Star News Agency

New Delhi. Department of Consumer Affairs is formulating a National Consumer Policy to ensure a structural framework for protection of consumers and their welfare. The draft National Consumer Policy has been formulated after extensive consultations with all stakeholders including Government, VCOs, NGOs etc. The major features of the policy are as follows :-

The National Consumer Policy would be based on the principles of empowering consumers, ensuring competition, opening up competition in areas where government is the sole service provider and strengthening Voluntary Consumer Organisations, to collect and disseminate information to consumers.

The implementation strategies for the same would be encouraging the establishment of internal dispute resolution mechanisms for all manufacturers and service providers, using legislation for enforcement of the rights of consumers, use of Essential Commodities Act for non-market interventions and ensuring harmonization of standards at both national and international levels to promote better choices.

The ultimate deliverables would be that consumers should be empowered to make real choices, enhancement of consumer welfare through promotion of competition, consumers are informed and educated about the products and services they are purchasing and the redressal mechanism available to them and involvement of consumers in formulating policies by various Government Departments.

The draft National Consumer Policy has been uploaded on the website of the Department www.fcamin.nic.in and comments have been invited from all stakeholders to the draft policy. Comments/suggestions, if any, may be sent to Shri Rajinder Chaudhry, Deputy Secretary (Publicity), Department of Consumer Affairs, Room no. 365, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi or e-mailed at dspub-ca@nic.in. The comments may be sent by 30.01.2010.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Extended business environment including mobile work force, third party vendors, partners and other stake holders, is posing a significant challenge of information assets. This was disclosed in a Data Security Survey report released here today by Shri R. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Department of Information Technology (DIT), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). According to the report, IT/ ITeS and Financial services, seem to be better prepared to address information security and data privacy challenges. These two segments also show greater propensity to adopt a new solution and practices where as manufacturers and PSUs appear to be laggards.The report further says that information security controls and physical security controls are converging and there is evident trend towards greater maturity in application security function.

The report based on recently conducted Survey by Data Security Council of India (DSCI) through KPMG, in association with CERT-In indicates that Information Security has taken a prominent position in hierarchy. Respondents seem to have implemented basic information security solutions and are keenly following the progress of technology that will enable securing data. The study was conducted under the Cyber Security Awareness Project sponsored by DIT, MCIT, Government of India and NASSCOM. The survey covered 153 leading companies from sectors including Banking & Financial Services, Manufacturing, E-Commerce, IT & ITES, Telecom, and PSUs.

The objective of Data Security survey was to- Assess the importance given to information security and data privacy; Capture the leading practices and/ or standards adopted for Information Security and Data Privacy in organizations; Identify the major sources of data leakage, compromising of data privacy, in organizations; Study the status of Information and Physical Security Convergence and Awareness about the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, and interface with Cert-In when incidents happen.

The Secretary,DIT also launched the India Security Portal that has been developed by DSCI under the same project. The portal will serve as a platform for raising awareness levels of a wide range of netizens from the industry, government, banks & financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, students in schools and colleges, and home users. It also offers knowledge resources on various aspects of security to all stakeholders. The portal is one-stop shop for all on information security, and will help enhance cyber security in the country.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The Government expresses its satisfaction that the ‘bandh’ in some districts of Andhra Pradesh passed off peacefully today. Following the statement of December 23, 2009 on the Telangana issue, it is proposed to convene a meeting of the leaders of the eight recognised political parties in Andhra Pradesh. The meeting is scheduled to be held at New Delhi on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. The Union Home Minister Shri P. Chidambaram has sent the letter of invitation to the eight recognised political parties in Andhra Pradesh.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen PC Bhardwaj launched a pilot project of Rail e-ticketing for the Armed Forces, here today. The project, being implemented by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), will initially be available at 20 locations spread across the country. Armed Forces personnel will now have the convenience to book and print tickets through IRCTC website at unit locations. The project will enable automatic generation of all accounting, payment and financial reports.

Speaking on the occasion, General Bhardwaj said that the new system will cut tedious paperwork and introduce seamless processing “in one stroke”. He hoped that the ‘PCDA (Principal Controller of Defence Accounts) Travel System’ will slowly make the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) irrelevant and become a precursor to automation and better management. In her address, the CGDA, Smt Bulbul Ghosh said that the pilot project will gradually be expanded to more than 5,000 Army, Navy and Air Force units across the country. The e-ticketing system will be completed in four phases, - the first phase will cover Rail Travel, Air Travel will be covered in the second phase, Defence civilians will be included in the third phase and TA processing will be completely online in the final phase.

The main features of the e-ticketing facility are availability round-the-clock, user friendly, ease of operation and accounting while taking care of security concerns. In the new system, the units will be enabled to have a virtual PRS of the railways in the units itself, which will be enabled to issue tickets through a centralised portal operated by the CGDA office. For this purpose, the CGDA has entered into an agreement with the IRCTC. With this facility, the system of railway warrants which obliged Armed Forces personnel to go in for manual tickets at the PRS counter and involved a lot of paperwork, will gradually be replaced. Over six million warrants are issued to the Armed Forces every year, involving worth over 580 crore rupees.

Star News Agency

Howrah (West Bengal). The Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee today flagged off the first ever ‘Yuva’ train from Howrah Railway Station. 2249/2250 Howrah-New Delhi ‘Yuva’ Express (weekly) will stop at Asansol, Dhanbad, Mugalsarai, Allahabad and Kanpur. As announced in the Railway Budget 2009-10 by the Railway Minister, the ‘Yuva’ trains are targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country. The objective is to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between major cities.

The total chargeable fare for Yuva passengers inclusive of all other charges like Reservation Fee, Superfast Train Charge and Development Charge would not exceed Rs.299/- up to a distance of 1500 kms and Rs. 399/- for distance beyond 1500 up to 2500 kms. Minimum distance for charge will be 100 kms for both Yuva and Non-Yuva passengers. Children of 5 years and above but below 12 years will continue to be charged half fare.

The ‘Yuva Train’ fares are applicable to unemployed persons between the age group of 15 to 45 years who fulfill the criteria of Yuva to be ascertained on the basis of Certificate issued under National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) and valid Registration card issued by a Government run Employment Exchange. Tickets will be issued on production of original of any of the above certificates at the counter, a photocopy of which should be retained along with reservation requisition as in the case of other concessions. Tatkal scheme would not be applicable in ‘Yuva Trains’.

In case the above certificates do not specify age, an age certificate like Identity Card, Ration Card, Driving License., Pass Port, educational Certificate, Certificate from Local Bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipalty or any other authentic and recognized document on which date of birth is recorded, must also be carried in original.

Initially, 60 per cent of the total number of coaches will be earmarked for ‘Yuva’ category. The remaining will be earmarked for general passengers (non-Yuva). This will be reviewed after 6 months of introduction of trains. Normal cancellation rules will be applicable for the train.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Just as you like to exercise your muscles you need to exercise your brain and flex your mental muscles, said Dr. KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India.

