AGNI – II TEST FIRED

The third flight test of Agni-II missile was carried out successfully today from the Wheelers’ Island in the Bay of Bengal off the Orissa Coast. The missile was launched at 1256 hrs today.

The mission Director Shri RN Agarwal said that the launch of Agni-II from its rail mobile launcher met all the mission objectives including achieving the high accuracy in guiding the payload to the designated target at 1200 km range. A network of telemetry and tracking stations at Chandipur, SHAR, Car Nicobar and the Naval Ships validated the flight sequence throughout till the payload impacted the designated target. The white-hot object was tracked by pre-positioned Naval ships confirm confirming the impact and the success of the mission.

Agni-II surface-to-surface, Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) is a two stage solid propellant missile with a range in excess of 2000 km. Armed with state-of-the-art technologies in control and guidance, re-entry, multi-staging and communication interface, Agni II confers an operation capability to deliver a variety of payloads on targets which are, at present, beyond the range of combat aircraft.

The first prototype variant of Agni-II was tested on Apr 11, 1999. The second Agni-II test was held on Jan 17, 2001.

The flight was witnessed by Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Secretary Shri Ajai Vikram Singh, Secretary DRDO, Dr. VK Aatre, C-in-C Strategic Forces Command Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani, Mission Director of Agni Shri RN Agarwal and other Senior Civil and Military Officials.

The Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh has sent congratulatory message to the scientists and staff of DRDO and the Army officers who were associated with this flawless flight trial. Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee congratulated Dr. VK Aatre, Shri RN Agarwal and all the scientists at the Test Range stating that the successful flight of Agni-II renews the country’s confidence in the capabilities of our scientific and technical community and in the maturity of indigenous technologies. He further stated that today’s flight was an important milestone in India’s defence preparedness.

Nair, Ezhava and Muslim Onam Celebrations - celebrities demand Rs.1 lakh for participating in NRK Onam Feast

Price Tage of celebrities to take part in Onam feast - Suresh Gopi - Rs.50,000 Ganesh: Rs.1 lakh, Janardhanan Rs.1 lakh

MUSCAT - "Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanam" is a Malayalam proverb which advises Keralites to sell even their property to celebrate Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, which recalls an ideal society which is believed to have existed in the past without any discrimination. Even before Karl Marx wrote Das Capital Keralites visualised a classless society and no wonder the state has the reputation of electing the first communist government in the world through ballot (not bullets). However, Onam celebrations in the Gulf where large number of Keralties are working, is proving to be a costly affair as many VIPs from political and entertainment field are becoming too demanding. While Mahabali visualised a society free of caste and creed, our Gulf Malayali associations which are divided on caste and religious grounds are vying with each other to show maximum pomp and vanity by indulging in extravagance and bringing celebrities. In Muscat there are special Onam for Nairs and Ezhavas seperately. Even though the NSS and SNDP are coming together , the Nair and Ezhava friends of Muscat have seperate Onam feasts. While the Indian Social Club Kerala Wing which claims to work according to the principles of Karl Marx is bringing the popular left leaning academician and scholar Dr.K.N.Panicker, its class enemy the NRI Federation representing the SNDP is brining a leading politician as chief guest. It is doubtful how many of the Kerala Wing "comrades" will be free from alchohol. Despite its secular pretentions, the club leaders are very particular about providing special prayer rooms at the Onam feast venue in the star hotel. A few years back when the famous poet Kadambanitta was the chief guest for Onam, the main organisers were fully or partially drunk. Let us see whether Kerala Wing comrades will embarass our historian guest!!!

The Nair Service Society (NSS) which is a new entrant to the social scene of Muscat tried to bring many prominent "Nair" artists and politicians to be part of the Onam feast. Last year the association had a bitter experience with suresh Gopi, a leading "Nair" superstar. While the organisers dreamt of standing with the superstar for photo sessions and attract the visual media attention, the superstar demanded a whopping Rs.50000 plus other benefits just to attend the Onam celeberation and take part the Ona Sadhya (fest) with the Nair Keralites. Inspite of his caste affinity to the NSS , he did not come. The organisers did not have public money to spend . This year also they tried to get prominent Nair artists like comedian Janardhanan, actor cum politician Ganesh Kumar, son of minister R.Balakrishnapillai and some others. However, this year the market rate for celebrities has gone up to Rs.1 lakh. Ganesh Kumar and Janardhanan have both demanded Rs.1 lakh each plus first class air ticket and five star acommodation to visit Muscat for Onam! The ISC Malayalam Wing which represents the upper caste Hindus and the RSS ideologues of Muscat have also arranged special Onam celebrations. A few years back it invited Mr.O Rajagopal, BJP State leader as the chief guest and the current controversy about Kovalam Palace hotel is history. The NRI Federation which claims to represent the weaker sections, read Ezhavas, is also infected with communalists who firmly believein Manusmrithi that advocated discrimination on all fronts. Lord Mahabali, dont come to Muscat or you will feel like going back to Pathalam.

I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE IN ASIANET THAT SOME QATAR (INCAS) KERALITES ARE PLANNING TO FILE CASE AGAINST AI, WHILE THE ABOVE STRONG DETAILED CASE IS ALREADY IN THE COURT FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. PLS INFORM THE PERSONS APPEARED IN TV ‘PLANNING CASE’

PRESENTATION ON THE CASE GOING ON IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AGAINST THE EXORBITANT PRICE INCREASE BY AIRLINES IN THE GULF-INDIA SECTOR.

