each of the re-
maining quarters to pull the economy
out of the sub-5 per cent growth trajec-
tory. In 2012-13, the economy grew by
5 per cent, the lowest annual rate of
growth in a decade. Companies shelved
their investment plans in an uncertain
and often adverse policy environment,
while consumers cut back on spending
in the face of high borrowing costs. The
challenge has been to revive investment
demand and spur consumer spending.
There are no easy answers. Great sig-
nificance is attached to the clearance
of stalled and new projects by a special
cabinet committee. However, it is too
early to measure outcomes. Persistently
high inflation and well-entrenched infla-
tion expectations have dragged con-
sumption down.
A more optimistic view is that the
economy has seen its worst, and from
now on a recovery is quite possible.
Supporting this view is the mild upturn
in industry and a sharp pick-up in agri-
culture. Industry rose by 2.4 per cent in
the second quarter from a meagre 0.2
per cent in the previous quarter, on the
back of improvement in the core sec-
tors of mining, utilities and construction.
The revival in exports has certainly
helped in achieving a turnaround in
manufacturing. It grew by 1 per cent in
the second quarter compared to a de-
cline by an identical margin in the first.
Yet, too much should not be read at this
stage into the improvement in this criti-
cal sector. However, agricultural growth
at 4.6 per cent compared to 2.7 per
cent in the April-June quarter might
well be sustained and in fact spearhead
overall recovery in the latter part of the
year. The biggest dampener, however,
is likely to be in one important sub-sec-
tor of services community, social and
personal services. Often considered to
be a proxy for government spending,
its growth rate has slumped to 4.2 per
cent from 9.4 per cent in the first quar-
ter. The government has the unenviable
task of reining in fiscal deficits to within
4.8 per cent without drastically cutting
down on essential government spend-
ing. Without this, a growth rate of 5 per
cent or more will be unattainable.
Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu
An economic agenda for India An economic agenda for India An economic agenda for India An economic agenda for India An economic agenda for India
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020
Setting a 2020 Perspective Eco-
nomic Agenda for India requires clarity
about the framework within which eco-
nomic policy choices have to be made.
There is a wide global consensus today
that democracy and competitive mar-
ket economy provide that framework.
Democracy is a system of governance
by consent of the people. Democracy
has become the trend, the accepted
system of government globally, and it
is spreading worldwide.
Furthermore, devolved democra-
cies better manage contradictions and
conflicts arising out of a heterogeneous
society and provide effective feedback
through an independent press to enable
corrective action by the government. It
empowers people to question the au-
thorities and make them accountable in
an election.
Moreover, the comparative eco-
nomic results in East and West Germany,
North and South Korea, China before
reform and China now, have conclu-
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sively proved that a competitive mar-
ket system driven by incentives is supe-
rior to a coercive, state-controlled sys-
tem, and that transparent democracy is
a better system of governance than a
closed dictatorship.
With the disintegration of the USSR
into 16 countries in 1991, the compara-
tive economic development theory has
changed its focus from a study of alter-
native systems to alternative governance
models of democracy, market system
and globalisation, that is, change of fo-
cus from dictatorship vs. democracy,
and state ownership vs. competitive
market, to harmonising freedom and
choice, with regulation, and how much
public sector and how much private, and
how the emancipating and enabling
power of democracy is to be balanced
with the development of a profit-driven
and competitive efficient market
what regulatory democratic institutions
must do to promote the efficient allo-
cation of resources with good, trans-
parent and accountable governance.
Governance norms, if properly
enforced, can enable India to grow at
12 per cent a year by efficiently using
the current 36 per cent rate of invest-
ment by reducing the current incre-
mental capital output ratio from 4.0 to
3.0. This implies a 36 divided by 3 per
cent growth rate in GDP, or 12 per cent
a year, which will mean a doubling of
GDP every 72 divided by 12 years, or
just six years, and that of per capita in-
come doubling every seven years. This
growth rate can take us to the league of
the top three nations of the world, of
the U.S., China and India, by 2020 and
help overtake China in the next two de-
cades thence. That should be the goal
of governance for us today.
India is not yet an economically
developed nation. While it has demon-
strated prowess in IT software, biotech
and pharmaceuticals, accelerated its
growth rate to 9 per cent a year to be-
come the third largest nation in terms
of GDP at PPP rates, it still has a back-
ward agricultural sector hosting 62 per
cent of the people of India. Farmers are
committing suicide unable to repay their
loans, the national unemployment rate
is over 15 per cent of the adult labour
force, and there is prevalence of child
labour arising out of nearly 50 per cent
of the children not making it to school
beyond the fifth standard. The country
has a deeply malfunctioning primary
and secondary educational system, 300
million illiterates and 250 million people
in dire poverty. Indias infrastructure is
pathetic, with frequent electric power
breakdowns even in metropolitan cit-
ies, dangerously unhealthy water sup-
ply in urban areas, galloping HIV infec-
tions, and gaping holes on the National
Highways.
To become a developed country,
Indias GDP will have to grow at 12 per
cent a year for at least a decade. Tech-
nically this is within Indias reach, since
it would require the rate of investment
to rise from the present 28 per cent of
GDP to 36 per cent while productivity
growth will have to ensure that the in-
cremental output capital ratio de-
clines from the present 4.0 to 3.0. These
are modest goals that can be attained
by increased FDI and by use of IT soft-
ware in domestic industry.
Need for more reforms Need for more reforms Need for more reforms Need for more reforms Need for more reforms
But for that to happen, more vig-
orous market-centric economic reforms
to dismantle the vestiges of the Soviet
model in Indian planning, especially at
the provincial level, are required. The
Indian financial system also suffers from
a hangover of cronyism and corruption
that have brought government budgets
to the verge of bankruptcy. This too
needs fixing.
Indias infrastructure requires
about $150 billion to make it world-
class, while the education system needs
6 per cent of GDP instead of 2.8 per
cent today. But an open competitive
market system can find these resources,
provided the quality of governance and
accountability is improved. Obviously,
a second generation of reforms is nec-
essary for all this.
But reforms are urgently required
to be carried out to accelerate Indias
growth rate to 12 per cent a year. India
has many advantages today for achiev-
ing a booming economy: a demographic
dividend, an agriculture that has inter-
nationally the lowest yield in land and
livestock-based products, and also at
the lowest cost of production, a full 12
months a year of farm-friendly weather,
a highly competitive skilled labour force
and low wage rates at the national level,
the advantages of which have already
been proved to the world by the
outsourcing phenomenon. We have a
young population (average is 28 years
compared to the 38 years of the U.S.,
and Japans 49 years) that can be the
base for it by ushering in innovation in
our production process.
Since the worldview of economic
development has now completely
changed, economic development is no
more thought of as capital-driven but
as knowledge-driven. For application of
knowledge, we need innovations. This
means more original research, which
needs more fresh young minds the
cream of the youth to be imbued
with learning and placed at the frontier
of research. Instead, for decades since
Independence we had been told that
Indias demography was its main liabil-
ity, that Indias population was growing
too fast, and what India needed most
was to control its population, even if by
coercive methods. Globally, India to-
day leads in the supply of youth per-
sons in the age group of 15 to 35 years
and this lead will last for another 40
years. We should not, therefore, squan-
der this natural resource. We must, by
a proper policy for the young, realise
and harvest this demographic potential.
China is the second largest world
leader in having a young population to-
day. But the youth population in that
country will start shrinking from 2015,
because of the lagged effect of the one-
child policy. Japanese and European
total populations are already fast age-
ing, and will start declining in absolute
numbers from 2013. The U.S. will, how-
ever, hold a steady trend thanks to a
liberal policy of immigration, especially
from Mexico and the Philippines. But
even then the U.S. will have a demo-
graphic shortage in skilled personnel. All
developed countries will experience a
demographic deficit. India will not, if
we empower our youth with multiple
intelligence. Our past liability, by a for-
tuitous turn of fate, has become our
potential asset.
Thus, India has now become, by
unintended consequences, gifted with
a young population. If we educate this
youth to devel op cognitive
intelligence to become original think-
ers, imbibe emotional intelligence t o
develop team spirit and a rational risk-
taking attitude, inculcate moral
intelligence to blend personal ambition
with national goals, cultivate social
intelligence to defend the rights of the
weak, gender equality, the courage to
fight injustice, and the spiritual
intelligence to tap into the cosmic en-
ergy (Brahmand) that surrounds the
earth, then we can develop a superior
species of human being, an Indian youth
who can be relied on to contribute to
make India a global power within two
decades. Only then, our demographic
dividend will not be wasted. This has to
be the core of the economic agenda for
a new government in 2014.
Peace, not war, on the Indus Peace, not war, on the Indus Peace, not war, on the Indus Peace, not war, on the Indus Peace, not war, on the Indus
The balanced work of the Perma-
nent Court of Arbitration means a new
dawnfor water management in the Indus
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT),
signed by India and Pakistan in 1960,
has recently been seen both as the one
agreement that has worked between
India and Pakistan and as an anachro-
nism which should be dissolved or re-
negotiated. On December 20, 2013, the
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
has issued a judgment which re-cali-
brates and modernises the IWT and,
again makes it a critical and effective
instrument in avoiding conflicts between
India and Pakistan on use of the rivers
of the Indus Basin.
It is first useful to reiterate the cen-
tral elements of the treaty and the long-
standing areas of contention. The IWT
assigns use of the eastern rivers (Ravi,
Beas and Sutlej) to India and use of the
western rivers (Chenab, Jhelum and
Indus) to Pakistan. The biggest sticking
point in negotiating the treaty in the
1950s was the conditions under which
India could use the hydro-electric po-
tential of the Chenab and the Jhelum
before the rivers reached Pakistan.
The principle incorporated into
the IWT was that, indeed, India could
develop this potential, but only under a
set of well-defined limitations on the
amount of manipulable storage which
could be created by India in the pro-
cess, thus assuring Pakistan that India
would not have the ability to manipu-
late either the timing or the quantities
of the flows reaching Pakistan.
In the 1990s, a difference arose
about the Baglihar Dam being built by
India on the Chenab. Pakistan claimed
that low gates installed for flushing sedi-
ments violated the specifications of the
treaty and endangered Pakistans water
security because it gave India a capac-
ity to manipulate the timing of flows
into Pakistan.
Recipe for conflict Recipe for conflict Recipe for conflict Recipe for conflict Recipe for conflict
In 2005, a Neutral Expert was ap-
pointed to hear the case. His finding
essentially said that new knowledge of
sediment management technology
meant that India had to be allowed to
install low gates. His finding ignored the
central balance between Indias right
to generate hydropower and Pakistans
right to unmanipulated flows in the
IWT. Since India plans to build many
other projects on the Chenab and
Jhelum, if the Baglihar ruling established
new ground rules, this would, essentially,
give India a free hand to do whatever it
liked, leaving Pakistan vulnerable in both
perception and practice. This was a
recipe for growing conflict and, eventu-
ally, even war over the Indus.
In 2010, Pakistan took a new case,
that of the Kishenganga hydro-electric
project on the Jhelum river, to the Inter-
national Court of Arbitration. On Decem-
ber 20, 2013, the court issued its final
judgment. The Kishenganga case com-
prised two elements was India within
its rights to build the project and was
India able to insert low gates? On the
first, limited and specific issue, the court
interpreted the treaty literally and ac-
curately and allowed India to proceed.
This will somewhat limit the yield of a
Pakistani hydropower project being
built downstream, but it is not a sys-
temic issue. The big and systemic issue
was the second. Here, the court rein-
forced the hard constraints built into the
IWT regarding the ability of India to
embed manipulable storage into this and
all future projects.
Convenience vs water Convenience vs water Convenience vs water Convenience vs water Convenience vs water
security security security security security
The court pointed out that while it
might be convenient for India to build
low gates and practise sediment flush-
ing, this was not the only way to man-
age sediments, and that convenience for
India had to be balanced against the
threat this would pose to Pakistans
water security. The court explicitly
stated that the Baglihar ruling did not
constitute a precedent and implied that
the Baglihar Neutral Expert had erred
by not balancing engineering concerns
with the diplomatic and security fac-
tors which were at the heart of the IWT.
The decision by the PCA means
that India can, as laid out by the IWT,
continue to develop much-needed hy-
dropower projects on the Chenab and
the Jhelum, but it must strictly respect
the IWT-defined limits on manipulable
storage, and must use methods other
than the construction of low gates to
flush silt.
The court also played close atten-
tion to an area which had been neglected
in the original IWT, namely environmen-
tal flows (e-flows). The court mandated
a small, constant release which was less
than 10% of what Pakistan claimed to
be necessary. Again, the court under-
lined the importance of balance. Al-
though the court considered this ap-
proach (to defining the e-flow) to be
somewhat severe in environmental
terms, the court concluded that [.]
such an approach represents an appro-
priate balance between the needs of the
environment and Indias right to power
generation. This principle of balance
and reasonableness is particularly im-
portant because it is inevitable that Pa-
kistan will ask that India release e-flows
from the eastern rivers (especially the
Ravi and the Sutlej) into areas of Paki-
stan which have suffered major environ-
mental damage as India has diverted all
flows to the east.
The bottom line is that the bril-
liant and balanced work of the PCA
means a new dawn for water manage-
ment in the Indus. Rumblings over wa-
ter wars on the Indus should now dissi-
pate, and, once again, relationships be-
tween India and Pakistan on the Indus
should become stable and perhaps have
a positive ripple effect on relatioins
between the two countries.
Penetrating the web of terror Penetrating the web of terror Penetrating the web of terror Penetrating the web of terror Penetrating the web of terror
networks networks networks networks networks
An Ahmedabad metropolitan
court recently rejected a petition chal-
lenging the Special Investigation Teams
(SIT) 2011 conclusion that the post-
Godhra violence in Gujarat in 2002 was
an impulsive reaction of Hindus enraged
by the Godhra killings and not a politi-
cal conspiracy fronted by Chief Minis-
ter Narendra Modi.