The benefits of mind games like bridge, chess, musical instruments, solving crossword puzzles, playing brain teasing games, board games or other activities or games that challenge the mind and make you use the mental muscles have been shown in several studies to prevent or delay dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Mental activity should start at the age of 40 and continue for life. Apart from mental activity one should keep the blood pressure within normal limits as abnormal blood pressure readings, either too high or too low, have been associated with an increased risk of dementia. People who have higher levels of social, mental and physical activity have less risk of dementia.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Dr. Yukio Hatoyama held the Annual Bilateral Summit in New Delhi on 29 December 2009. They discussed bilateral as well as regional and global issues.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that India and Japan as partners which share common values and strategic interests, will develop the Strategic and Global Partnership further for the deepening of their bilateral relations as well as peace and prosperity of the region and the world.

The two Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of Annual Summits between them. They also expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the Annual Strategic Dialogue between the Foreign Ministers, as well as other policy dialogues at Ministerial level. They welcomed the desire expressed by the two Defence Ministers in Tokyo in November 2009 to hold Annual Defence Ministerial Meetings to enhance dialogue and exchanges in the defence field.

The two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the finalization of the Action Plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation based on the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between India and Japan issued in October 2008. The two Prime Ministers committed to enhancing the security cooperation between India and Japan according to the Action Plan, and to deepen their discussion through the newly-established framework at the Subcabinet / Senior Official - level 2 plus 2 dialogue, which was endorsed in the Action Plan.

The two Prime Ministers took note of the current status of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) / Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and instructed their relevant officials to accelerate the negotiations by energetically working towards resolving the remaining issues with a view to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement at the earliest. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that economic relations between India and Japan would develop even further as a result of the conclusion of the EPA/CEPA.

The two Prime Ministers shared the view that Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) should continue to play a significant role in India's poverty reduction, economic and social infrastructure development, tackling environmental issues and human resource development. The Prime Minister of India expressed his appreciation to the Japanese people for their generous role in India's development.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the commencement of India-Japan cooperation on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project with the signing of the Exchange of Notes for the Engineering Services Loan for the first phase (Rewari - Vadodara sector) in October 2009 in New Delhi, and reaffirmed their commitment to the early realization of the entire Western corridor utilizing Japan’s Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) scheme, which is expected to contribute to the further enhancement of India-Japan economic relations. Both sides also welcomed the commencement of the preliminary survey for the second phase, and will make utmost efforts for early completion of both phases of the corridor in a parallel manner. The two leaders will also work together for conclusion of the agreement for the Main Loan for the first phase by March 2010 and for commencement of the assistance for the second phase at the earliest in 2010. Both sides will strive for early finalization of a funding and implementation schedule for the whole Western Corridor.

The two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the steady development of the collaboration in the establishment of Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH) and reiterated their commitment to collaborate through various contributions from Japan including through Official Development Assistance. They noted with satisfaction that the Japanese side has established the IITH Consortium consisting of government, academia and industry

The two Prime Ministers shared the view that the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project is moving forward from the planning stage to the implementation stage and reaffirmed their resolve to realize the DMIC Project, which plays an important role in promoting investment by Japanese companies, and has a potential to facilitate the development of the entire Asian region. In this regard, they expressed their satisfaction with the joint establishment of the Project Development Fund (PDF) with support of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), which is jointly initiated by India and Japan. They welcomed substantive progress on DMIC Project including the completion of the Perspective plan and advancement of Early Bird Projects. The two Prime Ministers took note of the Memorandum of Understanding between DMICDC and JETRO on “Smart Communities and Eco-friendly Townships.”

The two leaders welcomed the decision to establish a JETRO Chennai office which would accelerate further investment by small and medium-sized Japanese enterprises to India.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the enhanced bilateral cooperation on energy under the India-Japan Ministerial-level Energy Dialogue, particularly in energy efficiency and conservation sectors as well as the coal and power sectors. The two Prime Ministers stressed the need for accelerating bilateral cooperation in these vital areas and expressed strong expectations for the progress to be achieved in the next Ministerial-level Energy Dialogue in New Delhi. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that nuclear energy can play an important role as a safe, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy in meeting the rising global energy demands. They also noted that under the Energy Dialogue the Energy Ministers will exchange views and information on their respective nuclear energy policies.

The two Prime Ministers also recognized the importance of promoting cooperation between the two countries' industries in order to expand bilateral energy cooperation on a commercial basis. In this regard, they welcomed progress achieved under the India-Japan Energy Forum held by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan.

Recognizing the role of technology cooperation in the bilateral partnership, the two Prime Ministers took note of the progress made by the bilateral consultative mechanism on high technology trade, and decided to step up efforts to facilitate such trade by addressing respective concerns, including export controls.

The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction on the achievements made at the third meeting of the India-Japan Joint Working Group on Urban Development in June 2009 and reaffirmed their intention to continue concrete cooperative efforts in the field of Urban Development based on this outcome.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of India-Japan ICT Seminar and shared the view that they will enhance cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology through bilateral consultations including at the ministerial level.

The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that the waiver of visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic Passports began on 1 January, 2008. They expressed hope that the number of Japanese tourists visiting India will increase as a result of the recent decision by the Government of India to introduce a visa on arrival scheme for tourists from five countries including Japan on an experimental basis. In order to facilitate two-way travel, they directed the concerned authorities to accelerate the consultation on simplification of visa procedures and to complete it in a year.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the renewed international attention to and confirmed their commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Hatoyama stressed the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date. Prime Minister Singh reiterated India’s commitment to a unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. The two Prime Ministers supported the immediate commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament and an early conclusion of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). They also supported the strengthening of international cooperation with a view to addressing the challenges of nuclear terrorism and clandestine proliferation.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the Copenhagen Accord. They reaffirmed their determination to work closely together in the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) towards an Agreed Outcome, to be adopted at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties. Prime Minister Singh welcomed the announcement of the “Hatoyama Initiative”.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to realize a comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, especially its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. They welcomed the progress so far achieved in the intergovernmental negotiations in the UN General Assembly, in which an expansion in both categories has commanded the most support from Member States. The Prime Ministers decided to accelerate their efforts, in close cooperation with the G4 and other like-minded countries, with a view to achieving a meaningful result during the 64th Session of the General Assembly, so as to make the Security Council more representative, credible and effective for meeting the challenges of the new century.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that an ambitious and balanced conclusion of the WTO Doha Round in 2010 will play an important role in responding to the global economic crisis and committed to working together towards this end.

The two Prime Ministers valued the G-20 as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation and commended its timely and strong policy response in the crisis. They welcomed the Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth launched at Pittsburgh and looked forward to its implementation. They reiterated the importance of the comprehensive package of regulatory measures to prevent recurrence of the crisis. Both sides welcomed the Pittsburgh Summit's focus to address reforms of the international financial institutions (IFIs) in order to improve their credibility, governance and effectiveness, and looked forward to its implementation within the agreed timelines. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to eschewing protectionism in all its forms covering trade in goods and services as well as investment and financial flows. In a spirit of friendship and cooperation, they looked forward to further working closely together, as well as with others.

