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Financial stability report by RBIFINANCIAL STABILITY BILL
WHAT IS FINANCIAL STABILITY BILLThe FSR, published every six months, aims to create
awareness about the vulnerabilities in the financial
system, to inform about the resilience to stress of the
financial institutions and to generally serve as a health
check on the financial system.
The Report reflects the collective assessment of the Sub-
Committee of the Financial Stability and Development
Council (FSDC) on risks to financial stability.
EFFECT OF FINANCIAL STABILTY BILL
The commencement of the taper should signal a calibratedreturn to normal liquidity and credit conditions in the
global markets and also better pricing of risk. This will
mean a repricing of certain assets with consequent
volatility. Efforts during the past few months have been
directed to make the Indian economy more resilient to the
ultimate withdrawal of liquidity from the system and less
reliant on unstable external capital for growth.
HIGLIGHTS
The US Federal Reserve has now laid to rest theuncertainty on timing of the exit and tapering in its bond
purchase programme, which is set to begin from January2014. However, financial market volatility will beconditioned by the pace of tapering going forward.Realignment of global growth as well as high inflationdifferential between advanced economies (AEs) andEmerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) isa potential source of exchange rate volatility and mayresult in volatile cross-border flows with every repricing ofrisk.The delay in tapering allowed India to bring aboutadjustment in the current account deficit (CAD) and buildbuffers by replenishing its foreign exchange reserves.However, macro-economic adjustment is far from
complete, with persistence of high inflation amidst growthslowdown. Fall in domestic savings and high fiscal deficitare other major concerns for India.Corporate performance continues to be weighed down byboom period expansions and excess capacities, amidshifting asset composition towards financial investments.House prices and outstanding loans for housing by housingfinance companies have grown relatively faster during thelast few years.Inadequate social security coverage in India against abackdrop of changing demographics will pose challenges
for expanding the pension system given the fiscaconstraints. The National Pension System (NPS) wascreated to serve Government employees and private sector
workers.
The risks to the banking sector have further increasedsince the publication of the previous FSR in June this yearAll major risk dimensions captured in the Banking StabilityIndicator show increase in vulnerabilities in the bankingsector.
Network tools have been used to assess impact ofcontagion due to risk of credit concentration. Failure of amajor corporate or a major corporate group could trigger acontagion in the banking system due to exposures of alarge number of banks to such corporates.
Asset quality continues to be a major concern forScheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs). The Gross Non-performing Assets ratio of SCBs as well as theirrestructured standard advances ratio have increasedTherefore, the total stressed advances ratio rosesignificantly to 10.2 per cent of total advances as at endSeptember 2013 from 9.2 per cent of March 2013.
Five sectors, namely, Infrastructure, Iron & Steel, TextilesAviation and Mining together contribute 24 percent ototal advances of SCBs, and account for around 53 per centof their total stressed advances.
Macro stress tests on credit risk suggest that if the adversemacroeconomic conditions persist, the credit quality ocommercial banks could deteriorate further. Howeverunder improved conditions, the present trend in creditquality may reverse during the second half of 2014-15.
India stands committed to the implementation of theglobal regulatory reforms agenda and has madeconsiderable progress on this front. Although firms andmarkets are beginning to adjust to the regulatory approachtowards ending too-big-to-fail (TBTF), recent researchindicates continued expectation of sovereign support to
such institutions.
Due to the interconnectedness with banks, liquiditypressure is felt by the money market mutual funds(MMMFs) whenever redemption requirements of banksare large and simultaneous. Regulatory measures taken toreduce the degree of interconnectedness seem to havebeen successful in reducing the liquidity risk in the system.Indias domestic markets for interest rate derivatives havenot taken off due to the absence of some of the basicbuilding blocks. Efforts are on to address these issues.
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Action to create central repositories for the banking sector,corporate bond market and insurance sector has beeninitiated. This move is expected to break the information
asymmetry in those markets.
It has been observed that the equity prices of thecompanies in which the promoters had pledged significantportions of their shares, are relatively more volatile thanthe broader market during times of correction.
USA sub-prime crisis and its influence on India
2008 - USA pump pricing (during recession country
provides stimulus to recover economy US provided in
cash and kind decrease in taxes, waving of loan from
agriculture and manufacturing sector, cash to
unemployed) and policy of protectionism (promote exportand decline import)
2009 UK recession (PIGS countries) - Stimulus
programme adopted
Both the above countries provided loan to the developing
Asian countries
Loan taken and invested in countries like India as rupee
value was high
After recovery of economy in USA and UK rupee value
decline as dollar value increase
USA and UK demand the loan back which affected India
increase of CAD
In 2012 -13 USA stopped stimulus package and start
taxation (fiscal cliff)
NPAs need priority tackling: RBI
Non performance asset discussed in class
Turbulent days in South Sudan
Coup against President of South Sudan Salva Kiir and
opposition Riek Machar
Indias role in UNMISS
African crisis notes given and discussed in class
Technologically advanced projects and emerging
concerns
Indus water treaty award analysis
Kishenganga River project analysis discussed and notes
given
Centre still a divided house over field trials for GM
crops
Genetically modified cropsControversy regarding GM crops
Controversy arised as agriculture is a state subjectwhereas GM is a centre subject
Concept and leakage speculation by the
influenced
No relation between GM and food security so need
for intensification of agriculture
GM crops are terminator seeds
Contamination of food cycle
Committees
Paroda committee GM with field trials
Parliamentary standing committee Basudeb Acharya
committee
Basudeb Acharya committee recommendation
Genetic engineering approval committee gives consent
for field trial highly politised
National biotechnology institution
Bt brinjal controversy Bihar protest against Bt Brinjal
loss of local ecosystem
No relationship between GM and food security
Need for intensification of agriculture
GM increases the burden of our farmer leading to
farmer suicide
Without laboratory trial its very risky to establish
Bt trial
GM acts as invasive species loss of Biodiversity
land degradation
Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Science and
Technology (both for GM crops) against min o
environment (against GM crops) people filed PIL
SC Technical expert committee
Court panel on GM crops exceeded: Ministers
GM CROPS (Essay) (V.Imp)INTRODUCTION
India with its large biodiversity is a major centre of origin
of several crops and has arguably the longest continuous
history in the world of high intensity agriculture which has
formed the basis of an agrarian society that continues to
grow and develop in the present day. Greater than 60% of
Indians depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for
their livelihood. The subcontinent has harboured a
population of >100m for over 300 years. However within
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the last 100 years the Indian population has increased
over 4-fold, and within the last 50 years alone the increase
has been over 2.5-fold. The demands this has placed on the
land and resources available for agricultural production
are unprecedented in human history and it is remarkable
that India has achieved self-sufficiency in food production
although this has come at a cost. The increases in yield that
have been achieved through the green
Revolution have plateaued and come at the expense of
excessive utilization of groundwater resources
WHAT ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
The term GM foods or GMOs (genetically-modified
organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants
created for human or animal consumption using the latest
molecular biology techniques. These plants have been
modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such
as increased resistance to herbicides or improved
nutritional content. The enhancement of desired traits has
traditionally been undertaken through breeding, but
conventional plant breeding methods can be very time
consuming and are often not very accurate.