On the other hand, some in the
media, academia, police, and advocacy
groups have maintained that the vio-
lence was a well-orchestrated anti-Mus-
lim pogrom, not a spontaneous riot.
The Sangh Parivar had diligently planned
the violence to help a wilting Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, they
charged, and disgruntled members
among Scheduled Castes (Dalits) and
Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis) were instru-
mentally mobilised to execute the plan.
It was suggested that spontaneity was
a ruse, following ploys adopted by ear-
lier governments, notably the Congress
in 1984 and the BJP-RSS in 1992-93.
The first question about the post-
Godhra violence that comes to mind,
and has indeed been noted by scholars
like Achyut Yagnik and Lancy Lobo is:
why did it occur so unevenly across the
State? Although violence affected many
towns, and pervaded rural areas with
unprecedented frenzy, many places in
Gujarat remained peaceful. By implica-
tion, if the post-Godhra killings were an
outcome of anger and revenge, why
were perpetrators selectively angry or
vengeful? If different places experi-
enced different levels of violence, did
these spatial variations occur at random
or did they indicate a pattern?
These are crucial questions to be
addressed for any event of large-scale
violence. To do so, I teamed up with Dr.
Michael Biggs, a sociologist at Oxford
University, to conduct a systematic
analysis taking account of all possible
factors that might have caused the vio-
lence. We meticulously gathered infor-
mation on the population of Muslims,
Scheduled Castes and Tribes on socio-
economic conditions such as unemploy-
ment and migration. We measured the
strength of the BJP by its votes in the
1998 Assembly election and by the pres-
ence of a BJP MLA. Crucially, we com-
pared peaceful with violent places in
order to identify specific risk factors
associated with violence. Explaining the
factors leading to violence by examin-
ing only those cases where violence
occurred can lead to spurious conclu-
sions. This methodology follows from
the exemplary work on ethnic violence
in India by sociologists and political
scientists such as Paul Brass, Steven
Wilkinson, Henrik Urdal and Ashutosh
Varshney.
We found persuasive evidence
that the violence was not spontaneous.
Had it been spontaneous, it would be
correct to expect the most outraged
people and, subsequently, the worst
violence in places where the BJP was
strong. Even if the party had not taken a
leading role, it was its supporters who
would be most likely to lash out against
Muslims. Instead, after taking into ac-
count other economic and social fac-
tors, we found that lethal violence was
considerably less likely where the BJP
was strong (for example, Junagadh,
Navsari). Endorsing this pattern, we
found that violence was less likely to
happen in places with a sitting BJP MLA.
Killings were less likely where the
BJP was very weak (for example,
Narmada, Dangs). It was in places where
the BJP faced the greatest electoral
competition, having gained about 35-
40 per cent of the vote in 1998, that le-
thal violence was the worst (for example,
Anand, Kheda). Here, the party will face
the greatest competition for votes in the
coming election. These findings take into
account the social and economic fac-
tors that could have led to spontane-
ous violence, and so identify the spe-
cific effect of the BJP. This cannot be
judged by taking one or two well-known
instances of violence.
Violence delivered votes Violence delivered votes Violence delivered votes Violence delivered votes Violence delivered votes
Violence, therefore, was greatest
in places where the BJP faced the great-
est competition from other parties. By
inflaming anti-Muslim sentiment, it was
possible that people who had previously
voted for the Congress or other parties
would switch to the BJP the next time.
Remember that it was later in 2002
nearly a year after the most lethal anti-
Muslim attacks occurred and close to
the next election that Mr. Modi de-
livered the now infamous speech in
Mehsana with obvious references to
Alis, Malis and Jamalis and their child
producing factories.
So, did this electoral tactic work?
We measured how the BJPs vote went
up or down between 1998 and the As-
sembly election at the end of 2002. We
found a strong pattern: where more
Muslims were killed, the greater the
boost to the BJPs vote. For example,
the BJPs vote increased substantially in
districts where the violence was severe,
as in Panchmahal. In districts without
violence, by contrast, the vote declined,
as in Surendranagar.
These findings flag a crucial aspect
about the post-Godhra violence: that it
had an implicit political logic. There is
much evidence, not only from India, of
the link between political authority and
its capacity to arouse ethnic tensions,
sometimes leading to violence. Depend-
ing on the will of the government con-
trolling local law and order, the result-
ing violence is either allowed to con-
tinue or is stopped. This is particularly
the case in multi-ethnic societies be-
cause they provide wider scope to
change the salience of ethnic issues to
suit political elites.
The foil of spontaneity in vio-
lence has worked admirably in favour
of the political elites in India. Rajiv
Gandhi used it to justify the spontane-
ous reaction of angry Hindus at the as-
sassination of Mrs Gandhi in 1984; Mr.
Modi continues to use it with eclectic
references to Newton and puppies. His
latest blog post following the metro-
politan court verdict, where he ex-
presses absolute emptiness at the vio-
lence again signals the governments
purported helplessness at the spectacle
of perpetrators letting off steam.
Pride and parampara in Pride and parampara in Pride and parampara in Pride and parampara in Pride and parampara in
Manhattan Manhattan Manhattan Manhattan Manhattan
In the Devyani Khobragade drama,
the media have largely focussed on two
themes and stoked wounded national
pride around those. One: the outrageous
manner of the arrest of the Indian con-
sular official. Two, the perfidy of the
United States. Of the latter, there has
been plenty in the past few years. But
you barely saw a whimper of anti-U.S.
sentiment in the mainstream media. It
took the Khobragade case to produce
that. She has been charged in New York
with visa fraud and illegally underpay-
ing her domestic help and housekeeper
Sangeeta Richard (who is also an Indian
citizen). Both the human story and the
U.S.-bully story are easily told, and in-
deed have been, many times over these
past few days. With the crude bungling
of her arrest, and the harsh manner of it,
the U.S. has raised Indian hackles. And,
of course, weve had yet another dis-
play of U.S. double standards on diplo-
matic immunity.
Incidents and Indian reaction Incidents and Indian reaction Incidents and Indian reaction Incidents and Indian reaction Incidents and Indian reaction
Whats been an intriguing and no
less riveting a story, is the high-voltage
response of the Indian government. The
rage and fury it has displayed. None of
which was seen in many other cases that
cried out for a much stronger response
to U.S. wrongdoing. The Edward
Snowden revelations earlier this year
showed India to be one of the biggest
targets of electronic espionage by the
National Security Agency (NSA) of the
U.S. Yes, ahead of even Russia and China.
The scope of the damage done to us
has still barely been explored. We know
the Indian Mission to the United Nations
was, and perhaps still is, bugged. We
know that the G-20 meeting in London
that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
went to in 2010 was also bugged. The
latter, by the Government Communica-
tions Headquarters (GCHQ), the NSAs
British sibling.
Brazil, less affected than India, saw
President Dilma Rousseff cancel a state
visit to America. An angry Ms. Rousseff
sought an apology and an end to digital
snooping. She also launched a scathing
attack on U.S. spying, in a speech at the
United Nations this September. India
said and did nothing. Though an Ameri-
can judge did, saying the NSAs mass
surveillance was most likely illegal even
within the U.S. Our supine silence meant
that Dr. Singhs own trip to the U.S. went
off without a glitch.
There was no flurry of angry state-
ments from top officials when a U.S.
Navy ship fired on a small fishing boat
off Dubai in July last year. The USNS
Rappahannock opened fire, killing one
Indian fisherman and wounding three.
All four in a total crew of six were
from Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu.
The survivors said they had no signal,
warning or inkling of an attack.
The Indian Ambassador to the UAE
told Reuters at the time: Obviously if
they were warned they would not go
close to such a big vessel. Even if shots
were fired in the air, these fishermen
would have moved away. After a day
or two of reports in the media, the story
sank in silence. We saw no furious Ex-
ternal Affairs Minister blasting the U.S.
Nor a Parliamentary Affairs Minister say-
ing: A regret for the sake of formality is
not enough. They should apologise in
unambiguous terms and accept their
mistake. All of that was reserved for
the present dispute. Wrongly jailed In-
dian sailors in Togo waited months for
their government to act. One of them is
yet to be released. In the Devyani case,
India was on the attack from day one.
Many mighty Indians have been
through humiliating pat-downs and
checks at airports in the U.S. That in-
cludes former Presidents of this coun-
try, serving Ambassadors to the U.S.,
and others. George Fernandes while
Defence Minister was twice subjected
to intrusive searches. One of these was
described by a former U.S. Deputy Sec-
retary of State as a strip search. Its
even happened, horror of horrors, to
Bollywoods brightest and best. But
none of these instances drew a response
like the one we saw over Ms.
Khobragade.
Why? Because the charges levelled
against her might well apply to a very
large number of our embassy and con-
sular staff? And not just in New York?
Imagine the embarrassment ahead if this
prosecution were to extend to the rest
of the fraternity. After all, the domestic
help who have been ripped off are also
Indian citizens. What if some group
clubbed together a raft of such cases
and brought something like a class-ac-
tion suit in American courts? It would
be quite logical. And it could cost the
government of India millions of dollars.
Issue of underpayment Issue of underpayment Issue of underpayment Issue of underpayment Issue of underpayment
Those voices raising the issues of
labour and exploitation in the Devyani
case have found very limited space in
the media. Unions and activists speak-
ing for domestic workers have had
things to say, but they mostly go un-
heard. To date India has not ratified the
ILOs Domestic Workers Convention
2011 (189).
It could be that the full truth of the
Devyani case itself is yet to emerge. But
the underpayment and ill-treatment of
domestic help by Indians is routine and
obnoxious. In the U.S. and elsewhere.
Indeed, in New York groups sprang up
in the 1990s to organise such workers
and defend them against inhuman treat-
ment. Thats a whole set of stories in
itself. Indian domestic workers are of-
ten brought into the U.S. by their em-
ployers as family members. On arrival,
some have their passports confiscated
by their family. That ensures they can-
not run and cannot hide. Some of these
workers have remained locked up in
apartments or houses for weeks while
their family goes on vacation, leaving
them with meagre rations.
This is not the first time the Ameri-
can legal machinery has moved on such
a case. The other instances have been
no less shameful. Here, though, if the
prosecutors proceed against all offend-
ers, a much greater fraternity stands
threatened. Hence, a regret for the sake
of formality is not enough. The Indian
government wants the proceedings
dropped altogether.
Under-payment is another story.
This is the most dreary, routine practice
within India. And not just with domestic
workers. There are several private col-
leges in the country, for instance, which
employ lecturers ostensibly at UGC
scales. All the paperwork, including the
payslips they sign, show them getting
UGC-scale salaries. In truth, they get a
fraction of that. But this is accepted as
normal. People getting ripped off by
manpower export sharks is also seen as
normal. And some of the Gulf states
have found it convenient to go along
with this for decades.
So, when one prosecutor in a for-
eign land does not accept such conduct
as normal, theres panic. More so since
it affects an elite Indian service. All we
did was to extend good old Indian elite
tradition, orparampara, abroad. How
dare anyone challenge that?
The India-U.S. nuclear deal de-
mands media scrutiny. And indeed, gov-
ernmental action. To date, India has got
very little of what it signed up for. But
where are the angry responses and de-
mands for restitution? Indeed, the U.S.
government has demanded we change
our liability laws if we want it to deliver
on that deal. All that the government of
India is asking for in the Khobragade
matter is a dropping of charges. The
Americans want us to change our very
laws. Even those tested and upheld in
our Supreme Court. More recently in
Bali, we celebrated a victory that ben-
efits everyone, over a deal that does
little for food security now, while trad-
ing away quite a bit of it in the future.
Again: a marked lack of toughness in
response. No cries of conspiracy. Not
even what would have been valid
charges of extortion. The list is endless.
But theres an amazing level of
protest on a case involving on the
surface a single consular official. It is
possible that theres much going on in
the background we dont know about.
Yet, even as Ms. Khobragades prob-
lems in the U.S. are far from over, oth-
ers confront her in India. She is named
in the Commission report on the Adarsh
scam. She figures in it as one among
several ineligible persons who got a flat
in the Adarsh building.
With the U.S. rejecting the demand
to drop charges against Ms.
Khobragade, things will get tricky. This
is indeed an issue of principles, not of
the individual Ms. Khobragade. But any
coming face-off, if one occurs at all,
wont be on any of the issues we need
to confront the U.S. on. Merely on our
fundamental right to rip off our servants
and exploit labour.
Get serious on safety Get serious on safety Get serious on safety Get serious on safety Get serious on safety
Athree-tier air-conditioned coach
of the Bangalore-Nanded Express was
engulfed in flames near Anantapur,
claiming 26 lives in the early hours of
December 28. The cause of the fire is
still under investigation. However, pre-
liminary reports from the site of the trag-
edy, confirmed by the Andhra Pradesh
Director General of Police, point to an
electrical short circuit in the coach. Fires
in running trains are not new to the In-
dian Railways, but the unfortunate fact
is that when it happens in the dead of
night and that too in an enclosed air-
conditioned coach, the chances of sur-
vival are bleak. Out of the 64 passen-
gers in the ill-fated coach, 26 died, and
some of them were reported to be pas-
sengers who came back to pick up their
luggage. The TTE had the presence of
mind to pull the chain, stop the train,
and call for the fire service, which is said
to have reached the spot in 15 minutes.
Strange as it may seem, in July 2012, 47
passengers were killed when a coach of
the Tamil Nadu Express caught fire near
Nellore, also in Andhra Pradesh. Derail-
ments, collisions, fire and accidents at
unmanned level crossings account for
the bulk of railway calamities in India.
