The purpose of the workshop is to arrive at a better understanding of the effects of the economic reform policies on the labour situation in India as well as to draw lessons of the East Asian experience on labour market policies in India.

    This national workshop follows a High-Level Seminar on the labour and social consequences of the East Asian crisis held during the ILO’s Governing Body session in Geneva in March 1999. One of the main observations made by all speakers at that High Level Meeting was that all countries directly affected by the East Asian crisis were ill prepared to deal with the crisis, as social safety nets and social security systems were underdeveloped or nonexistent and institutions for social dialogue, allowing for reflections as how to deal with the social effects of the crisis were absent, leading in some countries to social unrest and further scaring foreign investors.
 
 

    The 11^th Finance Commission is required to make recommendations about the measures needed for augmenting Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities and also the existing powers of Panchayats and Municipalities to raise financial resources including those by way of raising of additional taxes.

    The State Governments have for long been demanding the taxation of Union Properties should be brought under the purview of municipal laws. In this context, the Ministry of Urban Development had appointed a Working Group consisting of representatives of concerned Union Ministries, some State Governments and Municipalities. The Working Group examined the four Government Orders issued by the Ministry of Finance on May 10, 1954; March 29, 1967; May 28, 1976; and August 26, 1986 relating to payment of service charges to local bodies in respect of Central Government properties. These orders took note of various case laws decided by the Apex Court according to which, the Government properties "vested" in statutory bodies and public sector undertakings would no longer enjoy the protection of Article 285 of the Constitution and would be taxed at par with other properties.

    The Working Group examined the constitutional history for incorporation of Article 285 in the Constitution of India which replaced section 154 of the Government of India Act, 1935. This Article states as follows :

• "The property of Union shall, save in so far as Parliament may by law otherwise provide , be exempt from all taxes imposed by a State or by any authority within a State.

• Nothing in clause (1) shall, until Parliament by law otherwise provides, prevent any authority within a State from levying any tax on any property to which such property was immediately before the commencement of this Constitution liable or treated as liable, so long as that tax continues to be levied in that State."

    Reiterating his Government’s commitment to the handloom and handcrafts sector, Shri Vajpayee detailed out the various schemes and programmes being implemented for the development of these sectors and for promoting the socio-economic welfare of weavers and artisans. Referring to the impending international competition in the post – MFA (Multi Fibre Agreement) regime the Prime Minister said that our craftspersons have nothing to fair since we have time and the Government is taking adequate measures to upgrade the handicrafts and handlooms sectors to enable them to face international competition.

    The Prime Minister also mentioned about some of the important initiatives recently taken by the Government for the growth of these sectors which include a new marketing and development and assistance scheme called the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hathkarga Protsahan Yojana, restoration of the scheme to assist Weavers Co-operatives Spinning Mills, initiatives to assist lesser skilled handloom weavers, and sanction for setting up of Urban Haats on the lines of the Dilli Haat. He announced that the Government will not stop at opening of just four such Haats, rather many more Haats will come up in all parts of the country as adequate marketing facilities are a must for the development of the crafts. The idea of the International Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) at Bhadohi was conceived 17 years ago but it was his Government which has fulfilled this dream of the carpet industry, the Prime Minister said.

    The Prime Minister stated that Indian archaeological and historical studies have revealed that traditions of Indian craftsmanship have prevailed in this country continuously for more than 5,000 years. After the setback during the colonial rule, he said, we revived our pride in our forgotten handicrafts and salvaged the artistic instincts in all of us by encouraging organisation of Khadi and Village Industry exhibitions throughout the country. In India, the Prime Minister added, the handloom weaver is not just an economic agent adding his mite to the GDP. Rather, he symbolises the country’s vibrant sartorial ethos, he said.

    Earlier, speaking on the occasion the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Kashiram Rana, while congratulating the awardees said the handloom and handicrafts sectors in the country had attained a very high degree of excellence centuries before mechanisation came in. Today, he said, the entire world is attracted towards India due to its matchless traditions of art and culture. Referring to the dispersed and unorganised nature of these sectors, the Minister spelt out the myriad problems such as obsolete technology and traditional production techniques; lack of modernisation; lack of design and product innovation; weak financial base of weavers/artisans; non-availability of adequate of timely credit facilities; inadequate market intelligence and lack of requisite marketing support, which have an adverse impact on these sectors. However, the Government was aware of these problems and committed to socio-economic upliftment of weavers and artisans and has already taken various measures for the overall development of these sectors. The Textile Minister also talked about the new scheme setting up of Urban Haats and announced that sanctions have already been given for four such Haats at Ahmedabad, Agra, Hyderabad and Bhubneshwar.