The new genetically-modified plant will gain drought
tolerance as well. Not only can genes be transferred from
one plant to another, but genes from non-plant organisms
also can be used. The best known example of this is the useof B.t. genes in corn and other crops. B.t., or Bacillus
thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that
produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae.
B.t. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn,
enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against
insects such as the European corn borer.
ADVANTAGES OF GM CROPS
The world population has topped 6 billion people and is
predicted to double in the next 50 years. Ensuring an
adequate food supply for this booming population is going
to be a major challenge in the years to come. GM foods
promise to meet this need in a number of ways:
Pest resistance
Herbicide tolerance
Disease resistance
Cold tolerance
Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance
CRITICISM AGAINST GM CROPS
Environmental activists, religious organizations, public
interest groups, professional associations and other
scientists and government officials have all raised
concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for
pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and
the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory
oversight. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion
about GM foods.
Environmental hazardsUnintended harm to other organisms: Unfortunately
B.t. toxins kill many species of insect larvae
indiscriminately; it is not possible to design a B.t. toxin that
would only kill crop-damaging pests and remain harmless
to all other insects.
Reduced effectiveness of pesticides: Just as some
populations of mosquitoes developed resistance to the
now-banned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned
that insects will become resistant to B.t. or other crops that
have been genetically-modified to produce their own
pesticides.
Gene transfer to non-target species:Another concern is
that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and
weeds will cross-breed, resulting in the transfer of the
herbicide resistance genes from the crops into the weeds
These "superweeds" would then be herbicide tolerant aswell. Other introduced genes may cross over into non
modified crops planted next to GM crops.
Increased use of Herbicides: Scientists estimate that
plants genetically engineered to be herbicide-resistant wil
greatly increase the amount of herbicide use. Farmers
knowing that their crops can tolerate the herbicides, wil
use them more liberally.
More Pesticides: GM crops often manufacture their own
pesticides and may be classified as pesticides by the EPA
This strategy will put more pesticides into our food and
fields than ever before.Ecology may be damaged:The influence of a genetically
engineered organism on the food chain may damage the
local ecology. The new organism may compete successfully
with wild relatives, causing unforeseen changes in the
environment.
Gene pollution cannot be cleaned up: Once genetically
engineered organisms, bacteria and viruses are released
into the environment it is impossible to contain or recall
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them. Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, negative
effects are irreversible.
Human health risks
Allergenicity: There is a possibility that introducing a
gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an
allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.
Unknown effects on human health: There is a growing
concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants
may have an unexpected and negative impact on human
health.
Economic concerns: Bringing a GM food to market is a
lengthy and costly process, and of course agri-biotech
companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their
investment. Many new plant genetic engineering
technologies and GM plants have been patented, and
patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness.
OTHER HAZARDS
No Long-Term Safety Testing: Genetic engineering uses
material from organisms that have never been part of the
human food supply to change the fundamental nature of
the food we eat. Without long-term testing no one knows if
these foods are safe.
Toxins: Genetic engineering can cause unexpected
mutations in an organism, which can create new andhigher levels of toxins in foods.
Decreased Nutritional Value: Transgenic foods may
mislead consumers with counterfeit freshness. A fresh-
looking, bright red genetically engineered tomato could be
several weeks old and of little nutritional worth.
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria: Genetic engineers use
antibiotic-resistance genes to mark genetically engineered
cells. This means that genetically engineered crops contain
genes which confer resistance to antibiotics. These genes
may be picked up by bacteria which may infect us.
Problems Cannot Be Traced: Without labels, our public
health agencies are powerless to trace problems of any
kind back to their source. The potential for tragedy is
staggering.
Side Effects can kill: Modified proteins, amino acids
arising due to genetic modifications can be lethal to human
beings.
CONCERNS ON Bt CROPS
The scientists are increasingly worried about the growing
emergence of biological toxins like Bt and the threat they
pose to our health and environment. New estimates are
that each Bt plant produces within itself a heavy dose of
toxins equal to 4.2 kg per hectare, 19 times more than the
average use of chemical pesticides. Still more worrisome is
a recent Canadian study that shows widespread presence
of Bt-related insecticides in the blood of 93% pregnant
women and in 80% of foetuses.
Alarmingly, there is still no clarity on what does this mean
for human health impacts. Studies have however been
carried out on rats. In these first-ever long-term feeding
trials on rats, it was observed that females developed fata
mammary tumours and pituitary disorders. Males suffered
liver damage, developed kidney and skin tumours and
experienced problems with their digestive system. The
team also found that even lower doses of GM corn and
Roundup weedicides resulted in serious health impacts
Moreover, 50 per cent male and 70 per cent female rats
died prematurely. The tumours were 2.5 times bigger than
what would normally appear in the control population.
Owing to these issues, there has been swelling opposition
to the manner in which GM crops are being pushed. Many
State governments have already refused permission for
field trials of GM crops.
