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THE GANDHI PEACE PRIZE AWARDED TO JOHN HUME

Pakistan Missile Attack Reports incorrect; Government

NPPA REVISES/FIXES PRICES OF 62 FORMULATION PACKS

WORLD’S MOST MODERN TELESCOPE PROPOSED AT LADDAKH

 

 

 

The President Shri K.R. Narayanan, the Vice President Shri Krishan Kant, the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the winner of the 'Gandhi Peace Prize for 2001. (the main architech of Ireland Peace process) Mr. John Hume at a gilttering ceremony, in New Delhi on February 1, 2002.

February 01, 2002

Severe Penalties Under Cyber Crime Law

New Delhi; The Information Technology Act, 2000 and the rules framed thereunder provide for several types of penalties for cyber space crimes. Under Section 43 of Chapter IX of the Act, whoever without the permission of the person in-charge of the computer system accesses, downloads any data, introduces computer virus, causes denial of access will be liable to a penalty upto rupees one crore.

In addition, in Chapter XI under Section 65, whoever tampers with computer source documents knowingly or intentionally conceals, destroys or alters or causes another to conceal, destroy or alter any computer source code whall be punishable with imprisonment upto three years or with fine which may extend upto rupees two lakhs or with both.

In the area of hacking with computer system, whoever with the intent to cause or knowing that he is likely to cause wrongful loss or damage to the public or any person destroys or deletes or alters any information residing in a computer resource or diminishes its value or utility or affects it injuriously by any means, commits hacking. Whoever commits hacking shall be punished with imprisonment upto three years or with fine which may extend to rupees two lakhs or with both. This provision is enshrined in Section 66 of the Act.

In the area of electronic pornography, whoever publishes or transmits or causes to be published in the electronic form, any material which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect is such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to rupees one lakh and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and also with fine which may extend to rupees two lakh. This provision is incorporated under Section 67 of the Act.

In addition, all the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Indian Penal Code and the Evidence Act have been extended to cover the cyber space crimes. Special provisions have been made for evidence relating to electronic records. Under Section 65A of the IT Act, the contents of electronic records may be proved in accordance with provisions of Section 65B.

Pakistan Missile Attack Reports incorrect; Government

Media reports stating that 200 to 300 missiles have been fired by Pak in Poonch town where a bundh has been declared, are incorrect. It is clarified that while Pak has resorted to routine cross border firing in Poonch Sector on 31 Jan 02, it was only restricted to areas close to the Line of Control.

NPPA REVISES/FIXES PRICES OF 62 FORMULATION PACKS

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has revised/fixed the prices of 62 formulation packs. Prices have been fixed for the first time in the case of 12 formulation packs. In the case of 45 packs prices have been revised downward, ranging from 5.77% to 90.26%. In the case of 4 packs, prices have been increased, ranging from 6.76% to 16.60%. There is no change in price in 1 pack. Out of these 62 packs, the prices of 57 packs were revised on a suo-moto basis as per the provisions of the DPCO, 1995.

Of the 62 formulation packs, ceiling prices (exclusive of excise duty and local taxes etc.) have been fixed in respect of 61 packs. Non-ceiling prices have been fixed in respect of the remaining 1 pack. Prices have been fixed/revised in accordance with the provisions of the DPCO, 1995 and as per the established criteria and guidelines. The statement showing the existing (where available) and revised prices is annexed. The information is also available on NPPA’s website www.nppaindia.nic.in.

The formulations for which prices have been revised/fixed includes Pseudoephedrine Combinations which are used in the treatment of cough & cold, Diosmin based formulations which are used in the treatment of heart disease, Trimethoprim based Formulation which are used in the treatment of bacteria-infection, Insulin based formulation which are used in diabetics, Pheniramine Maleate based formulations used in the treatment of allergic disorders.

