Government processing scheme for residential schools for SC students No diversion by states of funds released for development of Scheduled Castes Anti-Dumping & Subsidy cases against India President holds meeting with Vice-Chancellors of universities Two new schemes on the anvil for promotion of quality education among scheduled castes DTH guidelines to be applied strictly (scroll down for more news)
MOU between Railtel and Bharat Sanchar Nigam LTDLok Sabha
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) relates to exploring new business opportunities to take advantage of the changing scenario in the country in telecommunication field. BSNL and RailTel have agreed to utilize their synergies, infrastructure and services for this purpose. There is no proposal, as such, to establish any new communication network. BSNL, however, may use RailTel's OFC infrastructure dropped at stations for providing rural telephony and continuous coverage of their CellOne mobile phones along the track. BSNL may also offer last mile and interconnection to RailTel for their various requirements including International Long Distance (ILD) and National Long Distance (NLD) operations. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya in a written reply to a question from Shri Ajoy Chakraborty in the Lok Sabha today.
Provision of ladies compartment in trains
Lok Sabha
In the passenger carrying trains, one compartment or such number of berths/seats, as required, are mostly earmarked for exclusive use of ladies. In order to prevent harassment to the lady passengers, checks are conducted with the help of RPF/GRP and the culprits apprehended are dealt with as per the Law. Moreover, special squads consisting of ladies ticket checking staff and lady RPF personnel have been formed at some locations to assist the women passengers. Ladies Compartments are escorted in some suburban areas by women GRP and women RPF staff.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya in a written reply to a question from Shri G. Putta Swamy Gowda in the Lok Sabha today.
Cost escalation of railway projectsLok Sabha
The time and cost overrun is feasible to be calculated only in the case where matching availability of resources is assured at the time of taking up the project so that the project progresses smoothly as per the schedule. However, the targets of completion of projects are being fixed on year-to-year basis keeping in view the progress of the works and the availability of resources.In the last two years, several initiatives have been taken to raise additional funds for expeditious completion of ongoing projects. These include public/private partnership, participation by State Governments and Ministry of Defence, additional funds for National Project and funds for National Rail Vikas Yojana. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya in a written reply to a question from Shri B.V.N. Reddy in the Lok Sabha today.
Rationalisation of railway project allocation money
Lok Sabha
From 2002-03 onwards, funds to various projects are being allocated state wise based on a clear and transparent formula announced by the Minister of Railways in Budget speech 2002-2003. As per this formula, the available funds for projects have been distributed based on area, the population and the throwforward of projects in the State. The weightage given to these criteria is in the ratio of 15%, 15% and 70% respectively.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya in a written reply to a question from Shri E.M. Sudarsana Nagchiappan in the Lok Sabha today.
Task force on accident reliefLok Sabha
A five member high-level Committee was constituted recently to review the Disaster Management system over Indian Railways. The Committee submitted its report containing 111 recommendations, which have since been accepted. Some of the recommendations have been made to speed up the pace of relief and rescue arrangements.
Every effort is made to send medical relief at the site of accident within least possible time. To strengthen the system further, self-propelled Medical Vans have been introduced. Assistance from armed forces and para military forces are also obtained whenever require. More emphasis is being laid on the training of staff in relief and rescue operations. Sophisticated and latest technology for medical relief and rescue equipment is also being inducted. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya in a written reply to a question from Shri Naresh Puglia and three other Members in the Lok Sabha today.
Safety curb to avoid train accidents
Lok Sabha
Train maintenance activity is well established over Indian Railways. Rolling stock (Locos, Coaches and Wagons) is being undertaken for preventive maintenance as per laid down schedules as well as for need-based maintenance. However, based on experience and analysis of train accidents on account of improper maintenance, necessary steps are taken to overcome the deficiency identified, if any and to strengthen the maintenance system further.
Safety drives are launched periodically over Division/Zonal Railway/Indian Railways. A month long safety drive has been launched recently, which inter-alia, include: surprise inspection of coaching rakes after primary and secondary maintenance, surprise checks of Brake power of coaching and goods stock after issue of Brake Power Certificate, locomotive maintenance with special attention to the brake system including blockage tests, close monitoring of performance of blockage tests, close monitoring of performance of driving crews, periodical medical examinations of drivers, surprise enroute breathlizer tests by portable breathlizer machines. Necessary corrective measures will be taken, if required, based on the outcome of the drive. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya in a written reply to a question from Shri Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi in the Lok Sabha today
(KM News) Top
Media Monitor
Expansion of DD & air services in Andaman and NicobarLok Sabha
A special package for expansion/improvement of Doordarshan service in NE region and in the Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep has been approved in principle by the Government. Two VLPTs at Swarajgram and Kalighat were commissioned in Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 2002-2003.Replying to a question by Shri Bishnu Pada Ray in Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad told that the scheme of installation of 10 KV FM Radio transmitter with studio facility has been proposed for Port Blair in the 10th Five Year Plan, for which an amount of Rs. 570 lakhs has been allocated. Under Software Plan Scheme in the 10th Five Year Plan, an amount of Rs. 4 lakhs was allocated to AIR Port Blair, during the financial year 2002-2003. An amount of Rs. 1.50 crores has been allocated to the DDG (South Zone), during the current financial year 2003-204 under Software Plan Scheme, which includes provision for AIR, Port Blair also.