For many years now, there has
been talk about increased use of non-
combustible and non-inflammable ma-
terials in railway coaches. The Railways
took a policy decision to make the shift,
and coach production units were asked
to go in for fire-retardant material. But
this is obviously a slow process and new
coaches could be made with them. The
problem persists with the old coaches
still in use. A major drive to check pas-
sengers carrying stoves or inflammable
materials was launched, and met with
some success. Two other major sources
of fire incidents relate to overheating
wheels and electrical short circuit. With
advances in technology, it should be
possible for the Indian Railways to de-
tect such hazards in time to prevent a
fire. Smoke detectors and circuit break-
ers have become commonplace and
can easily be installed in trains. It is
anybodys guess whether all trains have
operational fire extinguishers and if ev-
ery railway station is equipped to fight
fires. Several inquiries and Commission
reports have pointed to gaps in safety
measures and suggested follow-up ac-
tion. The Kakodkar committee on safety
last year pointed to an implementation
bug and recommended a massive Rs.1
lakh crore programme over five years
to ensure complete safety on the
wheels. It suggested an allocation of
Rs.20,000 crore a year, which can also
be generated by means of a safety cess
on passengers. The Railways should take
the issue of safety much more seriously,
and look at this and other ways of fund-
ing the required measures.
The Mao legacy and Chinas The Mao legacy and Chinas The Mao legacy and Chinas The Mao legacy and Chinas The Mao legacy and Chinas
reforms future reforms future reforms future reforms future reforms future
China marked Mao Zedongs
120th birth anniversary on December 26.
How do leading Chinese intellectuals
look at the reform path ahead for the
country? In the first of a series, liberal
economist Mao Yushi speaks of threats
to political and economic reforms from
interest groups
The Communist Party of China
(CPC) finds itself in an awkward posi-
tion as it goes forward after commemo-
rating the 120th birth anniversary of the
most important of its founding fathers.
A year ago, the CPCs propaganda chiefs
decreed that Mao Zedongs 120th birth
anniversary, which fell on December 26,
would be celebrated with fanfare, aimed
at underlining the Great Helmsmans last-
ing contributions in founding a new
China and, at the same time, boosting
the partys legitimacy at a time when it
is struggling to renew its ideological
appeal.
But in the weeks leading up to the
anniversary, the party appeared to have
had a change of heart. First, the official
broadcaster, China Central Television
(CCTV), said it would cancel a long-
planned 100-episode television series
about the life of Mao, scheduled to co-
incide with his birth anniversary. Then,
the CPCs new leader, President Xi
Jinping, on a visit to Maos native Hunan
province told provincial officials any
planned celebrations needed to be
pragmatic.
Divisive issue Divisive issue Divisive issue Divisive issue Divisive issue
What is clear is that Maos legacy
continues to be a divisive issue in China.
For those on the conservative Left,
Maos political authoritarianism is of-
ten framed as a platform to oppose
economic and political reforms, which
they view as a fundamental threat to
the partys future. Those on the liberal
Right, who favour market reforms and
political loosening, see his persisting
political legacy as an obstacle.
The Party under Mr. Xi finds itself
caught in the middle, the respected
economist Mao Yushi told The
Hindu in an interview. Today, he said,
the party is facing many contradictions.
Mao Zedongs path, and the CPCs path,
are different. Mao Zedong believed in
the need to establish an equal society.
Now we have an unequal society. Mao
believed in Communism. Today, the
party follows Capitalism. So there is a
contradiction.
Mao Yushi has, over the past two
decades, become one of Chinas most
influential intellectuals. An economist
by training, the 84-year-old retired
scholar (no relation to Mao Zedong)
heads the pro-reform Unirule Institute
of Economics in Beijing, which he es-
tablished with four other economists
two decades ago when China was be-
ginning to embark on its second round
of reforms. Famed in China as an econo-
mist several of his works have be-
come best-sellers there he has also
emerged as the countrys most promi-
nent critic of Maoism in recent years.
Two years ago, he faced threats to his
life as several thousand Mao support-
ers put forward a petition demanding
his arrest after he wrote a brave article
criticising Maos legacy. Unsurprisingly,
he sees Maos supporters as the big-
gest threat to the CPC and one rea-
son behind the restrained celebrations
this year. Maos supporters think our
road today is completely wrong. So there
is no way the ruling party can celebrate
this anniversary as a big event.
Going forward Going forward Going forward Going forward Going forward
Professor Mao sees the partys
new leader, Mr. Xi Jinping, who has now
been in office for a little over a year, as
appearing confused about plotting a
course forward, leaving both liberals
and Maoists disappointed. On Thurs-
day, December 26, Mr. Xi seemed to
attempt a careful balancing act in a
speech at a symposium to mark Maos
anniversary held at the Great Hall of the
People in Beijing just about the only
official event to commemorate the oc-
casion. While he defended Maos legacy
by describing him as a great figure who
changed the face of the nation and led
the Chinese people to a new destiny,
he also said revolutionary leaders are
not gods, but human beings.
In the year he has been in office,
Mr. Xi has made clear he plans to go
forward with economic reforms that
include boosting the role of the market
and trimming the power of the influen-
tial state-run sector, according to an
ambitious blueprint unveiled at the Cen-
tral Committees third plenum in No-
vember. Mr. Xi has himself sought to
invoke comparisons with former leader
Deng Xiaoping, who unveiled Chinas
reforms at another third plenum meet-
ing, in 1978. At the same time, he also
hit out at those questioning Mao
Zedongs legacy and seeking to negate
the results of the first 30 years of the
CPCs history a turbulent time that
saw the Great Leap Forward (1958) that
resulted in famine and tens of millions
of deaths, and the Cultural Revolution
(1966-76) where Maos Red Guards per-
secuted millions.
State enterprises State enterprises State enterprises State enterprises State enterprises
Mao Yushi, however, believes that
enabling the Chinese people to have a
true understanding of Mao Zedongs
legacy is crucial for the countrys politi-
cal future. In 2011, he penned an article
arguing for the restoration of Mao
Zedong as a man, highlighting his di-
rect responsibility for the famine and
the Cultural Revolution, events which
find no mention in our textbooks. He
said the first 30 years of new China were
a misery, while the backstage boss
who destroyed the country still has his
portrait on Tiananmen Square. His ar-
ticle triggered a storm of controversy,
angering Party mouthpieces, conserva-
tives and the Left, but winning praise
from historians and progressives. Al-
though he faced death threats and calls
from neo-Maoists for his arrest, the Chi-
nese government did not take any ac-
tion.
The government tries to cover
Maos crimes, he said. In textbooks,
there is nothing about Maos crimes. It
never talks about the three years great
famine, how many people died. The
young generation does not know the
past history. The history they study is
fabricated history, so it gets peoples
ideas very confused about the need for
political reforms and democratisation.
The future of change in China on the
political side, he added, depends on
how big is the force of the pro-Mao
people. Economic change depends on
how strong vested interest groups are.
He sees state-owned Enterprises
(SOEs), which still control vast swathes
of the economy, as the biggest interest
group. The SOEs sector railways,
energy, communication is very
strong. The price they set, whether the
interest rate, or power price, is by them-
selves. So they earn a big profit, not
because of their efficiency but because
they monopolise the sector. Mao Yushi
and many other Chinese economists see
SOE reform as a key step towards ad-
dressing Chinas economic imbalances,
as the country attempts to move away
from a State-investment driven model,
promote innovation and address wid-
ening inequality.
Mr. Xi, in the November plenum,
took a tentative step towards curbing
SOE power, by declaring they will have
to return a greater share of their profits
and opening them up to private capital.
But Professor Mao says the move will
not have much impact, pointing out that
20 years ago, when profits had to be
returned to the government, SOEs sim-
ply used up all their profits.
If you look at Singapore or
France, SOEs are efficient because they
are totally separated from the govern-
ment. In our case, they are just one
body, so this is the problem. Board
members of these SOEs come from the
government. They exchange positions
because board members earn 10 mil-
lion Yuan (Rs.10 crore) a year, but as a
minister earn may be a hundred thou-
sand. The board members are told by
the government, You take this position,
earn 10 million year, come back after
three years and let someone else take
the position!
Professor Mao thinks that eco-
nomically it is clear China is going in the
direction of a more open and liberal
way. Politically, generally there are
some improvements towards greater
rule of law, but Mr. Xis long-term vision
in political terms is not clear. He be-
lieves that the decade under Mr. Xi may
not bring big reforms, but the next
generation 10 years on could bring a big
change. If you look at Taiwan, when
officials who studied overseas came
back and took high positions, like [Presi-
dent] Ma Ying-jeou, the political envi-
ronment changed, he said. In Chinas
case, one or two ministers are overseas
returned, but that number is going up
very fast.
Why diplomatic immunity Why diplomatic immunity Why diplomatic immunity Why diplomatic immunity Why diplomatic immunity
matters matters matters matters matters
He left the police station laugh-
ing, an hour after he had been detained
on 15 counts of assault and rape, one
afternoon in 1981. New York resident
Carol Holmes had that day spotted the
smartly dressed man who had beaten
and raped her at her apartment, walk-
ing down a Manhattan street. The po-
lice first exulted that they had found a
man they believed was responsible for
multiple crimes. Then they realised they
could do nothing about it. Manual
Aryee, 19, was the son of a diplomat at
Ghanas Embassy, and therefore pro-
tected by diplomatic immunity.
For all I know, Ms. Holmes
told People magazine, describing Mr.
Aryees release, he could have been
going to a French restaurant for dinner.
Indian diplomat Devyani
Khobragades incarceration in New York
has divided opinion sharply in India and
abroad. To some, she is an emblem of
hurt national pride; to others, a callous
exploiter. Her former maid, Sangeeta
Richard, has been cast as both a Green
Card-seeking operator and as a victim
of Indias notoriously arrogant lite. As
in every similar conflict, the diplomat
and the maid have a story to tell and
will do so in a court of law.
These questions, though impor-
tant, are also irrelevant to the diplomatic
issues involved. New Delhis retaliatory
actions against U.S. diplomats in India
a rare display of spine are a nec-
essary defence of a critical principle in
relations between nation-states.
Fraying Conventions Fraying Conventions Fraying Conventions Fraying Conventions Fraying Conventions
For years now, the Vienna Conven-
tions on diplomatic immunity have been
fraying at the edges largely driven by
public outrage over cases like that of
Mr. Aryee. It was not too long ago that
the shoe was on Indias foot. Earlier this
year, the Supreme Court restrained Ital-
ian Ambassador Daniele Mancini from
leaving India, saying he had failed to
honour commitments that two Italian
marines charged with the murder of fish-
ermen off Kerala would stand trial.
Indias actions were a flat-out vio-
lation of Article 31 of the 1961 Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations
which says diplomats shall enjoy im-
munity from the criminal jurisdiction of
the receiving State. He shall also enjoy
immunity from its civil and administra-
tive jurisdiction. European diplomats
protested, rightly, against what they ar-
gued was an egregious violation of the
Vienna Conventions.
There have been a string of similar
cases across the world. In 2011, nota-
bly, authorities in Pakistan held Central
Intelligence Agency contractor
Raymond Davis after he shot dead two
armed men in Lahore. The U.S. insisted
his rights as a diplomat were violated
by his arrest.
Internet searches reveal a long list
of abuses of diplomatic immunity: mur-
der, rape, drunk-driving incidents. Each
of these, on the face of it, involved un-
acceptable crimes. In each case, letting
the perpetrator remain free was the right
thing to do.
These cases had one thing in com-
mon: a host country determined that
immunity should not give the perpetra-
tor impunity. This is morally true but
it is a price nations have agreed to pay
for a larger gain. The alternative is to
make envoys vulnerable to wrongful
pressure and coercion, which in turn
would make diplomacy impossible.
New documents released by In-
dia show Dr. Khobragade had complete
immunity from prosecution of arrest,
the consequence of her accreditation
to the United Nations on temporary
duty. However, the U.S. State Depart-
ment could reasonably argue it was un-
aware of this even Indias External
Affairs Ministry only awoke to this cir-
cumstance many days after her arrest.
Even if Dr. Khobragade was only
Indias acting consul-general, she would
have still have enjoyed substantial pro-
tections against arrest under the 1963
Vienna Convention on Consular Rela-
tions. Article 41 says consular officials
shall not be liable to arrest or detention
pending trial, except in the case of a
grave crime . It also stipulates that
they shall not be committed to prison
or be liable to any other form of restric-
tion on their personal freedom save in
execution of a judicial decision of final
effect.
This is not equivocal language.
U.S. law U.S. law U.S. law U.S. law U.S. law
It has been argued that Dr.
Khobragades alleged crime was a felony
under U.S. law, a category that the coun-
try uses to distinguish serious offences
from misdemeanours. Thus, the argu-
ment goes, her alleged offence met the
grave crimes stipulation of the Con-
vention. Felonies, though, encompass a
range of crimes. In some U.S. jurisdic-
tions, they even include the theft of over
a certain amount of money. It cannot
be reasonably argued that such offences
meet the Convention-mandated crite-
ria of a grave crime. Nor can individual
states be allowed to assign arbitrary
assignations of gravity, for obvious rea-
sons.
The State Departments own 2011
guidelines on immunity note that the
immunity of consular and diplomatic
personnel generally precludes hand-
cuffing, arrest or detention in any form.
It adds just one caveat: circumstances
where public safety is in imminent dan-
ger, or it is apparent that a grave crime
may otherwise be committed.
Dr. Khobragade might indeed
have lied on a visa form to bring a do-
mestic help from India on less than the
legally-mandated wage. She might have
treated her domestic help badly. It is
nobodys case, though, that Indias act-
ing consul-general in New York was
about to torture or kill.
The correct procedure was dem-
onstrated a few days ago, after a
Mumbai resident brought molestation
charges against Mohammed Abdulaziz
Al Khaja, Bahrains Consul-General. The
Mumbai Police initiated proceedings
against Mr. Khaja, but his immunity has
ensured he is not arrested.
