Introduction
In this article I will be writing about the Tax Deduction at Source(TDS) and the rate for some of the TDS. We all aware that we need to pay the Income Tax for our income. In some cases the employer will be taking care of paying the total tax amount to the government in behalf of all the employees by deducting the tax amount from their salaries. This process is called TDS or Tax Deduction at Source. This article will explore some of the facts related to TDS. Please post your doubts in the comments section. If you like the post, subscribe to our future articles here.
What is TDS?
Taxes are deducted at the time of calculating your income. For example, your are working for a company X. Every money they will be paying you the salary of Rs.350000. If you are looking into your payslip there is a colum name IT which mention the tax amount deducted from your salary. Actully the tax amount is deducted by your company and then pays to the government. Where as if you are not working for any company or doing the professional jobs like Doctor,Charted Accountant(CA),etc. You are liable to pay the tax to the government.
Who is eligible for TDS?
Not every one can deduct the tax at source. You have to apply for the Tax Deduction Account Number(TAN). TAN or Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number is a 10 digit alpha numeric number required to be obtained by all persons who are responsible for deducting or collecting tax. It is compulsory to quote TAN in TDS/TCS return (including any e-TDS/TCS return), any TDS/TCS payment challan and TDS/TCS certificates.
How to apply for TAN?
An application for allotment of TAN is to be filed in Form 49B and submitted at any of the TIN Facilitation Centres meant for receipt of e-TDS returns. Addresses of the TIN FC are available at www.incometaxindia.gov.in or http://tin.nsdl.com. TAN is allotted by the Income Tax Department on the basis of the application submitted to TIN Facilitation Centres managed by NSDL. NSDL will intimate the TAN which will be required to be mentioned in all future correspondence relating to TDS/TCS.
In this article I have explained about the TDS and how to obtain the TAN. This is the basic knowledge on TDS and TAN.
TDS ON FIXED DEPOSIT OF BANK
Introduction
When you open a fixed deposit account in the bank, the interest paid for the deposit will be taxable income and the banker will deduct the tax at source and pay you the remaining income to your account. This process is called as Tax Deduction at Source(TDS).The intention of this article is not to avoid the TDS on Fixed Deposit income all the times. But, there is cases where the TDS is not applicable but still the banks may cut the income from the source. It can be avoided if you act wisely and submit the required forms. This article intend to explore that in detail. If you have any doubts please post it in the comments section.
TDS on Fixed Deposit
The following are the some important points on TDS on fixed deposit:
1. Interest on fixed deposit is taxable and will be deductible from the source.
2. If the total interest amount of up to Rs.10000 is not taxable.
3. If the total amount exceeds Rs.10000, 10% will be deducted as the tax.
4. Tax liability for TDS purpose is determined at branch level. So, it is advisable to split the deposits into different branches and cut the tax rate.
Top 5 Rules for Fixed Deposit Investment
In this article I will be writing about the important points to consider while opening the fixed deposit account. This post is intend to list some of the key points which you must be aware before opening the fixed deposit account.
1. Split Your Fixed Deposit
You have to split the fixed deposit to avoid the TDS(Tax deduction at Source). If the total interest is more than Rs.10000 in a branch for the specific year, then TDS must be paid. To avoid that please split the fixed deposit and invest in the different banks.
2. Plan the Tenure
It is important to plan the number of years you want to keep the deposit. Banks will charge as penalty if you are foreclosing the deposit account. Please ask the banker for penalty applicable for the foreclosing.
3. Appoint a Nominee
Always appoint a nominee for your fixed deposit to avoid the hassle free release of amount after you. If you are not appointing any nominee, they will have to bring any of the heirs proof certificate to receive the money.
4. Check the compound interest policies
This is one of the important consideration while opening a fixed deposit account. When you hear the rate of interest is 8.0% p.a., first thing you have to ask whether it is compounded quarterly, half-yearly or yearly. If the interest is compounded quarterly, then the return rate of interest will be potentially more than the actual one.
5. Learn about taxable FD investment
If you are not aware that the FD savings can be used for tax benefits, please learn about the tax savings on fixed deposit. It has limitation of Rs.100000 under section 80c. Might be useful if you are looking for the same one.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
GOLD- A BEGINEER'S GUIDE
GOLD- A BEGINEER'S GUIDE
For centuries gold has been coveted for its unique blend of near indestructibility, beauty, rarity and because of its status as a universal currency. Empires and nations have sought to possess gold as a medium of international exchange, as a store of wealth and in order to increase and preserve power. Individuals have used gold as a store of wealth and as insurance against the fluctuations and depreciation of paper money and other macroeconomic and geopolitical risks. Perhaps no other market in the world has the universal appeal of the gold market.
Successful investing is about the diversification and management of risk. In layman's terms this means not having all your eggs in one basket. We know from history that markets can and do crash and if you are not diversified your entire nest egg can be wiped out.
So a healthy portfolio includes a wide range of assets including a variety of equities with exposures to different market sectors and regions; a variety of different countries’ bonds; a diversified property portfolio; a cash component and a 5-15% allocation to gold-related investments and gold bullion. The key is to determine what amount of each asset class to have. In a globalised and increasingly integrated global economy, a portfolio should be compiled based upon current global macroeconomic fundamentals.
Some exposure to gold should be included in all diversified portfolios. A good rule of thumb would be a minimum allocation of around 10% to gold and related gold-investments.
One’s motivation for buying gold is fundamental to deciding in which form you should buy it. Are you a speculator, investor or saver? Do you wish to take a short term speculative position in gold? Are you investing for the short, medium or long term? Or are you diversifying, saving or using gold as a form of financial insurance?
Investing in physical gold
Physical gold should form a part of every properly diversified portfolio. It is a universal finite currency, held by every central bank of note in the world . In the same way that the family home should not be regarded as an investment, gold is not an investment per se, rather a form of ‘saving for a rainy day’ or of financial insurance. It is to be taken possession of or stored with a secure third party and should not be traded. One does not trade an insurance policy and thus as a form of financial insurance, physical gold should not be traded.
Gold bullion is the ultimate safe haven asset and a great way, if not the best way, of ensuring wealth preservation and for passing wealth from one generation to the next. Once the solid base or core holding of gold bullion is achieved in a portfolio then other investments in gold such as mining stocks and mutual funds and other more speculative gold investments can be considered.
The World Gold Council is an excellent resource for investors wishing to further assess and study the various ways to buy gold.
Investing in gold: conclusion
As we have seen, there are major differences in the various motivations for buying gold and ways to buy gold – from trading and speculating to investing and saving.
Holding precious metals in a portfolio can provide distinct benefits in the form of speculative gains, investment gains, hedging against macroeconomic and geopolitical risk and / or wealth preservation. Traditional asset allocation theory, as represented by the investment pyramid, advocates higher risk speculations at the top, with lower risk assets at the bottom. Commodity futures contracts, options and exploration junior mining companies should be placed at the top of the pyramid, while cash equivalents and fully allocated or taken delivery of physical bullion should form the foundation or base.
Experienced and knowledgeable investors have long known that gold and gold related investments can be solid investment choices. Gold is stable in times of global geopolitical instability and when there is economic uncertainty, recessions and depressions. It is important that investors look at their portfolios holistically. Used correctly, gold and gold related investments can be highly effective components of a properly diversified investment portfolio.
For centuries gold has been coveted for its unique blend of near indestructibility, beauty, rarity and because of its status as a universal currency. Empires and nations have sought to possess gold as a medium of international exchange, as a store of wealth and in order to increase and preserve power. Individuals have used gold as a store of wealth and as insurance against the fluctuations and depreciation of paper money and other macroeconomic and geopolitical risks. Perhaps no other market in the world has the universal appeal of the gold market.
Successful investing is about the diversification and management of risk. In layman's terms this means not having all your eggs in one basket. We know from history that markets can and do crash and if you are not diversified your entire nest egg can be wiped out.
So a healthy portfolio includes a wide range of assets including a variety of equities with exposures to different market sectors and regions; a variety of different countries’ bonds; a diversified property portfolio; a cash component and a 5-15% allocation to gold-related investments and gold bullion. The key is to determine what amount of each asset class to have. In a globalised and increasingly integrated global economy, a portfolio should be compiled based upon current global macroeconomic fundamentals.
Some exposure to gold should be included in all diversified portfolios. A good rule of thumb would be a minimum allocation of around 10% to gold and related gold-investments.
One’s motivation for buying gold is fundamental to deciding in which form you should buy it. Are you a speculator, investor or saver? Do you wish to take a short term speculative position in gold? Are you investing for the short, medium or long term? Or are you diversifying, saving or using gold as a form of financial insurance?
Investing in physical gold
Physical gold should form a part of every properly diversified portfolio. It is a universal finite currency, held by every central bank of note in the world . In the same way that the family home should not be regarded as an investment, gold is not an investment per se, rather a form of ‘saving for a rainy day’ or of financial insurance. It is to be taken possession of or stored with a secure third party and should not be traded. One does not trade an insurance policy and thus as a form of financial insurance, physical gold should not be traded.
Gold bullion is the ultimate safe haven asset and a great way, if not the best way, of ensuring wealth preservation and for passing wealth from one generation to the next. Once the solid base or core holding of gold bullion is achieved in a portfolio then other investments in gold such as mining stocks and mutual funds and other more speculative gold investments can be considered.
The World Gold Council is an excellent resource for investors wishing to further assess and study the various ways to buy gold.
Investing in gold: conclusion
As we have seen, there are major differences in the various motivations for buying gold and ways to buy gold – from trading and speculating to investing and saving.
Holding precious metals in a portfolio can provide distinct benefits in the form of speculative gains, investment gains, hedging against macroeconomic and geopolitical risk and / or wealth preservation. Traditional asset allocation theory, as represented by the investment pyramid, advocates higher risk speculations at the top, with lower risk assets at the bottom. Commodity futures contracts, options and exploration junior mining companies should be placed at the top of the pyramid, while cash equivalents and fully allocated or taken delivery of physical bullion should form the foundation or base.
Experienced and knowledgeable investors have long known that gold and gold related investments can be solid investment choices. Gold is stable in times of global geopolitical instability and when there is economic uncertainty, recessions and depressions. It is important that investors look at their portfolios holistically. Used correctly, gold and gold related investments can be highly effective components of a properly diversified investment portfolio.
