Since the Lok Adalats were started in the country sometime in November and December 1985 under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1978, 42,477 Lok Adalats were organised in different parts of the country where 90,74,971 cases were settled. In 4,88,669 motor accident claims cases, compensation amounting to Rs.2054,56,21,491 has been awarded. This speaks volume of the growing popularity of the Lok Adalats as an alternative mechansim in disputes resolution.

    The Lok Adalats are not a regular phenomenon but are organised from time to time by the Legal Services Authority throughout the country. Lok Adalats are generally organised on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays so that they do not in any way impinge upon or cause hindrance to the normal functioning of the regular law courts. The Lok Adalats are held in Government buildings and schools after due publicity. The Lok Adalats are manned by serving or retired judicial officers, advocates and social activists under the guidance and directions of the Legal Services Authorities which are headed by the Judges of the High Courts or have the patronage of the Chief Justices of the High Courts of the respective States.

    The Chief Executive of the Central Authority, who is a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India, sometimes visits Lok Adalats to oversee and monitor their functioning and to provide motivations and guidance, wherever necessary, so that more and more cases could be settled at these Lok Adalats.

    The Lok Adalats are not meant to supplant but to supplement the existing adjucatory system with a view to reducing the burden of regular law courts, which already have swollen dockets, by resolving disputes out of courts through conciliation and negotiations at pre-litigative stage as well as pending matters.

'16'

    The Directorate of General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties, in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has initiated as many as 57 cases in the last two years as against only 15 cases during the 5-year period from 1993. Of these 57 cases, investigations in 24 cases were completed in the last two years, while this year there are 33 cases at various stages of investigations. The number of cases being investigated by the Designated Authority for Anti-Dumping is also increasing and the workload is likely to increase manifold in the wake of the removal of quantitative restrictions (QRs) on imports in a phased manner from April 2000 onwards.

    As a further measure to help the domestic industry, a website has been launched by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties in the Department of Commerce, which contains detailed information including anti-dumping guidelines, anti-dumping pro-forma and questionnaires of interest to the trade and industry. The website can be accessed at: http://commin.nic.in/doc

    The systems in the Directorate have been fully streamlined to ensure finalisation of preliminary findings in 4-5 months. The normal time allowed by statute for the investigations and submission of final findings is one year from the date of initiation of the investigation. However, the preliminary findings which are finalised in 4-5 months give full relief to the to the aggrieved parties. Even in the European Union (EU), it takes around 7-8 months on an average for completing preliminary investigations and imposing provisional anti-dumping duty. As per the Annual Report 1998 of WTO during the year 1997 India is eighth after Australia, EC, South Africa, USA, Argentina, Korea and Canada, in terms of number of anti-dumping cases initiated.

    The Designated Authority has been able to create awareness for proper documentation of cases and facilitate open and transparent examination of issues. The systems introduced ensure expeditious action at various stages of the case. And this in spite of the fact that the Directorate is yet to have the full complement of staff required.

    The Designated Authority in the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties, set up in the Ministry of Commerce in April 1998 initiatives necessary action for investigations and subsequent imposition of anti-dumping duties; when there is sufficient evidence that dumped imports are causing or are threatening to cause material injury to the Indian industry producing like articles or are materially retarding the establishment of industry.

    The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Arun Jaitley has said that an independent media is the lifeline of a vibrant democracy like ours and it must take internal corrective steps to remove whatever aberrations which creep into journalism from time to time.

    The 1^st National Polymer Day was celebrated here today with the start of the three-day International Seminar on Polymer Materials in the 21^st Century. The Seminar has been organised by the proposed Indian Institute of Polymers and the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET).

    In his inaugural address, the Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Ramesh Bais said the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers is evaluating a proposal to set up an Indian Institute of Polymers at Raipur in the Chhatisgarh region of Madhya Pradesh. Besides bringing polymer scientists in the country under one umbrella the Institute will contribute to the overall techno-economic development of the nation, the Minister said. The Institute will also generate employment by establishing polymer-based industries in the Chhatisgarh region.

    Shri Bais added that there is no doubt that our scientists are dedicated to the advancement of polymers. Their work has led to the establishment and development of industries in this important sector. However, a lot more needs to be done, the Minister noted. He specifically urged scientists to concentrate on patenting the technology they develop, so that the fruits of their good work reach the common masses.