GM CROP ISSUE IN INDIABACKGROUND
In India it all started with Bt cotton and Bt Brinjal
regarding control, regulation, marketing production, safety
of such crops. Here the Bt refers to Bacillus thuringenesis
soil bacterium from which the genes are introduced in to
the native cotton and brinjal varieties. The gene gave an
expression in cotton which produced a protein in the
cotton crop that was toxic to the boll worms and stem
borers (pests) i.e., pest resistant variety. Now the issue
with us already with many political parties, farmerscomplaining introduction such GM cotton, Brinjal(stopped
after initial intro) as the cause for increasing farmer
suicides in Karnataka, Vidharbha region. High input cost of
seeds, genetic erosion of local varieties, farmers
dependence on private seed cost are said to be the reasons
In this scenario our parliamentary committee on
Agriculture has submitted a report on CULTIVATION OF
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GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD CROPS PROSPECTS AND
EFFECTS
Why is India focused so much on research and experiment
of these crops?
Apart from the above mentioned disadvantages with
regard to GM crops India is also binding to sertain
international treaties which presses on conserving its
biological diversity and conserving environment and
human health. Someof the treaties are:
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) implements
the joint Food Standards Programme and provides
guidelines and standards for food
safety. It develops guidance documents from time to time
on issues related to
food safety including foods derived from biotechnology.
India became a
member of the CAC in 1964.
Agenda 21 is a non-legally binding comprehensive plan for
actions to be implemented globally, nationally, and locally
by the UN, Governments, and other organizations in areas
where human activity impacts the environment Agenda 21
was adopted by 178 Governments including India at the
United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development is a
statement of 27 principles for the purpose of guiding
sustainable development across the world.
The Convention on Biological Diversity is a legally
binding treaty that has three stated aims: the conservation
of biological diversity, the sustainable use of the
components of biological diversity, and the fair,and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilization of genetic resources. It comprises of 42 articles
outlining principles and steps for the identification,
conservation, and management of biodiversity that
member countries would follow. 193 countries are parties
to the CBD including India. The CBD also brings out
guidance documents on issues related to biodiversity such
as on risk assessment of LMOs
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to the
Convention on Biological Diversity is an international
agreement aimed at "ensuring an adequate level o
protection in the safe transfer, handling, and use of living
modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
also taking into account risks to human health, and
specifically focusing on transboundary movements
The Indian GMO Regulatory Structure: The apex
regulatory body for evaluation of GMOs/LMOs is the
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) located
in the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The
second arm of the regulatory body is the Review
Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) located
within the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the
Ministry of Science and Technology. Examination of health
safety and molecular characterization is the purview o
RCGM and environmental safety comes under the overal
purview of GEAC, however, RCGM also examines
information on environmental safety.
THE CURRENT ISSUE
Recently in October 2012, a high-level committee
appointed by the Supreme Court has recommended
stopping all ongoing open field trials on GM crops for 10
years until a new set of conditions is enforced.These recommendations constitute a key input to the
Supreme Court of India, which has been hearing public
interest litigation filed by a clutch of independent
scientists as well as activist organisations against the GM
crops.
Key recommendations by the committee include:
Recommended stopping all ongoing open field
trials on such crops for 10 years until a new set of
conditions is enforced.
Reassessment of the biosafety data that isgenerated by field trials
ensuring there is no conflict of interest (that is
those tasked with evaluating the biosafety of GM
crops are themselves not stakeholders in
promoting such crops)
a ban on outsourcing or subcontracting field trials
Ensuring that crops being considered for testing is
evaluated by rodent-feeding trials.
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In the case of crops of Indian origin or diversity
the TEC had recommended that transgenics not be
allowed for field trials as the deployment of
transgenics commercially under open conditions
would adversely affect the diversity of these crops
which represents an important cultural heritage
and special measures should be taken to preserve
it as much as possible
The TEC was of the view that there should be
requirement of some basic information on
biosafety prior to FTs and also recommended that
some experimental tests should be done prior to
emergence from containment in the laboratory or
greenhouse and suggested possible examples
GM CROPS AND WORLD COUNTRIESGovernments around the world are hard at work to
establish a regulatory process to monitor the effects of and
approve new varieties of GM plants. Yet depending on the
political, social and economic climate within a region or
country, different governments are responding in different
ways.
In Japan, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has
announced that health testing of GM foods will be
mandatory. Currently, testing of GM foods is voluntary.
Japanese supermarkets are offering both GM foods and
unmodified foods, and customers are beginning to show a
strong preference for unmodified fruits and vegetables.
Currently, testing of GM foods is voluntary. Japanese
supermarkets are offering both GM foods and unmodified
foods, and customers are beginning to show a strong
preference for unmodified fruits and vegetables.
Brazilian farmers, however, have resorted to smuggling
GM soybean seeds into the country because they feareconomic harm if they are unable to compete in the global
marketplace with other grain-exporting countries.
In Europe, anti-GM food protestors have been especially
active. In the last few years Europe has experienced two
major foods scares: bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(mad cow disease) in Great Britain and dioxin-tainted
foods originating from Belgium. These food scares have
undermined consumer confidence about the European
food supply, and citizens are disinclined to trust
government information about GM foods. In response to
the public outcry, Europe now requires mandatory food
labeling of GM foods in stores, and the European
Commission (EC) has established a 1% threshold for
contamination of unmodified foods with GM food products
In the United States, the regulatory process is confused
because there are three different government agencies
that have jurisdiction over GM foods. The EPA, USDA and
FDA.