INSPIRING QUOTES
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"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
--Melody Beattie
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"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
--Melody Beattie
===========================================================
Friday, September 25, 2009
Our aim is to eradicate all types of poverty, says CM
BY YUVRAJ DAHAL
“People think that poverty means economic poverty but our aim is to eradicate all types of poverties like mental poverty, economic poverty and literary poverty which are all interrelated. Until a person is relieved from captivity of mental poverty, it will not possible for him to achieve prosperity. A mentally rich person can be rich in all aspects”.
This is said by Sikkim Democratic Front President and Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling on Tuesday, September 22.
SDF observed the day at party headquarters as “Garibee Unmulan Diwas” (poverty eradication day) and also birthday of the party leader Dr. Chamling. On behalf of SDF, MLA and Chief Whip of the party, Mr. Ugen Gyatso, felicitated Chief Minister for the four India Today Group Awards he received for Sikkim recently. West Pendam Vikash Paramarsh Samiti also congratulated CM and presented him a memento. A book, “Spiritual Manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava”, written by Mr. D.T. Zimba of Meghalaya, was released by CM. Two minutes silence was observed for the death of party worker Bhim Rai.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the largely attended meeting Chief Minister said, “Sikkim would have remained in the past tradition if the revolt against the prevailing system did not take place. We have fought a battle against that system in which people were suppressed. Still we are fighting our battle against ignorance and poverty”.
He urged people to change mindset and shun poor thinking. He said, “though we have achieved economic strength up to a level, still we are lacking in mental strength”, adding, “weakness of a common man is his illiteracy”. Even educated youths are being deceived by some political opportunists and there is no end of baseless blames, he noted.
He sought every Minister’s and MLA’s contribution to run the government smoothly. He said, “A government is a group of representatives having a common goal. Every representative has a role to make the masses aware about every developmental work of the government. We are working with a vision but we too have some limitations. Programme of a government depends upon its vision. Every member of a government should bear responsibility of good governance”.
[FROM SIKKIM REPORTER]
BY YUVRAJ DAHAL
“People think that poverty means economic poverty but our aim is to eradicate all types of poverties like mental poverty, economic poverty and literary poverty which are all interrelated. Until a person is relieved from captivity of mental poverty, it will not possible for him to achieve prosperity. A mentally rich person can be rich in all aspects”.
This is said by Sikkim Democratic Front President and Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling on Tuesday, September 22.
SDF observed the day at party headquarters as “Garibee Unmulan Diwas” (poverty eradication day) and also birthday of the party leader Dr. Chamling. On behalf of SDF, MLA and Chief Whip of the party, Mr. Ugen Gyatso, felicitated Chief Minister for the four India Today Group Awards he received for Sikkim recently. West Pendam Vikash Paramarsh Samiti also congratulated CM and presented him a memento. A book, “Spiritual Manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava”, written by Mr. D.T. Zimba of Meghalaya, was released by CM. Two minutes silence was observed for the death of party worker Bhim Rai.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the largely attended meeting Chief Minister said, “Sikkim would have remained in the past tradition if the revolt against the prevailing system did not take place. We have fought a battle against that system in which people were suppressed. Still we are fighting our battle against ignorance and poverty”.
He urged people to change mindset and shun poor thinking. He said, “though we have achieved economic strength up to a level, still we are lacking in mental strength”, adding, “weakness of a common man is his illiteracy”. Even educated youths are being deceived by some political opportunists and there is no end of baseless blames, he noted.
He sought every Minister’s and MLA’s contribution to run the government smoothly. He said, “A government is a group of representatives having a common goal. Every representative has a role to make the masses aware about every developmental work of the government. We are working with a vision but we too have some limitations. Programme of a government depends upon its vision. Every member of a government should bear responsibility of good governance”.
[FROM SIKKIM REPORTER]
Pay hike to motivate teachers and attract talent in teaching
The State Cabinet in its meeting held on 17th September, 2009 approved the report of the Committee of Secretaries on the recommendation of the 4th Pay Commission and approved the revised pay and allowances proposed by the 4th Pay Commission with modifications. The 4th Pay Commission has considered it appropriate to treat the teachers as a distinct group and recommended upgradation of the pay scale of teachers and their grade pay anticipating that the enhanced pay package so recommended would motivate the teachers to bring about transformative changes in the quality of school education and also attract young talent to join teaching profession.
As the Pay fixation will take some time, the Cabinet had decided to release second installment of interim relief of Rs. 25,000/- each employee immediately due to ensuing Dasain Festival. Earlier first installment of Interim Relief of Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 20,000/- was released to Gazetted and Non-Gazetted employees respectively.
Highlights of the approval of Government on 4th State Pay Commission
PAY STRUCTURE
1. Minimum entry pay of Group D service is Rs. 7200 compared to Rs. 7000 at the Central Government.
2. New Pay Scale of Rs. 10,000/- have been introduced for Superintendent of Police and Principal Senior Secondary School.
3. Pay Scale of Rs. 7500-12500 in Health, Nursing and Forest Services has been abolished.
4. Treating teachers as a distinct group, a three tier pay structure in the Central pattern has been approved for implementation. The maximumenhancement is in the revised pay of teachers including heads of the schools. This has been given attaching prime importance to this service so that the best available talent in the State is attracted to join this profession. Furthermore, there is a general tendency among the in service teachers to join the administrative posts and this enhanced incentive would curb this tendency. In the revised pay structure of the teachers, elements of the Assured Career Progression are embedded.
5. A uniform Scheme of Assured Career Progression have been approved for the general State Government employees.
6. The Annual Increments will be payable @ 3% of the revised pay in the Pay Band and Grade Pay uniformly on First of July, each year.
ALLOWANCES
7. Dearness Allowance would be payable at par with the Central Government.
8. House Rent Allowance would be paid at the rate of 15% of the revised pay for employees posted in Sikkim, Siliguri and Darjeeling and @ 20% for those posted in New Delhi and Kolkata subject to a minimum of Rs. 1500/- per month.
9. The Difficult Area Allowance and High Altitude Allowance have also been suitably enhanced.
10. Washing Allowance to Nurses has been introduced.
11. Ration Allowance, Uniform Allowance to Police Personnel have been suitably enhanced.
12. Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) have been enhanced from the existing limit of Rs. 3.5 lakhs to Rs. 10.00 lakhs.
13. Medical Relief to the Pensioners have been enhanced from existing Rs. 500.00 to Rs. 1000.00 per month.
14. The existing practice of medical re-imbursement will be continued.
15. Over all pay structure in parity with revised Central Pay structure with some enhancement given in the selected category like 4th grade and the teachers. (With IPR input)
[FROM SIKKIM REPORTER]
The State Cabinet in its meeting held on 17th September, 2009 approved the report of the Committee of Secretaries on the recommendation of the 4th Pay Commission and approved the revised pay and allowances proposed by the 4th Pay Commission with modifications. The 4th Pay Commission has considered it appropriate to treat the teachers as a distinct group and recommended upgradation of the pay scale of teachers and their grade pay anticipating that the enhanced pay package so recommended would motivate the teachers to bring about transformative changes in the quality of school education and also attract young talent to join teaching profession.
As the Pay fixation will take some time, the Cabinet had decided to release second installment of interim relief of Rs. 25,000/- each employee immediately due to ensuing Dasain Festival. Earlier first installment of Interim Relief of Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 20,000/- was released to Gazetted and Non-Gazetted employees respectively.
Highlights of the approval of Government on 4th State Pay Commission
PAY STRUCTURE
1. Minimum entry pay of Group D service is Rs. 7200 compared to Rs. 7000 at the Central Government.
2. New Pay Scale of Rs. 10,000/- have been introduced for Superintendent of Police and Principal Senior Secondary School.
3. Pay Scale of Rs. 7500-12500 in Health, Nursing and Forest Services has been abolished.
4. Treating teachers as a distinct group, a three tier pay structure in the Central pattern has been approved for implementation. The maximumenhancement is in the revised pay of teachers including heads of the schools. This has been given attaching prime importance to this service so that the best available talent in the State is attracted to join this profession. Furthermore, there is a general tendency among the in service teachers to join the administrative posts and this enhanced incentive would curb this tendency. In the revised pay structure of the teachers, elements of the Assured Career Progression are embedded.
5. A uniform Scheme of Assured Career Progression have been approved for the general State Government employees.
6. The Annual Increments will be payable @ 3% of the revised pay in the Pay Band and Grade Pay uniformly on First of July, each year.
ALLOWANCES
7. Dearness Allowance would be payable at par with the Central Government.
8. House Rent Allowance would be paid at the rate of 15% of the revised pay for employees posted in Sikkim, Siliguri and Darjeeling and @ 20% for those posted in New Delhi and Kolkata subject to a minimum of Rs. 1500/- per month.
9. The Difficult Area Allowance and High Altitude Allowance have also been suitably enhanced.
10. Washing Allowance to Nurses has been introduced.
11. Ration Allowance, Uniform Allowance to Police Personnel have been suitably enhanced.
12. Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) have been enhanced from the existing limit of Rs. 3.5 lakhs to Rs. 10.00 lakhs.
13. Medical Relief to the Pensioners have been enhanced from existing Rs. 500.00 to Rs. 1000.00 per month.
14. The existing practice of medical re-imbursement will be continued.
15. Over all pay structure in parity with revised Central Pay structure with some enhancement given in the selected category like 4th grade and the teachers. (With IPR input)
[FROM SIKKIM REPORTER]
Think again before you go to Bagdogra Airport on your vehicle
Posted by Ravi K Changia
Think again before you go to Bagdogra Airport on your vehicle
13-Sep-2009, VoiceofSikkim : I would like to share my experience with you and would like others to benefit out of this experience of mine. Last month I travelled from New Delhi to Bagdogra. I arrived on time but my car did not arrive on time at the airport, so I had to spend around one hour outside the airport building.
During this one hour I noticed that any car coming to Bagdogra airport to drop the passenger, dropped the passenger in front of the departure building and moved out of the airport. There stay in airport was not more than five minutes. At the exit point a barricade has been put up by the parking people, who all stopped each and every car and collected parking fees and then let them go.
It was something very strange that even those cars which did not park in the parking area had to pay parking fees. When my car arrived, and we moved out, we were also stopped by the same people and were asked to pay the parking fees. On my arguing that I never parked my car in the parking area, instead car came in and picked me up and is going out, I was insisted on paying the parking fees.
I moved to the airport manager and explained him the whole situation. Then the manager spoke to the parking people and I was allowed to go without payment of parking fee.
To clarify the matter I requested for the information regarding the payment of fees from the Airport Authority under the provisions of RTI Act. I got their reply and same is scanned and attached.