    The Minister also said, in this modern era polymer science has become an integral part of human life and development. He said the Prime Minister has rightly coined the slogan that links up science with the common man – "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan". Shri Bais in his concluding remarks said his Ministry is committed to promote polymers. He said the day has its own significance as on 21^st February 1969 polymer based rocket fuel developed by Dr. Vasant Gowariker was successfully tested for rocket launch from Thumba Space Station. The Minister said this marked the beginning of a new era in the Indian Space Programme.

    The inaugural session of the Seminar was also addressed by the Convenor of the Seminar, Dr. Sanjay Palsule and the Chairman, Dr. V.N. Krishnamurthy, Director, Defence Research Development Organisation/Indian Space Research Organisation Pune University Interaction Cell.

    The Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Arun Jaitley condoled the death of Shri Shyam Sunder Sharma who had been working as Assistant Information Officer in Press Information Bureau of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the last eight years. In his condolence message, Shri Jaitley said that Shri Sharma’s contribution in the field of journalism would be remembered for long.

'30'

    Minister of Environment and Forests, Shri T.R. Baalu has called for active North-South cooperation to address the issues of global environmental problems. Chairing the Session on "Global Atmospheric Problems For The 21^st Century", organised by the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), here today, Shri Baalu said that various international conventions enjoin developed countries to transfer technologies to developing countries which require state-of-the-art environmentally sound technologies in many areas.

    Observing that there have been no appreciable efforts from developed countries to transfer clean and cost-effective technologies to developing countries, the Minister pointed out that some of the steps we take nationally to control pollution will also help the global environment. He said that global warming and climate change is an environmental threat of many dimensions, which would require an active cooperation from nations, particularly from developed countries, to mitigate Green House gas emissions.

    Stating that developing countries, including India, will bear the brunt of any adverse effects of climate change, Shri Baalu pointed out that the poor, the marginal farmers, the landless agricultural labourers would be the most vulnerable sections of the society to be affected by such changes.

    Disclosing that an urban afforestation programme in selected cities would be launched very soon, Shri Baalu said that this would trigger off similar activities in other cities. This urban greenbelt programme would involve the active participation of various sections of society, municipal and educational institutions, the Minister added.

'26'

    The Minister of Culture, Arts & Tourism of Malaysia Mr. Dato’ Abdul Kadir Bin Hj. Sheikh Fadzir called on the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Sharad Yadav here today. Both the sides discussed matters of cooperation in the civil aviation and tourism sector. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta was also present in the meeting.

    Shri Sharad Yadav assured the visiting dignitary and the delegation all cooperation in the field of aviation and said that he would expedite the matters of strategic partnership between the two countries. He said that the delegations of both the countries will meet soon to sort out all the pending issues and review the traffic entitlements in the aviation sector.

    Mr. Dato’ Abdul Kadir Bin Hj. Sheikh Fadzir said that India is an attractive tourist destination and there is a great demand from Malaysia to increase the frequency of air-services between the two countries.

    The Malaysian delegation included Chairman of Tourism and Environment Committee Mr. Ahli Majlis Johor, Senior Vice President, Malaysia Airlines Mr. Noor Amiruddin and other officials from the Tourism Industry.

'12'

    A Brazilian Parliamentary delegation led by Mr Maguito Vilela, Senator representing the State of Goias called on the Secretary, Rural Development, Shri Arun Bhatnagar here today. Welcoming the delegation, the Secretary said that there is much in common between India and Brazil. He stressed the need for sharing of experience and exploration of further steps towards poverty reduction by both the countries.

    The main purpose of the visit of the delegation is to gather data on cooperative credit mechanisms to low income populations to finance productive activities and information on the agriculture policy of India.

    The delegation evinced keen interest in various anti-poverty programmes being implemented in India, working of the cooperative banks, improvement of the lot of the people living below poverty line, social sector programmes for rural poor and old age pension schemes, etc.

    The senior officials of the ministry explained to the delegation about various schemes and programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. The delegation appreciated the progress of these programmes.

    Brazil is the ninth largest economy in the world and its main concern is poverty reduction. Fifty per cent of Brazil's population live below the poverty line. India and Brazil have commonalties in high population, democratic regime, federal structure, a large natural base and a significant portion of population living below poverty line.