USA has adopted herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant
crops since their introduction in 1996. Some of the
products grown are corn, cotton, and soybeans
LABELING OF GM CROPSLabeling of GM foods and food products is also a
contentious issue. On the whole, agribusiness industries
believe that labeling should be voluntary and influenced by
the demands of the free market. If consumers show
preference for labeled foods over non-labeled foods, then
industry will have the incentive to regulate itself or risk
alienating the customer. Consumer interest groups, on the
other hand, are demanding mandatory labeling. People
have the right to know what they are eating, argue the
interest groups, and historically industry has proven itself
to be unreliable at self-compliance with existing safety
regulations
CONCLUSION
As far as the role of GM crops in boosting food security
needs is concerned, this argument is not evidence-based
First, there is no GM crop anywhere in the world which
increases crop productivity. In fact, even the U.S
Department of Agriculture acknowledges that the
productivity of GM soya and GM corn in the U.S. is less than
the conventional varieties. The prevailing drought in theU.S. has conclusively shown that it is only non-GM crops
that have withstood the harsh weather. It also raises
doubts over stress tolerance of GM crops. In India, on June
1, 2012, a record 82.3 million tonnes surplus of wheat and
rice was stored. This surplus existed at a time when an
estimated 320 million people went to bed hungry. Food
insecurity, therefore, is not the result of any production
shortfall. Paying more to farmers would entail more
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production. At a time when GM crops hold no promise of
higher crop production, the latest long-term scientific
research on the impacts on health warrants repeated trials
under all environments. As suggested by TEC and the
Standing Committee, more experiments are needed on
farm animals. Since science is answerable to society, and
cannot be allowed to operate in a vacuum, this is the least
India can do to dispel any fear.
Sumi Naga tribal siege forces
insurgents to flee camp at MukalimiNaga issue
North East India separatist movement (for a separate
state and separate country)First fight - Naga tribes demand for Greater Nagalim
Naga tribe claim - South Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern
Assam, Western and North Western Myanmar, South West
China and North Manipur
Tribes of Nagaland Kuki, Methi and Naga(29 major
groups)
First fight - In Manipur Kuki Naga demand for 4 areas
Ukhrul , Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapathi - conflict
between Kuki Naga and Naga tribe
According to Methi tribes Manipur belongs to them
Second reason - Naga Socialistic Union Party (IsakMuivah) runs parallel government along the Nagaland
government - initially was supported by Naga people but
later was discouraged when there was a split in the party
India initiated peace negotiation
Important for India as Nagaland is a strategic location. So
GOI started new initiatives:
Appointment of the interlocutors from their own
community educated Naga
Development strategy (2013 budget Pandora box for
Manipur TipaiMukh dam, green field airport, railway
lines, Consumer food industries, PMSSY establishment of
institutions like AIIMs and to promote higher education)
National Bamboo mission
Report says enrolment of disabled children in
government school under 1%Disabled group constituted one of the biggest group of
dropouts
Disability issue discussed in the class
Criticism of Right to Education
DBTL schemesAll domestic cylinders are sold at market price
Project Lakshya DBT fiscal consolidation strategy tocontrol leakages
New system to halt train in case of fireSafety technology adopted from an Australian company
pros and cons of the technology in Indian railways
KAKODKAR COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON RAILWAY
SAFETY
Though data of consequential train accident over the yearson has been showing declining trend despite phenomena
growth of traffic, safety on Indian Railways remains to be a
mater of serious concern.
The Ministry of Railways had appointed a High Level
Safety Review Committee under the chairmanship of Dr
Anil Kakodkar to review the safety of the Indian Railways
and recommend improvements. The Committee recently
presented it report.
If the Committees recommendations are accepted, the
total financial implication over the five year period is likely
to be Rs 1,00,000 crore.The key observations and recommendations of the
Committee are listed below:
The Committee notes that the present environment on
Indian Railways reveals a grim picture of inadequate
performance largely due to poor infrastructure and
resources, and lack of empowerment at the functional level
The financial state of Indian Railways is at the brink of
collapse unless some concrete measures are taken
Passenger fares have not been increased in the last decade
and the infrastructure is severely strained. All safety
margins have been squeezed. This has led to a neglect of
infrastructure maintenance.
In the present situation, the three vital functions (rule
making, operations and the regulation) are all vested in the
Railway Board. There is need for an independent
mechanism for safety regulation. The Committee
recommends the creation of a statutory Railway Safety
Authority with enough powers to have a safety oversight
on the operational mode of Railways.
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The Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO),
the apex technical wing of the Railways, is highly
constrained. This has hampered the ability of the system to
internalize emerging technologies. The Committee
recommends restructuring of RDSO for greater
empowerment. It also recommends that a Railway
Research and Development Council (RRDC) be set up
directly under the government.
The Committee recommends the adoption of an Advanced
Signalling System (akin to the European Train Control
System) for the entire trunk route length of 19,000 km
within 5 years. This is estimated to cost Rs 20,000 crore.
All Level Crossings (both manned and unmanned) should
be eliminated over five years. An estimated expenditure of
Rs 50,000 crore will be required for achieving this target.
The Committee is of the belief that this amount will be
recovered within 7-8 years through savings in
maintenance costs and improved train operations.
The Committee also recommends a switch over from the
ICF design coaches to the much safer LHB design coaches.
This is likely to cost Rs 10,000 crore over the next five
years
Manpower gaps
On the manpower gaps in the safety category in the
Railways, the panel's recommendation for a time-boundfilling up of vacancies in Critical Safety Categories and
Manpower Planning Issues, addresses the demand by
railway unions such as the Southern Railway Mazdoor
Union and the All India Loco Running Staff Association.
Uncertainty in BangladeshUncertainty started in 2012 spread of Arab spring
As of now Sheik Hasina government rules Bangladesh and
is a liberal government
They issued war trial against old fundamentalist
(supported by Khaleda Zia)Awareness about Rights of the Bangladesh youth who
were supported by Hasina government was spread
through social networking sites - shahbag square
In the recent election the fundamentalist wanted UN
intervention
Hasina government brought stability in the country after 8
years of struggle and says outside interference is not
required
Hasina was also criticized by the same young group for
supporting India for all their demand and for declining
China but India has not responded to Bangladesh actively.