As per the clarification if one drops a passenger in front of the airport building and moves out straight, then that car should not be charged any fees for the same.
Daily around 10 flight take-off and land at Bagdogra airport. If in those 10 flight 100 passengers travel then in total 1000 passengers move out of Bagdogra airport. To drop those 1000 passengers at least 500 cars come to drop them and of which 90% move out straight without going to the parking area.
So as per the above explanation, following amount is taken from public.
Parking fees per car Rs. 35/-
Number of Cars moving out straight per day =500 x 90%= 450 cars
Wrong amount collected per day = 450 x 35= Rs. 15750/-
Wrong amount collected per month = 15750 x 30= Rs. 4, 72, 500/-
Wrong amount collected per year = 15750 x 365= Rs. 57, 48, 750/-
As people are not aware of it people pay this money. So kindly help me to make public aware of this and save public money of Rs. 57, 48, 750/- going to wrong hands through cheating people every year.
Best wishes,
R.C.Mintri Road
Kalimpong-743401
Tel:+913552259656
Mobile:+919800871234
E-mail: ravi@changias.com
ravichangia@gmail.com
Posted by Ravi K Changia
Think again before you go to Bagdogra Airport on your vehicle
13-Sep-2009, VoiceofSikkim : I would like to share my experience with you and would like others to benefit out of this experience of mine. Last month I travelled from New Delhi to Bagdogra. I arrived on time but my car did not arrive on time at the airport, so I had to spend around one hour outside the airport building.
During this one hour I noticed that any car coming to Bagdogra airport to drop the passenger, dropped the passenger in front of the departure building and moved out of the airport. There stay in airport was not more than five minutes. At the exit point a barricade has been put up by the parking people, who all stopped each and every car and collected parking fees and then let them go.
It was something very strange that even those cars which did not park in the parking area had to pay parking fees. When my car arrived, and we moved out, we were also stopped by the same people and were asked to pay the parking fees. On my arguing that I never parked my car in the parking area, instead car came in and picked me up and is going out, I was insisted on paying the parking fees.
I moved to the airport manager and explained him the whole situation. Then the manager spoke to the parking people and I was allowed to go without payment of parking fee.
To clarify the matter I requested for the information regarding the payment of fees from the Airport Authority under the provisions of RTI Act. I got their reply and same is scanned and attached.
As per the clarification if one drops a passenger in front of the airport building and moves out straight, then that car should not be charged any fees for the same.
Daily around 10 flight take-off and land at Bagdogra airport. If in those 10 flight 100 passengers travel then in total 1000 passengers move out of Bagdogra airport. To drop those 1000 passengers at least 500 cars come to drop them and of which 90% move out straight without going to the parking area.
So as per the above explanation, following amount is taken from public.
Parking fees per car Rs. 35/-
Number of Cars moving out straight per day =500 x 90%= 450 cars
Wrong amount collected per day = 450 x 35= Rs. 15750/-
Wrong amount collected per month = 15750 x 30= Rs. 4, 72, 500/-
Wrong amount collected per year = 15750 x 365= Rs. 57, 48, 750/-
As people are not aware of it people pay this money. So kindly help me to make public aware of this and save public money of Rs. 57, 48, 750/- going to wrong hands through cheating people every year.
Best wishes,
R.C.Mintri Road
Kalimpong-743401
Tel:+913552259656
Mobile:+919800871234
E-mail: ravi@changias.com
ravichangia@gmail.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Union Government asks State Governments to implement smart card based issuance of driving licenses by December end
24 sept 2009 18:17 IST
The Centre has asked State Governments to implement the smart card based issuance of driving licenses by 31st December, 2009. The scheme would ensure uniformity and inter- operability through out the country. The deadline was given at the meeting of the Principal Secretary / Secretary / Commissioner (Transport) of all the States / UTs held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on Thursday in Delhi.
Various other issues such as new National Permit regime, issues relating to High Security Registration Plate scheme, implementation of IT projects like creation of State Registers / National Register of Driving License(DL) & Registration Certificates(RC) and provision for adequate transport facilities for women were discussed at the meeting.
There was unanimity among the States to evolve a system for seamless movement of goods vehicles across the country and to make the National Permit truly national in character. It was decided that the States would consider the new composite fee regime of Rs.15, 000/- per annum per truck authorizing operations throughout the country. The States / UTs would take necessary measures to shift to e-payment system of collection of composite fee. At present, the National Permit is issued for operation in a minimum of 3 contiguous states besides the home state chosen by the applicant for such a permit.
It was also decided that the committee earlier constituted by the Ministry on the modalities of implementation of the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) scheme would also come out with model terms and conditions of the tender to be followed by States / UTs. The recommendations of the Committee would be only suggestive in nature. The deliberations of the Committee would be an exercise exclusive of the independent decisions to be taken by individual States and UTs. It was left to the States to take a judicious decision to implement the directions of the Supreme Court on HRSP and in case they decide to keep the implementation on hold, the responsibility would squarely lie on them.
The State Governments were also asked to take various measures such as increase in frequency of special buses for women, special peak hour service, re-designing of routes keeping in view the safety of women and the demand for such services to enhance passenger transport facility for working women. States and UTs were asked to seek involvement of the employers to provide pick and drop facility for women.
RS
24 sept 2009 18:17 IST
The Centre has asked State Governments to implement the smart card based issuance of driving licenses by 31st December, 2009. The scheme would ensure uniformity and inter- operability through out the country. The deadline was given at the meeting of the Principal Secretary / Secretary / Commissioner (Transport) of all the States / UTs held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on Thursday in Delhi.
Various other issues such as new National Permit regime, issues relating to High Security Registration Plate scheme, implementation of IT projects like creation of State Registers / National Register of Driving License(DL) & Registration Certificates(RC) and provision for adequate transport facilities for women were discussed at the meeting.
There was unanimity among the States to evolve a system for seamless movement of goods vehicles across the country and to make the National Permit truly national in character. It was decided that the States would consider the new composite fee regime of Rs.15, 000/- per annum per truck authorizing operations throughout the country. The States / UTs would take necessary measures to shift to e-payment system of collection of composite fee. At present, the National Permit is issued for operation in a minimum of 3 contiguous states besides the home state chosen by the applicant for such a permit.
It was also decided that the committee earlier constituted by the Ministry on the modalities of implementation of the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) scheme would also come out with model terms and conditions of the tender to be followed by States / UTs. The recommendations of the Committee would be only suggestive in nature. The deliberations of the Committee would be an exercise exclusive of the independent decisions to be taken by individual States and UTs. It was left to the States to take a judicious decision to implement the directions of the Supreme Court on HRSP and in case they decide to keep the implementation on hold, the responsibility would squarely lie on them.
The State Governments were also asked to take various measures such as increase in frequency of special buses for women, special peak hour service, re-designing of routes keeping in view the safety of women and the demand for such services to enhance passenger transport facility for working women. States and UTs were asked to seek involvement of the employers to provide pick and drop facility for women.
RS
Earthquake:
The seven northeastern states — Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur — are considered by seismologists as the sixth major earthquake prone belt in the world. In 1897, the region experienced India’s worst earthquake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, killing 1,600 people.
The seven northeastern states — Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur — are considered by seismologists as the sixth major earthquake prone belt in the world. In 1897, the region experienced India’s worst earthquake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, killing 1,600 people.
Naxalites:
Violence has been consistently witnessed in about 400 police stations areas of about 90 districts in 13 of these States. Last year 1,591 incidents of Naxalite violence, resulting in 721 killings, were reported from 399 police stations areas of 87 districts of 13 States.
Latest statistics reveal that the Naxalites have their pockets of influence in 20 States. More than 20,000 police station areas in 223 districts in these States had been affected.
Violence has been consistently witnessed in about 400 police stations areas of about 90 districts in 13 of these States. Last year 1,591 incidents of Naxalite violence, resulting in 721 killings, were reported from 399 police stations areas of 87 districts of 13 States.
Latest statistics reveal that the Naxalites have their pockets of influence in 20 States. More than 20,000 police station areas in 223 districts in these States had been affected.
P D RAI UNUSUAL POLITICIAN
Ganesh Nadar meets a most unusual politician.
Prem Das Rai is a member of the Lok Sabha with degrees from both the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management. The articulate Sikkim Democratic Front MP has a degree in chemical engineering from IIT-Kanpur and an MBA from the prestigious IIM-Ahmedabad.
Soon after graduating, he worked for Bank of America in Kolkata [ Images ] before going back to Sikkim to join the government. He served as deputy chairman of the state planning commission and headed various organisations until he entered politics.
He spoke to rediff.com in a modest room at Sikkim House in New Delhi [ Images ].
What kind of reactions do you evoke in other MPs because of your IIT, IIM badge?
They treat me with a lot of respect. Many of them have told me that I speak well. There are not many IIT, IIM graduates in politics because the moment they graduate, they are sought out by the corporate world. They want to do other things or start their own businesses.
In the IITs and IIMs, you are not attuned to politics. How you go through a particular channel tunes you for your future, right? Essentially it is just that. I am one of those lucky ones who sought out politics as an eventual career option.
Is there a place for the highly qualified professional in politics?
I think so and there is a greater need for that now. I can assure you that if there were five of us in Parliament today with similar views we could make a lot more difference.
Don't you think the Northeast's representation in the Union ministry is very small, if you consider its large geographical area?
We have a Cabinet minister from Assam and two ministers of state from the region. It is not less, but the distribution could have been better. Both the MPs from Meghalaya are ministers. That's lopsided.
Why is there so little knowledge about the Northeast in the rest of India?
The Northeast is known as an insurgency prone area. The Naga issue, Bodo issue, ULFA issue, only these get media coverage.
The Northeast is the biodiversity saviour of the country. I had mentioned that in Parliament. Thirty to 40 per cent of the biodiversity of the country is housed in the Northeast.
It is the battery of India. Not only oil and gas but it has a hydroelectricity capacity of 70,000 MW. It has so much colour and diversity within itself. Those nuances have never been brought to the fore.
Do you think the lack of infrastructure is a reason for this lack of knowledge?
The government has always viewed the Northeast as a security issue. Now they have realised that it mustn't be only about security and it must get the full embracement of development.
Another aspect is that all the borders are closed. More than 4,000 kilometres of border area with Myanmar, Bangladesh and China is closed. There is no form of trade there.
Do you think the Northeast has been discriminated by the rest of the country?