The two Prime Ministers reiterated the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose. They reaffirmed the importance both countries attach to counter-terrorism cooperation in the United Nations, and affirmed to continue working towards the finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed strong condemnation of the terror attacks in Mumbai last year. The two Prime Ministers emphasized the utmost importance of bringing the perpetrators of the terrorist attack to justice. Japan expressed its support for India’s efforts to become a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). At the bilateral level, they underlined their determination to strengthen co-operation through the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their support for the East Asia Summit as an open, inclusive, transparent and forward looking forum. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the decision of the EAS Economic Ministers to task the Senior Economic Officials to discuss and consider the recommendations in the Phase I and II reports on Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA). The two Prime Ministers welcomed the efforts by Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for promoting economic growth in East Asia, focusing on such areas as facilitating sub-regional development, expanding the middle class and stimulating consumer market, and for working with the ADB and the ASEAN Secretariat to accelerate the completion of a “Comprehensive Asian Development Plan” in order to enhance the connectivity of the region.

The two Prime Ministers re-affirmed their commitment to work together in the framework of regional cooperation. Prime Minister Singh noted with appreciation Prime Minister Hatoyama’s initiative for an East Asian community.

Prime Minister Hatoyama welcomed India’s initiative in the East Asia Summit process to establish the Nalanda University as a non-State, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus to enable students from all countries of Asia to acquire liberal and human education. They acknowledged that this initiative will strengthen the cultural and civilizational bonds between the countries of Asia.

Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome by Prime Minister Singh. Prime Minister Hatoyama extended his invitation to Prime Minister Singh for their next Annual Bilateral Summit in Japan next year at a mutually convenient date to be decided through diplomatic channels. Prime Minister Singh accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Star News Agency

The food processing sector in India is geared to meet the international standards and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 has been enacted which consolidates the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, safe and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption and the matter connected therewith or incidental thereto. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is having the mandate to develop standards and also to harmonise the same with International Standards consistent with food hygiene and food safety requirement and to the conditions of India’s food industry. Besides, Ministry of Food Processing Industries has the scheme for total quality management involving implementation of HACCP/ISO 22000/GHP (Good Hygiene Practices) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) which is aimed at motivating the food processing industries for adoption of food safety and quality assurance mechanisms such as TQM including ISO 14000, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, GHP and preparing them to face global competition in post WTO regime . The meat industry is the collective of diverse businesses that together supply much of the food energy consumed by the world population. Food processing industry is widely recognized as a 'sunrise industry' having huge potential for uplifting agricultural economy, creation of large scale processed food manufacturing and food chain facilities, and the resultant generation of employment and export earnings. India has enormous growth potential from its current status of being the world's second largest food producer to be the world's number one producer.

Challenges and Gaps in Indian Meat Industry

Though fast growing, yet the level of processing in the meat industry is still lower as compared to other countries. The key challenges include organization of meat sector in terms of meeting global quality standards, regulatory bottlenecks and higher no. of unorganized market players. Establishing Disease-Free Zones for rearing animals is another area of concern.

Growth Potential/ Opportunities

India is blessed with rich livestock wealth and recognized as one of the most important livestock rearing country in the world with the largest livestock population of 449 million. Animal husbandry has been an integral part of rural livelihood and buffalo as a triple purpose animal (Milk, Meat & Draught) has imbibed well in the Indian rural hinterland. As per the last census held, the country has about 200 million cattle, 79 million buffaloes, 46 million sheep, 110 million goats and 10 million pigs. Indian Meat Sector with such vast raw material base, increasing domestic demand and high potential of export is expected to grow significantly. Despite this, India has not been able to position itself as a major player in global trade for a variety of reasons including lack of appropriate support infrastructure for processing, vegetarianism, religious reservations, regional preferences and preference for fresh and hot meat etc.

Poultry meat is the fastest growing segment in domestic market with a CAGR of about 15 percent. However, Buffalo meat production has been growing at a relatively less rate at a CAGR of about 5 percent. The current production levels is estimated at about 1.9 Million tones of which about 21 percent is exported to counties like Malaysia, Egypt and in Middle east region. Mutton and lamb is a smaller segment where demand has been outstripping supply, which also explains their higher retail prices in Indian domestic market. Only 24% is exported. Meat is primarily exported to the Philippines, Malaysia, West Asian countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman etc., African and CIS countries.

The Way Ahead

After the challenges and gaps are known, there is the time to mend them and tackle the issues. There needs to be an integrated view of development of meat sector workers. Efforts and support by government to Indian players to meet global quality standards and hygienic and scientific slaughtering in addition to the optimum utilization of by products is very much essential.

In this regard, in order to synergize the energies and efforts of every one related to the growth and development of meat and poultry processing in the country, the Ministry of Food processing Industries had formed a National Meat and Poultry Processing Board (NMPPB) as an autonomous body under the societies act and is functioning under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The NMPPB aims at boosting the growth of the sector for the benefit of the producers and processors. The Board will provide help to the industry in setting up or modernization of abattoirs by providing technical consultancy for the production of wholesome meat and meat products, value added meat food products and utilization of slaughterhouse by products.

Immediate needs of the sector are to take advantage of liberalized world trade to benefit the Indian meat industry by harmonization of standards, giving incentives to farmer for quality livestock production and to adopt stringent quality control measures, to develop long term strategies for export, popularize and develop traditional products technology, and regularly monitoring for chemical residues and microbial quality and produce international standard meat products.

The Board plans for modernization of Abattoirs in next five years by standardizing size, technologies, equipments, cost etc. / bench marking of Abattoirs, establishing a full-fledged self financing Consultancy Division and providing consultancy to 10 large Abattoirs and 10 class ‘B’ city Abattoirs to be set up. Consultancy will be provided for setting up 50 large and 110 small Abattoirs.

The Board will cater to the backward linkages- disease free zone/ Traceability etc by organizing meetings with the Department of Animal Husbandry regarding. One National Lab would be established by July 2010 and five Labs by July 2012 in alignment of domestic standards with international standards.

Star News Agency

New Delhi.The Union Service Public Commission has announced the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II)-2009 held in September, 2009. 8591 candidates have qualified for being interviewed by the Service Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence, for admission to (i) Indian Militry Academy, Dehradun 129th Course commencing in July, 2010 (ii) Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala Course commencing in July, 2010 (iii) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course for 188th F(P) Course commencing in July, 2010 (iv) Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai 92nd SSC Course (for Men) commencing in October, 2010 and (v) Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai, 6th SSC (Women Non-Technical) Course commencing in October, 2010.

The candidature of all the candidates is provisional. In accordance with the conditions of the admission to the examination, they are required to submit the original certificates in support of age, educational qualification, NCC (C) etc. claimed by them to Army Headquarters in case of IMA/SSC as their first choice and to Naval Headquarters “DMPR” (OI & R Section), in case of Naval first choice; and to PO3 (A) Air Headquarters in case of Air Force first choice. The original Certificates are to be submitted within two weeks of completion of the SSB Interview and not later than May 13, 2010 (Ist August, 2010 in case of SSC only).

UPSC has a “Facilitation Counter” in its campus where Candidates can obtain any information / clarification regarding their examinations / recruitments during working hours in person or over telephone Nos. 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543. Result is available on PIB website i.e www.pib.nic.in and also on the U.P.S.C. website i.e. www.upsc.gov.in.