Counting ConundrumDifference in NSSO survey results impact and
suggestions
Application
Failure of Indian policy
Controversy regarding service
Challenges of Indian democracy
Issues related to development
Superficial image of India in the internationa
reports HDI
Women open door open for other
womenWomen winning elections increase in the number o
female candidates
PersonalityMaldives President - Yameen Abdul Gayoom
IAF chief Arup Raha
Taxonomist passes away T C Narendran recipient of E
K Janaki Ammal National award of Ministery of
Environment and forests
Suresh Das tipped to head CSIR
Mathew Chosen for Prestigious Journalism award
Award instituted by a trust founded by
Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Mammen Mathew Chief Editor Malayala
Manorama
Lokmanya Tilak National award excellence in
Journalism
India to ink labour cooperation pact with
Saudi ArabiaIndias largest migration belong to west Asia
Legality of West Asian countries are rights driven and also
our Diaspora are over exploited by Sheiks
The above reasons worry the GOI for the social security o
the Indian Diaspora
India is a hub for illegal visas and middle men
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Saudi introduced the Nitaqat law which provides for
mandatory recruitment of locals in the private sector
Saudi ArabiasNitaqat law costs hundreds of thousands of
expatriates their jobs. The prospect of unemployment and
even deportation has triggered awave of anxiety among
Indian expatriates in the desert kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has depended on foreign labor for decades.
This has left a large number of its own nationals
unemployed. The private sector in particular has preferred
to hire foreigners.
It is to tackle unemployment by forcing the private sector
to hire locals that the government enacted the Nitaqat law
three years ago, and is now acting to enforce it.
Indians, who constitute 20 percent of the 7 million-strong
expatriate population in Saudi Arabia, are understandably
worried about the impact this law will have on their lives.
Many have been working here for years and support large
families back home.
India has been ready to sign Labour co-operation with
Saudi to safeguard the interest of Indian Diaspora
Mechanism to maintain security of the Diaspora:
Consular
Social security agreement
Labour co-operation (to provide awareness
regarding visa rule, minimum wages awareness
and security by the sending country not to exploitthe host nation)
Iran talks end on a positive note
(Geneva ll)
GENEVA TALKSBACKGROUND
Iran's nuclear programme became public in 2002, when an
opposition group revealed secret activity including
construction of a uranium enrichment plant at Natanz anda heavy-water reactor at Arak. Enriched uranium can be
used to make nuclear weapons, and spent fuel from a
heavy-water reactor contains plutonium suitable for a
bomb.
The Iranian government subsequently agreed to
inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
But the IAEA was unable to confirm Iran's assertions that
its nuclear programme was exclusively for peacefu
purposes and that it had not sought to develop nuclearweapons.
This led the US and its European allies to press Iran to stop
enriching uranium, which can be used for civilian nuclear
purposes but also - if enriched to 90% purity - to build
nuclear bombs.
However, the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
in 2005 halted any progress in talks, and the IAEAreferred
Iran to the UN Security Council for failing to comply with
itsNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards
Agreement.
Since then, the Security Council hasadopted six
resolutions requiring Iran to stop enriching uranium, some
imposing sanctions.
In 2012, the US and EU began imposing additiona
sanctions on Iranian oil exports and banks, crippling Iran's
economy.
Despite that, Iran continued to enrich uranium. In 2009, it
disclosed the existence of a new underground facility at
Fordo.
There have been multiple rounds of negotiations between
Iran and the so-called P5+1 - the five UN Security Counci
permanent members, the US, UK, France, China, Russia and
Germany. For years the two sides failed to make headwayBut the mood changed after the election of Hassan Rouhan
as president and on 24 November 2013, negotiators
reached aninterim deal after intensive talks in Geneva.
WHY IS IRAN AN EXCEPTION?
Ayatollah Khamenei, who is reported to have issued a
fatwa against nuclear weapons, declared in 2009: "We
fundamentally reject nuclear weapons and prohibit the use
and production of nuclear weapons."
But the IAEApublished a report in 2011 claiming
"credible" information that Iran had carried out activities
"relevant to the development of a nuclear explosivedevice".
The report drew attention to a military complex at Parchin
south of Tehran, which the IAEA has been unable to visit
since 2005.
Reports surfaced in 2000 that a large containment vessel
had been built there to conduct hydrodynamic
experiments. The IAEA said such experiments, which
involve using explosives in conjunction with nuclear
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material or surrogates, were "strong indicators of possible
weapon development".
The US has alleged that Iran had a nuclear weaponsprogramme in 2003, but that senior Iranian leaders
stopped it when it was discovered.GENEVA TALKS
The Geneva talks involve Iran and the P5+1 - the US,
Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN
Security Council members, plus Germany.
World powers suspect Iran has not been honest about its
nuclear programme and is seeking to build a nuclear
bomb.
Iran says it has the right to nuclear energy - and stresses
that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Tehran insists it must be allowed to enrich uranium to use
in power stations.
OUTCOME OF GENEVA TALKS
Iran will stop enriching uranium beyond 5%, and
"neutralise" its stockpile of uranium enriched beyond this
pointIran has agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in
return for about $7bn (4.3bn) in sanctions relief
The deal will last for six months, while a permanent
agreement is sought.
Iran agreed to halt enrichment to medium-grade (20%)
purity, which can be further enriched to weapons-gradelevel relatively easily, and give better access to UN
inspectors.
Iran will give greater access to inspectors including daily
access at Natanz and Fordo nuclear sites
There will be no further development of the Arak plant
which it is believed could produce plutoniumWORLD REACTION TO THE DEAL
President Barack Obama said the interim deal would "cut
off Iran's most likely paths to a [nuclear] bomb", while his
Secretary of State John Kerry said the agreement would
make the region safer for its allies, including Israel.President Rouhani also welcomed the deal, saying "No
matter what interpretations are given, Iran's right to
enrichment has been recognised". Iran's Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Khamenei, who has final say in nuclear matters,
called it an "achievement" and a "success".
The deal however has been sharply criticised by Israel,
which sees Iran's nuclear programme as a potential threat
to its existence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it
was "a historic mistake" and warned that Israel was "not
bound" by it. Israel neither confirms nor denies it has
nuclear weapons - a policy known as "nuclear ambiguity"
though it is widely believed to possess up to 400warheads.