It is probably true, as the New
York authorities have claimed, that Dr.
Khobragade was treated just as any U.S.
citizen accused of a similar crime would
have been treated and that is pre-
cisely the problem.
Why immunity is important Why immunity is important Why immunity is important Why immunity is important Why immunity is important
There are several theories under-
pinning the notion of diplomatic immu-
nity among them, the now-outmoded
idea that an ambassador represents the
body of a foreign king; the notion that
an embassy is in fact foreign territory;
the idea that such immunities are nec-
essary for the smooth conduct of for-
eign relations. Behind these theories lies
one simple truth: if one nation punishes
diplomats for good reasons or bad,
there is nothing to stop the other nation
from doing the same. For all practical
purposes, diplomats would be at risk
of becoming hostages.
Understanding this, nation-states
have let diplomats literally get away with
murder. In 1984, Libyan embassy staffer
Salah Ameri allegedly opened fire at
protesters, killing British police officer
Yvonne Fletcher. Britain severed diplo-
matic relations, after which the accused
embassy staff member left the country.
In a thoughtful analysis published
in 2000, legal scholar Dror Ben-Asher
noted that the occasional abuse of the
diplomatic immunity rules is largely off-
set by the continuing need for them.
He added: The actual number and per-
centage of abuses affecting fundamen-
tal human rights is relatively small, [and]
therefore a complete wholesale rewrit-
ing of the rules or even a too-radical
reform, is undesirable.
Put simply, arresting a diplomat
in violation of the Convention signals
contempt for international norms and
with it, signals that one nation-state be-
lieves it can violate the rights it accords
another.
Long before modern diplomatic
conventions began to evolve in 17th-
century Europe, great civilisations un-
derstood the importance of ensuring
that diplomatic envoys were inviolate.
The ill-treatment of Raja Raja Cholas
envoys sparked the Kandalur War in 994
CE. Genghis Khans armies insisted on
the inviolability of the lives of their am-
bassadors and razed entire cities to
defend the principle. The Mongolian
conquest of the Khwarezmid empire in
1219 began after one of Genghis Khans
ambassadors was beheaded.
New Delhis more civilised ex-
pression of wrath, notably by denying
U.S. diplomats unilateral courtesies, is
legitimate. There is plenty of reason to
believe the State Departments casual
consideration of Dr. Khobragades privi-
leges was grounded in an institutional
unconcern for Indian reactions. Earlier
this month, New York authorities were
prevented from arresting 49 Russian
consular and diplomatic officials and
their spouses, charged with embezzling
millions. It is probable that the near-cer-
tainty of Russian retaliation helped fo-
cus the State Departments mind.
It is also important, though, that
New Delhi upholds the Convention
not subvert it. New Delhis effort to
shield Dr. Khobragade from prosecution
by giving her full diplomatic immunity
is fundamentally misplaced; the Con-
vention gives Dr. Khobragade no such
immunity. It is also important for the
government to initiate a credible inves-
tigation into claims by Dr. Khobragades
domestic help that efforts were made
to intimidate her family in India.
The larger challenge, though, is
before the U.S.: it has the choice to do
the right thing and admit wrongdoing.
To remain recalcitrant, as it has been, is
to contribute to the slow unravelling of
an international convention that keeps
its own diplomats safe, every single
day.
How to split the costs of How to split the costs of How to split the costs of How to split the costs of How to split the costs of
carbon emissions? carbon emissions? carbon emissions? carbon emissions? carbon emissions?
It is probably a safe bet that very
few Americans unwrapping a brand-new
iPhone left under their Christmas tree
are thinking about its impact on the glo-
bal climate.
U.S. citizens aside, about three-
quarters of the carbon dioxide is con-
sidered the responsibility of other
people in places like China and Taiwan,
South Korea and Inner Mongolia, where
the phone and its parts were made. It is
increasingly evident that the effort to
curb global warming is as stuck as ever,
and also that, whether we like it or not,
were all in this together.
The obstacles remain significant.
Countless summit conferences, since
the Kyoto Protocol on climate change
was adopted more than 15 years ago,
have failed to budge the fundamental
roadblocks standing in the way of col-
lective action: How should the costs be
divided? Who did what to whom? Are
emissions the responsibility of the coun-
tries that made them or of the countries
for whom the products were made?
Understanding the impact of con-
sumption-generated emissions on cli-
mate change is a necessary first step for
concrete mitigative action.
Policymakers in Washington main-
tain that a deal that only required rich
countries to limit emissions would be
pointless: Heavy emitters of greenhouse
gases like the agriculture and chemical
industry would decamp from rich na-
tions to the less carbon-restricted shores
of the developing world.
Indeed, recent research suggested
that if rich countries were to cut emis-
sions by 20 per cent from 2004 levels
without securing cooperation from de-
veloping countries, some 5 to 19 per-
cent of the carbon savings would be lost
to leakage.
Heres the quandary, though. The
standard approach being considered to
account for the cost of traded carbon is
to tax recorded emissions at the bor-
der. Big exporters like China, not sur-
prisingly, dont like that approach.
The study on emissions leakage
found that imposing a carbon tax on
imports would reduce the leaks by about
a third. But China seems to have every-
thing to lose. If China brought this up in
negotiations it would be allowing the
U.S. and Europe to regulate its exports.
Other research has concluded that
imposing a border penalty would en-
courage China and other developing
countries to tax their own carbon emis-
sions and keep the money rather than
have them taxed by others.
With colorful wrapping strewn
across the floor and apps zipping from
the old iPhone to the new, most Ameri-
cans wont be worrying about any of
this Christmas morning. Who cares, in
the end, about whose fault it is? But if
the world is to prevent catastrophic cli-
mate change from eventually undermin-
ing civilisation, somebody somewhere
must pay the cost of consuming less
carbon. And nobody is volunteering.
Unlearning undemocratic Unlearning undemocratic Unlearning undemocratic Unlearning undemocratic Unlearning undemocratic
values values values values values
The brutal sexual attack on a young
woman in Delhi, in 2012, and a savage
attack on a girl student of Jawaharlal
Nehru University (JNU) on its campus
this year are just two examples of ex-
treme violence that have shocked the
nation. Acts of sexual violence are com-
mon despite public outrage and the fear
of legal action. Equally disturbing was
the mass exodus of citizens of north-
eastern States from Bangalore in 2012.
Instances of caste discrimination and
violence occur at regular intervals to
which we have become quite immune.
Occurrences of discrimination based on
caste, gender, race and religion are not
disparate but a reflection of the ways in
which our society works. Traditional
values contradictory to democratic
norms and practices continue to shape
the behaviour of our children and adults
in their formative stages through
socialisation in the family and society.
Public policy can do little to influence
this informal learning which is at vari-
ance with the principles of equality and
respect for differences.
Education can be an instrument
of change. But nation-building would
require reform in education; unlearning
of undemocratic values is as important
as the learning of democratic ones. Un-
fortunately, our education system, with
its present curricula and pedagogy, has
less to offer by way of civic learning
and democratic engagement that shapes
good citizens out of men and women.
This is not to say that we do not have
goals for education, for the education
policy talks of national integration,
equality and the development of a com-
mon culture. Selectively, some civic
learning also takes place through
courses on human rights and gender. But
all these have remained on the periph-
ery of learning in school and higher edu-
cation. The prime focus in our schools
and higher education learning system
seems to be only on preparing students
for the job market. Civic learning and
democratic engagement have not be-
come the core component of our teach-
ing. J.A. Banks, an Afro-American aca-
demician, observed that the role of
education in the 21st century is to pre-
pare students to know, to care, and to
act in ways that will develop and foster
a democratic and just society and to
develop a commitment to personal,
social, and civic action, as well as the
knowledge and skills needed to partici-
pate in effective civic action.
Civic learning is pivotal when deal-
ing with diversity in societies. The United
States is one such example. Beginning
1995, it developed an education policy
to deal with diversity by bringing about
reforms in curricula and pedagogy for
civic learning and engagement in col-
leges and universities. The education for
diversity has four elements: knowledge,
values, skills and action. Reform in
knowledge includes a new curriculum
with themes that deal with diversity, in-
equalities, racism, sexism, religious op-
pression, classism, anti-Semitism and
heterosexism. To develop individual
capabilities and skills, it introduced new
pedagogical methods like inter-group
dialogue and mixed peer group, where
students from diverse groups interacted
and learned to respect differences.
Through new knowledge and skills, they
unlearned many things that they had
imbibed from family and society and
also developed skills and capacities to
deal with diversity and differences in a
democratic way. The third component
was to motivate the students for action.
These reforms were expected to en-
hance the civic capital among youth
for enhanced citizenship. Sixteen years
later, in 2011, a review indicated posi-
tive outcomes not only in civil learning
and engagement but also in their aca-
demic performance.
Missing goal in education Missing goal in education Missing goal in education Missing goal in education Missing goal in education
Campuses of higher education in
India have moved from being relatively
homogeneous to becoming more di-
verse. Figures at the macro- and micro-
levels will make this clear. In 2008, of
the total number of students in higher
education, about 45 per cent were from
rural areas and the rest from urban ar-
eas; 42 per cent were women and 58
per cent, men. Social composition com-
prised four per cent Scheduled Tribes,
13.5 per cent Scheduled Castes, 35 per
cent Other Backward Classes and 48 per
cent, the rest. Hindus accounted for
about 85 per cent followed by Muslims
at eight per cent, and Christians and oth-
ers at three per cent. Although a major-
ity of students were relatively better off,
there were poor students as well. About
a fourth were from private institutions
and the rest from government and pri-
vate-aided institutions. The medium of
instruction for about half of them were
the regional languages, and English for
the rest.
JNU represents Indian diversity at
the micro-level. In 2013, about half the
number of students are women; about
41 per cent are from a rural background
and 59 per cent, from cities and towns.
The caste/ethnic composition is eight
per cent STs, 15 per cent SCs, 32 per
cent OBCs and 42 per cent others. About
26 per cent are from low-income groups,
19 per cent from the medium-income
level, and 54 per cent from the high-
income bracket. About 21 per cent are
from public schools, and the rest from
other schools. Besides, they come from
26 States and 235 universities/colleges,
representing different language and cul-
tural backgrounds.
In this widening diversity, students
from low castes, the poor, women and
those from different religious, regional,
rural and language backgrounds live in
the company of high caste, urban and
better off males who dominated the
higher education campus scene for
long. With greater diversity, students
bring with them ideologies, values and
differing ways of dealing with others.
While diversity provides a unique op-
portunity for students to experience its
richness under one roof, it also poses
challenges of living in a socially inclu-
sive way. It tends to induce social and
peer groups around identities and de-
velop a divide in social relations that
are along caste, ethnic, class, linguistic,
regional and religious lines. Exclusion-
ary behaviour also brings on discrimi-
nation, psychological and physical vio-
lence for the low castes and women.
Thus, the nations long-standing legacies
of caste, gender and class antagonism
are replicated on campuses. As higher
education moves forward, it does so
on social platforms of caste, gender,
and class cleavages.
A study by Prof. Mary Thornton
and others of five higher educational
institutions in India and the United King-
dom, in 2010, observed that separa-
tion of groups on the higher education
campuses studied is pervasive and ubiq-
uitous. While some such separation may
be for supportive reasons, convenience
or inertia, at other times it is due to overt
discrimination on the grounds of race,
region, nationality, caste, class, religion,
age or gender. In 2013, Samson
Ovichegan, in a study on the experience
of Dalits in an elite university in India,
observed that this university is yet an-
other arena in which the practice of
caste division continues to exist. The
university environment reinforces and
maintains a divide between Dalit and
non-Dalit. Dalit students do, indeed,
experience overt and covert discrimi-
nation based on caste at this premier
university.
Crucial moment Crucial moment Crucial moment Crucial moment Crucial moment
Higher education in India today
lacks the potential and capacity to pro-
mote cognitive knowledge, social skills,
values and actions for civic learning and
democratic engagement that are so es-
sential to build citizenship. A U.S. re-
port on education, A Crucible Moment:
College Learning and Democracys Fu-
ture , observed that unlike liberty,
civic knowledge and capability are not
bestowed at birth. They are hard won,
through education at all levels and
through taking seriously the perspectives
of others. Democratic insight and com-
petence are always in the making, al-
ways incomplete. Therefore, civic learn-
ing needs to be an integral component
of every level of education, from gram-
mar school through graduate school,
across all fields of study.
This is a crucial moment to use
higher education and the pathways to it
as a carrier of democratic values, ide-
als, and processes, and narrow the di-
vide between the ideals of the Constitu-
tion and the reality of the daily lives of
our people. It is a critical movement for
India, when we have hardly made a be-
ginning in education to deal with diver-
sity, discrimination and sexism.
Ini ti ati ves Ini ti ati ves Ini ti ati ves Ini ti ati ves Ini ti ati ves
JNU and Delhi University have
been pushed to strengthening the
mechanism to deal with gender violence
and sexism. While these are good steps,
the direction needs to be well thought
of. Of the two ways of dealing with gen-
der and caste discrimination legal
safeguards and gender sensitisation and
learning the focus so far has been on
the former. Though essential, legal safe-
guards need to be supplemented and
supported by a strong component of
civic learning and engagement. The mea-
sures have their limitations in reforming
undemocratic behaviour. Laws discour-
age wrongdoing but do not necessarily
correct sources of undemocratic
behaviour. Laws do not strengthen
peoples knowledge and social and cog-
nitive skills for democratic practice. The
Anti-Untouchability Act of 1955 and
other such acts related to gender have
been in operation for about half-a-cen-
tury. Yet, untouchability is still preva-
lent just as gender discrimination and
violence are. Education can help in the
unlearning of undemocratic values and
practices. We need a two-pronged ap-
proach: legal safeguards and civic learn-
ing to enhance knowledge, and the so-
cial and individual capacities of students
to deal with gender and caste discrimi-
nation and violence. The goal of higher
education, in imparting knowledge and
career preparation, needs to be com-
bined with a third national goal of fos-
tering an informed and engaged citizen-
ship, and reducing the national deficit
in civic capital. The Crucible Moment
report emphasised the point that con-
structing environments where education
for democracy and civic responsibility
is pervasive, not partial; central, not
peripheral. This requires reform in our
educational system to develop a gen-
eration that will be more sensitive and
engaged in the promotion of gender and
caste equity, freedom, and fraternity,
and reduce dependence on legal safe-
guards.