The marks-sheet of candidates who have not qualified shall be available on the Commission’s website within 30 days from declaration/publication of the result.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. On the basis of the result of the written part of the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2009 held by Union Service Public Commission in July 2009, 231 candidates have qualified for Interview/Personality Test.

The candidature of all these candidates is provisional subject to their being found eligible in all respects. In accordance with the condition(s) of their admission to the examination, the candidates should keep original certificates in support of their age, educational qualification, claim to belong to the scheduled caste/scheduled tribe/OBC etc. in readiness for submission at the time of their interview.

The qualified candidates will be sent a detailed application form, which should be returned to the Commission within the closing date indicated in the forwarding letter. In case any of these candidates does not receive a communication in this regard within two weeks of the publication of this result, he/she should immediately contact the Commission, giving his/her particulars i.e. roll number, full name, date of birth, address etc. The result is available on the UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in and also on PIB website www.pib.nic.in .

Union Public Service Commission have a facilitation counter at its campus. Candidate may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination/result on working days between 10.00 A.M to 5.00 P.M in person or over telephone Nos. (011)-23385271/23381125/23098543 from this counter.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has greeted the nation on the joyous occasion of Christmas.

In a message, Dr. Singh said that the festival is a celebration of peace, love and hope and a time to rejoice in the company of family and friends. The spirit of Christmas strengthens the values of brotherhood, tolerance and caring. May the spirit of Christmas be with all our countrymen throughout the New Year, the Prime Minister added.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Ten percent of the heart attacks in the emergency room are over diagnosed. Minutes matter with these patients and doctors have to act quickly in this setting. This 10% false positive rate is acceptable. This was stated by Dr K K Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India.

Heart attacks which are common near Xmas can also be missed as the ECG can be normal in the first 6 hours. Every effort should be taken to reduce the number of false positive or false negative diagnoses of heart attack, said Dr K K Aggarwal quoting a study published in the issue of the Journal of the Medical Association.

In the study Henry and group studied the medical records of 1,345 people treated for suspected heart attacks in a regional system between 2003 and 2006, looking at emergency room decisions.

All the patients were suspected of having a STEMI heart attack, characterised by a specific electrocardiogram pattern. It turned out that 187 of them (14%) did not have obvious blockage of a coronary artery, with (11%) having negative results on cardiac biomarker tests.

There was a significant difference in survival with 4.6% 30-day death rate for those with a blocked artery and 2.7% for those without blockage. During Xmas most senior doctors maybe on vacation making the situation further bad for the common man.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Jagriti art initiative which is well known for conducting various exhibitions and parleys within India and abroad organized an exhibition Metaphoric Shifts and New Imagery showcasing Paintings and Sculptures of around 60 artists at Group Show at Lalit Kala Academy. The ‘Guests of Honour’ at the exhibition were actor & Oscar Award winner Mr Irrfan Khan and Ambasssador of Arab Republic of Egypt to India, Dr. Mohamed Higazy and Secretary of Lalit Kala Academy, Dr. Sudhakar Sharma. A share from all the sales of the corpus will be donated for charitable purposes to Literacy India, for their various philanthropic activities.

On this Occasion Director of Jagriti Art Mr. Gaurang Jalan said that Jagriti Art is an awareness initiative showcasing quality art from the house of GMB Films (P) Ltd. and is a reliable source of contemporary and modern Indian Art providing extensive range of Art for display, consultancy and sale. “Art with a Heart has been our sublime motto and we have been actively involved in various community service initiatives - be it concern for the environment, tribals, establishment of scholarship for meritorious students, care for dementia and the aged, protection and welfare of the women and child or eradication of polio through Rotary - we have come forward and contributed to the best of our ability”, he further added. Jagriti Art conducts regular workshops, exhibitions, cultural exchange programmes and parleys to provide a proactive platform for established as well as emerging artists.

While appreciating this effort of Jagriti art Initiative, Professor. Sandeep Marwah one of the 'guest of honours' in the exhibiton said that such endeavors not only have artistic and entertainment value but they help in the development of the society at the same time. Paintings of renowned and well known artists such as M.F Hussain, Satish Gujral, Bijon Chaudhary, Jayshree Chakraborty, Prosenjit Sengupta, Bikash Bhattacharya were included in the exhibition.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The introductory meeting of the Expert Committee for up gradation of National Film Awards (NFA) was held in New Delhi today. The Committee members unanimously selected Sh. Shyam Benegal the Chairman of this expert Committee. It was also decided that the Committee would submit its recommendations latest by 15th March 2010 to be able to make qualitative changes for NFA 2009.

Welcoming the eminent ten members of the Committee present for the meeting today, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smt Ambika Soni said that the Ministry wishes to be benefitted by the recommendations of the Committee so that the revamped National Film Awards 2009 can be presented for the public at large. The Minister also desired that a time schedule be laid out so that National Film Awards become an annual fixture in the year’s calendar and every effort be made to ensure that by following proper, democratic, transparent procedure litigation is minimised if not completely avoided so as not to derail the schedule as happened in recent past.

Kick-starting the discussions, the Members acknowledged that National Film Awards carry a dignity and importance not rivalled by any other Awards in the industry purely because National Film Awards give due recognition to the pan-Indian cinema in the country. However the Members suggested that keeping in view the technological advancements more categories in the Awards recognising newer professional fields, newer formats such as digital format and newer media should be recognised. The Members were also of the view that a two tier jury – regional and then national level jury should be appointed to do justice to the language nuances/regional significance. The Members also suggested that in keeping with the earlier recommendations of the Satyajit Ray Committee and Karanth Committee reports, a ‘Chalchitra Academy’ should be established. Increase in the cash reward of the Awards and rationalizing the Censor procedures were also discussed.

Among those who attended the meeting today included S/Sh. Shyam Benegal, Ashok Vishwanathan, Jahnu Baruah, Mohan Agashe, Nagesh Kuknoor, Rajiv Mehrotra, Shaji Karun, Vishal Bhardwaj along with Ms. Sai Paranjapye and Smt. Sharmila Tagore. Senior officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Directorate of Film Festivals were also present.

This Committee shall make recommendations regarding up gradation of National Film Awards for Feature, Non-Feature and Best writing on Cinema and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award and the resultant changes to be made in the Regulations thereto.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is undertaking a major capacity building exercise to deal with the present and future challenges facing the agriculture sector in the country.

Addressing the 81st Annual General Meeting of ICAR, Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said here today that these efforts have resulted in filing of over 50 patents applications from 13 ICAR institutes during the year. Two patents applications have entered into National phase in USA, France and Japan. In an effort to enhance farmers’ capacity and skills, over 40,000 training programmes were organized benefitting 11.27 lakh farmers and farm women. Similarly, about 13,000 skill-oriented training programmes were organized for 3.10 lakh rural youths.

The Minister informed that in order to infuse new blood in research efforts, over 430 scientists are being recruited at the entry level. In an effort to build capacity in high-end research such as molecular breeding, genomics and transgenics, bioremediation, nanotechnology, diagnostics etc. scientists from ICAR institutes and teachers from State Agricultural Universities were trained in best of the laboratories of the world.

