Today is science day. The day is observed as national science day on the 28^th February every year with a view to focus attention on science and scientists in India who have an important role in the development of the country. While choosing this day it was kept in mind that in 1928 on this day the "Raman effect" was announced for which Sir C.V. Raman was subsequently awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

    To mark the occasion the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) Department of Science & Technology has announced the annual national awards in science and technology popularization.

    The Award of one lakh Rupees for the best effort in science popularization has gone to Shri A.P. Deshpande, Mumbai. The award of fifty thousand rupees for best science coverage in Mass Media has gone to Dr. Yatish Aggarwal, New Delhi and another award on fifty thousand rupees for best effort in science popularization among children has been bagged by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai. Various science popularization activities such as science exhibitions, quiz competitions, health awareness camps and science camps are being organised on this day throughout the country.

    The awards were instituted by the NCSTC in 1987 with a view to encouraging and recognising best talent in the area of science communication and popularization. The work should have been done at least for five years to qualify for the awards.

    The Government has no proposal to review the Cabinet decision of 1995 with regard to the ban on the entry of foreign media in the news and current affairs category. The Government has several times in the past reviewed this policy and decided not to open this sector for direct investment. With regard to publication of scientific and technical journals, some requests have been made to the Government and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is seeking the views of all related Ministries in this regard. However, no decision to change the 1955 policy has been taken by the Government even in this category.

    39 Studio projects and 658 (HPTs-39, LPT/VLPTs-619) transmitter projects had been taken up/were under implementation in the country during the 8^th Plan period. Out of these, 16 Studio projects (including 2 interim set ups) and 415 transmitter projects (HPTs-25 including 4 interim set ups, LPTs/VLPTs-390) were commissioned during the 8^th Paln period. Out of the remaining projects, 10 Studio and 148 transmitter projects (HPTs-7, LPTs/VLPTs-141) have since been commissioned. The remaining projects are at different stages of implementation and are expected to be completed in phases by end of IX Plan subject to availability of requisite resources.

    In the IX Plan 27 Studio projects and 411 transmitter (HPTs-69, LPT/VLPT/Transposers-342) projects, including projects spilled over from previous plans, are proposed for implementation. Out of these 11 Studio projects (including one interim set up), 11 HPT projects (including one interim set up) and 177 LPT/VLPT projects have since been commissioned.

‘5’

    The Union Public Service Commission has declared the result of the written part of the Indian Forest Service Examination held by the Commission in July, 1999. The successful candidates have qualified for interview for personality test. The candidature of all the successful candidates is provisional.

    In accordance with the Rules of the Examination, all the candidates have to apply on the Detailed Application Form, which will be supplied to them by the Commission before being called for Interview for personality Test. The Interviews will start on April 24, 2000 and will conclude on April 27, 2000. In case any of these candidates do not receive a communication in this regard within three weeks of the publication of this result, he/she should immediately contact the Commission in the matter, giving his/her particulars i.e. Roll Numbers, Full Name, Date of Birth, Address etc.

    The candidates are required to submit for verification, the original certificates, in support of their Date of Birth, Educational Qualifications, claim to belong to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes etc. at the time of Interviews.

    Candidates are advised to intimate changes in their addresses, if any, to the UPSC immediately to facilitate correspondence The candidates are required to contact the facilitation Centre near ‘C’ Gate of its Campus. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination/recruitment on working days between 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. in person or over telephone numbers 3385271/3381125.

    The question of establishing counseling and conciliation Centres for guiding and motivating litigants to resolve their disputes amicably was considered as item No.7 at the Second Annual Meet of the State Legal Services Authorities held under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authorities at Hyderabad on 9.10.99 where it was resolved that such Centre should be established in all districts in the States.

    Due to unavoidable circumstances the Seminar on ‘Combating Corruption’ to be held from March 10 to 12, 2000 has been postponed. The organising Secretary of the National Seminar and Member Secretary, Law Commission Dr.S.C. Jain, in a statement, has said that the fresh dates for the Seminar will be intimated to all concerned in due course. The Seminar was convened by the Law Commission of India and Criminal Justice Society of India.

    The Government has approved the following financial and business restructuring package for SAIL.

‘5’

    The Government of India strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the convoy of Shri Nagen Sharma, Assam forest and Public Works Department Minister by the ULFA militants which resulted in his death and that of four other persons.

    The attack is an act of desperation by ULFA which has seen growing public reaction in Assam against its violent activities. Just a few days ago the people of Assam have given a befitting reply to ULFA’s call for boycott of the assembly elections at Majuli when more than 74% of the voters cast their votes. The large scale surrenders of ULFA cadres during the past year also reveal complete disillusionment with the aims and objectives of ULFA.

    The Government of India remain committed to put down with a firm hand the mindless violence inflicted on the innocent people of the region by ULFA and other militant groups.

    The Government of India would also like to convey its condolence to the families of the deceased who were killed in the attack yesterday.

'6A'

    The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. S. Dubey, IAS (BH:66) as Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the pay of Secretary and appointment of Shri C. Gopala Reddy, IAS (KN:66) as Secretary, National Commission for Minorities in the rank and pay of Secretary.

'24'

     There are about 97 cities and towns on National Speed Post Network as on 1^st February 2000. Speed Post is a premium product providing time bound guaranteed delivery. It is run on commercial considerations. The expansion of this network is an on-going process, depending upon market situation. Excluding the day of posting it takes from 1 to 3 days to deliver Speed Post articles between one national centre to the other national centres depending on their respective geographical locations and mode of transportation available between them.

    The measures taken by the Department of Posts (DoP) to ensure efficient operation of Speed Post Service include delivery through dedicated staff, mechanisation of delivery, free pick-up services from the customer premises, computerisation of booking and delivery, introduction of track and trace system and monitoring of quality.

    This was stated by the Minister of State for Communications, Shri Tapan Sikdar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha here today.

'24'

    The Department of Telecom Services has proposed to introduce cellular telephone facilities initially as a pilot project in cities covering four States of the country. These are Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Tirupati, Guntur, Vishakhapatnam, Amlapuram and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh; Patna, Biharsharif, Hazipur, Badh, Arah and Rajgir in Bihar; Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Calcutta and Haldia in West Bengal.

    The areas have been selected to gain experience in the operation of cellular telephone facilities in different working conditions. After successful implementation of the pilot project, wider introduction of cellular services will be considered. The proposed services are expected to start during the year 2000-2001.

    The above information was given by the Minister of State for Communications, Shri Tapan Sikdar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha here today.

'24'

    The Department of Posts (DoP) has set up 75 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and 610 Extended Satellite Money Order Stations (ESMOs) at various places in the country. It is proposed to set up 44 VSATs and 458 ESMOs during 2000-2001 and a total of 150 VSATs and 1500 ESMOs during the Ninth Plan period.

    The network would enable connectivity to all the important district headquarters by the end of Ninth Plan period and may spill over to the Tenth Plan. The tariff rate for transmission of money orders through VSAT/ESMO is the same as those transmitted through surface mode.

    This was stated by the Minister of State for Communications, Shri Tapan Sikdar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha here today.