I wouldn't say discrimination. I studied in Mussoorie, Kanpur and Ahmedabad [ Images ]. I was never made to feel that I am an outsider. In Parliament also I feel at home.
I have had the most wonderful school experience and college education.
The Northeast is said to have enough hydroelectric power for the entire country. Why has this not been developed?
It is a difficult proposition. You need the resources. There are land issues. There is a lot of geology involved. It has to be harmonious with nature. There are a host of issues.
There are a lot of people who are against dams. Not only large dams, there are people who will object to anything that you do.
It is a very complex process. We in Sikkim are facing that. We are seeing the problems and working on how we can tackle it.
The Government of India had never seen the potential earlier. Only in the last 10 years have they looked at it seriously. There is going to be a shortage of power and shortage of water. The Northeast is going to be the place to be in.
How would you tackle militancy in the Northeast?
I am from Sikkim, it's the most peaceful state. I don't have an answer. There is no easy answer. It is very complex. You must find where it comes from. The Government of India has tried almost everything.
Take Manipur, for instance. It needs a different treatment because it has a political dimension to it. It's not just a law and order problem. It's about a host of issues emanating from politics.
Manipur has people in the valley and people in the hills. People in the hills are sitting on 80 per cent of the land and they make just 20 per cent of the population. Can you imagine the imbalance? That itself is the fault line.
How do you solve that in a democratic way? In a democratic process?
The Nagas are indulging in violence and the government is countering it. To achieve peace this is not the way. So these are very complex problems. There are other issues like the Bodo problem.
All these issues come out of the feeling of marginalisation.
The Assamese have a different flavour to it. They have to be dealt with differently. If I had to do it? If I was given the task to do it? I would use a lot of social and political tools.
Naxalism is different from militancy. Even in Naxalism, the issues in one part of the country are not the same as the ones in a different part. I have heard it in Parliament -- 'This has worked in Andhra Pradesh and so it should be implemented in other states too.'
Mr P Chidambaram [ Images ] is a very senior person and also understands development. Perhaps he will look at the social processes. He is sinking his teeth into it. The steps he takes will be much better than what we have seen so far.
What is the Chinese threat on the ground?
In Sikkim there is no perceptible threat. We are on the Chinese border. There are occasional incursions. They come here. Our people go there. There is some bit of tension. That's a border issue.
India and China need to sort out the border issue. Today it's not about any country invading another country. Today it is about insurgency and counter insurgency.
You fight proxy wars within your country because it is fermented from somewhere else. The movement of information and money, all that effect is there. There is no threat of taking over the territory of another country. That's my personal view.
What are your plans for your constituency?
Education, power and water.
INTERVIEW BY GANESH NADAR
22 SEPT 2009
Prem Das Rai is a member of the Lok Sabha with degrees from both the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management. The articulate Sikkim Democratic Front MP has a degree in chemical engineering from IIT-Kanpur and an MBA from the prestigious IIM-Ahmedabad.
Soon after graduating, he worked for Bank of America in Kolkata [ Images ] before going back to Sikkim to join the government. He served as deputy chairman of the state planning commission and headed various organisations until he entered politics.
He spoke to rediff.com in a modest room at Sikkim House in New Delhi [ Images ].
What kind of reactions do you evoke in other MPs because of your IIT, IIM badge?
They treat me with a lot of respect. Many of them have told me that I speak well. There are not many IIT, IIM graduates in politics because the moment they graduate, they are sought out by the corporate world. They want to do other things or start their own businesses.
In the IITs and IIMs, you are not attuned to politics. How you go through a particular channel tunes you for your future, right? Essentially it is just that. I am one of those lucky ones who sought out politics as an eventual career option.
Is there a place for the highly qualified professional in politics?
I think so and there is a greater need for that now. I can assure you that if there were five of us in Parliament today with similar views we could make a lot more difference.
Don't you think the Northeast's representation in the Union ministry is very small, if you consider its large geographical area?
We have a Cabinet minister from Assam and two ministers of state from the region. It is not less, but the distribution could have been better. Both the MPs from Meghalaya are ministers. That's lopsided.
Why is there so little knowledge about the Northeast in the rest of India?
The Northeast is known as an insurgency prone area. The Naga issue, Bodo issue, ULFA issue, only these get media coverage.
The Northeast is the biodiversity saviour of the country. I had mentioned that in Parliament. Thirty to 40 per cent of the biodiversity of the country is housed in the Northeast.
It is the battery of India. Not only oil and gas but it has a hydroelectricity capacity of 70,000 MW. It has so much colour and diversity within itself. Those nuances have never been brought to the fore.
Do you think the lack of infrastructure is a reason for this lack of knowledge?
The government has always viewed the Northeast as a security issue. Now they have realised that it mustn't be only about security and it must get the full embracement of development.
Another aspect is that all the borders are closed. More than 4,000 kilometres of border area with Myanmar, Bangladesh and China is closed. There is no form of trade there.
Do you think the Northeast has been discriminated by the rest of the country?
I wouldn't say discrimination. I studied in Mussoorie, Kanpur and Ahmedabad [ Images ]. I was never made to feel that I am an outsider. In Parliament also I feel at home.
I have had the most wonderful school experience and college education.
The Northeast is said to have enough hydroelectric power for the entire country. Why has this not been developed?
It is a difficult proposition. You need the resources. There are land issues. There is a lot of geology involved. It has to be harmonious with nature. There are a host of issues.
There are a lot of people who are against dams. Not only large dams, there are people who will object to anything that you do.
It is a very complex process. We in Sikkim are facing that. We are seeing the problems and working on how we can tackle it.
The Government of India had never seen the potential earlier. Only in the last 10 years have they looked at it seriously. There is going to be a shortage of power and shortage of water. The Northeast is going to be the place to be in.
How would you tackle militancy in the Northeast?
I am from Sikkim, it's the most peaceful state. I don't have an answer. There is no easy answer. It is very complex. You must find where it comes from. The Government of India has tried almost everything.
Take Manipur, for instance. It needs a different treatment because it has a political dimension to it. It's not just a law and order problem. It's about a host of issues emanating from politics.
Manipur has people in the valley and people in the hills. People in the hills are sitting on 80 per cent of the land and they make just 20 per cent of the population. Can you imagine the imbalance? That itself is the fault line.
How do you solve that in a democratic way? In a democratic process?
The Nagas are indulging in violence and the government is countering it. To achieve peace this is not the way. So these are very complex problems. There are other issues like the Bodo problem.
All these issues come out of the feeling of marginalisation.
The Assamese have a different flavour to it. They have to be dealt with differently. If I had to do it? If I was given the task to do it? I would use a lot of social and political tools.
Naxalism is different from militancy. Even in Naxalism, the issues in one part of the country are not the same as the ones in a different part. I have heard it in Parliament -- 'This has worked in Andhra Pradesh and so it should be implemented in other states too.'
Mr P Chidambaram [ Images ] is a very senior person and also understands development. Perhaps he will look at the social processes. He is sinking his teeth into it. The steps he takes will be much better than what we have seen so far.
What is the Chinese threat on the ground?
In Sikkim there is no perceptible threat. We are on the Chinese border. There are occasional incursions. They come here. Our people go there. There is some bit of tension. That's a border issue.
India and China need to sort out the border issue. Today it's not about any country invading another country. Today it is about insurgency and counter insurgency.
You fight proxy wars within your country because it is fermented from somewhere else. The movement of information and money, all that effect is there. There is no threat of taking over the territory of another country. That's my personal view.
What are your plans for your constituency?
Education, power and water.
INTERVIEW BY GANESH NADAR
22 SEPT 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Daily Economic Comment- GOLD
And while we are on the topic of gold, Don Luskin, Chief Investment Officer of Trend Macrolytics also believes that investors should buy gold to counter inflation. Given the nature of stimulus packages, it is widely believed that we'll be staring at runaway inflation if central banks do not get their exit strategies right.
In his view, some commodities like gold and silver are inflation plays while some, like crude oil, are plays on the industrial cycle. Mr. Luskin believes that fiat currencies (i.e. whose value is based on the government's word) are impossible to control. In fact, no country has a good history of managing inflation. Thus, if it is inflation one is worried about, gold is the best bet. In fact, experts believe that the yellow metal is headed towards US$ 2000. It is not a question of 'if' but 'when'.
And while we are on the topic of gold, Don Luskin, Chief Investment Officer of Trend Macrolytics also believes that investors should buy gold to counter inflation. Given the nature of stimulus packages, it is widely believed that we'll be staring at runaway inflation if central banks do not get their exit strategies right.
In his view, some commodities like gold and silver are inflation plays while some, like crude oil, are plays on the industrial cycle. Mr. Luskin believes that fiat currencies (i.e. whose value is based on the government's word) are impossible to control. In fact, no country has a good history of managing inflation. Thus, if it is inflation one is worried about, gold is the best bet. In fact, experts believe that the yellow metal is headed towards US$ 2000. It is not a question of 'if' but 'when'.
Chamling Turned 60
GANGTOK, September 22: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling turned 60 years today.
A simple and brief ceremony was organized today at the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Bhawan here to celebrate Mr. Chamling’s birthday, which coincided with the celebration of Garib Unmulan Diwas
The party chief cut his birthday cake and later expressed his happiness to the people of Sikkim for their love and blessings.
Mr. Chamling was born on September 22, 1950 to Asha Rani and Ash Bahadur Chamling at Yangang in South Sikkim.
GANGTOK, September 22: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling turned 60 years today.
A simple and brief ceremony was organized today at the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Bhawan here to celebrate Mr. Chamling’s birthday, which coincided with the celebration of Garib Unmulan Diwas
The party chief cut his birthday cake and later expressed his happiness to the people of Sikkim for their love and blessings.
Mr. Chamling was born on September 22, 1950 to Asha Rani and Ash Bahadur Chamling at Yangang in South Sikkim.
CM makes a series of announcement on Garib Unmulan Diwas
NIRMAL MANGAR
GANGTOK, September 22: The Dasain bonanza was well timed. The twin celebrations – Sikkim Democratic Front’s (SDF) Garib Unmulan Diwas and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s 60th birthday was apt time for the SDF chief today to announce the 4th pay scale revision for all the State Government employees.
The programme attended by a large number of party supporters began with the cutting of the birthday cake by Mr. Chamling followed by the birthday song sung by the party workers.
In his three-hour long address, the Chief Minister highlighted the key developmental mantras needed for the development of Sikkim in the years to come. He said, the main objective of Garib Unmulan Diwas was not just meant for poverty eradication but also to free people from the clutches of negativities.