DTH guidelines to be applied strictly
Lok SabhaLicence for DTH will be issued only when the Applicant company including Space TV has fully complied with the eligibility criteria with respect to foreign equity holding, as laid down in the DTH Guidelines of March 2001, as also other terms and conditions necessary for such grant.
Replying to a question by Shri V. Vetriselvan in Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad told that the Ministry of Finance has clarified through its letter of 17.1.2003, that the present equity of Space TV contributed by two employees of Star TV cannot be treated as domestic share-holding as the funding for this equity contribution has been raised through bank finance in India, against the security deposit of Rs. 10 crore made by Star TV. However, they have also stated that DTH guidelines do not make a distinction between stages of 'Letter of Intent' or issue of a licence or post licence operations, for applying eligibility criteria on the limit of foreign equity holding. They opined that it is for the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to interpret their own guidelines.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that there is nothing adverse against firm or its directors and the CEO and as such Ministry of Home has no objection to the proposal from security point of view. Ministry of Home has further stated that M/s Space TV Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated on January 09, 2001. S/Shri G. Jagdish Kumar and Ajay K. Sharma are the promoters and G. Subramanian is the CEO of the firm. All the three are presently working with Star India Pvt. Ltd. in different capacities. The Head Office and regional office addresses of M/s Space TV belong to Star India Pvt. Ltd.
In view of the above, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has asked M/s Space TV to pay non-refundable entry fee of Rs. 10 crore to enable this Ministry to issue Letter of Intent subject to its furnishing an affidavit that it has fulfilled the following conditions.
Awareness generation on disaster managementIndia has been traditionally vulnerable to disasters. Cyclones and earthquakes do come and devastate areas resulting in human loss and damage to property. The super cyclone in Orissa in 1999 and the devastating earthquake in Bhuj in the year 2001 clearly underline the country's vulnerability as also the need to built capabilities for handling such disasters. Disaster management which was for long under the Ministry of Agriculture was transferred to the Home Ministry effectively from June 2002. Since then several major initiatives have been taken for prevention and mitigating the impact of calamities specially created by nature. The launch of a massive awareness generation campaign on disaster management is one of the important steps taken by the Ministry.
A meeting was held in the Home Ministry today to discuss ways for accelerating the steps for this awareness campaign on prevention and mitigation aspects of disaster management. It was chaired by the Home Secretary and Secretary, Information & Broadcasting; Secretary, Border Management; DG, Doordarshan; DG, DAVP; the Principal Information Officer and other concerned officers attended. The meeting was primarily called to work out modalities for formulating the campaign strategy. It came out in the meeting that the awareness campaign will encompass panel discussions and spots on television and All India Radio to generate awareness about the vulnerability to different calamities like earthquakes, cyclones, floods and landslides in various parts of the country. Simple mitigation measures which can be adopted and do's and don's to be observed by the general public also came up for discussion. It was decided in the meeting that a Steering Committee would be constituted for designing the campaign strategy, content development and involving the corporate sector in the awareness campaign (KM News)Supply of diesel to farmers through tankers
Lok Sabha
In July 2003, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has launched one 9 kilolitre (kl) capacity tanker on experimental basis to supply diesel at the doorsteps of people in the villages in Sirsa District in Haryana. Preliminary reports indicate that the scheme has been appreciated by local villagers/farmers. Improvements in customer service, making available diesel, at places where there is a demand, are part of the ongoing exercise by the Oil Marketing Companies, for implementation of any such scheme.