Shri Pawar said, quality human resource being a key input in all aspects of agriculture, ICAR is implementing a comprehensive accreditation system to ensure quality of education, strengthening of infrastructure and faculty improvement in State Agricultural Universities. Accreditation was granted to five SAUs during the year, taking the total to 33. Introduction of international fellowships during the year was a major milestone in gloabalizing higher agricultural education.

The Minister further stated that the ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities are being connected to National Knowledge Network through an electronic digital broadband to encourage sharing of resources for collaborative research. To promote ICT-driven technology and information dissemination system for effective communication, ICAR contemplates to share its knowledge resources on a common platform in open-access mode for the benefit of stakeholders.

Speaking about the achievements of ICAR, the Minister said, ICAR has taken several notable steps and initiatives for providing a scientific and technology-driven thrust to agricultural development. Crop improvement programmes resulted in release or identification of 131 varieties of major food crops for different agro-climatic regions of the country, besides a few varieties in plantation and horticultural crops. Nearly 7000 tonnes of breeder seed of centrally released field crop varieties were produced for distribution among farmers. A drought-tolerant horsegram mutant was released for the north zone in tribal dominated Eastern Ghats of Orissa. Gene sources for resistance to Ug99 rust with new genes have been located. ICAR has also developed cost effective amelioration technologies for water logged, salt affected and acid soils. In order to address the issues of impact of climate change on agriculture, a National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management has been established. Further, two major institutions, the National Institute on Biotic Stress Management and Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology are in the process of establishment.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in his address emphasized the need for providing nutritious food to the growing young population in the country. He said, as India enters the phase of stabilized population by 2050, with a huge young and sizable moderately affluent population, the demand for protein foods is going to grow exponentially. Already production pressure and urban affluence is pushing prices up. If production of vegetables, pulses, milk, meat and staples do not catch up with the needs of a young and successful population, price pressure will hurt the poor, and the low income group. With increasing numbers of rural population leaving sustenance agriculture, more has to be provided with less. Therefore, high degree of economy has to be ushered in the input regime and higher yields have to be sourced from static or decreasing catchments.

DG ICAR, and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Dr. Mangala Rai gave details of achievements earned by the ICAR during the year. The meeting was attended by agricultural scientists, heads of ICAR institutes, central and state agricultural universities.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram has proposed radical restructuring of the security architecture at the national level. He unveiled the proposal while delivering the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture here today. The topic of the lecture was “A New Architecture of India’s Security”. As part of the plan, the Home Minister said that India must be able to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre(NCTC) by the end of 2010 and once set up, NCTC must have the broad mandate to deal with all kinds of terrorist violence, directed against the country and its people. The Home Minister also suggested restructuring of the Ministry of Home Affairs and said that the Home Minister should devote the whole of his time and energy to matters relating to security. Following is the text of his lecture:

“The Intelligence Bureau is 122 years old. It celebrated its centenary in the year 1987. Since 1988, a number of distinguished persons – political leaders, scientists, jurists, police officers and administrators – have delivered the Centenary Endowment Lecture. I find that the subjects chosen by the speakers covered a wide range. I confess that I toyed with the idea of speaking on something totally unrelated to the security establishment. However, I thought that discretion was the better part of valour and settled on a subject that is, I hope, both contemporary and futuristic. I thank Shri Rajiv Mathur, Director, Intelligence Bureau for inviting me to deliver this prestigious lecture.

Violence is Omnipresent

Humankind has, through the millennia, co-existed with violence. Hunting and gathering were marked by violence. Tribal groups employed violence to assert their authority over land to the exclusion of other tribal groups. Kingdoms were established by violence; kings were overthrown by violence. War was invariably an instrument of policy: to be a warrior was an honour and great kings were also great warriors. In the twentieth century alone, humankind witnessed two world wars and many smaller wars. About 15 million people were killed in the first World War. Nearly 60 million died in the second World War. In all the conflicts since 1945, it is estimated that nearly 30 million persons may have been killed.

It is only in the latter half of the twentieth century that the seeds were sown for a movement against war. The famous words of Pope John XXIII come to mind: “No more war, never again war.” Nevertheless, little wars were fought over territories or boundaries. Fierce civil wars were fought, and are being fought, within countries. Nations joined together to fight a despot or eject an invader or quell a rebellion. As I speak to you, there is an “official” war in Afghanistan and many more unofficial battles. A world free from war appears to be a distant dream. While accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, the President of the United States and the Commander-in-Chief of the world’s mightiest armed forces said: “We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations – acting individually or in concert – will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.”

Can war be justified? It is a debatable point. Those who justify war point to the larger objectives of a war. That was the case in the Balkans, that was the case in Iraq, and that is the case in Afghanistan. The jury is still out.

Through the twentieth century, many small wars were waged within countries. In Russia and in China, war took the name of “armed liberation struggle” in order to liberate the country from the yoke of capitalism and usher in the so-called rule of the proletariat. The main driver was ideology. Stripped of the rhetoric, it is plain that such conflicts were also driven by the desire to establish the supremacy of a leader or a party. Such ideology-driven internal wars led to the establishment of one-party States such as in China, Vietnam and Cuba.

After the second World War, there was another kind of war. It was called the Cold War. It was fought not with armies or aircraft or ships. It was fought in the shadowy world of espionage and intrigue. Its soldiers were agents and double agents. Its objectives were not very different from the objectives of a regular war. The ultimate goal was military supremacy over other countries of the world. It is said that the Cold War came to an end with the fall of the Berlin wall on November 9, 1989, but that was not the end of all wars. Just as the Cold War came to an end, we witnessed the emergence of another kind of war, namely, jihad. Jihad is a war or struggle against unbelievers and, currently, it is waged by a number of groups owing allegiance to Islam. Unlike the original Crusades, jihad is not fought like a conventional war. Jihad employs terror as an instrument to achieve its objectives. Such terror is directed against all and sundry, its victims are usually innocent people, and its goal is to overawe and overthrow the established authority. The tactics of the jihadis have been copied by militants belonging to other groups too, not excluding militants professing the Hindu faith.

By a quirk of fate, India in the twenty-first century has turned out to be the confluence of every kind of violence: insurrection or insurgency in order to carve out sovereign States; armed liberation struggle motivated by a rejected ideology; and terrorism driven by religious fanaticism. Never before has the Indian State faced such a formidable challenge. Never before have the Indian people been asked to prepare themselves for such fundamental changes in the manner in which the country will be secured and protected.

The Agony of 26/11

Let me summarize the situation as I found it on December 1, 2008. Two days after the terrorist attack in Mumbai was repulsed – after paying a heavy price of 164 lives – the nation was in shock and anger. A billion plus people felt they had been humiliated and the country had been brought to its knees by a small band of terrorists. The security establishment was in disarray and numerous questions were being asked. Had the intelligence agencies failed? Did the first responder, the Mumbai police, prove to be totally inadequate? Was the famed National Security Guard too slow to get off the block? Did the leadership of the police let down its men? Did the security forces take too long to neutralise ten terrorists? Did the Central and the State Governments fail to provide strong leadership? Did the crisis management system collapse? Did the country pay too heavy a price before it repulsed the terrorist attack? Did the Government fail the people in not mounting a swift counter-attack on the perpetrators of terror?