RBI eases norms to gold dore imports
APPLICATION: to control smuggling
External debt drops to $ 400.3 b at end-septemberWhat do you mean by fiscal deficit? Give some of the
reasons behind fiscal deficit. Suggest some of the solution
regarding control of fiscal deficit
New mobile application for womens safety
Application telltail
Track me
Track by vehicle
Panic button
India scraps chopper dealScraped scam-ridden VVIP chopper deal with Augusta
Westland international limited (Italy)
Personality ex air chief S P Tyagi
South Sudan Government set for peace talks
MALNOURISHMENTA malnourished person finds that their body has difficultydoing normal things such as growing and resisting diseasePhysical work becomes problematic and even learningabilities can be diminished. For women, pregnancybecomes risky and they cannot be sure of producingnourishing breast milk.When a person is not getting enough food or not gettingthe right sort of food,malnutrition is just around thecorner. Disease is often a factor, either as a result orcontributing cause. Even if people get enough to eat, theywill become malnourished if the food they eat does notprovide the proper amounts of micronutrients - vitaminsand minerals - to meet daily nutritional requirements.
MALNOURISHMENT IN INDIA
Close to 1.3 million children die every year in Indiabecause of malnutrition, according to the World HealthOrganization (WHO). Ninety nine per cent of all under-fivedeaths occur in developing countries, with the mostcommon causes of death being pneumonia, diarrhoea andmalaria. These are illnesses to which children are
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particularly vulnerable, especially when they aremalnourished, a condition that weakens their immunesystems. Malnutrition contributes to more than a third of
all child deathsThe Govt. of India is increasing food subsidies to addressthis situation, but the rapidly rising population of much ofNorthern India (birth rate has fallen but momentummeans the population continues to rise) posescontinuing challenges.Malnutrition is more common in India than in Sub-Saharan Africa. One in every three malnourishedchildren in the world lives in IndiaMalnutrition limits development and the capacity to learn.It also costs lives: about 50 per cent of all childhood deathsare attributed to malnutrition.In India, around 46 per cent of all children below the age of
three are too small for their age, 47 per cent areunderweight and at least 16 per cent are wasted. Many ofthese children are severely malnourished.The prevalence of malnutrition varies across states, withMadhya Pradesh recording the highest rate (55 per cent)and Kerala among the lowest (27 per cent).Malnutrition in children is not affected by food intakealone; it is also influenced by access to health services,quality of care for the child and pregnant mother as well asgood hygiene practices. Girls are more at risk ofmalnutrition than boys because of their lower social status.Malnutrition in early childhood has serious, long-termconsequences because it impedes motor, sensory,
cognitive, social and emotional development.Malnourished children are less likely to perform well inschool and more likely to grow into malnourished adults,at greater risk of disease and early death. Around one-third of all adult women are underweight. Inadequate careof women and girls, especially during pregnancy, results inlow- birth weight babies. Nearly 30 per cent of allnewborns have a low birthweight, making them vulnerableto further malnutrition and disease.Vitamin and mineral deficiencies also affect childrenssurvival and development. Anaemia affects 74 per cent ofchildren under the age of three, more than 90 per cent ofadolescent girls and 50 per cent of women. Iodine
deficiency, which reduces learning capacity by up to 13 percent, is widespread because fewer than half of allhouseholds use iodised salt. Vitamin A deficiency, whichcauses blindness and increases morbidity and mortalityamong pre-schoolers, also remains a public-healthproblem.FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR MALNOURISHMENTSocio-economic statusIn general, those who are poor are at risk for under-nutrition while those who have high socio-economic statusare relatively more likely to be over-nourished. Anaemia is
negatively correlated with wealth. When it comes to childmalnutrition, children in low-income families are moremalnourished than those in high-income families.
RegionUnder-nutrition is more prevalent in rural areas, againmainly due to low socio-economic status. Anaemia for bothmen and women is only slightly higher in rural areas thanin urban areas. For example, in 2005, 40% of women inrural areas, and 36% of women in urban areas were foundto have mild anaemia.In urban areas, overweight status and obesity are overthree times as high as rural areasIn terms of geographical regions, Madhya PradeshJharkhand, and Bihar have very high rates of undernutrition. States with lowest percentage of under-nutritioninclude Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, Kerala, Punjab, and
Goa, although the rate is still considerably higher than thatof developed nations. Further, anaemia is found in over70% of individuals in the states of Bihar, ChhattisgarhMadhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar PradeshKarnataka, Haryana, and Jharkhand. Less than 50% ofindividuals in Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, and Kerala haveanaemia.ReligionStudies show that individuals belonging to Hindu orMuslim backgrounds in India tend to be moremalnourished than those from Sikh, Christian, or Jainbackgrounds.Gender differences
Ill-treatment of girl child is another cause formalnourishment among girl child than a boy.PREVENTION OF MALNOURISHMENTGOI has involved celebrities like Aamir Khan to campaignagainst malnourishment.Actor Aamir Khan is part of a nationwide campaign to raiseawareness about malnutrition, which is more widespreadin India than Sub-Saharan Africa. The actor, the UNICEFbrand ambassador for malnutrition, has launched thecampaign through advertisements and short films to makepeople aware of the perils of malnourishment. He has shot40 films in 18 languagesIndia is home to the worlds largest child care programme
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), whichstarted in 1978. India's efforts to tackle the challenge ofmalnutrition among children have, in the past, focusedprimarily on distributing supplementary foods under theIntegrated Child Development Services (ICDS)programme.The programme is specifically designed to reachdisadvantaged and low income groups, for effectivedisparity reduction. ICDS provides the convergentinterface / platform between communities and othersystems such as primary healthcare, education, water and
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sanitation among others. The programme has the potentialto break an intergenerational cycle of undernutrition aswell as address the multiple disadvantages faced by girls
and women but with adequate investment and enablingenvironment.