'42'

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ATTACHED TO MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS MEETS FOR FIRST TIME DURING CURRENT LOK SABHA

    The first meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers during the current Lok Sabha took place here today. The agenda before the meeting was "Chemicals, Petrochemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Status, Thrust Areas and Problems".

    At the outset, the Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Suresh Prabhu outlined the working of the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals. He explained that the chemicals, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors stand deregulated and delicensed to a great extent. The Ministry, Shri Prabhu said, sees its role essentially as a promoter of chemicals, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals in this deregulated scenario. In this context, the Minister referred to INDIACHEM 2000 being organised in October this year which will showcase the capabilities of this sector for bringing about increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The United States is the partner country for this event. Gujarat is the Partner State at INDIACHEM 2000; the State of New Jersey will be the Partner State from the US side.

    The Minister then outlined the difficulties being faced by the sector. He mentioned that the increase in prices of petroleum in the international market, which are currently ruling at about US $ 30 per barrel are causing serious strains on the feedstock front as it is largely petroleum-oriented. The Minister also informed members that there have been new capacity additions in the petrochemical sector.

    Referring to the pharmaceuticals industry, the Minister said the Prime Minister has recently set up a Task Force under the chairmanship of the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. The Task Force has begun its work and its deliberations and recommendations will be utilised in preparing a new drug policy.

    Referring to the Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (IDPL) which has been referred to the Bank for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), Shri Prabhu said the Dr. Behl Report has been processed by the Department and not found workable. The Department will work on another revival plan on a priority basis, though any plan would need to be a viable one. Shri Prabhu said that any revival package would be implemented only with the approval of BIFR.

    Members of the Consultative Committee in their remarks expressed the view that the Committee should be consulted before deciding on major policy, including the disinvestment of Central PSUs. They also wanted to know more about disinvestment of PSUs on the petrochemical side. Concern was voiced about the reported disinvestment of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (IPCL). Members also felt the need to undertake a study as to whether prices of mass consumption drugs and those needed by the common man have increased substantially after 1991.

    Welcoming suggestions of members, the Minister while speaking on the issue of disinvestment, said that with the recent creation of the Department of Disinvestment the processing and further steps in each case are taken by that Department. However, efforts will be made to reach the feelings of the members to the Department of Disinvestment. Finally, regarding the suggestions for a study on the cost of drugs to the common man, the Minister directed that the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) should prepare a report on the prices, availability and quality of drugs since 1991 on diseases endemic to India.

    The Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Ramesh Bais also attended the meeting. The Members of the Consultative Committee present at the meeting were S/Shri Bhal Chandra Yadav, Dipankar Mukherjee and Dr. Charan Das Mahant.

'13'

    The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has asked the scientists to team up with grassroot innovators and help create the winning advantage. It is with this in view that a National Innovation Foundation has been set up to help grassroot innovators in their creative endeavours. Shri Vajpayee said this here today while giving away the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards for the years 1998 and 1999.

    Turning to the opportunities of the new century, the Prime Minister said there are deep concerns and one of them is the population explosion. The challenge posed by it can be converted into an opportunity for the emergence of a young India. This young India can be a source of strength for ensuring strategic, food, and environmental security as also for bringing about the knowledge revolution. He said we should make certain that knowledge revolution does not by pass India as did the industrial revolution. Knowledge based industries which are linked to advanced technology and R and D constitute the single most important factor that could hasten the process of taking India into the group of "developed countries". It is with this intention that a task force has been set up on knowledge based industries and pharmaceuticals under the Chairmanship of Dr. M.M. Joshi, the Prime Minister said. He reiterated that the Indian economy can derive strength from technology led exports and export of technology. Adding value and wealth through creative reassessment, redistribution and repositioning of our intellectual capital and material resources can help us realise our dream of a prosperous and developed India. This is a challenge for Indian scientists, he averred.

    Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science and Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi said there is a sense of complacency in Indian Science today. We seem to be resting on our past performance. In this era of knowledge driven society, this will not help. He appealed to the scientists to break away from the trodden path and pioneer new alternatives, thinking, areas, models and tools suited to our requirements. We have to create a knowledge based economy which requires science systems that can maintain, develop and produce knowledge while being responsive to social, economic, environmental and educational needs. It is this intellectual infrastructure derived through strong science and technology will alone give India a comparative advantage.

