The Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employement has planned a National Urban Transport Development Fund (NUTDF) during the 9th Plan. The Fund will finance feasibility and detailed project report for various urban transport projects to the extent of 50 per cent of cost, support financially mass urban transport projects in million plus cities and traffic improvement measures in all cities through equity, soft loans and grants. It will also support financially training and visit programmes in the field of urban transport within India and aborad and workshops/ seminars in urban transport.

    The National Urban Transport Fund, to begin with, will have a provision of Rs.100 crores towards Central share and a matching amount as the share of States. The Centre will provide Rs.20 crores annually during the Plan period. The Fund will be launched initially with budgetary allocation and maintained through dedicated taxes and cesses to be imposed by the Central Government in million plus cities.

    The existing Urban Transport Consorium Fund, set up during the 8th Five Year Plan, will, accordingly, be merged with the National Urban Transport Development Fund during the 9th Plan. The size of the new Fund would be much larger than of the previous one.
 
 

    The Ministry has recently issued a Draft Notification in the Gazette of India dated 17^th September 1998, inviting objections or suggestions from the general public. The notification covers the following aspects: -
Preparation of Zonal Development Plan.

• Location of industries only in the industrial estates drawn up by the government of Madhya Pradesh.
• Banning of all activities related to quarrying and mining in the core area.
• No felling of tress within the zone without prior permission of designated authorities.
• Preparation of Tourism Development Plan and regulating tourism activities.
• Identification and conservation of heritage sites in the Zone.

    The government has already launched the Technology Mission for cotton basically for the improvement of production, productivity and quality of cotton which will have beneficial impact on the downstream textile products in terms of quality, value-addition etc. Under the EPCG scheme, the exporters are allowed to import capital goods at reduced (10%) or zero rate of duty. Recently the threshold limit under the zero duty scheme has also been reduced for apparel sector from Rs.20 crore to Rs.1 crore. To modernise the textile industry of the country, 15% of the quota under bilateral agreement is earmarked for allotment on the basis of investment in the textile industry. The quota is called Manufacturer Exporters Entitlement (MEE) so that there may be more investment in the textile industry. A similar quota of 10% operates for the apparel industry under the nomenclature of New Investors Entitlement (NIE) quota. Government have earmarked a separate export quota called Powerloom Exporters’ Entitlement (PEE) quota for the decentralised powerloom sector for export sector for export of cloth since 1992 in addition to their entitlements under any other quota category such as PEE and NQE.

    "The crises of the past year have done more to reveal the weaknesses of that (Washington consensus) approach in East Asia, for example, where the consensus had placed far too little emphasis on strong financial regulation as a pre-requisite for financial liberalisation, or in Russia, where the consensus emphasised the need for privatisation but placed far less emphasis on ensuring competition. The new development strategy -- like corporate strategy – should outline a vision and priorities. It should be less specific and prescriptive than the indicative planning of the 1960s and 1970s, but at the same time be more comprehensive, in that it is not just about the allocation of capital. It should set priorities, map out sequencing of reforms, build consensus, and catalise change", he says, adding that the development transformation also has implications for processes. Imposing change from the outside cannot work, as we have seen repeatedly. Local ownership of, and participation in reforms are crucial, at both the policy and project level. Knowledge and social/organisational capital are necessary complements to a participatory approach.

    The following major decisions were taken to further reduce the dwell time and to bring about reduction in cost and time of actual operations.

    Airlines will be required to submit their import general manifest on arrival of the flight and in any case within 12 hours of the flight.

    It was also decided that the export cargo excepting those consignments identified for inspection will be taken to the bonded area straight from the unloading ramp and thus one intermediate handling will be avoided. This system change will come into effect from coming Monday.

    Export cargo will be hereafter received in the Delhi Cargo Terminal upto 9.00 p.m.

    The delivery of import cargo will also be allowed upto 8.00 p.m.

    As the delay in the clearance of import cargo has been found to be due to improper classification or lack of markings, etc., AAI has been directed to accept import consignments only with proper markings.