Transformational politics Transformational politics Transformational politics Transformational politics Transformational politics
The Aam Aadmi Partys journey
from mass movement to political of-
fice in just one year is without a parallel
in Indian electoral history, reflecting as
it does a popular yearning for change
from the models of governance on of-
fer today. A disenchanted electorate is
clearly behind the resounding mandate
to the Arvind Kejriwal-led party which
made an ambitious leap from the anti-
corruption movement of Anna Hazare.
Yet, history has been made and the AAP
is now poised to form a government in
Delhi with Mr. Kejriwal as Chief Minis-
ter. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which
was ahead of the AAP by three seats,
wisely decided not to form a govern-
ment through horse-trading and the Con-
gress did not have the numbers. Given
the high moral ground on which the AAP
had placed the game of government
formation, the BJP could not afford to
be seen as any less righteous than the
AAP. Yet, the AAP itself was caught in a
quandary having declared in the elec-
toral run-up that it would not seek or
offer support to the Congress and the
BJP. But going back to the voters for a
fresh mandate was not an option be-
cause that would have been a betrayal
of the faith the voters had reposed in
the AAP a first-time party that had
come within a whisker of power because
of the hope it offered for political re-
newal and transformation.
The situation actually offered Mr.
Kejriwal the opportunity to put in prac-
tice a major manifesto promise: to get
the peoples feedback on issues of im-
portance. With the message from the
Jan Sabhas a resounding yes for gov-
ernment formation, the next step was
for Mr. Kejriwal to offer to form a gov-
ernment with outside support from the
Congress. The idea of a referendum it-
self was refreshing as a method of seek-
ing the peoples endorsement of the
way forward in this complex situation.
It is also a vital instrument of verifying
public opinion that is missing from
todays democratic political practice in
India. Mainstream parties seem to be
increasingly out of sync with the dra-
matic changes on the ground that indi-
cates the soaring aspirations of new
social groups. The AAP has correctly
gauged the potential and power of this
transformative energy and indeed, sees
itself as giving political expression to it.
Mr. Kejriwal is admittedly hamstrung by
having to take support from the Con-
gress, which the AAP had denounced as
irredeemably corrupt. However, even
with this constraint, he can bring about
substantive changes in governance,
starting with putting an end to the much-
detested VIP culture. While the first
breakthrough is definitely the passing
of the Lokpal law, there are still several
promises that the AAP must keep. The
real test of the AAPs commitment to
clean politics and transparent gover-
nance begins now.
Dangerous disengagement Dangerous disengagement Dangerous disengagement Dangerous disengagement Dangerous disengagement
By putting off bilateral dialogue,
India is missing the opportunity to en-
gage with the changing reality of
Pakistans power structure
The most alarming part about the
exchange of words between Indian and
Pakistani leaders this month was, per-
haps, the lack of alarm bells ringing.
After all, to have both Prime Ministers
speaking of war in their statements
should itself have been a matter of con-
cern. Yet, even as Nawaz Sharif was
quoted by reports as having referred to
the possibility of a fourth Indo-Paki-
stani war over Kashmir and Manmohan
Singh responded to say there was no
such possibility of Pakistan winning such
a war, few were even surprised, let
alone worried. Mr. Sharifs office denied
the reported remarks and suspended
three information service officers over
the misquoted leak but it was too late
to help defuse the already tense situa-
tion between the two sides, something
a simple phone call between the prime
ministers may have been able to set
right.
But the phone lines between New
Delhi and Islamabad have been put on
hold, and far from there being any
worries both their governments seem
extremely complacent about the fact
that the comprehensive (formerly
composite) dialogue isnt being re-
sumed. In Pakistan, efforts towards di-
rectly engaging with India have been put
off until after the general elections in
2014, while in India, the government has
decided that engaging with Pakistan re-
quires political backing from the ruling
party as well as the Opposition, which
it lacks, especially given that Pakistans
military establishment retains its veto
on better ties with India. As a result, all
aggressive statements from Pakistans
leadership are dismissed as the voice
of Sharifs military masters, while in
Pakistan, Indias leaders are seen sim-
ply upping the rhetoric ahead of elec-
tions. Neither assumption is accurate,
but is leading to a dangerous period of
disengagement that neither India nor
Pakistan can afford to prolong.
The biggest danger from such dis-
engagement is the damage to Indias
leverage in negotiating with Pakistan.
When Manmohan Singh met with Nawaz
Sharif in New York for example, the one
takeaway announced by officials was
that DGMOs on both sides would meet
and take steps to defuse the tensions
that erupted at the LoC after the killing
of Indian Jawans in August. It took three
months and the changing of the Paki-
stan Army chief for that meeting to even
be scheduled, despite several Indian
reminders. The meeting will come after
a year which has been the worst for the
India-Pakistan ceasefire, with the Army
reporting 149 ceasefire violations by
Pakistan higher than in the past eight
years since the ceasefire agreement and
more than the past two years put to-
gether this year .
On another front, Pakistans gov-
ernment is showing little movement on
bringing the men accused of planning
and directing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks
to justice. Despite Prime Minister Singh
and every other leader having made this
the first point on the Indian agenda dur-
ing meetings, the trial against the
Lashkar-e-Taiba is yet to be fast-
tracked. Instead, it has been adjourned
more often than the case has been heard,
and the judge in the trial has been
changed an unprecedented five times
since March 2012. It is necessary that
for the trial to be taken to its conclusion
the court now hearing it accept not just
the testimonies of officers on the LeT
camps where Ajmal Kasab and the other
gunmen were trained, but also the docu-
ments taken by the Judicial commission
that visited Mumbai last month. Much
will depend on the prosecution in the
case, and on a push from the govern-
ment that has made ambiguous state-
ments in the case. In an interview to CNN-
IBN last month, outgoing High Commis-
sioner Salman Bashir spoke of Indias
focus on the pace of the trial as a fixa-
tion, holding out little hope for an early
or conclusive end to the trial. While the
delay is a continuing worry for India,
any move by the judge to dismiss the
charges against the seven men charged,
including LeT operations chief Zaki ur
Rehman Lakhvi, would be disastrous for
India-Pakistan relations.
Erosion of progress in ties Erosion of progress in ties Erosion of progress in ties Erosion of progress in ties Erosion of progress in ties
It is necessary to see these as evi-
dence of increasing aggression on the
part of Pakistan when dealing with In-
dia, and it may also be time to recognise
that Indias leverage has considerably
reduced amongst policymakers in Paki-
stan due, in part, to the lack of bilateral
contact between the two. In fact, if the
secretary-level dialogue is not resumed
by elections next year (allowing a few
more months while the new government
settles), there will have been a two-year
gap in talks between the foreign minis-
tries and others in New Delhi and
Islamabad. Already, that gap has meant
that the advantage from the big strides
made on trade by the Commerce
Secretaries last September and in the
dialogue on visas by the Home Sec-
retaries last December has fallen by
the wayside.
Finally, by putting off bilateral dia-
logue, South Block is missing the op-
portunity to engage with the changing
reality of Pakistans power structure.
Since his election in May this year,
Nawaz Sharif has been beaten back on
many of his initiatives and has essen-
tially been treading water vis--vis other
constitutional authorities, namely the
military and the judiciary. But that is all
about to change, as columnist Mariana
Babbar recently wrote: As the day
breaks on 2014, Pakistan will have not
only a newish parliament, a democrati-
cally-elected prime minister and a nomi-
nated president, but also a new Chief
Justice (Tassaduq Jillani), joint chiefs of
staff committee chairman (Lt. Gen.
Rashid Mahmood) and Raheel Sharif, the
new Army chief.
Sharif gets assertive Sharif gets assertive Sharif gets assertive Sharif gets assertive Sharif gets assertive
Already, Mr. Sharif is testing the
new space he has in the past week,
he has turned around no less than four
diplomatic appointments, including that
of Foreign Secretary and High Commis-
sioner to India, replacing the relatively
junior career diplomat Syed Ibne Abbasi
with Pakistans Berlin envoy Abdul Basit
for the New Delhi posting. Mr. Basit, who
enjoys the establishments backing, had,
in fact, to be accommodated after Mr.
Sharif decided to appoint another of-
ficer, Aizaz Chaudhury, instead of him
as Foreign Secretary. Many have re-
marked on Mr. Sharifs choice of army
chief and his having passed over more
senior Generals favoured by General
Kayani as being another example of the
PMs muscle-flexing. Others are now
pointing to the scheduling of the DGMO
meeting, something the Pakistan army
has resisted so far, as being further evi-
dence of Mr. Sharifs assertiveness, even
as he dispatched his brother and Punjab
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif with the
message.
While Pakistans security situation
remains a matter of concern, it has also
entered a period of relative calm, as has
the economy. This year, the Karachi
Stock Exchange was declared one of
the worlds best performing markets,
with a rise of more than 40 per cent,
giving Mr. Sharif a breather and India
new opportunities to expand its hori-
zons. Even as Mr. Sharif continues to
attempt to find his feet, however, it is
worth noting that India and Afghanistan
are heading for periods of relative flux,
with elections planned in both countries
next summer and the ISAF forces pro-
posed pullout later in the year.
India and Pakistan have often
made the mistake of delaying engage-
ment with the idea that it will buy them
time, that Pakistans civilian government
needed more time to win over military
approval, or that Indias government
needed time to build political consen-
sus on the issue. On every occasion, they
have been proven wrong, whether it was
about General Musharrafs decision to
put off a resolution along the lines of
the four-step formula in 2007 or, indeed,
about Manmohan Singhs decision to
hold off on final talks on Sir Creek in
2008. Each time, it is those opposed to
the peace process anti-India jihadi
groups like the LeT or those within the
Pakistani establishment who back
them, who have used that time to halt
the process by planning another attack
at the LoC or inside India. It is necessary
to remain vigilant on both counts, even
as the two sides talk. For Dr. Singh, keep-
ing his promise of visiting Pakistan or
opening up of the borders may be a far-
off dream today, but restarting the dia-
logue process is still within grasp, espe-
cially if he heeds the former American
president who said, You may delay, but
time will not.
Political arrogance on display Political arrogance on display Political arrogance on display Political arrogance on display Political arrogance on display
The Maharashtra governments
decision to reject the findings of a judi-
cial commission that has indicted four
former Chief Ministers and a dozen civil
servants for extending illegal patronage
to the controversial Adarsh Coopera-
tive Housing Society constitutes a bra-
zen display of political arrogance. It is
in line with its propensity to cover up
scandals and question even credible
findings. What comes out in the report
is the sordid story of political patron-
age, misuse of power and subversion of
law in the perpetration of the Adarsh
fraud. The project involved erecting a
multi-storeyed residential complex on
public property, ostensibly for defence
personnel. Yet, beginning with the hous-
ing societys membership, every norm
was violated, and every rule in the book
either twisted or violated to favour a
few. The original list of 40 members had
no one from outside the services, but it
was soon expanded to cover bureau-
crats, politicians, their relatives and
army bigwigs. By the time the apartment
complex was completed in 2010, the
list of beneficiaries had swollen to 102,
of which only 37 were related to the
defence department. Politicians and
bureaucrats connived with the housing
society to circumvent development
control rules and get a completion cer-
tificate, overlooking the need for man-
datory environment clearance.
The commission, comprising re-
tired judge J.A. Patil and former Chief
Secretary P. Subrahmanyam, has come
to the same conclusion as the Comp-
troller and Auditor General did in a re-
port two years ago. If the audit found
that those holding fiduciary responsi-
bility had betrayed it for personal
aggrandisement, the commission says
the entire issue smacks of undue haste
and [a] desire to bestow benefit on the
society. The governments rejection of
the report came a few days after
Maharashtra Governor K.
Sankaranarayanan refused sanction to
prosecute former Chief Minister Ashok
Chavan, who had quit in the aftermath
of the controversy. The Governors
stand that there is insufficient evidence
flies in the face of the judicial panels
finding that there was a nexus between
Mr. Chavans actions and the benefit
derived by his close relatives. The need
for such sanction for offences under the
Indian Penal Code is itself legally ques-
tionable, as the Supreme Court ruled in
2006 that prosecution for cheating and
conspiracy required no prior sanction.
And Mr. Chavan is no more in office,
obviating the need for sanction under
the Prevention of Corruption Act. On the
political front, what is inexplicable is
that at a time when the national mood
is one of disgust at pervasive corrup-
tion and when the Congress is seeking
credit for the passage of the Lokpal Bill,
a government led by the party should
brazen it out in the face of a fierce in-
dictment.
An abuse of immunity? An abuse of immunity? An abuse of immunity? An abuse of immunity? An abuse of immunity?
The arrest of Indian Deputy Con-
sul-General Devyani Khobragade in New
York and the alleged mistreatment she
faced have resulted in a diplomatic row
between India and the United States. The
Indian stance, after initial assertions that
she enjoyed diplomatic status and that
she should not have been arrested, now
appears to focus on the manner of her
arrest and her subsequent treatment. The
U.S. has sought to justify the arrest on
the grounds that the proceedings do not
relate to Ms. Khobragades official acts,
and has asserted that it followed the
standard procedure in relation to her
treatment. On the diplomatic front, In-
dia is reported to have initiated some
tough measures, including the removal
of security barriers around the U.S. Em-
bassy in Delhi.