The above information was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, today in the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
Consumption of petrol and diesel
Lok Sabha
The position of production and consumption of petrol and diesel in the country during 2001-02 and 2002-03 was as follows:
(figures in Thousand Metric tonnes)
Petrol Diesel
Year Production Consumption Production Consumption
2001-02 9,702 7,011 39,944 36,546
2002-03 10,363 7,570 40,254 36,645
While no comprehensive database is maintained for consumption by different categories of consumers, several steps have been taken by the Government to conserve usage of petrol and diesel in general including Public Sector. These include:
i. mandating ethanol blending of petrol in certain States and Union Territories
ii. increasing awareness of oil conservation measures
iii. promoting use of CNG/LPG in transport system
iv. issuing guidelines to the Ministries/Departments/PSUs for containing the expenditure on fuels for vehicles.
The above information was given by the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Ram Naik today in the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
National Institute of Renewable Energy
Lok SabhaA National Institute of Renewable Energy is being established as an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in District Kapurthala, Punjab. The Institute will undertake Research and Development in different areas on non-conventional energy.
The Institute is not yet fully operational. The construction work of the Institute's buildings is in progress and action has been initiated towards recruitment of staff. Once the Institute becomes functional, it will also undertake activities relating to Human Resource Development and training programmes in the field of renewable energy.
This information was given by Shri M. Kannappan, Minister of State for Non-conventional Energy Sources, in a written reply to a question by Dr. N. Venkataswamy in Lok Sabha today.
Utilisation of Hydrogen
Lok SabhaThe Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is implementing a broad based programme on different aspects of Hydrogen including its production, storage and utilisation as a fuel for domestic and other applications.As a result of research and development projects supported by the Ministry at various institutions, use of hydrogen has been demonstrated in two-wheelers, power generating units, catalytic burners and fuel cells for stationary, portable and vehicular applications. Efforts are being made for early commercialisation of these devices for domestic, commercial and transport applications.
This information was given by Shri M. Kannappan, Minister of State for Non-conventional Energy Sources, in a written reply to a question by Shri Suresh Ramrao Jadhav in Lok Sabha today.
Production of Bio-mass energy
Lok Sabha
The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is implementing Programmes on biomass power generation, bagasse co-generation and biomass gasification. A capacity of 593 MW has so far been installed under these programmes. A target of 775 MW is envisaged for the Tenth Five Year Plan. State-wise targets are not fixed.
State-wise allocation of funds has not been made. An amount of Rs.8.78 crore has been released during the last three years for biomass energy projects in Punjab. No releases have been made so far during the curent year.
This information was given by Shri M. Kannappan, Minister of State for Non-conventional Energy Sources, in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhan Singh Bhaura in Lok Sabha today.
Installation of new power generating projects in PunjabLok Sabha
The Tenth Plan capacity addition programme envisaged creation of 1166 MW fresh capacity in the State sector in Punjab. Work on any of the State sector power project is yet to commence. After taking into account the capacity addition programme during Tenth Plan, the energy deficit to the tune of 25.9% and peak deficit to the tune of 34.8% is anticipated in the State of Punjab by the end of Tenth Plan i.e.2006-07.
This information was given by Smt. Jayawanti Mehta, Minister of State for Power in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhan Singh Bhaura in Lok Sabha toda
Privatisation of power grid transmission linesLok Sabha
There is no proposal to privatise existing transmission lines of Powergrid. However, in order to augment its capability, Powergrid is securing private sector investment in construction of new transmission lines/interconnections. Powergrid has formed a Joint Venture with M/s. Tata Power for implementing certain transmission lines under Transmission System associated with Tala HEP, East-North Interconnector and Northern Region Transmission System. Powergrid has also identified a pilot project i.e. Bina-Nagda-Dehgam Transmission Line for implementation through Independent Power Transmission Company (IPTC) route. Privatisation of distribution of electricity by the States is one of the options envisaged for bringing about a turnaround in distribution.
This information was given by Smt. Jayawanti Mehta, Minister of State for Power in a written reply to a question by Shri Adhir Chowdhury and Smt. Shyama Singh in Lok Sabha today.
Present status of power reform
Lok Sabha
Ministry of Power has signed State specific Memorandum of nderstanding/Memorandum of Agreement on power sector reforms with twenty-seven States. Twenty-one States have constituted State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). Further fifteen SERCs have issued tariff orders. Nine States have unbundled/corporatised their State Electricity Boards. Ten States have enacted their own Reform Law. Distribution has been privatised in Orissa and Delhi. A new central legislation namely the Electricity Act, 2003 has been enacted, providing for a liberal framework for development of the power sector.