    AAI has also decided to implement very soon its customers services charter that is, if any delay in the delivery of consignment beyond the prescribed period were attributable to AAI then they will waive off their charges.

    It was also decided to introduce an element of competition -- another air cargo agency will be licenced in the joint sector for air cargo operations – for the entire range of handling and warehousing operations. The Airport Authority will have only minority stake in the joint venture.

    It was also decided to expedite the computerisation of operation and also bar coding to help in cargo identification and handling. The implementation of the programme was also reviewed by EPB.

    A number of procedural changes were also discussed and approved.
 
 

    The Union Minister for Steel & Mines, Shri Naveen Patnaik has said that a need was felt for a long time to explore off-shore areas of the country for mining and consultations are on to bring a draft Bill on this subject.

    Disclosing this at the inaugural function of the International Mining and Machinery Exhibition opened here today, Shri Patnaik said that this would go a long way in exploiting the mineral resources in offshore areas. A Working Group constituted by the Ministry of Mines has already submitted proposals for the regulation and development of mineral resources in the territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone and other maritime zones of India.

    The Minister announced that his department would take some additional measures to delegate more powers to the States with a view to hasten decision making and to further simplify procedures. The Centre, he said, clears the mining projects received from the States within a month of their receipt.

    The Minister also said that the Government is taking all possible steps for exploiting the mineral resources in the country by making suitable amendments in policies and procedures suited for growth and development. The Minister emphasised the need to bring in appropriate technology not only for exploration and production but also for mining machinery and equipment.

    Referring to the vast mineral resources of the country, Shri Patnaik said the Ministry of Mines has taken all possible measures for survey and exploration of Minerals. He informed that the Government has already granted approvals to a number of mining proposals involving some major international mining giants. He said that since April this year, 218 cases for grant of Prospecting Licencing and Mining Leases (PL/ML) have been approved by the Centre which is an all time record for clearance of such cases in the first six months of any financial year. He pointed out that 362 cases of PL/ML were cleared during the whole of the previous financial year.

    Shri Patnaik also informed that seven mining leases for mineral limestone were cleared catalysing and investment of Rs.2,7000 crore for setting up major cement plants in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra pradesh, Gurarat and Himachal Pradesh. The Mininster said that the two integrated steel plants for which iron-ore mining leases have been given recently, would bring in Rs.3,000 crore of investment.

    The International Mining and Machinery Exhibition has been organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Ministry of Steel & Mines and Ministry of Coal. The State of Orissa was given a partner state status in the exhibition.
 
 

    The derailment of 7056 Hyderabad - Narsapur Express on October 8 between Sattenapalli and Pedakurapadu Stations in Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway was mosty probably occurred due to the act of sabotage. This is the provisional finding of commissioner of Railway Safety, South Central Circle, Secunderabad. The commission have also found some faults of Railway Staff.

    In the accident 11 passengers died, 16 grievously injured and 21 had simple injuries. The site is in Guntur district of Andrapradesh. The findings are under the consideration of the Government.
 
 
 

    Welcoming the delegation, Shri Badal said that Germany is the largest trading partner for India in Europe. He added that with the reforms regime in place Indian industries are enhancing their interface with German firms. Appreciating the interest shown by the delegation in the mining sector, Shri Badal said that a lot of stress is being laid on infrastructure development in India and joint venture units for mining could be established in Bihar and Orissa. In the area of food processing, the Minister said, that states like Punjab would be in a position to provide the raw material.

    Shri Badal also said that the Industry Ministry has a special window and a designated officer for Germany.

    Germany is one of the top investing countries in India with a total investment approval of Rs.64.4 billion (during August ’91 to July ’98).
 