Continued implementation of ICDS Scheme in 12thFive Year Plan and ICDS in Mission mode;
Programmatic, management and institutionalreforms to be initiated with widened and revisedpackage of services to focus on under-3 children,maternal care, and Early Childhood CareEducation (ECCE) as per the broad framework forimplementation with necessary changes infinancial norms/allocations and outcomes asrecommended by the EFC along with flexibility tothe States with scope for innovations,
Rolling out Strengthened and Restructured ICDSin three years beginning with 200 High Burdendistricts in the first year 2012-13; additional 200districts in second year (2013-14) includingdistricts from special category States namelyJammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh andUttarakhand and North East Region andremaining 243 districts in the third year (2014-15) of the 12th Five Year Plan.
The financial implications during 12lh Five YearPlan is estimated at Rs. 1,23,580 crore.
The strengthening and restructuring of ICDSScheme would:
Prevent and reduce young child under-nutritionby 10 percentage points in 0-3 years
Enhance early development and learningoutcomes in all children below six years of age
Improve care and nutrition of girls and womenand reduce anaemia prevalence in young children,girls and women by one-fifth.
construction of two lakh anganwadi centres(AWCs) and include new components crche andnutrition counsellor (in high burden districts).
introduction of Annual ProgrammeImplementation Plan (APIP)
improving Supplementary Nutrition Programmeincluding cost revision;
provision for construction and improvement ofbuildings of Anganwadi centres;
National Children's FundThe National Children's Fund was created during theInternational Year of the Child in 1979 under theCharitable Endowment Fund Act, 1890. This FundProvides support to the voluntary organisations that helpthe welfare of kids.
National Plan of Action for ChildrenIndia is a signatory to the 27 survival and developmentgoals laid down by the World Summit on children 1990. In
order to implement these goals, the Department of Women& Child Development has formulated a National Plan oAction on Children. Each concerned CentraMinistries/Departments, State Governments/U.Ts. andVoluntary Organisations dealing with women and childrenhave been asked to take up appropriate measures toimplement the Action Plan. These goals have beenintegrated into National Development Plans. A MonitoringCommittee under the Chairpersonship of Secretary(Women & Child Development) reviews the achievementof goals set in the National Plan of Action. All concernedCentral Ministries/Departments are represented on theCommittee.
United Nations Children's FundDepartment of Women and Child Development is the nodadepartment forUNICEF. India is associated with UNICEFsince 1949 and is now in the fifth decade of cooperationfor assisting most disadvantaged children and theirmothers. Traditionally, UNICEF has been supporting Indiain a number of sectors like child development, women'sdevelopment, urban basic services, support for communitybased convergent services, health, education, nutritionwater & sanitation, childhood disability, children inespecially difficult circumstances, information andcommunication, planning and programme support.
National rural health missionIts goal is to "improve the availability of and access toquality health care by people, especially for those residingin rural areas, the poor, women, and children.The subset of goals under this mission are:
Reduceinfant mortality rate (IMR) and maternamortality ratio (MMR)
Provide universal access to public health services
Prevent and control both communicable and non-communicable diseases, includinglocallyendemic diseases
Provide access to integrated comprehensive primary
healthcare Create population stabilisation, as well as gender and
demographic balance
Revitalize local health traditions andmainstreamAYUSH
Finally, to promote healthy life stylesThe mission has set up strategies and action plan to meetall of its goals
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Some of the other direct schemes are:Rajiv Gandhi Schemes for empowerment of Adolescentgirls (SABLA)
Indra Gandhi Matritva Sahyog YojnaSome of the indirect schemes are:Targeted PDSNational food security billMGNREGANirmal Bharat AbhiyanNational Rural drinking water programme
THE RIGHT TO FAIR COMPENSATION
AND TRANSPARENCY IN LAND
ACQUISITION, REHABILITATION AND
RESETTLEMENT BILL 2013Land acquisition refers to the process by which
government forcibly acquires private property for public
purpose. The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act)
governs all such acquisitions. Additionally, there are 16
Acts with provisions for acquisition of land in specific
sectors such as railways, special economic zones, national
highways, etc. The 1894 Act does not provide for
rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) for those affected by
land acquisition. In 2007, two Bills were introduced in the
Lok Sabha: one to amend the Land Acquisition Act, 1894,
and the other to provide statutory status to the R&R policyof 2007. These Bills lapsed with the dissolution of the 14th
Lok Sabha in 2009.
In May 2011, the National Advisory Council recommended
combining the provisions of land acquisition and R&R
within a single Bill.
In July 2011, the Draft Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation
and Resettlement Bill was published by the Ministry of
Rural Development for public comments.
In September 2011, the government introduced the Land
Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill in the
Lok Sabha. This Bill would replace the 1894 Act.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NEW BILL
The title of the old law conveyed that its primary purpose
was to expedite the acquisition of land. However, the
principle objective of the new Bill is fair compensation,
thorough resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected,
adequate safeguards for their well-being and complete
transparency in the process of land acquisition. The title
has been amended to reflect this.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
Public purposeLand may be acquired only for public purpose. The Bil
defines public purpose to include: defence and nationa
security; roads, railways, highways, and ports built by
government and public sector enterprises; land for the
project affected people ; planned development; and
improvement of village or urban sites and residentia
purposes for the poor and landless, government
administered schemes or institutions, etc. This is broadly
similar to the provisions of the 1894 Act.
In certain cases consent of 80 per cent of the project
affected people is required to be obtained. These include
acquisition of land for (i) use by the government for
purposes other than those mentioned above, and (ii) use
by public-private partnerships, and (iii) use by private
companies.
Process of land acquisition
The government shall conduct a Social Impact Assessment
(SIA) study, in consultation with the Gram Sabha in rura
areas (and with equivalent bodies in case of urban areas)
After this, the SIA report shall be evaluated by an expert
group. The expert group shall comprise two non-officia
social scientists, two experts on rehabilitation, and atechnical expert on the subject relating to the project. The
SIA report will be examined further by a committee to
ensure that the proposal for land acquisition meets certain
specified conditions.
A preliminary notification indicating the intent to acquire
land must be issued within 12 months from the date o
evaluation of the SIA Report. Subsequently, the
government shall conduct a survey to determine the extent
of land to be acquired. Any objections to this process shal
be heard by the Collector. Following this, if the
government is satisfied that a particular piece of land mustbe acquired for public purpose, a declaration to acquire the
land is made. Once this declaration is published, the
government shall acquire the land. No transactions shall be
permitted for the specified land from the date of the
preliminary notification until the process of acquisition is
completed.