 

LAW GRADUATES' FORUM KUWAIT
CHAIRMAN
Adv. Palavialyail Thomas Panicker.

Te. 00965 4346934, 6553160,
Fax 00965 4346934
panickerism@yahoo.com
www.geocities.com/lawgraduates
www.geocities.com/panickerism

DETAILS OF AIRFARE CASE AGAINST AI IA GOVT OF INDIA AND DGCA CAN BE SEEN AT www.geocities.com/lawgraduates
www.geocities.com/panickerism

(DEAR EDITOR,
I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE IN ASIANET THAT SOME QATAR BASED (INCAS) KERALITES ARE "PLANNING TO FILE CASE" AGAINST AIRINDIA, WHILE THE ABOVE, STRONG, VALID, DETAILED, LIVE, PRESENTDAY CASE IS ALREADY IN THE COURT ARGUEING FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. OP & SEVERAL COUNTERS FROM AI & IA CAN BE SEEN IN THE SITE.
PLS INFORM THE PERSONS APPEARED IN TV 'PLANNING CASE'.
PLS PUBLISH ALSO THIS NEWS ITEM TO CLARIFY AND CLEAR THE DARK CLOUD CREATED BY "INCAS." FOR THE DETAILS OF THE CASE ALL ARE WELCOME TO SEE OUR WEBSITE, CHECK WITH HIGHCOURT OF COCHIN , AIRINDIA, INDIAN AIRLINES OR OUR ADVOCATE MR RADHAKRISHNAN, HIGHCOURT COCHIN Tel. 0091484 2334848, 00914842354848, fax 2374297,
I SAW A NEWSITEM IN YOUR DAILY PUBLISHED FROM QATAR.IN THAT IT IS SAID THAT THE LAWGRADUATES FORUM ISCLAIMING TT IT IS FIGHTING A CASE AGAINST AI. NO WENEVER CLAIM ANYTHING. BUT WE DID BEFORE WE CALIMED.OUR OP WAS ACCEPTED BY HIGH COURT IN 2000 AND STILLTHE CASE IS GOING ON IN THE COURT. THIS IS TRUE. THISIS ONLY TRUTH. OUR OP, THE COUNTERS FROM AI IA AREPUBLISHED IN THE SITE. SEE THE SITE, CONTACT OURLAWYER AS BELOW, OR CHEQUE WITH HIGH COURT DEPT., OR CONTACT IA OR AI.TO CLEAR THE DOUBTS THIS NEWS ITEMSHOULD BE PUBLISHED.))

PRESENTATION ON
THE CASE GOING ON IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AGAINST THE EXORBITANT PRICE INCREASE BY AIRLINES IN THE GULF-INDIA SECTOR.

From the time of its commencement of operations it has become a practice of our national carrier, Air India, joining hands with other airlines operating between Kuwait & India, increases the fare exorbitantly every year at a time when Indians normally proceed for their summer vacation and whereas at the same time they announce special price and incentives to their passengers to European, American & other Sectors.

Indian expatriate Travellers to India in Kuwait are discontent due to the following facts that :

1) Only in Indo-Gulf sector every year Air India and others increase the
price exorbitantly at a time when most of the NRIs travel to India and no
other alternatives available.

2) It is pertinent to note that only to Indian sector price
hike is effected at a time when most of the international Airlines offer maximum lower price for summer vacations.

3) Compared to American, European and other Sectors', flying time, distance
and operating costs are much less to Indo-Gulf sector.However ,the ticket fare to the Indo-Gulf sector is exorbitant and not in line with the above factors.

4) The price increase is not related to oil price increase. When oil prices went
down also they have increased the prices.

For many years , many individuals & associations tried to successfully institute legal action before various courts in India, against this Price increase. But all were rejected by the courst for various reasons.

In this context it is significant to note that,The Law Graduates' Forum Kuwait, the Indian Embassy registered, 90 members strong, unique NRI association of Indian lawyers working in Kuwait, under its Chairman Advocate Thomas Panicker had successfully filed the Original Petition (OP19237/15-07-2000) before the Honourable High Court of Kerela challenging the unreasonable & unjustifiable airfare hike imposed by Air India & other airline companies operating from various Indo-Gulf sectors. The O.P. filed by Law Graduates' Forum was admitteed by the Honourable High Court of Kerala after hearing the arguments of the Counsel appearing for The Law Graduates' Forum and overruling the various objections of the Air India, in the matter.

The court was convinced of the law points borught forward by the LAWGRADUATES' FORUM. The OP was prepared in Kuwait by the FORUM, and tremondous professionalism, efforts and research were involved before preparing this successful OP.

This was a land mark achievement for the ,LAWGRADUATES' FORUM, KUWAIT & for the entire NRI community in the Gulf region.

(Address of our Counsel, is
M/s. S. Radhakrishnan, B. Narasimhan and Jean Vinitha Peter, Advocates,
XL/249, IIIrd Floor, Kalathil Buildings, Cochin 1-
Tel. 0091484 2334848, 00914842354848, fax 2374297, Anybody can call him and check with him or anybody is welcome to check the High court records for the same or check with AI & IA)

In the web site of LAWGRADUATES' FORUM the copy of OP, some of the counter documeted arguments from Air India and Indian Airlines submitted also are publised for the readers' information.