Question of immunity Question of immunity Question of immunity Question of immunity Question of immunity
At the outset, it is important to
draw a distinction between diplomatic
agents of states and consular staff.
While the 1961 Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations covers the privi-
leges and immunities of diplomatic
agents, the treatment that consular staff
are entitled to is laid down in the 1963
Vienna Convention on Consular Rela-
tions. As the Deputy Consul-General at
the Indian Consulate in New York, Ms.
Khobragade was, at the time of her ar-
rest, a member of consular staff, and
not a diplomat.
Unlike the 1961 Convention, which
vests diplomatic agents with absolute
immunity from arrest, the 1963 Conven-
tion states that Consular officers shall
not be liable to arrest or detention
pending trial, except in the case of a
grave crime and pursuant to a decision
by the competent judicial authority
(Article 41(1)). Article 43 of the Con-
vention goes on to vest consular offic-
ers with immunity from jurisdiction of
the receiving State in respect of official
acts.
It is evident that the allegations
against Ms. Khobragade relate to her
personal and not to her official acts. This
means that she is not immune from the
jurisdiction of U.S. courts in relation to
Retaliatory measures Retaliatory measures Retaliatory measures Retaliatory measures Retaliatory measures
India has reportedly taken the fol-
lowing retaliatory measures: (i) removal
of security barricades around the U.S.
Embassy in New Delhi, (ii) withdrawal
of airport passes and import privileges
(iii) identity cards issued to U.S. diplo-
mats to be turned in and (iv) refusal by
several leaders including the Speaker of
the Lok Sabha and the National Security
Adviser to meet a visiting U.S. Congres-
sional delegation. Some politicians have
also suggested prosecution of same-sex
partners of U.S. diplomats.
While some of these measures
such as refusal to meet the delegation
or withdrawing discretionary privileges
are merely political in nature and are
best left to the discretion of such politi-
cians, other steps like reducing security
measures at diplomatic premises and
embassies may violate international
law, specifically Article 22(2) of the 1961
Convention that imposes a special duty
upon the host State (i.e., India) to take
all appropriate steps to protect the pre-
mises of the mission against intrusion
or damage, or disturbance of peace or
impairment of its dignity.
Even presuming that the U.S. gov-
ernment is in breach of its international
law obligations, it does not warrant re-
taliation by India, by means which
breach international law. International
law allows countermeasures (breach of
international obligations in response to
a breach by the targeted country) only
as a last resort and in very narrowly de-
fined circumstances. The only options
available, that are viable in international
law, are a withdrawal of discretionary
privileges, declaration of certain mem-
bers of the U.S. diplomatic and consu-
lar staff as persona non grata (which may
be considered too drastic a step) or re-
calling of Indian consular staff and dip-
lomatic agents posted in the U.S.
In terms of international dispute
settlement, India has few, if any, legal
options. Recourse to the International
Court of Justice (ICJ), the only possible
option, is not available in this case (un-
less the U.S. consents to the same), since
the U.S. has not accepted the compul-
sory jurisdiction of the ICJ.
While the two countries attempt
to iron out their differences through dip-
lomatic and legal channels, Ms.
Khobragade can, if she and the govern-
ment of India so desire, avoid further
encounters with the U.S. authorities by
remaining in the Indian Embassy or the
premises of the Permanent Mission of
India to the U.N., which cannot be en-
tered by U.S. authorities without
authorisation from India.
Obligations of India and Obligations of India and Obligations of India and Obligations of India and Obligations of India and
Indians Indians Indians Indians Indians
Notwithstanding the several privi-
leges and immunities Indian diplomats
and consular officers are entitled to,
they have a corresponding duty under
the 1961 Convention and the 1963 Con-
vention, to respect the laws and regula-
tions of the host State. Irrespective of
how Ms. Khobragade was treated by
U.S. authorities, we must not forget the
original allegation that she is in viola-
tion of U.S. law.
This possible violation of host
State law needs to be investigated by
Indian authorities. It is imperative that
India develop a framework to address
misconduct of Indian officials abroad,
who have been exempted from pros-
ecution due to consular or diplomatic
immunity. Though not an obligation un-
der international law, such a step by In-
dia will go a long way as a goodwill
diplomatic gesture. It will also ensure
quick responses from other countries
when pleading immunity on behalf of a
national, since there would be an assur-
ance that the offender would face legal
consequences in one or other jurisdic-
tion.
Also, Indias latest step of re-des-
ignating Ms. Khobragade as a diplo-
matic agent to the U.N., with a view to
bring her under diplomatic immunity,
may be viewed internationally as an
abuse of the international legal process,
given that Section 14 of the 1946 Con-
vention on the Privileges and Immuni-
ties of the United Nations (which gov-
erns immunities of representatives of the
Members to the U.N., since the 1961
Convention is silent on it) expressly
states: Privileges and immunities are
accorded to the representatives of
Members not for the personal benefit
of the individuals themselves, but in or-
der to safeguard the independent exer-
cise of their functions in connection with
this allegation. However, this in itself
does not render the arrest legal. There
may be situations where a country may
have jurisdiction to try an offence, but
an arrest would violate international
law. An Indian domestic law analogy
may be one where the police station
has jurisdiction to investigate an alleged
offence, a magistrates court may have
the power to try the case, and yet an
arrest may be illegal due to various rea-
sons like the lack of a warrant where
required, or arrest of a woman after sun-
set. Similarly, for Ms. Khobragades ar-
rest to be legal, in addition to the U.S.
possessing jurisdiction to try her for the
offence, it needs to be established that
the conditions laid out in Article 41(1)
are satisfied: (i) that her arrest relates to
a grave offence and (ii) her arrest was
pursuant to a decision by a competent
judicial authority.
The 1963 Convention does not
define what qualifies as a grave of-
fence. However, the rejection of an ini-
tial draft that suggested that arrest be
restricted to offences that carry a
maximum sentence of five years or more
indicates that the Convention leaves it
to each State to determine, under its
own domestic law, whether an offence
amounts to a grave one. The charges
that have been levelled against Ms.
Khobragade are categorised as felonies
in U.S. law. This may be sufficient to
meet the requirement of a grave of-
fence.
As per the documents published
i n The Hindu , her arrest was pursuant
to a warrant issued by Hon. Debra Free-
man, United States Magistrate Judge for
the southern District of New York, a ju-
dicial authority. Thus, both the require-
ments imposed by the 1963 Convention
for the arrest appear to have been met.
Even if the arrest was legal, her
treatment including handcuffing and a
strip-search could amount to violations
of Article 41(3) which requires that
criminal proceedings against a consular
officer be conducted with the respect
due to [her] by reason of [her] official
position.
In sum, the arrest itself appears to
be legal. However, a challenge to the
manner of the arrest and the subsequent
treatment may be tenable.
the United Nations. Consequently, a
Member not only has the right but is
under a duty to waive the immunity of
its representative in any case where the
immunity would impede the course of
justice, and it can be waived without
prejudice to the purpose for which the
immunity is accorded.
A punitive sexual security A punitive sexual security A punitive sexual security A punitive sexual security A punitive sexual security
apparatus apparatus apparatus apparatus apparatus
While the definition of rape is now
expanded, the new enactment has taken
us dangerously in the direction of a
sexual security regime than toward more
rights
A year after the gruesome gang
rape and murder of the young woman
on the streets of Delhi comes a moment
to pause and reflect on the gains and
losses that triggered the response to this
event and several others involving is-
sues of sex, sexism and sexuality.
India demonstrated its anger as
young men and women poured onto the
streets over the issue of violence against
women and their unrelenting daily ex-
periences of being groped and harassed
in the public sphere.
The protests found a voice in the
bold and progressive report of the
Verma Committee. The report sought to
address the issue of violence against
women and sexism through a frame-
work of rights, most notably through the
rights to bodily integrity and sexual au-
tonomy. The report marked a significant
attempt to shift away from addressing
gender violence primarily within the
framework of criminal law and
carcerality, which has done little to pre-
vent such violence, has reinforced pro-
tectionism and infantilism.
Unfortunately, the minuscule
minds in Parliament largely ignored the
rights dimensions of the Verma com-
mittee report. Instead, they enacted a
more stringent punitive regime to deal
with the crime of rape, including the
imposition of the death sentence in
some instances. While the definition of
rape was expanded, when combined
with a strengthened punitive apparatus,
it has taken us dangerously in the direc-
tion of a sexual security regime rather
than toward more rights.
Domain of criminal law Domain of criminal law Domain of criminal law Domain of criminal law Domain of criminal law
The year has seen a spectacular
increase in the reportage of rapes and
sexual assaults, including of the appall-
ing gang rape in Bombay to the recent
alleged sexual assault
by Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal, which
have been caught under the provisions
of the new Sexual Harassment of Women
at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition
and Redressal) Act, 2013. If the accused
in these specific cases are convicted,
they face a mandatory minimum sen-
tence of ten years.
Yet, we need to pause and ques-
tion whether the criminalisation of the
entire spectrum of non-consensual
sexual activity and a strengthened puni-
tive regime can serve as an effective
recipe for promoting and facilitating
womens human and fundamental
rights? Should criminal law continue to
remain the primary domain for address-
ing matters of sex? The LGBT commu-
nity says a resounding no to this ques-
tion.
The Supreme Courts verdict on
Section 377 has been subjected to near
universal condemnation domestically as
well as internationally. The provision
targets gay men, criminalises and
stigmatises the entire LGBT community.
The court upheld an archaic, colonial
law designed to impose Victorian sexual
values on a native population, who were
considered lesser humans or non-
humans. The minuscule and mean
mindset that informs this decision, com-
promises on the protection of the rights
of minorities, which is the cornerstone
of the Constitution and our democracy.
By pejoratively referring to LGBTs as a
small fraction of the population, the
court not only failed to protect the rights
of a vulnerable minority, it also repro-
duced a colonial mentality.
More troubling is how the court
used the right to equality to justify dif-
ference in treatment, based on the ra-
tionale that only those who are alike are
entitled to sameness in treatment.
Justice Singhvi upheld the distinc-
tion between those subjected to Sec-
tion 377, which criminalises a sexual
minority, and those who are not, namely
individuals who engage in heterosexual
procreative sex. He held that persons
who indulge in carnal intercourse in the
ordinary course and who indulge in car-
nal intercourse against the order of na-
ture constitute different classes, and the
people falling in the latter category can-
not claim that Section 377 suffers from
the vice of arbitrariness and irrational
classification. Thus, in this decision
equality is used to legitimise bigotry and
homophobia in the criminal law.
Arbitrary distinctions Arbitrary distinctions Arbitrary distinctions Arbitrary distinctions Arbitrary distinctions
The court followed a shameful
line of precedents in this area that have
used a separate but equal standard to
justify slavery, apartheid, and the per-
secution of religious minorities, all on
the grounds that the classification was
reasonable and hence the difference in
treatment valid. Equality should be
about redressing historical disadvan-
tage, not about upholding arbitrary dis-
tinctions under the guise of reasonable
classifications.
The criminal law is being used to
target sexual activities and sexual groups
that we do not like. It is for this reason
that non-consensual heterosexual con-
duct such as marital rape continues to
be exempted from its purview, while
consensual homosexual sexual relations
are not. Womens rights, together with
those of sexual minorities, are being
sucked into the vortex of a punitive
sexual security apparatus. The battle is
in targeting the ill-advised urge to ad-
dress issues of sex through the criminal
law and ensure that it remains firmly,
and without compromise, an issue of
fundamental rights and human dignity.
Counting tigers more Counting tigers more Counting tigers more Counting tigers more Counting tigers more
accuratel y accuratel y accuratel y accuratel y accuratel y
When the Ministry of Environment
and Forests assessed the status of ti-
gers, other predators and prey in India
in 2006 and 2009, it wanted the exercise
to become a robust baseline for future
conservation programmes. The results
published in 2010 claimed an improve-
ment in estimated tiger numbers, at
1,706 individuals compared to 1,411 in
2006. Yet, there appeared to be a con-
tradiction in this, as the geographical
area occupied by the charismatic cat
was reported to have decreased in some
ranges, notably in some Central Indian
States and parts of the Western Ghats.
A fresh exercise to count the countrys
tigers led by the National Tiger Conser-
vation Authority has now been
launched. This is an important project,
given that India hosts the most number
of tigers in the wild. What is interesting
is that a mere 10 per cent of the habitat
today hosts 90 per cent of the repro-
ducing populations of the big cat. It is
this area that needs rigorous monitor-
ing on an annual basis, and not a general
count once in four years. Also, the meth-
ods used should be open to indepen-
dent scientific scrutiny, perhaps by a
consortium of scientific institutions.
Conservation science has come up with
credible ways to estimate the density
and occupancy of tigers and needs to
be used rigorously. The NTCA already
has access to research strategies for-
mulated by leading tiger scientists for a
focussed monitoring protocol to track
source populations of tigers those
that are crucial for the survival of the
species. It should employ them fully.
One of the criticisms of the
scheme to sample tiger densities
which cost about Rs.12 crore in 2006
according to published accounts is
that it is likely to ignore sharp and rapid
declines in populations. The methodol-
ogy being used since 2006, including
camera traps is, of course, an improve-
ment over the unscientific analysis of
pugmarks employed for nearly three
decades. But the monitoring should be
a targeted annual exercise that yields
good data to inform policy. At present,
although a lot of information is gener-
ated for the entire tiger habitat, it does
not yield insight into areas of high den-
sity. A scientific consortium approach
may therefore prove rewarding.