In case of urgency, the above provisions are not
mandatory. The urgency clause may be used only for
defence, national security, and in the event of a natura
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calamity. Before taking possession of land in such cases, 80
per cent of the compensation must be paid.
Compensation to the land owners
The compensation for land acquisition is determined by
the Collector and awarded by him to the land owner within
two years from the date of publication of the declaration of
acquisition.
First, the market value of the acquired land is computed as
the higher of (i) the land value specified in the Indian
Stamp Act, 1899 for the registration of sale deeds; or (ii)
the average of the top 50 per cent of all sale deeds in the
previous three years for similar type of land situated in the
vicinity.
Once the market value is calculated, it is doubled for land
in rural areas. There is no doubling of value in urban areas.
Then, the value of all assets attached to the land (trees,
buildings, etc) is added to this amount. On this amount, a
100 per cent solatium, (i.e., extra compensation for the
forcible nature of acquisition), shall be given to arrive at
the final compensation figure.
Land owners whose property is acquired using the
urgency provisions shall be given an additional 75 per cent
of the market value of the land.
Process of Rehabilitation and ResettlementThe Bill requires R&R to be undertaken in case of every
acquisition. Once the preliminary notification for
acquisition is published, an Administrator shall be
appointed. The Administrator shall conduct a survey and
prepare the R&R scheme. This scheme shall then be
discussed in the Gram Sabha in rural areas (equivalent
bodies in case of urban areas). Any objections to the R&R
scheme shall be heard by the Administrator. Subsequently,
the Administrator shall prepare a report and submit it to
the Collector. The Collector shall review the scheme and
submit it to the Commissioner appointed for R&R. Oncethe Commissioner approves the R&R scheme, the
government shall issue a declaration identifying the areas
required for the purpose of R&R. The Administrator shall
then be responsible for the execution of the scheme. The
Commissioner shall supervise the implementation of the
scheme.
In case of acquisition of more than 100 acres, an R&R
Committee shall be established to monitor the
implementation of the scheme at the project level. In
addition, a National Monitoring Committee is appointed at
the central level to oversee the implementation of the R&R
scheme for all projects.In case the land is being privately purchased (100 acres in
rural areas and 50 acres in urban areas), an application
must be filed with the Collector who shall forward this to
the Commissioner for approval. After the application has
been approved, the Collector shall issue awards as per the
R&R scheme.
Rehabilitation and Resettlement entitlements
Every resettled area is to be provided with certain
infrastructural facilities. These facilities include roads
drainage, provision for drinking water, grazing land
banks, post offices, public distribution outlets, etc.
The Bill also provides the displaced families with certain
R&R entitlements. These include, among other things, (i)
land for a house as per the Indira Awas Yojana in rural
areas or a constructed house of at least 50 square metres
plinth area in urban areas; (ii) a one-time allowance of Rs
50,000 for affected families; and (iii) the option o
choosing either mandatory employment in projects where
jobs are being created or a one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh
or an inflation adjusted annuity of Rs 2,000 per month per
family for 20 years.
Other provisions
A Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement
Authority shall be established for settling any disputes
relating to the process of acquisition, compensation, and
R&R.
There shall be no change of ownership of acquired land
without prior permission from the government. Land may
not be used for any purpose other than for which it is
acquired.
Acquired land which has been unused for 10 years from
the date of possession shall be returned to the Land Bankof the government. If any unused acquired land is
transferred to another individual, 20 per cent of the
appreciated land value shall have to be shared amongst the
original land owners.
The government may temporarily occupy and use any
piece of waste or arable land for a public purpose. This
occupation may be for a period of not more than three
years. The compensation of such land may be decided
mutually by the owner of the land and the Collector. Any
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disagreement on matters relating to compensation or the
condition of the land on being returned shall be referred to
the Land Acquisition and R&R Authority.In any district, land acquisition will be restricted to a
maximum of five per cent of irrigated multi-crop land
The provisions of this Bill shall not apply to land
acquisition under 16 existing laws. These include: the SEZ
Act, 2005, Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the NationaHighways Act, 1956.
Comparison of some key features between the 1894 Act and the 2011 BillIssue 1894 Act Recent bill
Public
Purpose
Includes several uses such as infrastructure,
development and housing projects. Also
includes use by companies under certain
conditions
No significant change.
Consent from
affected
people
No requirement. Consent of 80 % of displaced people required in
case of acquisition for private companies and
public-private partnerships.
SIA No provision SIA has to be undertaken in case of every
acquisition.
Compensation Based on the market value Market value doubled in rural areas and not in
urban area
Market Value Based on the current use of land. Explicitly
prohibits using the intended use of land
while computing market value.
Higher of: (a) value specified for stamp duty, and
(b) average of the top 50% by recorded price of
sale of land in the vicinity.
Solatium 30 % 100 %Resale of land No provision. Prior permission of the government required.
Sharing of
profit
No provision. If the acquired land is unused and is transferred,
20% of the profits shall be shared with the
original land owners.
R&R No provision. R&R necessary for all affected families. Minimum
R&R entitlements to be provided to each affected
family specified.
KEY ISSUES AND ANALYSIS
It is not clear whether Parliament has jurisdiction to impose rehabilitation and resettlement requirements on private purchase
of agricultural land.
The requirement of a Social Impact Assessment for every acquisition without a minimum thresholdmay delay the
implementation of certain government programmes.
Projects involving land acquisition and undertaken by private companies or public private partnerships require the consent o
80 per cent of the people affected. However, no such consent is required in case of PSUs.
The market value is based on recent reported transactions. This value is doubled in rural areas to arrive at the compensation
amount. This method may not lead to an accurate adjustment for the possible underreporting of prices in land transactions.
The government can temporarily acquire land for a maximum period of three years. There is no provision for rehabilitation
and resettlement in such cases
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All the best
Hope this material helps my NEWSPAPER programme students
Jai Hind
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