It is to be noticed that IATA has nothing to do with this price increases. Regional Airline groups only take these decisions.

The FORUM also contended that the Central Govt. of India is duty-bound to protect the rights of non-resident Indians just as that of any other Indian citizen. Just because an Indian citizen is employed outside India, it is highly illegal & arbitrary & violation of the legal rights guaranteed under the constitution of India to refuse the legal rights available to them. The Govt.of India is duty-bound to guarantee the protection of the rights & a protection against exploitation to every citizens including non-resident Indians. If the Govt. is permitting by their action or inaction any agency, entity or licensee to exploit the non-resident Indians, it will amount to violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.

If the operational cost is considered as a deciding factor for fixing the fare then the fare structure for the Indo-Gulf sector should be much below than that of the fare structure for European & American sectors obviously because of much reduced or lower operational cost existing in the Indo-Gulf sector. The Indian citizens travelling from India to Gulf countries & back are singled out for a hostile discriminatory treatment compared to fellow citizens travelling to USA or Europe by the same carriers.

It should be noted that this important decision of the Honourable High Court admitting the O.P. has definitely strengthened the position of The Law Graduates' Forum in their fight against injustice & exploitation at the hands of Air India & other Airline Companies.

Advantages of the Filing of OP in the court.

The filing OP has influenced the authorities and the Airlines and infact prevented them from fixing exhorbitant price as they have done in the previous years.It is apparent and evident from the lower ticket price and the nominal increase declared by them during the summer season for the last two years. Before filing of the case the price variations were in the range of KD185 -250. But for 3 years it remained steady 135- --- 180.-190.

The higher authorities and the legal departments of Air India & Indian Airlines, the DGCA, were forced answer all the contentios/ points raised in the said OP. Earlier they used to just receive and file or destroy our memorandums.

Recently the New Govt., AI and NORKA announced the setting up of a Budget Airline between India & Gulf, offering at least 25% cheaper fares, particularly for the benefit of the poorly paid labourers who cannot afford to pay the peak time Airfares.

The authorities had considered many of our suggestions and directly or indirectly implemented remedial measures in connection therewith .

All the Members of Parliament and Politicians visited Kuwait were apprised of this case and were provided with the copies of our OP and subsequent counters submitted to court by Air India and Indian Airlines.

They all were very supportive and told us to keep it up and many of them even commented that now this is the only alternative available to tame Air India. They said all other methods they tried their level best and exhausted.

Since many many law points, jurisdiction, commercial decisions, govts' decisions, decrees, international conventions, covenants, constitutional clauses are involved, it may be difficult for the court to come to a conclusion in a given period.

As you may all know, support from the community are needed for to continue fight of such nature.

The Law Graduates' Forum reiterate their commitment, & Determination to pursue the matter till a just, positive & favourable permanent solution is found in the matter of arbitrary airfare hike by the Airline companies operating in the Indo-Gulf sectors. The coordination of the case with the advocate in High Court is being organized by the Legal Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Law Graduates' Forum Kuwait's Chairman Advocate Palavilayil Thomas Panicker.
Law Graduates' Forum now appeal to all Indians & Indian associations in Kuwait to help them in their endeavours.

FOR MORE DETAILS WRITE TO :

Rgds,

Advocate Palavilayil Thomas Panicker
Chairman
LAW GRADUATES' FORUM KUWAIT.
00965 4346934. 00965 6553160
Fax 00965 4346934

Email panickerism@hotmail.com

ALSO SEE FOR MORE DETAILS THE FOLLOWING SITES:

WEB: www.geocities.com/lawgraduates

Dear Editor,
Pls Publish this newsitem as it is very important for all the Indians in Kuwait.
New development in airfare hike case.
KERALA COURT RULES LAW GRADUATES' FORUM'S CASE AGAINST THE UNFAIR AIRFARE HIKE IS LEGITIMATE.

The Detailed original petition (O.P. No. 19237/2000-07-15) filed by LawGraduates' Forum Kuwait was admitted by the Honorable High Court of Kerala, India. The learned Judge, Honorable Mrs. Justice D. Sreedevi, after hearing the arguments of the Counsel appearing for the petitioners in the matter, satisfied that there is a prima facie case for the overseas Indians in the middle-east against the unreasonable and unjustifiable airfare hike imposed by Air India and Indian Airlines and also against the exploitation and discrimination at the hands of the airline companies operating from India to Kuwait and other Gulf countries. The Honorable Judge, while admitting the petition observed that there is a substantial question of law involved in the matter and the same to be decided by a larger Bench. Consequently, the Single Bench referred the matter to the Division Bench. The case is coming up for hearing during the third week of July 2000 before the Division Bench. The Law Graduates' Forum also filed a Civil Miscellaneous petition for an interim relief and that also was referred to the Division Bench for their consideration.

The Law Graduates' approached the Court contending that the stand taken by Air India and Indian Airlines that they are implementing only the so called "IATA fare" is misleading, wrong and intended to commit a fraud on the rights of the people. There is nothing called "IATA fare" and "IATA" is not a 'closed shop'. It is a voluntary organization of certain air carriers which can only register the agreements arrived at the Tariff co-ordination Conference and submitted by participating Airline Companies after obtaining approval of the same from the appropriate Govt. of such airline companies.