    Shri Rana outlined some of the important measures that his Ministry has taken to bring about improvements in these sectors. The re-introduction of Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) scheme would be of immense benefit to the weaver community. A new scheme for setting up for Urban Haats, UNDP assisted projects covering handicrafts made up of jute, wood, cane & bamboo and carpets. These projects, he said, focus on an integrated development of some major craft pockets in the country. They aim at giving design assistance, assisting technology upgradation and assisting in both domestic and international marketing. In Moradabad, an estate is being developed with integrated facilities to provide necessary guidelines to the artisans and help the exporters to set up their units. For promoting exports of handicrafts, a Trade Mart is also proposed to be set up where handicrafts producers can put their products on permanent display for the benefit of foreign buyers visiting India the Minister informed the gathering. Shri Rana also said that we aim at increasing the exports of handloom products five-folds in the coming five years i.e. we expect to touch Rs. 10,000 crores from the present level of Rs. 2100 crores.

    The Textile Secretary, Shri Shyamal Ghosh while speaking on the occasion, said that the policies and programmes, of the Government, for these sectors, are addressed to the removal of inherent weaknesses and disabilities of the handloom and handicrafts industry while capitalising and reinforcing on its strength. Our strategy is manifold, he said. The Government wants to increase coverage through expanded plan outlay and give greater attention to the welfare of the handloom weavers/handcrafts artisans, especially through implementation of Workshed-cum-Housing Scheme, Group Insurance Scheme, Health Package Scheme, Thrift Fund Scheme etc. Stating that the efforts of the Government have yielded results which are reflected in the study growth of exports, Shri Ghosh said that exports of handicrafts have increased from Rs. 2543.18 crores in 1992-93 to Rs. 7072.34 crores during 1998-99. The export of handloom in the same period have grown from Rs. 1033.31 crores to Rs. 1830.85 crores.

    The National Awards for master craftspersons and weavers, which were instituted in the year 1965 by the erstwhile All India Handicrafts Board, aim at giving recognition to the artistic skills, craftsmanship and imagination of the traditional craftspersons and weavers of the country. From the year 1965 till date, 714 craftspersons and weavers from all over the country have been given the National Awards with Uttar Pradesh leading having bagged 97 awards. Craftspersons and weavers from Rajasthan have been awarded 71 National Awards followed by awardees from Orissa and Gujarat.

    An analysis of the craft-wise break-up of the National Awards from 1965 to 1997 reveals that Hand Printing Textile/Embroidery tops the list with 217 National Awards which is followed by Woodwares (89) and Paintings (85).

    Each National Awardee is given Rs. 25,000/- in cast, a Tamrapatra, an Angavastram and a Certificate. Besides the National Awards, National Merit Certificates are also given for excellence in the crafts. The recipient of the Merit Certificate receives Rs. 5000/- in cash. National Awardees as well as National Merit Certificate winners are given preference for participation in National Melas and other international events.
 
 

    Shri Asthana succeeds Shri R.S. Mathur, who has been posted as Secretary, Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
 

EMBARGO FOR TELECAST/BROADCAST/RELEASE ON 25^TH MAY1999 AND PUBLICATION ON 26^TH MAY,1999

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO), at its annual Conference in Geneva is expected to adopt a new international Convention aimed at an immediate, universal ban on the worst forms of child labour.

    At the 87^th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), from June 1 to17 , 1999, government, worker and employer representatives from 174 ILO member States are likely to conclude a global effort to build an international consensus for a new Convention and Recommendation targeting practices as child slavery, forced labour, trafficking, debt bondage, serfdom, prostitution, pornography as well as various forms of hazardous and exploitative work.

    The proposed new standards were first discussed at the 1998 ILC and these would apply to all children under the age of 18. According to ILO estimates, some 250 million children between the ages of five and 14 work in developing countries alone. About half, or some 120 million work full time, while the rest combine work and schooling. In some cases, as many as 68% of these children are engaged in hazardous work..ILO surveys indicate that some 50 to 60 million children between the ages of five and 11 are working worldwide, in circumstances that could be termed hazardous due to their age and vulnerability.
 

The worst forms of child labour

    According to the ILO, the worst forms of child labour include:

• All forms of slavery and practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, forced or compulsory labour, debt bondage and serfdom;
• The use, procurement or offering of a child for prostitution, production of pornography or pornographic performances;
• The use, procurement or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs;
• Work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardise the health, safety or morals of children.

    Based on ILO surveys, it can be said that about one quarter of all children aged five to 14 in developing countries are economically active. However, the most vulnerable children are those in the five to 11 age group.

    Among these younger children, the surveys found that the younger they are, the more vulnerable they are to workplace hazards and economic exploitation. It indicates that children aged five to 11 and engaged in economic activities may total between 50 and 60 million around the world.

Need for new standards

    The ILO’s Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) is the fundamental international standard on child labour and will remain the bedrock of national and international action for its total abolition. The number of ratifications has been increasing over the last couple of years. Currently, 72 States have ratified the Convention.
 
 

    Convention No. 138 is aimed at the total abolition of child labour. While it is widely recognised that this will take years, a growing international consensus has emerged that there should be an immediate end to the worst forms of child labour. The new standards will identify priority areas for action, focus on the worst forms of child labour, ensure immediate action irrespective of the level of development, provide special protection for younger children especially girls, and urge global cooperation and action.