Under the new Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), the Central Government has been providing financial assistance for specific projects in identified distribution circles aimed at bringing about a turn around. This has now been combined with the provision of incentive by way of grant to the States linked to the actual reduction in cash losses. During the Financial Year 2002-03 State power utilities of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana have shown cash loss reduction for the year 2001-02 to the tune of Rs.579.75 crore, Rs.1072.29 crore and Rs.10.20 crore respectively. An interim relief of incentive to these States amounting to Rs.137.89 crore, Rs.236.37 crore and Rs.5.01 crore respectively have been made on March 31, 2003.Substantial relief has also been given to the State Utilities through the securitisation of past dues to Central Public Sector Undertakings under the Tripartite Agreement signed with 27 out of 28 States. This information was given by Smt. Jayawanti Mehta, Minister of State for Power in a written reply to a question by Shri Y.V.Rao in Lok Sabha today.
Agreement between BHEL and NTPCLok Sabha
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and National Thermal Power Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set-up a Joint Venture Company (JVC) for Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) and maintenance of power plant in the country. The MoU envisages inter-alia the following activities:
o Running and maintenance jobs of main power plant and its auxiliaries.
o The EPC and other jobs where promoter companies are not interested. The promoter companies can utilise the resources of JVC/outsource the jobs to JVC.
o All peripheral activities such as Township Maintenance, Upkeep of Office Complex, Loading and Unloading etc.
The MoU is valid for a period of one year or till the formation of JVC whichever is earlier. There is no such other proposal with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises at present.
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Subodh Mohite, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in a written reply to a question by Shri Basudeb Acharia.
Joint venture with Eurocopter for manufacturing of helicopter
Lok Sabha
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Eurocopter has been entered into on June 17, 2003 during the Paris Air Show. The objective of this MOU is to develop cooperative relations in the fields of helicopter, related parts, manufacturing of sub assemblies and assemblies, development of systems and equipment. The proposal to replace the existing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters of Army Aviation is under consideration of Government.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Dalpat Singh Parste in Lok Sabha today
Delay in establishment of Torpedo facilities
Lok Sabha
There has been delay of about six years in establishing the lake test facilities for testing of torpedo in sheltered waters. The CAG report also states delay of six years.
The main reason for the delay is failure of the contractor to supply the torpedo launch and recovery vessel (TLR V) which was finally constructed by Defence Research and Development Organisation.
The Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) met from time to time to review, monitor and progress the project and took necessary corrective measures.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Raghunath Jha in Lok Sabha today.
Reheat Fuel Control Units in Jaguar aircraft
Lok Sabha
The incorrect Reheat Fuel Control Units in two Aero Engines of Jaguar Aircraft resulted in their damage and Rs 1.88 crore was incurred in their repairs. The operating wing of the IAF has been held responsible for this lapse and disciplinary action has already been taken against the Indian Air Force Officers found responsible. Suitable instructions have been issued by Air Headquarters to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Chandra Vijay Singh in Lok Sabha today.
IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft
Lok Sabha
Six IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft are planned to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. It would not be in the interest of National Security to disclose further information about this. This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Dr. (Smt) Suguna Kumari in Lok Sabha today.Demining operations
Lok Sabha
The demining operations are currently in progress and therefore, any reference to post-demining scenario is premature at this stage. The exact time by which borders will be totally free from mines, cannot be stated with any degree of certainty, as it depends on various factors, such as weather condition, terrain configuration, safety measures being employed. Some Demining equipment have been imported very recently, and it is too early to quantify the efficacy of the equipment under field conditions. Armed Forces Personnel are trained in demining operations.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Prof U Venkateswarlu and Shri AV Naik in Lok Sabha today.
No starvation deaths in tribal areas
Rajya Sabha
No State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration has reported any starvation/malnutrition death. A quantity of 63.40 lakh tonnes of foodgrains was allocated by the Government to drought affected States during the year 2002-03 under the Special Component of Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana. 41.55 lakh tonnes of foodgrains has been allocated so far during the current year under this scheme. Besides, a quantity of 2500 tonnes of foodgrains was allocated during 2002-03 for the Village Grain Banks Scheme in tribal areas. On their requests, a quantity of 14,900 tonnes of foodgrains has so far been allocated to the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa under the said scheme for the year 2003-04.
Between 1996-97 and 2002-03, Rs. 19.43 were released for establishing 1195 village grain banks in tribal area. Primitive Tribal households are among the priority groups to be covered under the expanded Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) during 2003-04.
This information was given in Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Subhash Maharia in a written reply.
Sugar mills in Karnataka
Rajya Sabha
The sugar factories have, in general, expressed difficulties in payment of cane price dues to the sugarcane farmers. In recent months, the central government initiated several steps to assist the sugar industry to clear cane price arrears including creation of buffer stock of 20 lakh tonnes of sugar (in December 2000) for a period of one year, reimbursement of internal transport charges and neutralization of ocean freight disadvantage on exports of sugar.