The airline companies as their usual practice or strategy, apparently contends that the said agreements filed with IATA prescribes/constitutes the IATA approved fares and is unquestionable and could not be modified and therefore any implementation of arbitrary and unreasonable fare hike is just only because IATA has registered and keeps custody of the Agreement constituting such fare hike. The said stand of the airline companies is completely illegal, erroneous, irregular, arbitrary and is against the letter and spirit of relevant Laws, the objectives and Articles of Association of IATA and the objectives of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure economical air transport to the people of the world.

The FORUM also contended that the Central Govt. of India is duty-bound to
protect the rights of non-resident Indians just as that of any other Indian citizen. Just because an Indian citizen is employed outside India, it is highly illegal and arbitrary and violation of the legal rights guaranteed under the constitution of India to refuse the legal rights available to them. The Govt.of India is duty-bound to guarantee the protection of the rights and a protection against exploitation to every citizens including non-resident Indians. If the Govt. is permitting by their action or inaction any agency, entity or licensee to exploit the non-resident Indians, it will amount to violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.

If the operational cost are considered as a deciding factor for fixing the fare
then the fare structure for the Indo-Gulf sector should be much below than that of the fare structure for European and American sectors obviously because of much reduced or lower operational cost existing in the Indo-Gulf sector. The Indian citizens traveling from India to Gulf countries and back are singled out for a hostile discriminatory treatment compared to fellow citizens traveling to USA or Europe by the same carrier.

The office bearers of the FORUM in a press release, further reiterated that all these efforts are intended to find a just, reasonable and permanent solution to the issue which is repeatedly created by the airline companies in every year. The coordination of the case with the advocate in High Court is being organized by the Legal Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Law Graduates' Forum Kuwait's President Advocate Palavilayil Thomas Panicker.
Rgds,

Advocate Palavilayil Thomas Panicker
President.
LAW GRADUATES' FORUM KUWAIT.
panickerism@yahoo.com

Call 00965 4346934, 00965 6553160

www.geocities.com/panickerism
www.geocities.com/lawgraduates

Vikram Sarabhai was a great visionary: Dr.Kalam

Aug 13: The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has said that generation of creative leaders is a big challenge for us. He said Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a dynamic visionary, had a versatile personality and a creator of creative leaders. The President was delivering 'Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Lecture 2004' on Dynamics of Societal Transformation here yesterday.

Dwelling at length, Sarabhai's contribution in the field of physical sciences and social services, Dr. Kalam said India's space technology is an example of his hard work. The President also emphasised on using space technology for education and its integration with Biotechnology, Nan-technology and other emerging technologies to solve many societal problems including poverty.

Dr. Kalam highlighted the role of village panchayats as knowledge centres with the help of technology and to extend quality classroom teaching even to remote areas. To work with mission mode will be a tribute to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Arjun Singh said that Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of India's space programme was a man of indefatigable energy. He was not only known for his scientific contribution but also for his contribution as an industrialist, entrepreneur and admirer of art and culture, who devoted his life for the well being of the masses.

The HRD Minister said that Dr. Sarabhai conceptualised the use of space technology for spreading of education, and conducted a satellite television experiment for educational purposes, which was his pioneer work in this field.

Narrating his contribution Shri Arjun Singh said that Dr. Vikram Sarabhai did great work in creating linkages between physical and social sciences, and worked out many innovations in the institutional framework of research in the country.

The President also released a set of books authored by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai on 'Science Policy and National Development' and 'Management for Development'. Both the books are edited by Dr. Kamla Chaudhari.

Prof. V.R. Panchmukhi, Chairman, Indian Council of Social Science Research and Dr. Kamla Chaudhari, Chairperson, Vikram Sarabhai foundation also spoke on the occasion. The Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Lecture was jointly organised by ICSSR and Vikram Sarabhai Foundation. -Keralamonitor.com

Defence Service Officers Institute coming up at Gurgaon

Foundation stone laid

Aug 13: The foundation stone of Defence Service Officers Institute at Palam Vihar, Gurgaon was laid today jointly by three service chiefs, Gen NC Vij Chief of Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Chief of Air Staff and Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Naval Staff. The construction is slated to begin by next month and is likely to be completed within the next two years. The new institute would facilitate the social activities of about four thousand serving and retired officers and their families residing in and around Gurgaon. -Keralamonitor.com

Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort

Aug 13: On August 15th, The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will unfurl the Tricolor on the rampart of the Red Fort to celebrate the 58th Independence Day. After unfurling the Tricolor, Dr Manmohan Singh will address the Nation.

On arrival at Lahore Gate of Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Minister of State for Defence Production & Supplies Shri Bijoy Krishna Handique and Defence Secretary Shri Ajai Vikram Singh.

The Defence Secretary will introduce General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Major General Thomas Mathew to the Prime Minister. The GOC Delhi Area will then conduct the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base where a combined inter-services and police guard will present general salute to the Prime Minister. Thereafter Dr Manmohan Singh will inspect the guard of honour.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of five officers and 96 men drawn from Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. This year, the Air Force being the coordinating agency, the Guard of Honour will be commanded by Sqn Ldr JN Baradia. The Naval contingent will be commanded by Lt Praveen Malik, the Army contingent by Capt PK Dwivedi and the Air Force contingent by Flt Lt RK Dodium. The Delhi Police contingent will be commanded by Asstt Commissioner of Police, Shri Bhisham Singh.