    Dr. Joshi pointed out that our emphasis as well as investment in basic science and research must be increased substantially. Explosive advances in adjacent sciences are shaping the future of core disciplines. Our investment in such areas must increase as this is where major breakthroughs are likely to take place in the 21^st century. It is with this in view that 21 Jai Vigyan Missions have been launched which would give the people all benefits from Indian science and technology, he said.

    In all 20 scientists received the award, eleven for 1998 and nine for 1999. The awards are given on the birth day of Sir Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, one of the great scientists and founder of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

    The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave away the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prizes for 1998 & 1999 at a function here today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister's address on the occasion :

    "It gives me great pleasure to be at this gathering of talented young scientists and present the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes.

    I congratulate the winners of this award that brings with it recognition, honour and prestige. The award, however, also comes with a responsibility -- to continue your pursuit of new frontiers in science and technology with single-minded devotion and high standards of ethics.

    Your success and commitment will be a source of inspiration for the young talent in our schools and colleges and help halt the declining popularity of science. The importance of this cannot be over stressed. For, greater achievements in science and technology by harnessing our national talent are the best way to secure India's future in the 21^st century.

    In this context, I am happy that the recently concluded Science Congress was a grand success with over 5 lakh children visiting the science and technology exhibition. We have to tap this enthusiasm to meet the challenges of the new century.

    Today being the birth anniversary of Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, let us pay our humble tribute to this great man who played a major role in shaping India's post-Independence quest for scientific and technological excellence.

    It is because of the vision and dedication of stalwarts like Dr Bhatnagar, Dr Homi Bhabha and Dr P. C. Mahalanobis, who placed their country above everything else, that India can today boast of a vast, diversified and world class scientific and technological base. Let us, therefore, on this occasion rededicate ourselves to their singular quest -- that India's scientific and technological abilities and achievements shall be second to none.

    My Government fully recognises the centrality of science and technology in our endeavour to transform India into a modern, secure, self-reliant and prosperous nation. The entire nation today reposes great faith in India's scientists and technologists. At the same time, responsibility devolves upon our scientific community to help create a forward-looking, forward-moving India.

    We are all excited about the opportunities of the new century that we have entered. There are deep concerns, however, as we move ahead. Our exploding population is one. We have just announced a National Population Policy that addresses this issue. But this challenge, too, can be converted into an opportunity for the emergence of a 'young India' -- youthful, energetic and idealistic.

    After all, by the year 2015, over half of our population will be less than 20 years old! This part of our population is either just born or is about to be born. What it means is that we have a tremendous opportunity to focus on these young people so that they are equipped to shape the destiny of our great nation in the 21^st century.

    This ‘Young India’ can be a source of strength for ensuring strategic, food and environmental security and for bringing about the 'Knowledge Revolution'. We need to make certain that the ‘Knowledge Revolution’ does not bypass us as did the Industrial Revolution.

    Indeed, knowledge-based industries, which are linked to advanced technology and R&D, constitute the single most important factor that could hasten the process of taking India into the group of "developed countries". India does not lack in resources and skilled science and technology manpower. What is needed is proper use of these resources and better harnessing of talent.

    To seize the opportunities of the 'Knowledge Revolution', we have to generate globally marketable knowledge assets and internationalise the 'Made in India' brand. It is in this context that I have set up a Task Force on Pharmaceuticals and Knowledge-based Industries under the chairmanship of my colleague, Dr Joshi. I look forward to this task force providing the blueprint for India's transformation into a 'knowledge power'.

    Yet another opportunity that we must seize is in the area of exports. The Indian economy can derive strength from technology-led exports and export of technology. Adding value and creating wealth through creative reassessment, redistribution and repositioning of our intellectual capital and material resources can help us realise our dream of a prosperous and developed India.

    This is a challenge for my scientist friends assembled here today.

    Since time immemorial, Indian has been known for her people's innovative skills. Even a village artisan and mechanic has the capacity and ability to improvise. This was evident at the exposition during the Indian Science Congress in Pune where farmers and artisans from all over the country demonstrated their useful and novel innovations.

    It is, therefore, all the more necessary that those involved with modern science and Technology should team up with grassroots innovators to help them realise the full potential of their inherent creative skills. It is for this reason that we have set up a National Innovation Foundation to help grassroots innovators in their creative endeavours. I would urge you to couple your excellence in science with the native creativity of our people and thus create the winning advantage.

    I thank you for this opportunity to share some of my thoughts with you.

    Jai Hind!"