Karnataka, for instance, has benefited
from involving top scientists in conser-
vation. Given the limited scientific re-
sources at the disposal of the Environ-
ment Ministry, and the large external
pool of science-based conservation
organisations, there should be no hesi-
tation to broaden the scope of moni-
toring. It is equally important to involve
local communities, choosing volunteers
who can be trained and deployed along
with scientific personnel.
Towards Double-Digit Inclusive Growth Towards Double-Digit Inclusive Growth Towards Double-Digit Inclusive Growth Towards Double-Digit Inclusive Growth Towards Double-Digit Inclusive Growth
Indias economy is headed in a
new direction striving to touch
double-digit annual growth rates, and
a sustainable, equitable and inclusive
growth, taking into account the needs
of all sections of society. Despite the
current slowdown, the rapid eco-
nomic growth attained over 2004-09
has raised high hopes that the Indian
economy can grow at a double-digit
rate. Here we explore the role of ag-
ricultural development in inclusive
double-digit growth. What role will
agricultural development play if the
Indian economy is to grow in an in-
clusive and sustainable way at a
double digit rate for three decades
as Chinas economy has done? Con-
tinued population growth and
double-digit economic growth that
is inclusive will drive up food demand
rapidly and change its composition.
Supply will have to increase and it
will have a different composition.
Agricultural output can in-
crease only through expansion of ir-
rigation, investment, intensication of
input use, and by way of technical
progress. Since intensication of in-
put use will run into diminishing re-
turns, and since water availability is
limited, technical progress will be
the ultimate source of agricultural
growth. What rate of total factor pro-
ductivity growth (TFPG) in agricul-
ture will be needed to sustain agri-
cultural and economic growth? In an
open economy, rising food demand
can be met by imports, but natural
and political economy constraints
limit the proportion of food that can
be imported without putting the food
security of the huge population of
India at risk.
Indian agriculture is also consid-
ered to be vulnerable to the threat of
climate change, which is expected
to lead to global price increases and
make reliance on imports less accept-
able.
Will accelerating productivity
growth and sustained expansion of
irrigation supportthe higher agricul-
tural growth needed? Will domestic
agriculture be able to provide the
required food in the long term, say
over the next three decades? Or will
limits to agriculture growth impose
limits to economy-wide consumption
and/or income growth? What will be
the role of imports? These are the
speci c questions we address here.
The Approach The Approach The Approach The Approach The Approach
We explore these questions us-
ing a multisectoral, inter-temporal
programming model that has the
needed structure and features for
addressing these issues. It has 28 sec-
tors, of which 15 are agricultural (for
details, see Parikh et al 2011). Crop
production from irrigated and
unirrigated land is distinguished so
that there are 40 production activi-
ties. Land allocation to different crops
is done within the constraint of 140
mha of net cultivated area and the
available irrigation capacity.The
model covers the whole economy
and captures macro feedback and
ensures macro balances.
It has 20 consumption classes,
10 rural and 10 urban. Of these, ve
classes in each sector are at much
higher consumption levels than ob-
served today and will be the ones into
which the population will move as its
income increases. Each class has its
own expenditure system. Income
distribution is determined for every
T
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period endogenously, depending on
the level of aggregate consumption
and prescribed parameters of the log
normal income distributions for rural
and urban consumption. Rural
people migrate to urban areas de-
pending on the relative gross domes-
tic product (GDP) from agriculture
and non-agriculture. A particularly
important feature of the model is a
demand system that can predict the
consumption behaviour of classes at
much higher income levels where
income elasticities of demand for
food will be much lower than today.
The possibilities of imports and
exports provide some exibility in
sectoral composition. The scenario
will be affected by whether con-
sumption or GDP is maximised.The
model in most scenarios maximises
the present discounted value (PDV)
of private consumption over 10 time
points four years apart. If growth is
to be inclusive, we should maximise
private consumption. The base year
is 2007 and the last year is 2039. We
develop various scenarios that pro-
vide alternative possible futures for
the economy and its agriculture. They
are not predictions, but tools to ex-
plore the economic consequences of
alternative assumptions.
The Results The Results The Results The Results The Results
The Reference Scenario In the
reference scenario (RS), we take
trend values of critical variables. An
important concern is how fast tech-
nical progress increases productivity.
Technical progress is widely
recognised as an important driver of
economic growth. Output can be in-
creased by investing more capital,
employing more labour, cultivating
more land, or by using more inputs.
TFPG measures the increase in the
productivity of factors such as land,
labour, and capital. It indicates that
output will increase by TFPG with the
same levels of factors. In the model,
TFPG is incorporated as the rate at
which capital/ output ratio goes
down and the rate at which yield per
hectare increases for the same levels
of inputs.
A TFPG of 1.5% would in 20
years reduce the factorrequirement
by nearly 20% to 81%, and a TFPG of
3% will reduce it to 55%. TFPG in the
agriculture sector is set at 2%, a rate
that was achieved in the 1980s (Fuglie
forthcoming) and from 2003 to 2007,
but that may be a bit on the optimis-
tic side. In the non-agricultural sec-
tor, TFPG is set at 3.0%. It may be
noted that over and above the pre-
scribed TFPGs, we have a fuel use
ef ciency growth of 1.5%, an elec-
tricity use efciency growth of 1.0%,
and a use of wheat, rice, and other
agricultural commodities as interme-
diate inputs efciency growth of
1.5%. Thus the overall productivity
growth will be signicantly higher
than the weighted average of the
TFPG of 2% for agriculture and 3.0%
for non-agriculture assumed in many
of the scenarios. Together, these as-
sumptions imply that the reference
run is a slightly optimistic scenario.
Another critical assumption is that the
net irrigated area will increase to 90
mha by 2039 from 63 mha in 2007-
08. This is also a bit optimistic, con-
sidering the virtual stagnation, or even
reduction, in the area of surface irri-
gation since 1990-91 and the
overexploitation of groundwater in
many parts of the country. The coun-
try added only 20 mha of irrigated
area from 1980 to 2007.Finally, the
permissible levels of imports critically
affect the scenarios.
For example, in the reference
run, the imports of wheat and rice
are limited to 3.0% of domestic avail-
ability (or 3.1% of domestic produc-
tion), close to self-sufciency. From
1990 to 2010, India was a net im-
porter of cereals only in two years and
the maximum import was 2.6 million
tonnes in 1993, constituting less than
2% of domestic production. This
reects the strong policy preferences
of Indias policymakers for national
food security that are consistent with
the large size of the population. In
the reference scenario, coarse cere-
als imports are limited to 10%, milk
and milk products imports to 6%, ani-
mal products and forestry products
to 30%, and all other agricultural com-
modities to 15% of availability (17.6%
of production). The import con-
straints imposed on other sectors of
the economy are also much wider
than what is seen historically. The ref-
erence scenario (Table 1) shows a
per capita private consumption
growth rate of 7.70% an agricultural
growth rate of 4.25%, and a growth
rate of GDP of 8.40%. At these rates
of growth, GDP rises more than 13-
fold between 2007 and 2039 while
per capita consumption rises nearly
11-fold.
The reference run implies that
a per capita consumption growth rate
of 7.7% and a GDP growth r ate of
8.4% require an agriculture growth
rate exceeding 4%, slightly higher
than the target rate for agricultural
growth generally assumed in Indias
ve year plans. The higher rate of
increase of rural per capita consump-
tion compared to urban consumption
is the outcome of an assumed fall in
urban- rural consumption parity.
Though per capita rural consumption
increases at a higher rate, it is still
much below urban consumption
even in 2039.With these growth rates,
the share of agriculture in GDP goes
down to 5% by 2039, and the share
of GDP from the foodgrains sector to
1%. Even then agriculture constrains
the growth of GDP. The investment
rate uctuates between 19% and 8%,
well below what would have been
possible given the upper bound of
35% on the marginal savings rate.
As it is possible to increase
investment, higher growth rates of the
economy would be possible. Why
was the growth rate of GDP only 8.9%
in the reference scenario? The rea-
son is we maximise consumption in it
and given the limited land, irrigation
capacity and import restrictions, ag-
ricultural supply is limited and con-
sumption cannot be increased any
further. The import bounds and land
constraints for both irrigated and
unirrigated land become binding in
the beginning of 2023. This means
that our model projects the economy
being constrained by the availability
of agricultural commodities from
2023 onwards. This raises the ques-
tion of whether the demand for food
projected is too high. We next look
at this.
Changing Structure of Food
Consumption The rapid growth in
consumption is accompanied by a
change in consumption patterns in
the reference scenario. Figure 1
shows the per capita consumptions
of foodgrains. In calculating the
physical quantities of foodgrains from
monetary expenditure, we have
accoun ted for quality differences in
the consumption of different classes.
Total foodgrains consumption in-
creases only marginally from 139 ki-
lograms/year to 142 kg/year. In total
foodgrains, rice and coarse cereals
consumption decreases over time,
while the consumption of wheat in-
creases, and that of gram and pulses
rises more signicantly.
This is similar to the trend seen
internationally in many Asian econo-
mies. Our new consumer demand
system therefore is able to repro-
duce these trends even over the
enormous income changes that are
asso ciated with nearly 35 years of
rapid growth. The change in the con-
sumption pattern, while not unex-
pected, is even more striking when
we look at other fooditems. The
expenditure share of foodgrains (ce-
reals and pulses) goes down by more
than half, from 29% to 12% and that
of oils from 11% to 7%. The agricul-
tural economy will be even less domi-
nated by foodgrains than today. The
share of sugar remains more or less
constant. The shares of all high-value
commodities rise from 12% to 13%
for meat, sh, and eggs, from 18% to
21% for horticulture, and from 17%
to 31% for milk and milk products.
These high value products will there-
fore constitute almost two-thirds of
the total food consumption expen-
diture.
The increase in the share of ani-
mal products is striking. By 2039, milk
and milk products will account for
most of this increase, as it alone con-
stitutes 31% of the total food expen-
diture. The share of meat, eggs, sh,
and animal services rises by 1%. The
high increase in consumer expendi-
ture on animal products is consis-
tent with the differences in consump-
tion across expenditure classes in the
NSS data of 2007-08, which shows
that the richest decile in rural areas
consume 16 times and in urban area
nine times as much milk as the respec-
tive poorest decile. Thus it is not the
demand system that leads to agricul-
tural growth being critical for inclu-
sive growth. To illustrate this point
further, we develop a scenario in
which GDP is maximised.
Maximising GrowthIn the
growth rst scenario (GF), the
present discounted value of GDP is
maximised and a minimum growth
rate of per capita consumption of 3%
is stipulated. A much higher eco-
nomic growth rate is achieved with
exactly the same assumptions as in
the reference scenario on land,
TFPG, irrigation, and import bounds.
The broad characteristics of this sce-
nario are summarised in Table 3.It is
seen that with an emphasis on
growth a much larger GDP growth
rate of 15.25% is realised at t he cost
of pr ivate consumption. The growth
rate of private consumption is merely
the minimum stipulated 3% in growth
rst, compared to the 7.70% in the
reference scenario. Of course an
economic growth rate of more than
15% over 30 years is highly unreal-
istic as other resource constraints may
become binding, but the scenario il-
lustrates the point that the consu
mption growth rate has to be much
higher for inclusive growth. This is
seen from the number of persons in
poverty in the two scenarios. Whereas
in the reference scenario poverty is
virtually eliminated by 2039, in
growth rst, 111 million people re-
main below the poverty line even in
2039. Since Indias policymakers aim
at inclusive growth in all other sce-
narios, we maximise the present dis-
counted value of private consump-
tion.
Double-Digit Inclusive
GrowthIn the reference scenario,
with the maximisation of consump-
tion, limits on the availability of agri-
cultural com modities due to con-
straints on land irrigation andimports
curtail the growth rate. The availabil-
ity of agricultural commodities needs
to be stepped up to attain
doubledigit inclusive growth. This
can be done by increasing the TFPG
in agriculture and/or expanding irri-
gation and/or by permitting larger
imports of agricultural commodities.
We now examine these options.
Impact on Poverty Impact on Poverty Impact on Poverty Impact on Poverty Impact on Poverty
The poverty line for rural areas
at 2003-04 prices is Rs 6,800/per-
son/per year and for urban areas Rs
10,800/ person/per year. With growth
over time, poverty decreases in both
rural and urban areas in all the sce-
narios. However, urban poverty de-
creases at a faster rate than rural
poverty. If we continue with poli-
cies as usual, that is, the reference
scenario, then we would end up with
four million people in rural areas be-
low the poverty line and no person
below it in urban areas. Poverty is vir-
tually wiped out in all the scenarios.
The scenarios that reach or exceed
double-digit growth are high tech-
nology, high irrigation, high imports,
and all together, all showing virtually
no poverty by 2039. However, in the
growth rst scenario, we will end up
with 111 million poor people even
with a GDP growth rate of 15.25%.
Thus inclusive double-digit growth is
a must for rapid and near total eradi-
cation of poverty.
Concl usi ons Concl usi ons Concl usi ons Concl usi ons Concl usi ons
Our analysis suggests that if
imports of food are constrained to
levels slightly higher than at present,
at least a 4% growth rate of agricul-
tural GDP is needed to support GDP
growth rates in excess of 8%. This can
be attained with a slightly optimistic
agriculture TFPGrate of 2%, along
with a slightly optimistic development
of irrigation potential to 90 mha (net).
But in the past two decades,
agricultural growth has been less than
3%, and productivity growth has
been lower than 2%. Limits on total
water availability in the country, com-
petition for water from urban areas,
and slow improvements in water-use
efciency have reduced the irriga-
tion growth rate and could continue
to do so in the future. Achieving the
required agricultural gro wth is there-
fore a signi cant challenge. Global
warming will make it even more for-
midable. Very high gains result from
higher TFPG in agriculture. Raising
it to 3%, similar to Chinas level, raises
agricultural growth to 5.6% and allows
for a GDP growth rate of 10.4%.