“Out of 1, 14, 000 houses in Sikkim, the Government has sanctioned funds for construction and renovation for 80,000 houses,” he said adding that the Central Government has already sanctioned Rs 13,000 crores for railway development up to Rangpo”. A sum of Rs 42 crores has been additionally allocated from Rangpo to Gangtok and the process is underway from Gangtok to Nathula, the Chief Minister said.
At the same time, he raised the need of more land near the Green Field Airport at Pakyong and invited interested land owners to give their lands at reasonable rates. The Chief Minister also announced that all the roads in the nook and corner of the State would soon be carpeted.
Resenting that many people with vested interests are causing provocation among educated youths in the name of caste, religion and community, the Chief Minister said, youths should turn deaf ear to such negative energies. For the legislators, Mr. Chamling hinted on maintaining discipline, uniformity and unity within the party. “The true leader always tries to bring paradigm shift in the thinking process of the people,” he said.
He further informed of visiting his constituency after Dasain holidays mainly to discuss the developmental aspects for the next five years.
While sharing his plan of giving another round of beautifying Gangtok, the Chief Minister opined of naming the National Highway 31-A from Deorali to Metro Point as Fashion Street and from Paljor Stadium to Sichey as Food Street.
While Fashion Street would have all kinds of branded retail shops, Food Street would have jaunts where both locals and visitors can savour their favourite food, he said.
In the same vein, he advised the youths to honour dignity of labour and urged them to follow the same without any second thoughts. As far as industrial set ups are concerned, the Chief Minister suggested abolishing contractual system for the deployment of local workers in their establishment. Mr. Chamling further urged the youth to upgrade themselves while announcing that more government job vacancies are in the anvil.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released two books – ‘Spiritual Manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava’ and ‘Sikkim Janadesh’.
The celebration also marked felicitation to the Chief Minister by the party workers for winning four awards in the recently held India Today State of the States Conclave in New Delhi.
Earlier, DD Bhutia, the vice president of the party called for unity in the party with utmost dedication and sincerity. He also called for the constructive ‘parivartan’ in the party.
NIRMAL MANGAR
GANGTOK, September 22: The Dasain bonanza was well timed. The twin celebrations – Sikkim Democratic Front’s (SDF) Garib Unmulan Diwas and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s 60th birthday was apt time for the SDF chief today to announce the 4th pay scale revision for all the State Government employees.
The programme attended by a large number of party supporters began with the cutting of the birthday cake by Mr. Chamling followed by the birthday song sung by the party workers.
In his three-hour long address, the Chief Minister highlighted the key developmental mantras needed for the development of Sikkim in the years to come. He said, the main objective of Garib Unmulan Diwas was not just meant for poverty eradication but also to free people from the clutches of negativities.
“Out of 1, 14, 000 houses in Sikkim, the Government has sanctioned funds for construction and renovation for 80,000 houses,” he said adding that the Central Government has already sanctioned Rs 13,000 crores for railway development up to Rangpo”. A sum of Rs 42 crores has been additionally allocated from Rangpo to Gangtok and the process is underway from Gangtok to Nathula, the Chief Minister said.
At the same time, he raised the need of more land near the Green Field Airport at Pakyong and invited interested land owners to give their lands at reasonable rates. The Chief Minister also announced that all the roads in the nook and corner of the State would soon be carpeted.
Resenting that many people with vested interests are causing provocation among educated youths in the name of caste, religion and community, the Chief Minister said, youths should turn deaf ear to such negative energies. For the legislators, Mr. Chamling hinted on maintaining discipline, uniformity and unity within the party. “The true leader always tries to bring paradigm shift in the thinking process of the people,” he said.
He further informed of visiting his constituency after Dasain holidays mainly to discuss the developmental aspects for the next five years.
While sharing his plan of giving another round of beautifying Gangtok, the Chief Minister opined of naming the National Highway 31-A from Deorali to Metro Point as Fashion Street and from Paljor Stadium to Sichey as Food Street.
While Fashion Street would have all kinds of branded retail shops, Food Street would have jaunts where both locals and visitors can savour their favourite food, he said.
In the same vein, he advised the youths to honour dignity of labour and urged them to follow the same without any second thoughts. As far as industrial set ups are concerned, the Chief Minister suggested abolishing contractual system for the deployment of local workers in their establishment. Mr. Chamling further urged the youth to upgrade themselves while announcing that more government job vacancies are in the anvil.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released two books – ‘Spiritual Manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava’ and ‘Sikkim Janadesh’.
The celebration also marked felicitation to the Chief Minister by the party workers for winning four awards in the recently held India Today State of the States Conclave in New Delhi.
Earlier, DD Bhutia, the vice president of the party called for unity in the party with utmost dedication and sincerity. He also called for the constructive ‘parivartan’ in the party.
Daily Economic Comment:
22.9.2009
India and China are primarily on the watch list of global investors for two reasons. One - they are growing at the fastest rate compared to other large economies in the world. Two - they have what can be called a 'demographic dividend' i.e. a larger population in the working age group. While in the first case China scores over India, it is vice versa in the second. However, what is probably getting neglected is the fact that not this entire demographic dividend is being put to optimum use.
There is little doubt left that Asia is going to be the economic engine that is going to drive the world on its way out of the recession. The latest confirmation comes from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which has strengthened its economic forecast for the region. As per Bloomberg, ADB expects Asia (excluding Japan) to grow by 3.9% in 2009 and 6.4% in 2010. China is expected to grow at 8.2% this year while India will clock in at 6%.
The forecast does not mean that Asia will be able to pull off the growth on its own. Given the export oriented nature of most of the Asian economies, it is crucial that the US and Europe start recovering. Moreover, it must be remembered that Asian policymakers have pumped in huge stimulus packages into their economies and it is vital that they get their exit strategy right. If they wind up the packages too early, GDP growth rates might be hit. If they are too late, we'll be staring at runaway inflation and asset bubbles.
22.9.2009
India and China are primarily on the watch list of global investors for two reasons. One - they are growing at the fastest rate compared to other large economies in the world. Two - they have what can be called a 'demographic dividend' i.e. a larger population in the working age group. While in the first case China scores over India, it is vice versa in the second. However, what is probably getting neglected is the fact that not this entire demographic dividend is being put to optimum use.
There is little doubt left that Asia is going to be the economic engine that is going to drive the world on its way out of the recession. The latest confirmation comes from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which has strengthened its economic forecast for the region. As per Bloomberg, ADB expects Asia (excluding Japan) to grow by 3.9% in 2009 and 6.4% in 2010. China is expected to grow at 8.2% this year while India will clock in at 6%.
The forecast does not mean that Asia will be able to pull off the growth on its own. Given the export oriented nature of most of the Asian economies, it is crucial that the US and Europe start recovering. Moreover, it must be remembered that Asian policymakers have pumped in huge stimulus packages into their economies and it is vital that they get their exit strategy right. If they wind up the packages too early, GDP growth rates might be hit. If they are too late, we'll be staring at runaway inflation and asset bubbles.
Connecting Rural Roads in Sikkim
22 Sept 2009 15:6 IST
The Ministry Of Rural Development has released grant in aid worth Rs. 200,00,00,000 (Rs. 20 crores) to Sikkim for construction of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).The sum is the first installment of Phase-VII of grants in aid to the Sikkim Rural Roads Development Agency. SRRDA is the state level autonomous agency for implementation of works under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country. PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hill states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.
22 Sept 2009 15:6 IST
The Ministry Of Rural Development has released grant in aid worth Rs. 200,00,00,000 (Rs. 20 crores) to Sikkim for construction of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).The sum is the first installment of Phase-VII of grants in aid to the Sikkim Rural Roads Development Agency. SRRDA is the state level autonomous agency for implementation of works under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country. PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hill states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.
Monday, September 21, 2009
National seminar on ‘Sino-Indian border relation-restoration of peace in India & Tibet’ held
‘Indian Govt should initiate peace talks with China on Tibet issue’
GANGTOK, September 20: The national convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause, Dr. Anand Kumar today said that the Indian government should take concrete steps by initiating peace talks with the Chinese government on the issue of Tibet.
He said this while presenting his papers during a national seminar on ‘Sino-Indian border relation-restoration of peace in India and Tibet’ held here today.
Mr. Kumar further said that China should now come up with conditional solution for Tibet issue rather than adopting the military solution.
The seminar was held here primarily to review the approaches of India, China and the Tibetans in exile towards the challenges creating an environment of peace and progress in the Himalayan region. Participants from major parts of Himalayan region as well as major organizations engaged in awareness building about the Tibetan cause in India attended the programme organized by Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet, India-Tibet Friendship Society in collaboration with India Tibet Co-ordination Office (ITCO), Delhi.
The seminar participants interrogated the paradoxical position of the three nations and tried to evolve a set of recommendations for making the Himalayas as the zone of peace.
Sonam Lhundup, the convener of the seminar informed that the recommendation of the seminar will be presented to the Government of India, the Government of People’s Republic of China and the Tibetan Government in exile by the core group for the Tibetan cause. The core group also intends to approach all major political parties in the Indian parliament to draw their attention for a thorough review of the changing situation on Sino-India border and inside Tibet for revising their policy on Himalayas, he added.
Tenzin Lekshay, the co-ordinator of ITCO said, the Indian and Chinese government are diverting the topic on the border dispute and is leaving the Tibetan issues aside.
‘Time has come up to review and change the policy of the Indian government on Tibetan issues,” he said. Stating that Tibetans are becoming a minority in Tibetan Autonomous Region, Mr. Lekshay said the freedom of Tibetan is based on the principles of non-violence and the teachings of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. “The Tibetan youth should come forward in taking the issue of Free Tibet forward as it is not only the matter of His Holiness but also of six million Tibetan population,” he added
PT Bhutia, the general secretary of India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Kalimpong said that the Chinese government should justify the long demand of the Tibetans.
He accused the Chinese government of not having a proper map of Tibet till date.
Udai Chettri, General Secretary of Bharat Tibet Sayog Manch said, the freedom of Tibet is the security of India. He said, the Chinese people have been rampantly involved in destroying the natural resources of Tibet and adding more pollution with reckless deforestation and trafficking the faunas and the floras.
Dundup Dorjee, the Tibetan Welfare Officer, Gangtok in his address said there will be extensive deliberation and interaction on the middle way engagement mechanism propounded by His Holiness and endorsed by the Tibetan people inside Tibet and in Tibetan Diaspora for a mutual solution.