The 4th battalion of the Sikh light Infantry represents the Army contingent in the Guard of Honour for the Prime Minister. This battalion has the honour of accepting the 'Surrender of Portuguese Forces' from Governor General of Goa in 1961. This battalion performs ceremonial duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After inspecting the guard of honour, the Prime Minister will proceed to the rampart where he will be greeted by the Defence Minister and the Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Chief of Army Staff Gen N C Vij and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash.

The GOC, Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais to unfurl the National Flag. He will be assisted by Flying Officer RK Virk in unfurling the National Flag.

The Ceremonial Field Battery commanded by Major Shivdasan will present a 21-gun salute.

The National Flag Guard comprising 133 men will form up in four combined inter services contingents of Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. They will present Rashtriya salute to the National Flag. The combined Guard will be commanded by Sqn Ldr Ashutosh Pant. Each contingent comprises 32 men and one officer. The Naval Contingent will be commanded by Lt Cdr Harjeet Singh Chatha, the Army contingent by Maj Rohit Choudhary and the Air Force contingent by Sqn Ldr HS Shekon. The Delhi Police contingent is being commanded by Additional DCP Shri Anil Shukla.

The 7th battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry makes up the Army contingent for the National Flag Guard this year. This battalion took part in 1965 and 1971 operations.

The Air Force band will play the National Anthem when the National Flag Guard presents the Rashtriya Salute as the Prime Minister unfurls the National Flag. The Air Force band will be conducted by Master Warrant Officer GK Nair.

The Guard of Honour will be positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the rampart.

After unfurling the National Flag, the Prime Minister will address the nation. After the Prime Minister's address, school children and NCC Cadets will sing the National Anthem.

About one thousand Junior Division Cadets of the National Cadet Corps from Delhi Directorate comprising Army, Navy, Air Force and Girls wings are participating in the Flag Hoisting Ceremony this year. The cadets will also participate in the singing of National Anthem and patriotic songs along with school children.

In the Flag Hoisting ceremony 3500 students (boys & girls) from 44 government and government-aided schools under the Directorate of Education, National Capital Territory of Delhi will sing the National Anthem. They will also sing 15 patriotic songs in various Indian languages before the start of the Independence Day Ceremony.

The children wearing the tricolours of the National Flag will make the pattern of the National Flag. -Keralamonitor.com

Vice President felicitates countrymen on the Independence Day eve

Aug 13: The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has felicitated the countrymen on the historic occasion of Independence Day.

In a message, Shri Shekhawat said that the Independence Day is an occasion for the grateful nation and our people to pay their respectful homage and glowing tribute to the valiant freedom fighters whose selfless services and supreme sacrifice won us freedom from colonial rule. 'Let us celebrate this occasion with joy and pride and make ourselves the worthy inheritors of their shining legacy. Let us also rededicate ourselves to the cause of the welfare and upliftment of the poor and the deprived'.

'May the Independence Day strengthen the true spirit of patriotism and inspire us to realise the ideals of our freedom fighters to secure for the country its rightful place in the comity of nations,' Shri Shekhawat said. -Keralamonitor.com

Foreign Minister of Japan calls on Prime Minister

Aug 13: The Foreign Minister of Japan, Ms. Yorika Kawaguchi, called on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, here today.

During their warm and cordial discussions, both sides agreed that there was a vast untapped potential for close bilateral relations. They agreed to identify major projects on which both sides can co-operate so as to exemplify in a visible manner this vast potential. They underlined the need for stronger Japanese business presence in India. Ms. Kawaguchi informed Dr. Singh that the two sides have confirmed to each other their mutual support for the legitimate candidature of both countries for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. -Keralamonitor.com

Amarendra Sharan appointed Additional Solicitor General

Aug 13: Shri Amarendra Sharan, Senior Advocate has been appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in the Supreme Court. Shri Sharan joined the Bar in August, 1975 and started practicing in the Patna High Court. He started his practice in the Supreme Court in 1981 and was designated a Senior Advocate in the year 2000. -Keralamonitor.com

Flexible visa regime to increase Indo-Libyan trade

Aug 13: The flexible visa regime between India and Libya will mitigate the problems being faced by the businessmen and will increase the bilateral trade between the two countries. The Libyan side has already prepared a draft agreement regarding the flexible visa regime, which could be signed during the forthcoming meeting of the Joint Commission after concurrence by the Indian side. The Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement (BIPA) between the two countries is also expected to be signed during the forthcoming meeting. This was indicated in the agreed minutes of the preparatory meeting of 9th Session of Indo-Libyan Joint Commission, which were signed here last evening. The Indian side was led by Shri S. Jagadeesan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Libyan side was led by Mr. Jamal El-Barag, Director General of Foreign Office.

The two sides reiterated the commitment to significantly increase the bilateral trade, since it is much below the potential. For this to achieve, it was felt that institutional mechanism would be strengthened and transaction cost of trade has to be lowered. The Libyan leader informed the meeting about the changes taking place in Libya regarding the privatisation of industries and invited the Indian companies to invest in them.

Shri Jagadeesan said that Indian companies had expertise in sectors like Information Technology, Pharma, Biotechnology and Construction and added that these sectors would be key areas for cooperation. The meeting discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, power, hydrocarbons, health etc. Both sides agreed to sign separate agreement for cooperation in the fields of science & technology and culture. -Keralamonitor.com

Product Patent regime may not be adverse, say experts

Aug 13: The introduction of the Product Patent regime in India on 1st January 2005 as mandated by the WTO and TRIPS regime need not be adverse to the cause of public health and the viability of the Indian Pharma industry as is perceived. These were some of the observations made by academic experts, industry players and policy professionals at a session hosted by the United Nations Conference Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at the commencement of the "Conference on Global Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Health in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities for India" organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) and the Institute for Strategic Biotechnology, Health and Training (ISBHT) which held in Mumbai recently (6-8 August).