Increasing irrigation growth that
would lead to a net irrigated area of
108 mha by 2039 raises the agricul-
tural growth rate to 4.9% and would
allow a GDP growth rate of 9.4%, even
with a TFP growth rate of 2.0%. Again,
global warming will increase the need
for water harvesting and improving
water-use ef ciency in irrigation.
Double-digit growth therefore
requires the high growth of agricul-
ture and for that we need to increase
the TFPG in agriculture and water-
use efciency so t hat as large an area
as possible is irrigated with the avail-
able water. While permitting much
larger food imports can lead to higher
growth, the country is unlikely to ac-
cept such a level of import depen-
dence. Agricultural import policy
could therefore become relevant for
economy-wide growth, even at a time
the agricultural sector has become a
smaller part of the economy as a
whole. A growth rate of nearly 12% is
feasible via full development of irri-
gation, a higher TFPG of 3% both in
agriculture and non-agriculture, and
higher import bounds. It appears odd
that constraints on the growth of the
shrinking agricultural sector should
limit the overall growth of the
economy. This happens because
large food imports are not likely to be
acceptable and because the nonag-
ricultural sector requires agricultural
inputs, such as cotton in textiles, food
in the services sector, and many more.
Would this mechanism linking agricul-
tural growth to economy-wide
growth survive a change to an alter-
native modelling strategy?
In a non-linear general equilib-
rium model with endogenous com-
modity and factor prices, but with-
out import constraints, food and agri-
cultural prices would rise as scarcity
increases. Agricultural commodities
would have to be imported at higher
and higher prices from global mar-
kets. These higher prices would re-
duce non-agricultural demand, via
the loss of purchasing power of con-
sumers and higher production costs
in sectors that use agricultural inputs.
The mechanism for constraining over-
all growth would still be operating,
although the quantitative impact
might be less severe. With high lev-
els of per capita consumption, the
demand for better quality and more
processed agricultural commodities
will increase. If better quality has
lower yield per hectare, more land
will be needed. On the other hand, if
more processing reduces the de-
mand for commodities, it can reduce
the need for land. In the latter case,
which is similar to technical progress
in agriculture, the agricultural growth
rate can increase a bit more, with
consequences for the economy as a
whole. Growth and migration lead to
a shift in the food consumption pat-
tern in the economy.
The share of food grains in total
consumption of agricultural com-
modities declines, while that of fruits
and vegetables, vegetable oils and
oilseeds, plantation products, milk
and milk products, egg, meat and
sh, and other crops increases. The
most signi cant increase is seen in
horticulture and milk and milk prod-
ucts. With economic growth, poverty
decreases over time. The decrease
in poverty is particularly rapid in a
growth scenario with higher irrigation,
higher food import limits, and Chi-
nese-level productivity. Rural areas
show a higher incidence of poverty
than urban areas and it can be
brought down to negligible levels
only in the near double-digit growth
scenarios. Finally, we have to factor
in climate change, though its threat
is likely to be small in the next three
decades. However, studies have
shown that Indian agriculture is
highly vulnerable to changes in cli-
mate a two-degree Celsius rise
could lead to a 15% to 20% reduc-
tion in yields of wheat and rice, and
will lead to domestic price increases.
Also, in the International Food Policy
Research Institutes (IFPRI) IMPACT
model, which projects increases in
global food prices up to 2050,
50% or more are due to climate
change. All this strengthens the con-
clusion of our analysis increase
TFPG in agriculture, expand irrigation,
and be cautious about relying too
much on imports if you want the In-
dian economy to achieve doubledigit
growth rate.
Dr. A Q Shekh Dr. A Q Shekh Dr. A Q Shekh Dr. A Q Shekh Dr. A Q Shekh

convenience.
Planning Commission
National
International
Economy
India And The World
Sports
In The News

14th Finance Commission : Gender Issues 14th Finance Commission : Gender Issues 14th Finance Commission : Gender Issues 14th Finance Commission : Gender Issues 14th Finance Commission : Gender Issues
Gender Budgeting is a power-
ful tool for achieving gender
mainstreaming so as to ensure that
benefits of development reach
women as much as men. It is not an
accounting exercise but an ongoing
process of keeping a gender per-
spective in policy/ programme formu-
lation, its implementation and review.
GB entails dissection of the Govern-
ment budgets to establish its gender
differential impacts and to ensure that
gender commitments are translated
in to budgetary commitments.
The rationale for gender bud-
geting arises from recognition of the
fact that national budgets impact men
and women differently through the
pattern of resource allocation.
Women, constitute 48% of Indias
population, but they lag behind men
on many social indicators like health,
education, economic opportunities,
etc. Hence, they warrant special at-
tention due to their vulnerability and
lack of access to resources. The way
Government budgets allocate re-
sources, has the potential to trans-
form these gender inequalities. In
view of this, Gender Budgeting, as a
tool for achieving gender
mainstreaming, has been propa-
gated.
With its report due late next year
which will determine centre state
scal relationships for the period
2015-20 the Fourteenth Finance
Commission (FFC) has its work
mapped out. Such are the recom-
mendations of the nance commis-
sions (FCs) that generally most of
them are accepted by the union gov-
ernment. Hence, any development
agenda that needs to be pushed
should be brought out at this stage
for incorporation in the recommen-
dations of the FFC. One such agenda
relates to gender issues. Over the last
decade, through the medium of the
union and state budgets, the prin-
ciple of viewing government
programmes and policies from a gen-
der lens has been well entrenched.
Most budgets reect a gender
budget statement which also indi-
cates certain programmes and poli-
cies for women. Government depart-
ments have constituted gender bud-
geting cells to run through
programmes from a gender lens prior
to their formalization and some new
schemes have successfully incorpo-
rated within them a gender compo-
nent, the Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) being a case in point.
In fact, since its very recent introduc-
tion into the Indian public nance
system, gender budgeting can be
said to have been institutionalized,
albeit there are improvements that
can be built into it. The impact analy-
sis of gender budgeting is however
yet to be studied in ne detail.
Therefore, with the FFC, a new
thrust can be given by establishing
linkages within the devolution pattern
and also the factors that can deter-
mine the same. FCs share resources
between the centre and the states
through recommending a share in the
union tax revenues and by grants-in-
aid to states. The Thirteenth Finance
Commission (TFC) envisaged a trans-
fer of Rs 3, 18,581 crore to various
states over its award period as grants-
in-aid and a devolution of 32% as
share of the states from the shareable
pool of resources. Combined, both
form a signi cant chunk of the bud-
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getary revenues for any state. For
2013-14, for instance, the Haryana
government received close to 15%
of its resources through the FC mode.
Sharing of Union Tax Revenues Gov-
erned by Article 280(3) of the Con-
stitution, the share of union tax rev-
enue becomes the most important
task of any FC as the share of the states
from this pool is the main source of
transfer of resources from the centre
to it. Being an untied source of rev-
enue, it becomes a clear stream of
funding for the states.
In the Twelfth Finance Commis-
sion, tax devolution accounted for
81.1% of the total transfers, slightly
lower than the 86.5% of the previous
commission. In working out the crite-
ria to determine the state-wise share,
the FCs use various methodologies
along with consulting the states and
the Ministry of Finance at the centre.
They also consider other factors, i e,
economic and scal The criterion
varies from commission to commission
but population and area along with
scal discipline/tax effort are more
or less a constant for recent FCs. In
determining the scal criteria, the in-
dividual states gross state domestic
product (GSDP) is taken into ac-
count. Even for determining the scal
discipline criteria, the TFC relied
upon the states capacity to gener-
ate resources and manage their
nances properly. Tax effort, which
was an important weight age for the
Twelfth FC has been merged in the
ongoing FC under scal discipline.
The issue that arises here is:
what exactly contributes to the GSDP
and becomes an important constitu-
ent of the revenue generating capac-
ity of any state? The FC seeks re-
sponses to questionnaires from vari-
ous stakeholders including states. A
perusal of the information so sought
for the deliberations of the current
commission indicates that under the
category revenue receipts, the in-
formation sought is of state excise
inclusive of state excise on country
liquor and state excise on foreign li-
quor.
Therefore, a constituent of the
state revenues is excise duty on li-
quor. How important or how
signicant that element is in the over-
all resources of the state can be illus-
trated by going through some of the
state budgets. For instance, sale of
liquor in the state-run Tamil Nadu
State Marketing Corporation
(TASMAC) outlets was a major source
of income for the Tamil Nadu gov-
ernment with a whopping Rs
21,680.67 crore earned as total rev-
enue during 2012-13. This was a
19.91% growth from the previous
year. The sum included an excise rev-
enue of Rs 12,125.31 crore and sales
tax of Rs 9,555.36 crore. The budget
estimates for Haryana indicate a jump
of over 30% over the last scal under
the category of excise collection for
the state from country spirits, foreign
liquors and spirits, etc. These ex-
amples are merely illustrative.
The main purpose of taxation is
to generate government revenue.
Since alcohol is a lucrative revenue
source, increased sales are seen by
policymakers as a means to boost the
government coffers. On the ip side,
can governments also use taxes on
beverage alcohol for several other
purpose, i e, an attempt to reduce
abuse and harm by making alcohol
less accessible? So far as abuse of al-
cohol is concerned, there is evidence
that taxation does not effectively tar-
get those wit h a drinking problem.
People will dr ink notwithstanding the
cost they have to pay. Regardless of
this, as ICAP reports indicate, in-
crease of public access to alcohol in
a bid to garner higher revenues may
end up encouraging risks of en-
hanced partaking with socio- eco-
nomic consequences.
A report by the United Nations
(UN) women ) has also conrmed
that increase in alcohol consumption
has been indirectly encouraged by
the state with a major stake in its rev-
enues through its excise policy and
licensing of an increasing number of
retail shops. In the Indian context,
despite us having a constitutional
commitment to prohibition in Article
47 of the Directive Principles of State
Policy, the alcohol industry churns out
huge revenues for the state. A report
entitled Country Prole on Alcohol
in India by Shekhar Saxena available
at APAPAonline.org makes for inter-
esting reading in this context. It is ar-
gued that apart from tax payments
the l iquor industry also indirectly
contributes to revenues through the
mode of advertising, event sponsor-
ships, travel, tourism and sports.
The alcohol industry is lucrative
enough to generate a signicant par-
allel economy with contenders will-
ing to dole out huge sums as protec-
tion money, etc, to capture liquor
vending contracts. They no doubt
become, powerful persons with the
situation being used by such power
brokers to churn policy to their ad-
vantage with disastrous social conse-
quences for families and household
incomes. There are enough number
of instances as also case studies con-
ducted wherein Indian women have
voiced a strong c correlation be-
tween alcoholism and violence. The
existence of a vast network of li-
censed liquor shops has become a
continually growing problem. In the
UN report, women of Haryana openly
complain about how their men spend
their income on alcohol and ruin their
health.
They consider the spread of
liquor and intoxicants as the cause of
tension in homes leading to shortage
of money for family expenses, fre-
quent quarrels, and forcible extrac-
tion of money from women and vio-
lence. Liquor is clearly behind the
deteriorating quality of a womans life
and cuts across region, caste and
class lines. In fact, the greater the
poverty, the worse is its impact on
women and children. Therefore, in
conrmation of its gender-based
commitment, the government should
not consider revenues arising out of
alcoholic beverages as part of the
overall GSDP of any state; this will
automatically have an impact on the
revenue-earning capacity of a state
and may end up altering the pattern
of resources that will accrue to it
from t he FFC award.
Grants to States Grants to States Grants to States Grants to States Grants to States
The Terms of Reference (ToR)
require the FC to make recommen-
dations on the principles that should
govern the grantsin-aid to the states
out of the Consolidated Fund of In-
dia. Grants-in-aid are an important
component of FC transfers. The size
of the grants has varied from 7.7% of
total transfers under FC-VII to 26.1%
of total transfers under FC-VI. Grants
recommended by FC-XII amounted
to 18.9% of total transfers. The TFC
recommendations covered several
categories of grants-in-aid amounting
in the aggregate to Rs 3,18,581 crore
which constitutes 18.03% of total
transfers.
Grants of the TFC cover a gamut
of sectors including education, envi-
ronment, infant mortality, etc. Dur-
ing the visits of theTFC to the
states as well as in their respective
memoranda, state governments high-
lighted the need for grants to address
speci c issues and l ocal problems.
Some of the central ministries too had
in their communications to the FC
drawn attention to issues which arise
across states, but are required to be
addressed locally.
For instance, the Ministry of
Home Affairs referred to the gaps in
training capabilities for the police
force across states; the Ministry of
Culture indicated the states contin-
ued need for assistance, by means of
grants, to protect monuments, etcThe
point that therefore arises is that
based upon memoranda received
which draws attention to speci c
local issues, the FC can recommend
grants.Accordingly, this FC can build
in gender sensitivity into the analysis
of local issues and recommend grants
which can further the goal of gender
resource budgeting (GRB).
The FFC sought notes on a wide
range of issues which total up to
around 57 in number. Sadly, there is
no reference to gender and no note
has been sought from the states on
their initiatives for gender reform and
uplift for which FC grants can be con-
sidered and recommended. States
canbe asked to suggest areas where
the gap lling for GRB can be con-
sidered.
This can go beyond the normal
infant-mother mortality perception of
gender issues and can perhaps be
more focused on capacity building,
a core aim of GRB. Special allocations
for local governance, for skill build-
ing, for sports, etc, targeted at women
bene ciaries could be considered
by the FC. Accordingly, the FFC can
look at inviting suggestions from the
states on these lines. Both the core
recommendations of the FC can be
tweaked so that the gender impact
of the devolutions is strengthened
and augmented.
Dhruv Nishad Dhruv Nishad Dhruv Nishad Dhruv Nishad Dhruv Nishad
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Civil Services Mentor February 2014

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Civil Services Mentor February 2014

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