Shri S.K.sarda urged the Tibeteans that if they really are devoted to the issue, then their community in India should take a resolution that they will not use Chinese made products however attractive/cheaper it might be. This will send a good message to the world community.
‘Indian Govt should initiate peace talks with China on Tibet issue’
GANGTOK, September 20: The national convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause, Dr. Anand Kumar today said that the Indian government should take concrete steps by initiating peace talks with the Chinese government on the issue of Tibet.
He said this while presenting his papers during a national seminar on ‘Sino-Indian border relation-restoration of peace in India and Tibet’ held here today.
Mr. Kumar further said that China should now come up with conditional solution for Tibet issue rather than adopting the military solution.
The seminar was held here primarily to review the approaches of India, China and the Tibetans in exile towards the challenges creating an environment of peace and progress in the Himalayan region. Participants from major parts of Himalayan region as well as major organizations engaged in awareness building about the Tibetan cause in India attended the programme organized by Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet, India-Tibet Friendship Society in collaboration with India Tibet Co-ordination Office (ITCO), Delhi.
The seminar participants interrogated the paradoxical position of the three nations and tried to evolve a set of recommendations for making the Himalayas as the zone of peace.
Sonam Lhundup, the convener of the seminar informed that the recommendation of the seminar will be presented to the Government of India, the Government of People’s Republic of China and the Tibetan Government in exile by the core group for the Tibetan cause. The core group also intends to approach all major political parties in the Indian parliament to draw their attention for a thorough review of the changing situation on Sino-India border and inside Tibet for revising their policy on Himalayas, he added.
Tenzin Lekshay, the co-ordinator of ITCO said, the Indian and Chinese government are diverting the topic on the border dispute and is leaving the Tibetan issues aside.
‘Time has come up to review and change the policy of the Indian government on Tibetan issues,” he said. Stating that Tibetans are becoming a minority in Tibetan Autonomous Region, Mr. Lekshay said the freedom of Tibetan is based on the principles of non-violence and the teachings of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. “The Tibetan youth should come forward in taking the issue of Free Tibet forward as it is not only the matter of His Holiness but also of six million Tibetan population,” he added
PT Bhutia, the general secretary of India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Kalimpong said that the Chinese government should justify the long demand of the Tibetans.
He accused the Chinese government of not having a proper map of Tibet till date.
Udai Chettri, General Secretary of Bharat Tibet Sayog Manch said, the freedom of Tibet is the security of India. He said, the Chinese people have been rampantly involved in destroying the natural resources of Tibet and adding more pollution with reckless deforestation and trafficking the faunas and the floras.
Dundup Dorjee, the Tibetan Welfare Officer, Gangtok in his address said there will be extensive deliberation and interaction on the middle way engagement mechanism propounded by His Holiness and endorsed by the Tibetan people inside Tibet and in Tibetan Diaspora for a mutual solution.
Shri S.K.sarda urged the Tibeteans that if they really are devoted to the issue, then their community in India should take a resolution that they will not use Chinese made products however attractive/cheaper it might be. This will send a good message to the world community.
ASEAN AND INDIA AND NORTH EAST
20 sEPT 2009
nEW dELHI
Ater signing a free trade agree ment (FTA) that will eventually lead to duty free commerce for bulk of the trade, India and the 10na tion Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc are set to start talks for opening the crucial services sector.
"Negotiations for the free trade pact (between India and Asean) on services sector will begin soon," ambassador of Thailand Krit Kraichitti said. He, how ever, said given the complex nature of issues involved among India and ten countries of SouthEast Asia, it would take about two years for the negotia tions to conclude.
Services sector is of key interest to Indian economy as it contributes over 55% to the gross domestic product. It is also emerging as an important area for export earnings for the coun try. But the sector faces hurdles such as harsh domestic regulations, includ ing those relating to visa, and the com plex tax regime.
Noting that the services sector is "very important" to multiply trade and investment between Asean countries and India, the Thai ambassador said "safeguard measures" will have to be incorporated before finalizing the pact.
"Services sector is very important.
The pact will benefit all," he said, but added that there would be safeguards built into the agreement, which will have to be "finalized carefully".
Seeking greater trade ties with India, Kraichitti said the IndoAsean FTA, to come into operation from 1 January next year, would not only enhance the regional trade but also bilateral trade between India and Thai land. He hoped that India's `Look East Pol icy' combined with Thailand's `Look West Policy' would give a quantum jump to annual bilateral trade which now stands at around $6 billion.
India last month signed an agree ment with Asean for dutyfree import and export of 4,000 products, ranging from steel to apparel to sugar and tobacco, over a period of eight years.
The pact on trade in goods under the comprehensive economic coopera tion agreement was signed after six years of negotiations
nEW dELHI
Ater signing a free trade agree ment (FTA) that will eventually lead to duty free commerce for bulk of the trade, India and the 10na tion Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc are set to start talks for opening the crucial services sector.
"Negotiations for the free trade pact (between India and Asean) on services sector will begin soon," ambassador of Thailand Krit Kraichitti said. He, how ever, said given the complex nature of issues involved among India and ten countries of SouthEast Asia, it would take about two years for the negotia tions to conclude.
Services sector is of key interest to Indian economy as it contributes over 55% to the gross domestic product. It is also emerging as an important area for export earnings for the coun try. But the sector faces hurdles such as harsh domestic regulations, includ ing those relating to visa, and the com plex tax regime.
Noting that the services sector is "very important" to multiply trade and investment between Asean countries and India, the Thai ambassador said "safeguard measures" will have to be incorporated before finalizing the pact.
"Services sector is very important.
The pact will benefit all," he said, but added that there would be safeguards built into the agreement, which will have to be "finalized carefully".
Seeking greater trade ties with India, Kraichitti said the IndoAsean FTA, to come into operation from 1 January next year, would not only enhance the regional trade but also bilateral trade between India and Thai land. He hoped that India's `Look East Pol icy' combined with Thailand's `Look West Policy' would give a quantum jump to annual bilateral trade which now stands at around $6 billion.
India last month signed an agree ment with Asean for dutyfree import and export of 4,000 products, ranging from steel to apparel to sugar and tobacco, over a period of eight years.
The pact on trade in goods under the comprehensive economic coopera tion agreement was signed after six years of negotiations
STRONG BEAR RALLY TO SET IN SOON- WARNING TO INVESTORS
The rally in share prices that began in March is not the beginning of a really long bull market, says Manish Chokhani, director of Enam Securities Ltd. In fact, the smart money is still not coming into India, says Chokhani. Most investors are waiting for a correction before entering the market, he said in an interview. Edited excerpts: It has been a bit of a pause global ly for the last few weeks. Which side do you think is it going to break?
It is a difficult period because when we met the last time, we spoke about how people will try and take it to the end of a range and, post-elections, we would go up slowly to 16,000 and then start wondering if we are ahead of ourselves.
That's what we have been do ing--wondering for the last few weeks.
Yes, and in the world as well, the currencies have reached a point where the euro is at 150 or thereabouts and the all-time high was 160. The yen is near an all-time high, so it is showing signs that currencies want to break, markets want to break and no one wants the range to break...
My sense is, though, at some point, once this quantitative easing thing ends, which is imminent in October-November, we'll start seeing pressure on interest rates in the world and this sanguine approach that we all have, that there is ample liquidity, maybe, will get questioned. So you will have a hiccup. Having said that, (in the) long term, the trend lines are very clear that you will have an extended recovery in the developed world and you'll continue to have growth in our parts of the world.
By when do you see that hiccup coming because, on that, there is some debate on whether it is this year or next year.
Of course. So no one can time that. If we did we would all be Warren Buffett and one always hates to forecast.
Is it likely that we have a blowout which takes the market to 20,000 and crude to $100 per barrel again?
Crude touching those levels is unlikely because there is already so much of crude sitting in tankers all over the world.
So I suspect in the short run crude will probably fall... Also, the rate tightening cycle in India is probably until JanuaryFebruary of the next year.
What that means is between now and December-end, if liquidity continues and you have no compelling reason to sell the market, it is possible you can break out on the upside over here.
Last time when the market went over 20,000, it looked like a clear bubble in terms of valuations.
Would this time be the same case as well or have earnings caught up enough in oneandhalf or two years?
At 16,000, it is not yet a bubble. It is pricey but then in a world of 2% interest rates it is bound to remain pricey. If you get to 20,000, we'll be really expensive and it will look like a bubble because earnings haven't caught up yet. Remember, we are predicating a lot of this on what happens in the following year and whether we have a big earnings recovery and most people, including our house, have like a 20% earnings estimate for the following year, which is 2011...
What's the trouble phase for the market? Is it the first bit of 2010 when the answer to whether li quidity will tighten or not will be answered?
It is both because if liquidity tightens while fundamentals are actually improving very steadily, (it) is not such a bad thing because it is consistent then with a bull move that the real world has appetite for money and we are happy to give better valuations to companies. What's likely though is that most people in the world have built this model that the West has recovered and you are having a V-shaped recovery over there, which I think is a bit delusionary. The patient surely has been taken into the ICU (intensive care unit) and then out of it but the patient in the West has to go through a large period of what one would call physiotherapy and in that period if we have already built in expectations that patient comes out and we start sprinting again or we start playing golf again--it is not going to happen. So periods of disappointment are ahead for the market. Also, lot of the bull case right now is built on ample liquidity, which also, I think, we'll get into a spot of bother. So my bet is first quarter next year is a very difficult patch.
So it is really a confidence issue and if you think of it, our market really broke its first range of 14,000 when the government came in because the expectation was that now we'll have policy and we'll have a sustainable trajectory of growth in this economy.
Before I talk about the government and how global investors have read it so far, from a stock market point of view where is the liquidity coming in from?
Normally, you would say that yes, if it is retail, it is normally the last leg of liquidity, which is why I am a bit worried about what lies ahead and also this year. If I look at just the client list from abroad, it is not the so-called smart money which is coming in and most what I would call smart money, absolute oriented money, whether from abroad or from locals, has actually missed the bulk of the rally and most people have then been trying to clamber on to the bus. So it has actually been allocative money--now whether it is from a retail investor or an allocative investor--I have seen a mix of both. It has come from some sovereign funds as well.
There has been a lot of ETF (exchange-traded fund) money, which is retail money, which has come. But it is surely not what I call deep-pocketed smart money and which is (why) my gut says that this is not the start of a really long bull market because at complete lows in bear markets, stocks get pocketed and go into really strong hands, which then sit tight on them for three-four years, and this time I sense it hasn't gone into hands like that.