 

    Addressing a Press Conference here today the Secretary, Department of Bio-technology, Dr. Manju Sharma said the Congress will provide a platform for delibrations and exchange of views on up-coming technologies, recommendations on research and teaching bio scientists of international/national status. It would also provide an opportunity to young research scientists/teachers working in medical colleges/institutions to interact with leading immunologists. At least 2,300 eminent immunologists, scientists, teachers and bio-technologists from 67 countries of the world.

    The President of the International Immunology Congress, Prof. G.P. Talwar said the conference will focus on subjects of popular interest like recent development in vaccines, AIDS, Cancer, malaria and infectious diseases and allergic disorders like asthma. Scientists will also report on prospects of using immunological methods to prevent AIDS in persons infected with HIV; connection between alcohol consumption and immunity.
 
 

    Members across board welcomed the Government decision to set up a National Commission for Children (NCC). Giving details the HRD Minister informed the Committee that this Commission will be advisory in nature and identify the gap in legislation and policy as well as their implementation with reference to the objective for child welfare and protection as envisaged in the Constitution.

    He said that it is proposed that the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) would be administratively responsible for the NCC and coordination of all matters/issues relating women and children. The Commission may directly take up child related issues with the Department/Ministries on Health, Education, Labour, Urban Development, Rural Development etc. As regards the regulation of its interaction with NHRC, NCW and such other statutory and constitutional agencies/bodies, there is a need to avoid overlap. This can best be achieved by making a proviso in the Constitution of the NCC whereby the Chairpersons of the NHRC, NCW, NCST & SC and NCM etc. would be deemed members. A similar provision is in existence in the NHRC.

    In view of the magnitude of the problem and measures relating to protection and welfare of children and the fact that a number of Ministries/Departments and agencies are involved, it was decided to continue the discussion on the subject in the next Consultative Committee meeting. This will help in examining in-depth the scope and operational jurisdiction of the proposed Commission. The Minister informed the members that views and comments of experts and prominent NGOs concerned with child development and protection would also be given due consideration in the process.

    The Consultative Committee members who attended the meeting include :

    Shri Chetan Chauhan, BJP, Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, BJP, Dr. Swami Satchidanand Sakshi, BJP, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, BJP, Shri Kharabela Swain, BJP,

    Shri Chamanlal Gupta, BJP, Shri P. Upendra, Cong.(I), Shri N. Janardhana Reddy, Congress (I), Shri Kantilal Bhuria, Cong.(I), Shri Rajo Singh, Cong (I), Dr. Ranjit Kumar Panja, Trimool Cong., Shri Mitra Sen Yadav, SP, Shri Hira Lal Rai, RJD,

    Smt. Beatrix D’Souza (nominated), Shri D.M. Menasinakai, Lok Shakti, and Shri Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, Shiv Sena from Lok Sabha and Shri K. Rehman Khan, Cong.(I), Shri N.R. Dasari, CPI, Shri K.M. Saifullah, TDP,Smt. Chandra Kala Pandey, CPI(M),Shri Parag Chaliha, AGP, from Rajya Sabha.

    Not withstanding the Constitutional and legal provisions and vast executive machinery of the State established for the protection and development of the child, there is still a considerable gap between the commitments and the reality of the Indian child. 53% of the Young children are suffering from malnutrition and 17.36 million children working as child labour which includes 2 million in hazardous industries. Whereas 10% of the child population is suffering from various kinds of disabilities, 33% of the school age children (6-14 years) are not in schools. (The percentage of school age children out of school as has been worked out on the basis of enrolment as against total child population in the age group 6-14 years – 33 million fewer girls than boys were enrolled in primary and secondary schools – 1990). Four lakh children are prostitutes and 4 to 5 lakh in six major cities are street children.

    There is an increasing trend in the incidence of child abuse and crime against children. NCRB Report 1994 shows 59.5% and 100.5% variation in the incidence of child rape and kidnapping and abductions since 1990. While there are a plethora of laws and legislation for the protection and safeguarding the interest of children, implementation of the legal provisions has not been satisfactory. This has been further aggravated by the gaps and distortion in legislation. These relate not only to civil laws but penal as well those regulating child labour.