The prices fixed/revised would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette or the receipt of the order of the NPPA in this behalf, as per Para 14(1) of DPCO, 1995. The necessary revised price list is to be issued by the manufacturers/importers required under sub paragraph (3) of paragraph 14 of the DPCO, 1995. Accordingly, as per the provisions of the DPCO, the revised price list in Form-V is to be furnished by the concerned manufacturer(s) to the government/NPPA, State Drug Control Authorities and distributors, wholesalers and retailers, etc. The manufacturers are also required to work out the pro-rata prices of different pack sizes as the case may be in terms of S.O. No. 83 (E) dated 27.01.98.

 

THE GANDHI PEACE PRIZE AWARDED TO JOHN HUME

President, Shri K.R. Narayanan awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2001, to Mr. John Hume, the architect of Northern Ireland Peace Settlement here toady. Mr. John was awarded Rs. One crore in cash and citation in recognition his contribution to Gandhian principles.

Congratulating to Mr. Hume, Shri Narayanan said that Gandhian imprint in Mr. Hume’s life is found not only in his crucial activities of peace process but also throughout his life. Respect for diversity on the basis of what Mr. Hume calls the "covenant of shared ideals" has become the guiding spirit in Ireland. The President added that in India different identities co-exist for centuries without according over-riding importance to one identity over another. The very idea of India is a powerful refutation of the dangerous theory of clash of civilisations and fundamentalist terrorism. Mr. Hume has set an example of peaceful and civilised existence and at the heart of this approach lies Mahatma Gandhi’s all embracing and broad-minded vision, he added.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister said the over-riding principles of Gandhiji, for which he contributes to remain as relevant in the 21st century as he was in 20th century, was the insistence on the use of non-violence to achieve political or national goals. He life long mission was to transform the lives of individuals and communities thorough a non-violent endeavour.

In his welcome address, Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Jagmohan said that Gandhi’s life was a journey of noble soul, a journey that always tended to be "upward and divine". He said, Mr. John Hume has, in his essence, been a true Gandhian. Like Gandhi, he has been a pacifist to the core, he has work relentlessly in healing the wounds of history and wiping tear from every tormented face.

Accepting the Award, Mr. Hume said Mahatma Gandhi wanted India to avoid simply copying a paradigm on offer from the existing world power. He was very close to the poor. According to Gandhiji our political strategies must address the plight of less fortunate. His contribution to our world is tremendous. Mr. Hume said he is struck by the robustness of Indian democracy, the freedom of press and the quality of writing, the coalition of cultures, the social programmes represented by the Constitution. In all of this the legacy of Mahatma seems to play its part, he added.

 

 

WORLD’S MOST MODERN TELESCOPE PROPOSED AT LADDAKH

World’s largest and most modern telescope is proposed in the Laddakh region. This is subject to the approval of the Planning Commission, as the project would cost about Rs.350 crore. This was disclosed by the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science & Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi here today while launching the Himalayan Parivar programme to observe 2002 as ‘Himalayan Year’. The aim is to create awareness about the crucial role of Himalayas in the economic and social prosperity of the country, the need to restore and upgrade the ecology of the region, planning for sustainable development of the area, preservation of art, culture and language of the Himalayan people and setting up of an apex body "Himalayan Development Authority". Dr. Joshi assured the Himalayan states of all central help in this regard.

Stressing the need for a "Himalayan Plan", Dr. Joshi suggested the taking up of a geological study of the region on priority basis, as the Himalayan belt is earthquake-prone. He also emphasised the need for climatic studies and said that the Government has already initiated a Disaster Management Plan for the Himalayas. He urged all the states of Himalayan region to take measures for preserving the bio-diversity of the area, as Himalayas are the life-line of the nation. He laid particular emphasis on the protection of the flora and fauna of the area.

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, who presided, urged the centre to take steps to keep the region not only pollution free but also safe and secure in the advent of cross-border terrorism. The Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and representatives from other Himalayan states as well as from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Afghanistan took part in the programme.