These questions continue to haunt me and many others even today. I think I have found the answers to some of these questions, but I do not intend to fill this lecture with those answers. My purpose is to outline the broad architecture of a new security system that will serve the country today and in the foreseeable future.

The State of our Police

Let me begin with the foot soldiers. All the States and Union Territories put together had a sanctioned strength of 1,746,215 policemen as on January 1, 2008. Against that number, only 1,478,888 policemen were in place. There are 13,057 police stations and 7,535 police posts in the country. The ratio of available police to per 100,000 people for the whole country is about 130. The international average is about 270. There is no substitute for the policeman who walks the streets. He is the gatherer of intelligence, the enforcer of the law, the preventer of the offence, the investigator of the crime and the standard-bearer of the authority of the State, all rolled into one. If he is not there, it means that all these functions are not performed. That – the failure to perform essential police functions – is where the rot began and that is where the rot lies even today. The first step, therefore, in devising a new security system in the country is to recruit more policemen and policewomen. In my estimate, States would have to recruit over 400,000 constables this year and in the next two years in order to fill the vacancies and in order to provide for expansion of the police forces. A bad police constable is worse than no police constable. Recruitment must therefore be transparent, objective and corruption-free. The Central Government has devised and commended to the States a transparent recruitment procedure that will be totally technology-based and free of any human interference. On its part, the Central Government has implemented the new procedure in the recruitment to the Central Para Military Forces.

The police stations in the country are, today, virtually unconnected islands. Thanks to telephones and wireless, and especially thanks to mobile telephones, there is voice connectivity between the police station and senior police officers, but that is about all. There is no system of data storage, data sharing and accessing data. There is no system under which one police station can talk to another directly. There is no record of crimes or criminals that can be accessed by a Station House Officer, except the manual records relating to that police station. Realising the gross deficiency in connectivity, the Central Government is implementing an ambitious scheme called “Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS).” The goals of the system are to facilitate collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, transfer and sharing of data and information at the police station and between the police station and the State Headquarters and the Central Police Organisations.

If intelligence-gathering is the corner stone of fighting insurgency or insurrection or terror, the foot solider cannot work in isolation. He must be enabled to gather intelligence from the people as well as the representatives and quasi-representatives of the State such as the Sarpanch, the Lambardar, the village accountant etc. More often than not, intelligence is provided by the citizen who would wish to remain faceless and nameless. It is therefore important that State Governments adopt “Community Policing” and establish a toll-free service under which a citizen can provide information or lodge a complaint. It is the myriad bits of information flowing from different sources that, when sifted, analysed, matched, correlated and pieced together, become actionable intelligence. That function must be performed, first and foremost, at the police station.

To sum up, we must have more police stations and, at the police station level, we must have more constables, some of whom are exclusively for gathering intelligence. We must also have a system of community policing, a toll-free service, and a network to store, retrieve and access data relating to crimes and criminals.

Moving up the ladder, at the District and State levels, the Special Branch is the key to better intelligence and more intelligence-based operations. There should be at least one police officer in each police station exclusively for intelligence gathering. As the intelligence gathered flows up to the District Special Branch and State Special Branch, there should be an adequate number of well-trained analysts to analyse the intelligence and to draw the correct conclusions. Intelligence is a specialised function. Not every police officer is qualified to be an intelligence officer. It is therefore imperative that the State Special Branch should be restructured as a specialised and self-sufficient cadre of the State police in terms of personnel, funds and equipment. On January 7, 2009, the Central Government had circulated a proposal to restructure the Special Branch in the State police forces. The implementation of the proposal will mark the beginning of a long-haul effort to restructure the intelligence-gathering machinery at the District and State levels.

At the District and State levels, the police must also be the first responder in case of a militant or terrorist attack. 24 x 7 control rooms must be set up at the District and State levels. Quick Response Teams must be positioned in every district capital and in important towns. Commando units must be raised and placed at different locations. The Central Government is supporting and funding the conversion of two companies of selected IR Battalions into commando units. QRT and commando units should have modern weapons and equipment. The age profile of these units must be young and older men must, periodically, make way for younger men. A special Anti-Terrorist Unit should be created at the State level to pre-empt terrorist activities and investigate terrorist crimes. While States have begun to take steps on these matters, the pace is still slow. States must give a full and true picture of the tasks completed by them and their state of readiness to face any threat or attack.

The Difficult Tasks Ahead

From what I have said so far, the changes that are required to be made in the architecture are quite basic and simple. They can be done by providing more funds, tightening the administration and working to a time-bound plan. Of course, it will also require sound leadership at the political and police levels. However, when we move upwards, serious questions concerning constitutional responsibilities and division of powers will arise. Also, difficult questions would have to be posed and answered regarding the current responsibilities of different organisations. Questions concerning jurisdiction and turf would also arise. If our goal is just extracting a little more from the ‘business as usual’ model, then these questions can be brushed aside or provided ‘don’t-rock-the-boat’ answers. I am afraid that would be self-defeating. Sooner than you think, there may be another crisis like the hijack of IC-814 or another catastrophe like the Mumbai terror attacks. Hence, the time to act is now and I would spell the last word with capitals: N-O-W.

I therefore propose a bold, thorough and radical restructuring of the security architecture at the national level.

The present architecture consists of political, administrative, intelligence and enforcement elements. At the political level, there is the Cabinet Committee on Security. The administrative element is the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Prime Minister’s office and the Cabinet Secretariat. The intelligence elements are spread over different ministries: there is the Intelligence Bureau which reports to the Home Minister; there is the Research and Analysis Wing which falls under the Cabinet Secretariat and, hence, reports to the Prime Minister; there are organisations such as Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and Aviation Research Centre (ARC) which report to the National Security Adviser; and there is the National Security Council Secretariat under the NSA which serves the National Security Council. The armed forces have their own intelligence agencies, one each under the Army, Navy and Air Force and an umbrella body called the Defence Intelligence Agency. There are other agencies which specialise in financial intelligence. These are the Directorates in the Income Tax, Customs and Central Excise departments, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Enforcement Directorate. The enforcement element of this architecture consists of the central para-military forces such as CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, Assam Rifles, SSB and the NSG. What will strike any observer is that there is no single authority to which these organisations report and there is no single or unified command which can issue directions to these agencies and bodies.

Some changes have indeed been brought about after December 1, 2008. The most beneficial change has been the operationalisation of the Multi-Agency Centre. By an Executive Order issued on December 31, 2008, the MAC was energised with a broader and compulsory membership and a new mandate. Every piece of relevant information or intelligence gathered by one of the participating agencies is brought to the table. It is analysed and the analysis is shared with the participating agencies. The key benefit is that no one can say that his/her organisation was kept in the dark. Another beneficial change has been the extension of the reach of MAC to the State capitals and the setting up of the Subsidiary-MAC in each State capital in which all agencies operating at the State level, especially the Special Branch of the State police, are represented. Through the MAC-SMAC-State Special Branch network, the Intelligence Bureau has been able to pull more information and intelligence from the State capitals. It has also been able to push more information and intelligence into the State security system.

