NCERT ASKED TO BEGIN WORK ON NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION (NCFSE)
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has directed the National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) to initiate action for curriculum renewal as it is due in a year’s time. The present curriculum framework was released 4 years ago and the National Policy on Education 1986 as, modified in 1992 envisages that the implementation of the various parameters of the new policy must be reviewed every five years. It also envisages appraisals at short intervals to ascertain the progress of implementation and trends emerging from time to time.While undertaking the review the Ministry has desired that NCERT should ensure that the processes as laid down or that have evolved over a period of time, are not violated. It has also asked the NCERT that while undertaking the present review, latter should address the question of how the books emanating from a new curriculum framework could be insulated from distortions as had happened in the recent past.
The Ministry has desired that the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) should always be in harmony with the idea of India, as enshrined in the Constitution. It has drawn attention to the noble idea of India as has been given in the Preamble to the Constitution that should be kept in mind by all members who would be associated with the review of the NCFSE.
REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE TOUR OPERATORS FOR HAJ PILGRIMAGE
The Ministry of External Affairs has invited applications for registration from well-established and reputed Private Tour Operators (PTOs) involved in Haj pilgrimage and their Associations.This is to meet the requirement as notified by the Government of Saudi Arabia that only registered PTOs involved in Haj Pilgrimage with Government of India will be eligible for grant of (Group) Haj visas subject to fulfilment of other conditions that may be laid down by the concerned Saudi Authorities. Non-registered PTOs will not be eligible for applying for the Group Haj Visas.The PTOs must fulfil the following conditions :For Registration of Association of Haj Tour Operators who will be responsible for their Members.
1. The Association should have at least 10 members with minimum annual turn over of Rs 25 Lakhs of each member, and it should have been in existence for last two years.
2. The Association should provide following to establish its bonafides:
(a) A copy of the registration certification of the Association under the Societies Act with the Registrar of Societies/Companies.
(b) A copy of Memorandum and Articles of the Association;
(c) Income-Tax "PAN" number of the Association and copies of Income Tax Clearance Certificate for last two years;
(d) A list of members of the Association; and
(e) Copies of audited accounts of the Association for last two years.3. Number of Haj pilgrims sent in previous three Haj Season by each member of the Association.
4. Steps to be taken by the Association to take care of pilgrims, in case left stranded by their members in Saudi Arabia and financial means to defray such expenses.
5. The Association will give undertaking to provide full information about the pilgrims being sent by their members in the prescribed format as needed by Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah/MEA in a floppy/through e-mail before departure of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Once the Association is registered, then all their members can be registered on receipt of a certificate of membership and guarantee given by the Association for the good behaviour of its members. For this purpose, the members of the Association are required to pay security deposit of the following amount in the graded scale to the Association, which would in turn put the amount in Fixed Deposit in favour of Haj Committee of India, Mumbai in any Nationalised Bank till 10th March, 2005.S.No.Number of Pilgrims Security Deposit as on date of application
01.
50-100
Rs. 2 lakh
02.
101-300
Rs. 3 lakh
03.
301-500
Rs. 4 lakh
04.
501 and above
Rs. 5 lakh
Haj Committee of India would forward Original Fixed Deposit Certificate to Ministry of External Affairs for safe custody. The Original Fixed Deposit Certificate would be returned to the Association on 10th March, 2005.
If the Association fails to fulfil their assurance given above in 4 & 5, Ministry of External Affairs reserves the right to blacklist the association for a period deemed fit by the Ministry. If any of the pilgrims of the PTO belonging to the Association are found either begging or declared Fuqra (indigent) in Saudi Arabia, very strict action will be taken both against the Association and the PTO.
For registration of individual Private Tour Operators involved in Haj pilgrimage who are not Member of any registered Association
(1) PTO should establish that it is a genuine and established Tour Operator for which it should produce:
1. A Certified copy of Proof of Registration of Business by a Chartered Accountant. The firm/company should have been in business for the last three years.
2. Proof of establishment. (Show Telephone bills/Electricity bills/Rental Receipts/Registration papers of the property) & number of years in business.
3. Income Tax ‘PAN’ Number and copies of Income Tax Clearance certificates of previous three years i.e. 2000-2001/2001-02/2002-03.
4. Certified copy of Accounts/Balance sheet of the firm/company duly audited & certified by a Chartered Accountant for previous three years i.e. 2000-01/2001-02/2002-03.
5. The PTO should have minimum annual turnover of Rs 25 lakhs.
6. Number of pilgrims sent during last three Haj seasons.
(2) The PTO has to give undertaking to provide full information about its pilgrims as needed by the CGI, Jeddah/MEA in a floppy/ through e-mail before departure of pilgrims for Saudi Arabia.
(3) The PTO must give an undertaking that it will ensure that none of its pilgrims will be left stranded and they would be responsible for the stay, transportation and payment of compulsory charges to Saudi Authorities and honour all terms of Agreement/contract they would sign with the pilgrims.
(4) The PTO should forward copy of a model contract/Agreement clearly indicating the services to be provided to the pilgrim and cost to be paid by the pilgrim.
The Individual Private Tour Operator should also put the following amount in Fixed Deposit in favour of Haj Committee of India, Mumbai in the graded scale in any Nationalised Bank till 10th March, 2005:
S.No. Number of Pilgrims Security Deposit as on date of application
01.
50-100
Rs. 2 lakh
02.
101-300
Rs. 3 lakh
03.
301-500
Rs. 4 lakh
04.
501 and above
Rs. 5 lakh
Haj Committee of India would forward Original Fixed Deposit Certificate to Ministry of External Affairs for safe custody. The Original Fixed Deposit Certificate would be returned to the Individual Private Tour operator on 10th March, 2005.
If a PTO fails to fulfil its assurance given above in 2, 3 & 4, Ministry of External Affairs reserves the right to blacklist the PTO for a period deemed fit by the Ministry.
If any of the pilgrims of the PTO are found either begging or declared Fuqra (indigent) in Saudi Arabia, very strict action will be taken.
The applications on plain paper accompanied with all the requisite documents including Fixed Deposit Certificate must reach The Chief Executive Officer, Haj Committee (India) by August 16, 2004 at the following address:
Chief Executive Officer,
Haj Committee of India,
Haj House, 7-A,
M. R. A. Marg,
Mumbai – 400 001.
Tel No (022) 2267 0183, 2261 2989Fax No (022) 2263 0461, 22620920