And most people are waiting for the correction where they want to be the first person out and it will be just one single trade--everyone wants to sell at the same time and there is no one on the other end.
Is that good or bad that this smart money is still not invested? Could it buy the dips and therefore sup port it or is that not the right way to look at it?
Money is money. So as long as it goes up and you're invested, you don't complain who has brought it. But all that tells me is that I still believe this is a very powerful bear rally which is happening and one will probably see a second round of a dip in the world or may be an extended period of disappointment at which time out of frustration, disappointment or just that it is taking too long, stocks rotate and they go into deeper and stronger hands and that sets the stage for a much more sustained upmove.
Source:MINT
The rally in share prices that began in March is not the beginning of a really long bull market, says Manish Chokhani, director of Enam Securities Ltd. In fact, the smart money is still not coming into India, says Chokhani. Most investors are waiting for a correction before entering the market, he said in an interview. Edited excerpts: It has been a bit of a pause global ly for the last few weeks. Which side do you think is it going to break?
It is a difficult period because when we met the last time, we spoke about how people will try and take it to the end of a range and, post-elections, we would go up slowly to 16,000 and then start wondering if we are ahead of ourselves.
That's what we have been do ing--wondering for the last few weeks.
Yes, and in the world as well, the currencies have reached a point where the euro is at 150 or thereabouts and the all-time high was 160. The yen is near an all-time high, so it is showing signs that currencies want to break, markets want to break and no one wants the range to break...
My sense is, though, at some point, once this quantitative easing thing ends, which is imminent in October-November, we'll start seeing pressure on interest rates in the world and this sanguine approach that we all have, that there is ample liquidity, maybe, will get questioned. So you will have a hiccup. Having said that, (in the) long term, the trend lines are very clear that you will have an extended recovery in the developed world and you'll continue to have growth in our parts of the world.
By when do you see that hiccup coming because, on that, there is some debate on whether it is this year or next year.
Of course. So no one can time that. If we did we would all be Warren Buffett and one always hates to forecast.
Is it likely that we have a blowout which takes the market to 20,000 and crude to $100 per barrel again?
Crude touching those levels is unlikely because there is already so much of crude sitting in tankers all over the world.
So I suspect in the short run crude will probably fall... Also, the rate tightening cycle in India is probably until JanuaryFebruary of the next year.
What that means is between now and December-end, if liquidity continues and you have no compelling reason to sell the market, it is possible you can break out on the upside over here.
Last time when the market went over 20,000, it looked like a clear bubble in terms of valuations.
Would this time be the same case as well or have earnings caught up enough in oneandhalf or two years?
At 16,000, it is not yet a bubble. It is pricey but then in a world of 2% interest rates it is bound to remain pricey. If you get to 20,000, we'll be really expensive and it will look like a bubble because earnings haven't caught up yet. Remember, we are predicating a lot of this on what happens in the following year and whether we have a big earnings recovery and most people, including our house, have like a 20% earnings estimate for the following year, which is 2011...
What's the trouble phase for the market? Is it the first bit of 2010 when the answer to whether li quidity will tighten or not will be answered?
It is both because if liquidity tightens while fundamentals are actually improving very steadily, (it) is not such a bad thing because it is consistent then with a bull move that the real world has appetite for money and we are happy to give better valuations to companies. What's likely though is that most people in the world have built this model that the West has recovered and you are having a V-shaped recovery over there, which I think is a bit delusionary. The patient surely has been taken into the ICU (intensive care unit) and then out of it but the patient in the West has to go through a large period of what one would call physiotherapy and in that period if we have already built in expectations that patient comes out and we start sprinting again or we start playing golf again--it is not going to happen. So periods of disappointment are ahead for the market. Also, lot of the bull case right now is built on ample liquidity, which also, I think, we'll get into a spot of bother. So my bet is first quarter next year is a very difficult patch.
So it is really a confidence issue and if you think of it, our market really broke its first range of 14,000 when the government came in because the expectation was that now we'll have policy and we'll have a sustainable trajectory of growth in this economy.
Before I talk about the government and how global investors have read it so far, from a stock market point of view where is the liquidity coming in from?
Normally, you would say that yes, if it is retail, it is normally the last leg of liquidity, which is why I am a bit worried about what lies ahead and also this year. If I look at just the client list from abroad, it is not the so-called smart money which is coming in and most what I would call smart money, absolute oriented money, whether from abroad or from locals, has actually missed the bulk of the rally and most people have then been trying to clamber on to the bus. So it has actually been allocative money--now whether it is from a retail investor or an allocative investor--I have seen a mix of both. It has come from some sovereign funds as well.
There has been a lot of ETF (exchange-traded fund) money, which is retail money, which has come. But it is surely not what I call deep-pocketed smart money and which is (why) my gut says that this is not the start of a really long bull market because at complete lows in bear markets, stocks get pocketed and go into really strong hands, which then sit tight on them for three-four years, and this time I sense it hasn't gone into hands like that.
And most people are waiting for the correction where they want to be the first person out and it will be just one single trade--everyone wants to sell at the same time and there is no one on the other end.
Is that good or bad that this smart money is still not invested? Could it buy the dips and therefore sup port it or is that not the right way to look at it?
Money is money. So as long as it goes up and you're invested, you don't complain who has brought it. But all that tells me is that I still believe this is a very powerful bear rally which is happening and one will probably see a second round of a dip in the world or may be an extended period of disappointment at which time out of frustration, disappointment or just that it is taking too long, stocks rotate and they go into deeper and stronger hands and that sets the stage for a much more sustained upmove.
Source:MINT
Administration to be made paperless in next four years: Chamling
RANGPO, September 18:
Highlighting the steps taken by his government in the field of education, the Chief Minister said that the State government has allocated twenty percent of the annual budget for education with an aim to provide quality education to the students here. He said that all teachers in the State will be provided training within the next four years as part of the State government’s efforts to institutionalize quality education in Sikkim.
Mr. Chamling also said that the State Government has done exemplary works in the field of rural electrification as 99 percent of the households in Sikkim have electricity supply. He said that Sikkim will be reaping huge dividends from the hydel power in coming years and hydel power will be the main source of revenue for Sikkim. He also informed about the State government’s effort to have Rs. 1 lakh crore investment in Sikkim in the next five years.
The Chief Minister said that the State government has special beautification plans for all the entry points into Sikkim from the tourism perspective.
Mr. Chamling further informed the target to make the entire administration in the State paperless in the next four years.
RANGPO, September 18:
Highlighting the steps taken by his government in the field of education, the Chief Minister said that the State government has allocated twenty percent of the annual budget for education with an aim to provide quality education to the students here. He said that all teachers in the State will be provided training within the next four years as part of the State government’s efforts to institutionalize quality education in Sikkim.
Mr. Chamling also said that the State Government has done exemplary works in the field of rural electrification as 99 percent of the households in Sikkim have electricity supply. He said that Sikkim will be reaping huge dividends from the hydel power in coming years and hydel power will be the main source of revenue for Sikkim. He also informed about the State government’s effort to have Rs. 1 lakh crore investment in Sikkim in the next five years.
The Chief Minister said that the State government has special beautification plans for all the entry points into Sikkim from the tourism perspective.
Mr. Chamling further informed the target to make the entire administration in the State paperless in the next four years.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
ORGANIC CETIFICATION IN SIKKIM ON
SE Report
GANGTOK, September 19: The inspection of the nine sites under Mevedir mandated by the Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department was successfully completed on September 16.
The Institute of Marketocology (IMO), a Swiss based firm has been chosen as the certification agency for these sites. Rohin D’Souza from IMO’s Bangalore office conducted the inspection which started from September 10.
Individual visits were made to farms larger than four Hectures and other smaller farms chosen randomly at each site. In each farm, spot visits were conducted to the fields, livestock sheds and the storage places of the farmer. All these were thoroughly inspected and interactions were held with farmers to understand their level of understanding on organic farming practices and also their recent farming practices. Interviews were also held with the Field Officers and Supervisors to assess the effectiveness of their extension activities.
The inspection started from Budang Malbasey and Karthok on the first day wherein six randomly selected farmers’ fields from each village was inspected. The villages of Khanisherbong and Chakung were covered the next day with inspection of eleven randomly selected farmers’ fields. The villages of Samsing and Suldung Kamling were covered the next day where fields of six farmers from each site were inspected randomly. Boom and Jeel villages were covered the next day. The final day, eleven farmers’ field from Hathidhunga area were inspected along with the inspection of the Field office at Hathidhunga. The Inspector gave tips on how to conduct awareness programs effectively and also requested them to generate awareness amongst farmers on various organic certified logos.
The IMO inspection started from September 10 and concluded on September 15 with a debriefing to the Mevedir District Office Headquarter staff on September 16 at Jorethang District Office.
The External Inspector also critically examined the follow-up of the various points suggested out in the last inspection. The revised number of farmers after the last inspection was also outlined to the inspector. Besides these, the Inspector also meticulously went through all the documents being maintained at each field site offices, Jorethang District office and Headquarters. A final field report will be submitted by the Inspector both to Mevedir and the Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department shortly.
GANGTOK, September 19: The inspection of the nine sites under Mevedir mandated by the Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department was successfully completed on September 16.
The Institute of Marketocology (IMO), a Swiss based firm has been chosen as the certification agency for these sites. Rohin D’Souza from IMO’s Bangalore office conducted the inspection which started from September 10.
Individual visits were made to farms larger than four Hectures and other smaller farms chosen randomly at each site. In each farm, spot visits were conducted to the fields, livestock sheds and the storage places of the farmer. All these were thoroughly inspected and interactions were held with farmers to understand their level of understanding on organic farming practices and also their recent farming practices. Interviews were also held with the Field Officers and Supervisors to assess the effectiveness of their extension activities.
The inspection started from Budang Malbasey and Karthok on the first day wherein six randomly selected farmers’ fields from each village was inspected. The villages of Khanisherbong and Chakung were covered the next day with inspection of eleven randomly selected farmers’ fields. The villages of Samsing and Suldung Kamling were covered the next day where fields of six farmers from each site were inspected randomly. Boom and Jeel villages were covered the next day. The final day, eleven farmers’ field from Hathidhunga area were inspected along with the inspection of the Field office at Hathidhunga. The Inspector gave tips on how to conduct awareness programs effectively and also requested them to generate awareness amongst farmers on various organic certified logos.