Another innovation is the security meeting held every day, around noon, under the Chairmanship of the Home Minister. NSA, Home Secretary, Secretary (R&AW), DIB, Chairman, JIC, and Special Secretary (IS) attend the meeting. The broad directions issued at the end of the meeting have brought about better coordination in all aspects of intelligence including gathering, analysing and acting upon the intelligence.

We should resist the temptation to exaggerate the gains that have been made through these changes at the top. The Home Minister – and by extension the Government – is indeed better informed. The agencies involved are more alert. However, in my view, it does not mean that our capacity to pre-empt or prevent a terrorist threat or attack has been enhanced significantly. As far as responding to a terrorist attack is concerned, we may have enhanced the capacity to contain and repulse an attack, but I think that there is still some distance to go before we can claim to have acquired the capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to a terror attack. It is this assessment which leads me to argue that the security architecture at the top must be thoroughly and radically restructured.

The New Architecture

Some steps in this direction are self-evident. For example, there is a need to network all the databases that contain vital information and intelligence. Today, each database stands alone. It does not talk to another database. Nor can the ‘owner’ of one database access another database. As a result, crucial information that rests in one database is not available to another agency. In order to remedy the deficiency, the Central Government has decided to set up NATGRID. Under NATGRID, 21 sets of databases will be networked to achieve quick, seamless and secure access to desired information for intelligence/enforcement agencies. This project is likely to be completed in 18 – 24 months from now.

Two more projects will commence early next year. The first is the Business Process Re-engineering of the Foreigners Division at a cost of about Rs.20 crore. The second is the more ambitious Mission Mode Project on Immigration, Visa and Foreigners’ Registration and Tracking with the objective of creating a secure and integrated service delivery framework for facilitating legitimate travellers and strengthening security. The scheme will network 169 missions, 77 ICPs, 5 FRROs and over 600 FROs with the Central Foreigners’ Bureau. It is estimated to cost Rs.1011 crore, but the rub is it is slated to be implemented over a period of four and a half years. The gaps in the visa system have been exposed in a number of cases, the most notable among them being the case of David Coleman Headley. The compelling need to create a fool-proof system cannot be overstated. Hence, it is necessary to put the project on a fast track, engage a Mission Director, beg or borrow the money to implement the project, and complete the task within 24 months.

It is our experience that the networks of terror overlap with the networks of drug-peddling, arms-trading and human-trafficking. The agencies that deal with the latter category of crimes are scattered. For example, the Narcotics Control Bureau is under the Ministry of Home Affairs while the Central Bureau of Narcotics is under the Ministry of Finance. The Arms Act is administered by MHA. As far as human-trafficking is concerned, the primary responsibility lies with the State Governments, but anti-human trafficking cells have been set up only in 9 districts of the country. Regulation and enforcement in each of these areas require to be strengthened and brought under the overall management of internal security.

The Way Forward – NCTC

Another major idea is the proposal to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). As the name suggests, the goal is to counter terrorism. Obviously, this will include preventing a terrorist attack, containing a terrorist attack should one take place, and responding to a terrorist attack by inflicting pain upon the perpetrators. Such an organisation does not exist today. It has to be created from scratch. I am told that the United States was able to do it within 36 months of September 11, 2001. India cannot afford to wait for 36 months. India must decide now to go forward and India must succeed in setting up the NCTC by the end of 2010.

Once NCTC is set up, it must have the broad mandate to deal with all kinds of terrorist violence directed against the country and the people. While the nature of the response to different kinds of terror would indeed be different and nuanced, NCTC’s mandate should be to respond to violence unleashed by any group – be it an insurgent group in the North East or the CPI (Maoist) in the heartland of India or any group of religious fanatics anywhere in India acting on their own or in concert with terrorists outside India. NCTC would therefore have to perform functions relating to intelligence, investigation and operations. All intelligence agencies would therefore have to be represented in the NCTC. Consequently, in my proposal, MAC would be subsumed in the NCTC. Actually, MAC with expanded authority will be at the core of the new organisation and will transform itself into NCTC. The functions that will be added to the current functions of MAC are investigation and operations. As far as investigation is concerned, Government has set up the National Investigation Agency, and that agency would have to be brought under the overall control of NCTC. The last function – operations – would of course be the most sensitive and difficult part to create and bring under the NCTC. But I am clear in my mind that, without ‘operations’, NCTC and the security architecture that is needed will be incomplete. It is the proposed ‘operations’ wing of the NCTC that will give an edge – now absent – to our plans to counter terrorism.

The establishment of the NCTC will indeed result in transferring some oversight responsibilities over existing agencies or bodies to the NCTC. It is my fervent plea that this should not result in turf wars. Some agencies would naturally have to be brought under NCTC and what come to my mind readily are NIA, NTRO, JIC, NCRB and the NSG. The positioning of R&AW, ARC and CBI would have to be re-examined and a way would have to be found to place them under the oversight of NCTC to the extent that they deal with terrorism. The intelligence agencies of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance would, of course, continue to remain under the respective Ministry, but their representatives would have to be deputed mandatorily to the NCTC. NATGRID would obviously come under NCTC. So also, CCTNS would have to be supervised by the NCTC.

Given the overarching responsibility of NCTC and its mandate, it will be obvious that it must be headed by a highly qualified professional with vast experience in security related matters. Considering the structure of our services, it is natural to expect that the head of one of our organisations will be appointed to the post, by whatever name it may be called. He/she could be a police officer or a military officer. He/she must be one who has impeccable professional credentials and the capacity to oversee intelligence, investigation and operations. He/she will be the single person accountable to the country on all matters relating to internal security. At the Government level, and in order to be accountable to Parliament, it would be logical and natural to place the NCTC under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

That leaves the question of the structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs itself. MHA now handles a wide portfolio of subjects ranging from ‘freedom fighters’ to ‘forensic science’. Is this a functional arrangement to deal with the grave challenges to internal security that we face and that we will face from many more years? I am afraid not. It is true that the words ‘Ministry of Home Affairs’ have an authoritative ring, but the MHA now performs a number of functions that have no direct relation to internal security. For example, it has a division dealing with freedom fighters but it does not have even a desk for dealing exclusively with forensic science. There are other divisions or desks that deal with Centre-State Relations, State Legislation, Human Rights, Union Territories, Disaster Management, Census etc. These are undoubtedly important functions and deserve close attention. However, internal security is an equally, if not more, important function that deserves the highest attention. In my view, given the imperatives and the challenges of the times, a division of the current functions of the Ministry of Home Affairs is unavoidable. Subjects not directly related to internal security should be dealt with by a separate Ministry or should be brought under a separate Department in the MHA and dealt with by a Minister, more or less independently, without referring every issue to the Home Minister. The Home Minister should devote the whole of his/her time and energy to matters relating to security.