Participants felt that Public Health concerns in the Patent new regime would need to be addressed at the policy level. It was important that the government utilise all the policy spaces (like compulsory licensing) provided by TRIPS to ensure that the patent regime did not conflict with concerns of public health. It was stressed that given the prohibitive costs of Research and Development for new drugs, proactive partnerships between government, industry and civil society were needed to discover new and potent drugs against malaria, TB, AIDS and other forms of disease that affected the poor. However, recent trends indicate that life style related diseases are becoming as important in India as communicable diseases. Hence, the focus on investment for R&D in such diseases is also expected.

Experts felt that the coming of the Product Patent Regime would pose challenges for the Indian Pharma industry but not undermine its essential strengths. The Indian Pharma industry was in a position to accelerate its growth in the increasingly large global generics market on account of its high skill in process engineering and extremely low costs of production. It was pointed out that already companies such as Dr. Reddy's and Ranbaxy had over 50% of their sales in the export market. Further the generics market was also set to expand with patented drugs with annual sales of $70 billion going generic in 2007 - Indian generic companies could thus continue to grow at phenomenal rates. Cost competitiveness is also leading MNCs to outsource manufacturing.

While Participants acknowledged that R&D costs pose challenges to Indian companies to develop their own drugs, India had an excellent base in basic biochemical process expertise which is a prerequisite for all forms drug development. There was every reason that given time and adequate support the Indian pharma industry had the capability of developing its capabilities in reverse engineering to product discovery research. The US rates it number 2 only after itself, in terms of R&D capacity. India is in the developing world has filed that largest number of patents.

India could fill up the increasing shortage of technical manpower in countries such as, the USA, which is projected to have a shortfall of 12,000 pharma investigators in 2005. India also had the advantage of low clinical trial costs and easy availability of patients for clinical trials - a strong note of caution was, however, sounded on the need to ensure that the utmost standards of ethics and safety for patients were maintained during clinical trials.

Indian industry will have to use a combination of strategies to take advantage of the Product Patent Regime. While some firms would focus on generics, some would be on the cutting edge of research. Given that research costs in India are roughly one tenth that of that in the US, R&D outsourcing may be a real possibility.
-Keralamonitor.com

 

India must use FTAs to its advantage: Kamal Nath

Meeting of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce

Aug 13: Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, has said that India must use Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to its advantage. Addressing the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce here today, Shri Kamal Nath said: "It is a recognised fact that progressive liberalisation in the bilateral and regional spheres builds the necessary confidence in our domestic industries and makes them globally competitive. Of course, at every step government will be in close contact with industry on these matters. FTAs may be signed by governments, but it is businesses and industries that give them life. An FTA that is not 'owned' by industry is not worth the paper it is written on".

Speaking on the subject of "FTAs: Is this an engine for growth?", Shri Kamal Nath noted that there were reportedly some 200 Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) existing in the world and more than half of the world trade today took place within some RTA or the other and nearly every country in the world was a member of one or more RTAs. "As far as India is concerned, we have always stood for an open, equitable, practicable, non-discriminatory and rule-based international trading system. It is our belief that our endeavours at creating regional economic spaces are not derogatory to the creation of uniform economic space at the multilateral level. It is also a fact that RTAs consolidate peace and regional security, and also confer greater bargaining power in multilateral negotiations by tying in partner countries through regional commitments. With the above objectives in mind, India has engaged in a number of bilateral and regional initiatives", he explained.

"Whether an FTA can act as an engine for growth or otherwise would depend on the various features and contours of such an agreement. There is no ideal 'type' of FTA. FTAs have to be country-specific and grouping-specific. For example, an FTA between India and a county 'X' would not necessarily be the same if country 'Y' also wants to join. If the group changes, so do the dynamics", Shri Kamal Nath said.

Outlining the Preferential Trading Arrangements (PTAs)/FTAs that India had engaged in, Shri Kamal Nath said that the oldest PTA India had was the Bangkok Agreement, which is presently operational among, India, China, Bangladesh, Korea and Sri Lanka. Similarly, there is the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) which is a PTA among the 7 SAARC countries signed 11 years ago. Efforts were now on to transform it into a full fledged FTA or SAFTA effective from 1st June, 2006 with tariff liberalisation programme being completed by 2013 for India, Pakistan and the Maldives; 2014 for Sri Lanka and 2016 for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. With neighbours like Bhutan and Nepal, India also has long standing free trade arrangements on a non-reciprocal, bilateral basis. India's only full fledged FTA at present is the Indo-Sri Lanka which was extremely successful, the Minister said. He said: "We are currently negotiating comprehensive economic cooperation agreements with ASEAN and with Singapore, as also with MERCOSUR (a Spanish acronym for 'Markets of the South' - involving Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay). We are also talking to SACU - a grouping of five southern African countries led by South Africa. The Framework Agreement between Bangladesh, India Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand is called BIMST-EC. It is visualised as a 'bridging link' between two major regional groupings i.e., ASEAN and SAARC. Very shortly, the Trade Minister of Thailand is coming to New Delhi. He and I shall be signing an Early Harvest Programme covering 82 tariff lines as the first step towards establishing a free trade area between India and Thailand".