The IMO inspection started from September 10 and concluded on September 15 with a debriefing to the Mevedir District Office Headquarter staff on September 16 at Jorethang District Office.
The External Inspector also critically examined the follow-up of the various points suggested out in the last inspection. The revised number of farmers after the last inspection was also outlined to the inspector. Besides these, the Inspector also meticulously went through all the documents being maintained at each field site offices, Jorethang District office and Headquarters. A final field report will be submitted by the Inspector both to Mevedir and the Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department shortly.
SIKKIM TO GET NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Press Release
17 Sept 2009
Sikkim Chamber of Commerce conveys gratitude to the Union Cabinet especially Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India for having approved setting up of a National Institute of Technology for Sikkim.
Sikkim was honoured with four awards at India Today Conclave recently. It has ranked first in Education in the small State category .For the India Today Bharat Nirman Awards among the small State category Sikkim was ranked highest in the rural roads, E-governance and rural electrification.
We also congratulate Dr Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim for getting for Sikkim a NIT which will provide enormous opportunities to Sikkimese Youths to sharpen their skills in technical areas to contribute in a big way in national development. Their will be enormous job opportunities for Sikkim’s students in India and worldwide, once they pass through NIT. This is a major achievement for Sikkim and will be a solution provider for the unemployment problems of Sikkim.
According to the Union Cabinet decision the process of setting up of NIT will start in 2009-10 itself and admissions will start from the next academic year. The land for this project will have to be provided free by the State Government.
These Institutes will be covered under the National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007 making them institutions of national importance, which will ultimately help in addressing the aspirations of people living in Sikkim. The new NITs will be able to provide high quality education to many of the bright students from these States/UTs, as 50% of the seats are to be filled from the eligible students from these States/UTs.
The project cost for setting up of NIT has been fixed at Rs.250 crores.
At present. there are 20 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), located at Agartala, Allahabad, Bhopal, Calicut, Durgapur, Hamirpur, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jamshedpur, Kurukshetra, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Rourkela, Silchar, Srinagar, Surat, Surathkal, Tiruchirapalli and Warangal.
National Institute of Technology will have departments of Architecture,Chemical Engineering,Civil Engineering,Computer Applications.Computer Science and Engineering.Electrical and Electronics Engineering.Electronics and Communication Engineering,Instrumentation and Control Engineering,Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,Production Engineering,Business Administration ,Life Science,etc
Furthur, it will give fillip to transportation demands & housing sector demands fetching new oppurutinitues to medium skilled people.
Sikkim is entering into a Golden Era of progress and prosperity.
( S.K.Sarda)
President
Sikkim Chamber of Commerce
Gangtok
Press Release
17 Sept 2009
Sikkim Chamber of Commerce conveys gratitude to the Union Cabinet especially Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India for having approved setting up of a National Institute of Technology for Sikkim.
Sikkim was honoured with four awards at India Today Conclave recently. It has ranked first in Education in the small State category .For the India Today Bharat Nirman Awards among the small State category Sikkim was ranked highest in the rural roads, E-governance and rural electrification.
We also congratulate Dr Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim for getting for Sikkim a NIT which will provide enormous opportunities to Sikkimese Youths to sharpen their skills in technical areas to contribute in a big way in national development. Their will be enormous job opportunities for Sikkim’s students in India and worldwide, once they pass through NIT. This is a major achievement for Sikkim and will be a solution provider for the unemployment problems of Sikkim.
According to the Union Cabinet decision the process of setting up of NIT will start in 2009-10 itself and admissions will start from the next academic year. The land for this project will have to be provided free by the State Government.
These Institutes will be covered under the National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007 making them institutions of national importance, which will ultimately help in addressing the aspirations of people living in Sikkim. The new NITs will be able to provide high quality education to many of the bright students from these States/UTs, as 50% of the seats are to be filled from the eligible students from these States/UTs.
The project cost for setting up of NIT has been fixed at Rs.250 crores.
At present. there are 20 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), located at Agartala, Allahabad, Bhopal, Calicut, Durgapur, Hamirpur, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jamshedpur, Kurukshetra, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Rourkela, Silchar, Srinagar, Surat, Surathkal, Tiruchirapalli and Warangal.
National Institute of Technology will have departments of Architecture,Chemical Engineering,Civil Engineering,Computer Applications.Computer Science and Engineering.Electrical and Electronics Engineering.Electronics and Communication Engineering,Instrumentation and Control Engineering,Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,Production Engineering,Business Administration ,Life Science,etc
Furthur, it will give fillip to transportation demands & housing sector demands fetching new oppurutinitues to medium skilled people.
Sikkim is entering into a Golden Era of progress and prosperity.
( S.K.Sarda)
President
Sikkim Chamber of Commerce
Gangtok
Vision 2030 for Sikkim by Chamling
Sikkim will be developed at par with other developed nations: CM
GANGTOK, September 18: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said that Sikkim will be at par with other developed nations in the world with modern infrastructure and facilities by 2030.
Keeping the global target to 2030, the Chief Minister said during his speech during the golden jubilee celebrations of West Point school at Guards Ground here today, that Sikkim will be transformed in the most advanced State in the nation by 2015. The pace of development and self-improvement will not stop until all hi-tech infrastructure, technology and facilities are not set up in Sikkim at par with the developed nations in the world by 2030, he said.
Asserting his vision for a comprehensive development of Sikkim, Mr. Chamling said that the State government had selected Airport Authority of India for the construction of the Greenfield airport at Pakyong as the State Government believes in quality work. He also expressed his lack on trust on the local agencies for the construction of the Sikkim’s first airport.
As works are going for the construction of Pakyong airport, the State government has already acquired 500 acres of land for a five star hotel with a casino, said Mr. Chamling. There is an investment of Rs. 40,000 crores into Sikkim presently which will definite create benefits for the people, he said.
During his outlining of the upcoming programmes for Sikkim, the Chief Minister also said that efforts must be made to save Sikkim from falling into wrong hands. If Sikkim falls into wrong hands, then Sikkim will be finished within six months, he warned.
The Chief Minister also took the occasion to slam the critics for the recent India Today Conclave awards given to Sikkim. The awards are a result of the good works done by our government in the past 15 years but the anti-Sikkimese elements are trying to raise controversy over the awards, he said.
Mr. Chamling further said that the teachers in Sikkim are the highest paid in the nation and continuity has been maintained in the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission. He also announced that the report of the commission will be made public on September 22.
Source:sikkim express
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sikkim will be developed at par with other developed nations: CM
GANGTOK, September 18: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said that Sikkim will be at par with other developed nations in the world with modern infrastructure and facilities by 2030.
Keeping the global target to 2030, the Chief Minister said during his speech during the golden jubilee celebrations of West Point school at Guards Ground here today, that Sikkim will be transformed in the most advanced State in the nation by 2015. The pace of development and self-improvement will not stop until all hi-tech infrastructure, technology and facilities are not set up in Sikkim at par with the developed nations in the world by 2030, he said.
Asserting his vision for a comprehensive development of Sikkim, Mr. Chamling said that the State government had selected Airport Authority of India for the construction of the Greenfield airport at Pakyong as the State Government believes in quality work. He also expressed his lack on trust on the local agencies for the construction of the Sikkim’s first airport.
As works are going for the construction of Pakyong airport, the State government has already acquired 500 acres of land for a five star hotel with a casino, said Mr. Chamling. There is an investment of Rs. 40,000 crores into Sikkim presently which will definite create benefits for the people, he said.
During his outlining of the upcoming programmes for Sikkim, the Chief Minister also said that efforts must be made to save Sikkim from falling into wrong hands. If Sikkim falls into wrong hands, then Sikkim will be finished within six months, he warned.
The Chief Minister also took the occasion to slam the critics for the recent India Today Conclave awards given to Sikkim. The awards are a result of the good works done by our government in the past 15 years but the anti-Sikkimese elements are trying to raise controversy over the awards, he said.
Mr. Chamling further said that the teachers in Sikkim are the highest paid in the nation and continuity has been maintained in the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission. He also announced that the report of the commission will be made public on September 22.
Source:sikkim express
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Export potential of medicinal plants of Sikkim is high: EXIM Bank
Gangtok, September 18: Stating that the potential of exports of medicinal plants from Sikkim can be gauged by the fact the most of the 48 medicinal plants exported from India are found in Sikkim, the Export Import Bank (EXIM) has suggested to the State government to undertake a project on select high value medicinal plants.
The State government was recommended to undertake the project to ascertain the commercial viability of select high value medicinal plants and subsequently set up extraction units in order to move up the value chain, said the EXIM bank in its ‘Sikkim-Export Potential and Prospects’ report.
In its report, the EXIM bank has noted that the flora of Sikkim is extremely diverse, carrying nearly a quarter of all India’s species of flowering plants in an area only a fraction of the total. “With medicinal plants being used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine, the potential for exports from Sikkim is high and can be realized if they are grown on a sustainable basis”, the report states.
The EXIM Bank has recommended State government to form a cooperative structure in villages for promoting cultivation of the identified medicinal plants so as to ensure sustainability. It also recommended for allowing exploration of medicinal plants on a commercial basis which could be monitored and regulated by an appropriate authority.
“Involve the local community in sustainable use of medicinal plants. This process ensures protection of natural habitat by local communities and its accelerated coverage on their lands as alternative cash crops”, the bank has suggested.
Gangtok, September 18: Stating that the potential of exports of medicinal plants from Sikkim can be gauged by the fact the most of the 48 medicinal plants exported from India are found in Sikkim, the Export Import Bank (EXIM) has suggested to the State government to undertake a project on select high value medicinal plants.
The State government was recommended to undertake the project to ascertain the commercial viability of select high value medicinal plants and subsequently set up extraction units in order to move up the value chain, said the EXIM bank in its ‘Sikkim-Export Potential and Prospects’ report.
In its report, the EXIM bank has noted that the flora of Sikkim is extremely diverse, carrying nearly a quarter of all India’s species of flowering plants in an area only a fraction of the total. “With medicinal plants being used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine, the potential for exports from Sikkim is high and can be realized if they are grown on a sustainable basis”, the report states.
The EXIM Bank has recommended State government to form a cooperative structure in villages for promoting cultivation of the identified medicinal plants so as to ensure sustainability. It also recommended for allowing exploration of medicinal plants on a commercial basis which could be monitored and regulated by an appropriate authority.
“Involve the local community in sustainable use of medicinal plants. This process ensures protection of natural habitat by local communities and its accelerated coverage on their lands as alternative cash crops”, the bank has suggested.
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