It is after one year in office that I have ventured to outline the new architecture for India’s security. There are two enemies of change. The first is ‘routine’. Routine is the enemy of innovation. Because we are immersed in routine tasks, we neglect the need for change and innovation. The second enemy is ‘complacency’. In a few days from today, 2009 will come to a close, and I sincerely hope that we may be able to claim that the year was free from terror attacks. However, there is the danger of a terror-free year inducing complacency, signs of which can be seen everywhere. A strange passivity seems to have descended upon the people: they are content to leave matters relating to security to a few people in the Government and not ask questions or make demands. I wish to raise my voice of caution and appeal to all of you assembled here, and to the people at large, that there is no time to be lost in making a thorough and radical departure from the present structure. If, as a nation, we must defend ourselves in the present day and prepare for the future, it is imperative that we put in place a new architecture for India’s security.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. Government has appealed for restoration of peace and harmony in Andhra Pradesh. In a statement issued here today, the Union Home Minister Shri P. Chidambaram urged the people of different regions of Andhra Pradesh, all political parties and students to withdraw their agitations. Following is the text of his statement:

“At a meeting of all political parties convened by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on December 7, 2009 a consensus emerged on the question of formation of a separate State of Telangana. A statement was made on behalf of the Central Government on December 9, 2009 on receipt of the minutes of the meeting.

However, after the statement, the situation in Andhra Pradesh has altered. A large number of political parties are divided on the issue. There is a need to hold wide ranging consultations with all political parties and groups in the State. Government of India will take steps to involve all concerned in the process.

Meanwhile, it is necessary that peace and harmony are restored in Andhra Pradesh and the State Government is allowed to focus on governance and development.

The Central Government appeals to the people of the different regions of Andhra Pradesh and to all political parties and students to withdraw their agitations and maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood”.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. An agreement on extensive programme on Khadi Reforms has been signed here today between Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Asian Development Bank and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

Asian Development Bank will make available a loan of US$ 150million to the Government in four tranches which will be equivalent to approximately Rs. 717 crore under the existing rate of one US$= Rs.47.79. This amount will be utilized for the development of 300 identified khadi institutions. The development/reforms will be taken up in 50 khadi institutions in the first phase, identified on the basis of pre-decided selection criteria. The Reforms will be taken up in the remaining 250 khadi institutions thereafter. It is estimated that more than 60,000 artisans will be directly benefited by this Reform Programme and “Khadi Mark” and setting up of “Marketing Organisation” will help in improvement in the sales of khadi products.

An important aspect of the Khadi Reform Programme relates to giving freedom to the khadi institutions to sell their products at market determined prices as against the “cost chart regime” as it exists today.

After Shri Dinsha Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) took over in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the rebate scheme was extended for another year and now an improved and more effective scheme namely Market Development Assistance (MDA) has been formulated which will ensure improvement in the existing structure of the khadi institutions and sharing of the financial benefits arising out of better marketing with the artisans and weavers.

Khadi Reform Programme is one of the various initiatives taken by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) for reforms in the agro rural sector industries sector This Reform Programme includes the empowerment and enhancement of earning of spinners and weavers, enhanced participation of spinners and weavers in the management of the khadi institutions, address the problems faced by khadi institutions on capital inadequacy, improvement in marketing, skill development and training of artisans, improvement in the quality of raw material, better production of sliver/roving through Public Private Partnership(PPP) etc.

The agreement on extensive programme on Khadi Reforms was signed in the presence of Senior Officials of Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Asian Development Bank and KVIC.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The Staff Section Commission has announced the final result of Tax Assistant (Income Tax & Central Excise) Examination 2008 held on 29.3.2009 for recruitment to the post of Tax Assistant (Income Tax and Customs Excise) for the 1,69,203 candidates registered for the examination (in the offices of the Central Board for Direct Tax (CBDT) and Central Board of Excise and Customs(CBEC).

615 candidates (for the office of the CBDT) and 723 (for the office of CBEC) have been recommended for appointment to the post of Tax Assistant. Details are available on the Website: http://ssc.nic.in. Detailed results and marks secured by the candidates who were called for the skill test will also be available on the website shortly.

Star News Agency

New Delhi. The Union Service Public Commission has announced the results of Combined Medical Services Examination, 2009. Following is the list, in order of merit, of the candidates who have been recommended for appointment to medical posts in the Railways, Indian Ordnance Factories Health Service, Central Government Health Service, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council on the result of the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2009 held by the Union Public Service Commission in January 2009 and Personality Test held from October to November 2009.

A total number of 450 candidates recommended for appointment include 210 General Candidates (including 11 Physically Handicapped candidates), 130 candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes (including 04 Physically Handicapped candidates), 74 Scheduled Caste (including 01 Physically Handicapped candidate), and 36 Scheduled Tribe candidates.

The candidature of the following Roll Numbers is provisional:-

00067, 00236, 00296, 00379, 00432, 00573, 00847, 00902, 01373, 01432, 01454, 01521, 01540, 01576, 01765, 01809, 01953, 02192, 02199, 02318, 02324, 02337, 02359, 02388, 02418, 02492, 02703, 02705, 02717, 02758, 02873, 02973, 02993, 03402, 03586, 03619, 03693, 03784, 03872, 03951, 03997, 04208, 04229, 04369, 04391, 04552, 04698, 04752, 04809, 05286, 05319, 05325, 05348, 05392, 05406, 05474, 05792, 05793, 05878, 06024, 06165, 06321, 06681, 06784, 06890, 06918, 06960, 06980, 06982, 07040, 07172, 08238, 08259, 08598, 09140, 09196, 09222, 09261, 09285, 09303, 09305, 09330, 09362, 09485, 10147, 10177, 10586, 11124, 11220, 11357, 11370, 11465, 11495, 11552, 11567, 11638, 11718, 11766, 11785, 11877, 11918, 12039, 12094, 12152, 12320, 12743, 12761, 12930, 13344, 13444, 13666, 13908, 14077, 14106, 14644, 14827, 14902, 15016, 15045, 15168, 15214, 15303, 15366, 15381, 15420, 15799, 15984, 16177, 16179, 16213, 16303, 16321, 16346, 16709, 16825, 17210, 17669, 18132, 18465, 18627, 19145, 19465, 19564, 19770, 19930, 20048, 20151, 20954, 21082, 21086, 21343, 21648, 21710, 21837, 21913, 22036, 22301, 22308, 22320, 22620, 23085, 23120, 23155, 23415, 23546, 23551, 23629, 23645, 23714, 23733, 23814, 24813, 24828, 25473, 26114, 26653, 27408, 28194, 28394, 29618, 29775, 30473, 31421, 31859.

Appointments to the various posts will be made according to the number of vacancies available and subject to the candidates fulfilling all the prescribed eligibility conditions and all verifications, wherever due, being completed satisfactorily.

In accordance with Rule 13 & 14 of the Rules of the Combined Medical Services Exam., 2009, the Commission is maintaining a consolidated Reserve List of 124 candidates which includes 62 General, 59 Other Backward Classes and 03 Scheduled Caste candidates.

U.P.S.C. has a “Facilitation Counter” near Examination Hall Building of its campus. Candidates can obtain any information/clarification regarding their result on working days between 1000 hours to 1700 hours in person or over telephone Nos. 23381125/23385271/23098543 from this Counter. Result will be available on the U.P.S.C Website i.e. http//www.upsc.gov.in. However, marks on the website are likely to be available after 15 days from the date of declaration of results.

In case, any candidate desires to obtain printed/hard copies of his/her mark-sheet of the above mentioned examination, he/she should forward the request to the Commission along with self-addressed stamped envelope within a period of thirty days from the date of publication of the result.