On WTO, Shri Kamal Nath mentioned that the recently concluded Framework Agreement had laid down the principles and criteria for more detailed and specific modalities that had yet to be negotiated. -Keralamonitor.com

Material Management Information System on Railways

Aug 13: Indian Railways have launched a pilot project on Material Management Information System (MMIS) incorporating the online exchange of information on material management. This has been developed and implemented successfully by Central Railway.

Buoyed by the success of MMIS, it is now planned to be extended to all other Zonal Railways for effective material management.

The introduction of MMIS on the entire Railways will improve material availability and turn-over ratio, thereby increasing productivity of railways. -Keralamonitor.com

 

Record operating turn-over by RITES

Aug 13: The Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd. (RITES), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has posted a record operating turnover of Rs. 267 crores for the financial year ended March 31, 2004 as against Rs. 254 crores during the previous year. Total turnover excluding extra-ordinary items increased from Rs.269 crore to Rs. 285 crore. The overseas business grew from Rs. 92 crore in the previous year to Rs. 109 crores. The profit before tax excluding extra-ordinary items registered an impressive growth of 72% from Rs. 47.83 crores during the previous year to Rs. 82.55 crores.

During the year the company issued bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1 and the paid up capital of the company increased from Rs.2 crores to Rs. 4 crores. Backed by the excellent results, the Company declared a record dividend of 400 per cent on the enhanced capital, amounting to Rs.11.67 crores, inclusive of the 150 per cent interim dividend paid. This is against last year's dividend of 250 per cent.

For the 12th year in succession, the Department of Public Enterprises has awarded 'Excellent' rating to RITES on its performance of the year 2002-2003. RITES has been conferred with the "Top Exporters" Award for the year 2002-2003 by Engineering Exports Promotion Council-Northern Region and SCOPE Award for excellence and outstanding contribution on the Public Sector Management for the year 2002-2003.

Addressing the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Company, Chairman (RITES) and the Member Mechanical, Railway Board, Shri P.N. Garg, said that in the face of an extremely competitive international scenario, RITES succeeded in securing challenging and prestigious assignments in Uzbekistan, Uganda and Sudan. During the year the company executed contracts in UK, Sharjah, Malaysia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Botswana, Mozambique and Vietnam, amongst others, he added.

At home, the company is executing major consultancy and project management contracts in the areas of Railways, Power, Construction and Quality assurance, including quality and safety audit.-Keralamonitor.com

Agriculture Minister asks co-operatives to explore ways of reducing cost of capital

Aug 13: The Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar has called upon co-operative banks to find ways and means to reduce the cost of capital so as to be competitive in the long run. Addressing the 58th General Council meeting of the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) here today, he said that the cost of raising capital for cooperative banks is higher than that of commercial banks. Co-operative banks are, therefore, unable to give loans at the rates of commercial banks, which have been able to reduce their lending rates to 8 to 9 %. This has resulted in shifting of good borrowers to commercial banks. This has also affected the working of co-operatives in the textile and sugar sectors which have to meet their working capital requirements at higher rate of interest from co-operative banks.

The Agriculture Minister said that agro-processing co-operatives in the country are also affected by sickness particularly in the textile and sugar sectors. The Government and NCDC have initiated measures to arrest the sickness in agro-processing co-operatives in general and co-operative spinning mills in particular. A rehabilitation scheme has been launched for growers co-operative spinning mills with 20 per cent subsidy on plant and machinery, subject to a ceiling of 5 crore rupees per unit.

Shri Sharad Pawar said that as per estimates, out of 310 installed co-operative sugar factories in the country, 111 can be categorized as sick. He informed the meeting that he has asked the Department of Food & Public Distribution and NCDC to work together for rehabilitation of sick sugar mills.

The Agriculture Minister said that during its 100 years of existence in the country, the co-operative movement has increased manifold. Co-operatives will continue to be a major vehicle for ensuring that value added benefits reach small farmers. However, problems like small resource base, poor credit discipline and absence of professionalism need to be addressed.

In his address, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Kantilal Bhuria sought the co-operation of the States in bringing about the necessary reforms in the co-operative sector. He also stressed the need for co-operatives to adopt modern techniques for increasing their efficiency and productivity.

In her address, the Agriculture and Co-operation Secretary, Smt. Radha Singh pointed out that co-operatives can play an important role in ensuring effective production, marketing and processing linkages in sectors like horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, fisheries, etc. -Keralamonitor.com

PM tells ministers not to violate PSE norms

Aug 13: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has asked the Ministers to ensure that guidelines and policies evolved by the Government with respect to the structure, composition, selection, appointment and service conditions of the Board of Directors and senior management personnel of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) are strictly followed. In a letter to the Ministers, he said that proper and efficient functioning of the PSEs was critical to the fulfillment of the commitments of the National Common Minimum Programme (CMP) which aimed at overall growth of economy.

Dr. Manmohan Singh reminded the Ministers that there were standing instructions and guidelines on such matters approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and the Department of Personnel and Training from time to time. While requesting them "to ensure that there were no deviations from these guidelines and standing instructions", he said, "I am directing the Cabinet Secretary to closely monitor the compliance". The Prime Minister said that delays and deviations were detrimental to the efficient functioning of PSEs. -Keralamonitor.com

NTPC to establish technology development platform

Aug 13: The National Thermal Power Corporation has decided to establish a technology development platform entitled " Energy Technologies". This Forum will strive to develop new power generation technologies including micro technology solutions targeted at improved and cost effective operations at power stations. The Energy Technology Forum is envisaged to be a world class facility and will network with leading Technology Agencies worldwide.