Government of Karnataka has reported that a Cabinet Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Agriculture has been appointed to go into details about the reasons and possible revival in respect of sick sugar mills. The amount due to sugarcane farmers from cooperative sugar factories in the State is Rs. 64.30 crores.
This information was given in Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri V. Sreenivasa Prasad in a written reply.
(KM News)
TopCauvery Monitoring Committee discuss distress water sharing formula
The 18th (Emergency) meeting of the Monitoring Committee under Cauvery River Authority, was held here today under the chairmanship of Shri A.K.Goswami, Secretary, Water Resources. The committee discussed the position of inflows into the Karnataka reservoirs and Mettur reservoir during the current water year and observed that the water year 2003-04 has been so far the third drought year in the succession and the distress situation needs to be shared between the party States, keeping in view the interest of farmers of all the States. The Committee reviewed the progress of arriving at a distress sharing formula by consensus and expressed its satisfaction over the narrowing down of the differences by the Sub-Group of Technical Experts during its two meetings held on 24th June 2003 and 7th July 2003. It was decided that the Sub-Group of Technical Experts will hold another meeting further to evolve the consensus within a week's time so that a final decision could be taken during the next Cauvery Monitoring Committee meeting proposed to be held on 25th August 2003. Chief Secretaries of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Pondichery and Chief Engineer, Government of Kerala, participated in the meeting.
(KM News)Top
Hunger Free India Mission
Rajya SabhaAction has been in hand to ensure food security for all and to reform and improve the Public Distribution System for the benefit of the Poorest of the Poor in rural and urban areas. Towards this end, the Antyodaya Anna Yojana was commenced in December 2000 to provide 25 kg. of foodgrains per family per month at highly subsidised rates of Rs. 2/- per kg. for wheat and Rs. 3/- per kg. for rice to the beneficiaries identified by the State Governments and UT Administrations. The scale of issue to these beneficiaries has been enhanced to 35 kg. per family per month with effect from April 2002. The Yojana which initially covered 1 crore Poorest of the Poor families has been expanded to cover another 50 lakh BPL families.
Besides, various welfare schemes such as the Targeted Public Distribution System, Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana, Mid-day Meal, Integrated Child Development Scheme etc. are also under implementation to address the food security concerns at the household and individual levels.
This information was given in Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri. V. Sreenivasa Prasad in a written reply.
President holds meeting with Vice-Chancellors of universities
The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam took a meeting today at Rashtrapati Bhavan of Vice-Chancellors of Central Universities in his capacity as Visitor of these Universities. The Vice-Chancellors of 15 Central Universities attended the meeting. Union Human Resource Development Minister, Minister of State for HRD, the Chairman of the UGC and senior officials of the HRD Ministry also attended the meeting. The objective of conducting such a meeting was to make an appraisal of the performance and functioning of the Central Universities, their achievements and problems. Suggestions to improve the Visitor - University interface within the statutory framework were also discussed.The President observed during the meeting that our education system should be employment oriented. While passing out from Universities, graduate students should also have in their possession a diploma in a professional course besides a degree. This will help students in getting employment, he said. Dr. Kalam said each University should be known for its core competence and this core competence should be well-known to attract the pool of talented teachers and students interested in that particular field. The President also laid emphasis on research undertaken in science and non-science subjects. He said research and teaching should go together.
There should be breakthroughs in research in University campuses, the President observed. Quality of the teacher, their capabilities of dovetailing research and teaching activities are very important for the over all development of educational standards, Dr. Kalam said. The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi also laid emphasis on the quality of teaching and research. Some mechanism, he said should be evolved to improve the quality of teaching. It was suggested that a committee could be formed to go into this issue.
Most of the Vice-Chancellors raised the issues of inadequate funding, infrastructure problems, fee structures, strengthening of visiting faculty and streamlining the appointment of Visitor's nominees. They also pointed out that a new category called technical staff should be recognised besides the present two categories of teaching and non-teaching staff. The Vice-Chancellors of the Universities from the North-Eastern States wanted smooth flow of funds from the non-lapsable pool. The President stressed the need to fill all the vacancies in the faculty in all Central Universities. The President asked the Chairman of the UGC to address the issues raised by the Vice-Chancellors. The Chairman responded to some of the issues which were raised.
A power-point presentation was made on the Vision of a developed India by 2020. The President explained to the Vice-Chancellors how University education could contribute to national development through a mission mode approach in making India a developed and prosperous country by 2020. This, the President said is possible only if we know what kind of capacities we want to give our youth. These capacities he said should include research and inquiry, high technology, creativity and innovation, entrepreneurial leadership and moral leadership. Top