Five areas have been identified which the ET platform will strive to achieve by 2025-30. These are Reduction in Office and Management costs by 2010, Resolving the Carbon Energy Conflict by 2015, strengthening the Power Delivery System by 2020, Customer Managed Networks by 2025 and Managing Sustainability by 2030.

Development of expertise in frontier areas like nano- technologies and biotechnologies etc. could be an additional advantage from this endeavour. -Keralamonitor.com

 

 

Highlights of annual report (2003-04) - Rural development

Aug 13: As against budgetary outlay of Rs. 14070 crore Rs. 19228 crore were released which includes Rs. 6990/- crore released under special component of Sampporna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) towards the value of foodgrains provided to calamity affected areas of the country during 2003-04. The budgetary outlay for 2004-05 is Rs. 15998 crore.

A crucial role has been assigned to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Panchayat elections have been held in most of the States during the last three years.

'Swajaldhara' in the Drinking Water Sector and'Haryali' initiative in the area of Watershed Development launched to strengthen role of PRIs in development process. To provide encouragement to Panchayts to excel in performance of their role, the Ministry of Rural Development has also launched a scheme captioned 'Award for Best Panchayat' in April, 2003.

Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during 2000-01 to 2002-03 nearly 19637 number of road works have been completed. In addition about 8419 number of road works have been cleared during 2003-04. For the financial year 2003-04, proposals to the tune of Rs. 5120.61 crore pertaining to 20 States were cleared by the Ministry up to March, 2004.

Under Sampporna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) since inception and up to March, 2004, about 20723.16 lakh mandays have been generated against the expenditure of Rs. 14560.65 crore.

Under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), the flagship of Rural Housing programme of the Ministry, since the inception of the scheme and up to March, 2004 about 114.78 lakh houses have been constructed spending approximately an amount of Rs. 20022.89 crore.

Since inception of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) Scheme (1.4.99), 17.35 lakh SHGs have been formed up to 2003-04 and about 1.72 lakh Groups have taken up economic activities. A total of 45.97 lakh Swarojgaris have been assisted so far with the total investment of Rs. 9570.43 crore, which includes Rs. 3227.46 crore as subsidy and Rs. 6342.67 crore credit from the banks.

Government of India and State Governments have so far invested about Rs. 45,000 crore on Rural Drinking Water supply Schemes. The Central outlay for the Rural water suopply Sector for 2003-04 was Rs. 2585 crore, which was also enhanced to Rs. 2605.01 crores at RE stage. Considerable success have been achieved in meeting drinking water needs of the rural population and more than 94% rural habitations are covered with drinking water facilities. The partially covered habitations are more than 5%. The habitations, which are not covered, are less than 1%.

Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), is being implemented in 398 Districts of the country. As a result of the initiatives taken up under TSC, 45.13 lakh individual household latrines, 52,268 school latrines, 1751 women community complexes, 3881 Anganwadi toilets have been constructed during 2003-04 along with establishment of 1593 Rural sanitary marts and production centres.

Nirmal Gram Puraskar, an award scheme for achieving 100% open defecation free environment has been launched on 2nd October 2003 to motivate the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Projects covering an area of 194.19 lakh hectares have been taken up from 1.4.1995 to 31.3.2004 under the three Programmes namely Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP), Desert Development Programme (DDP) and Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP). In addition an area of 63.50 lakh hectares had been taken up for development prior to 31.3.1999 under Employment Assurance Scheme.

Updating of Land Records is under implementation in collaboration with the state Governments. The National Policy on Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Project Affected Persons/Families-2003 (NPRR-2003) has been approved by the Cabinet and the same has been published in the Gazette of India.

Fellowships (in 12 languages) for Journalism in Rural Development instituted in the year 2003-04. -Keralamonitor.com

Central Police Forces (Asstt. Commandants) Exam, 2003

Aug 13: On the basis of the result of the written part of Central Police Forces (Asstt. Commandants) Exam., 2003 declared on 7th May, 2004 by U.P.S.C. and subsequent to the Physical and Medical Standard Tests and Physical Efficiency Tests held in the Months of June and July 2004 by the BSF authorities, the roll numbers/names of candidates who have qualified for Interview/Personality Test have been published in the Employment News dated 14th - 20th August, 2004.

The Interview/Personality Test have been scheduled to be held from 23rd August to 11th September, 2004.

The date of Interview/Personality Test have been intimated to the candidates through Summon Letters. In case, any candidate shortlisted for interview/Personality Test does not receive the Summon Letter by the end of 2nd week of August, 2004, he may contact the Commission on Telephone No.011-23388418 or on Fax No.011-23387310.

The detailed Programme of Interview/Personality Test will also be available on the Commission's Web Site www.upsc.gov.in from 16th August 2004 onwards. -Keralamonitor.com

Telecom customer base crosses 81 million

Performance of Telecom sector during April-June 2004

Aug 13: The Indian telecom industry added 16 lakhs subscribers during June 2004, taking the number of phones added during April-June 2004 to 44.8 lakhs. -Keralamonitor.com