    A number of issues remain to be considered during the second discussion of the proposed Convention and Recommendation. These involve whether the definition of the worst forms of child labour should include an explicit reference to children in armed combat or military activity; whether work which denies children access to education should be deemed as a worst form of child labour; the definition of hazardous work; and the role of NGOs and other concerned groups in the Convention.

Child labour worldwide

    While most child labour is found in developing countries, industrialised countries are not entirely child labour-free. In Eastern and Central Europe, for example, child labour has been reappearing in the wake of social and economic dislocation caused by the transition to a market economy. And even among countries of the European Union and in North America, there is evidence that the phenomenon has not entirely disappeared.

    In absolute terms, Asia, as the most densely populated region of the world, has the most child workers. Of the global total, 61% are in Asia, 32% in Africa and 7% in Latin America. In relative terms, however, Africa leads in the proportion of working children, with an estimated 41% of the total number of children aged between five and 14 working, compared to 22% in Asia and 17% in Latin America.

IPEC and hazardous work

    The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) is the world’s largest technical cooperation programme on child labour, an alliance of more than 90 donor and recipient countries. In more than 60 countries, IPEC guides and supports national initiatives to eliminate child labour by strengthening national capacities to address the problem and creating a worldwide movement to combat it.

    Since its inception in 1992, IPEC has signed agreements with 36 countries establishing formal country programmes. In another 29 countries, agreements involving projects are in preparation or being negotiated. In the past five years, nearly half (47%) of IPEC’s programmes involved children in hazardous work and 10% children in forced labour conditions. IPEC has organised programmes focusing on some of the worst forms of child labour including trafficking of children, prostitution, children in bondage, as well as in such sectors as domestic work, mining, quarrying, manufacturing and fireworks production.IPEC is engaged in action against child trafficking in eight Asian countries, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

EBARGO FOR TELECAST/BROADCAST /RELEASE ON 25^TH MAY1999 AND PUBLICATION ON 26THMAY,1999
 
 

    The cost of the project is Rs.230 crore and is financed by an equity of Rs.90 crore and terms loan of Rs.140 crore with Rs.90 crore of loan coming from HUDCO. The Government of Kerala and State Government undertakings are jointly investing 51% of the equity. The balance 49% of the equity has been invested by public and private sector, about 10,000 NRIs and general public. The Airports Authority of India have provided CNS (Communication, Navigation and Surveillance) facilities, Aeronautical Communication and Air Traffic Services to facilitate flight operation at the Airport.

    This airport has been constructed to enable any type of wide bodied aircraft to land with state-of-the-art facilities. The airport is suitable for operation of B-747-400 type of Aircraft. It has a 3400 meter length of runway with sufficient apron space for parking 8 aircraft at a time. Two separate Terminals one for domestic passengers and International passengers have also been provided at the airport. The Cochin Airport is built as the most modern airport with all the operational safety and passenger amenities, comparable to any international airport.
 
 

    This will be the second operational launch of the PSLV and will be putting into orbit, three satellites in a single vehicle for the first time.

    The launch of the satellites by India’s own PSLV will be telecast live by the Doordarshan on its National Network. The telecast will start at 11.15 AM and continue till about 12.15 PM on May 26, 1999.
 
 

    The results will be given to Press through the Press Information Bureau. Information relating to the results can also be obtained from the ‘Facilitation Centre’ of the U.P.S.C. after 1600 hours on 25^th May 1999. The working hours of the ‘Facilitation Centre’ on working days are between 1000 hours and 1700 hours. Information can be obtained either in person or over telephone No.3385271 from the Centre during the working hours.
 
 

    The Minister has made this announcement under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for encouraging sport persons. The Prime Minister had by amending the Scheme, "Special Award to Winners in International Sport Events and Coaches", increased the prize money to Rs. 15 lakh from Rs.5 lakh for gold medal winners in the Olympic Games. The prize money for silver medal winners in the Olympics was increased to Rs.9 lakh from Rs.3 lakh and for bronze medal winners to Rs.6 lakh from Rs.2 lakh. Similarly, for the Asian and Commonwealth Games, the prize money for gold medallists was increased to Rs.5 lakh from Rs.1 lakh , for silver medallists Rs.3 lakh from Rs.75,000/- and for bronze medallists Rs.2 lakh from Rs.50,000/-.

    As regards a team event, the prize money for each player of the team winning a gold medal in the Olympics would be Rs.7.5 lakh. The Minister has stated that the Cricket World Cup being considered as international event, it can be placed at par with the Olympic Games.
 
 

    The Workshop will be participated by renowned geologists and scientists on water and soil sciences, including a deputation of experts from Aral Sea Basin states. Participants will also include Shri Z. Hasan, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Shri A.D. Mohile, Chairman, Central Water Commission, Government of India.

    The aim of the Workshop is to deliberate on the measures for promotion of water conservation and water savings in agriculture and agro-forestry in salt-affected, soils with the following objectives :-

• Promoting and encouraging the best technological applications or subject which has been successful in saving or recovering used water.
• Promoting other non-technological interventions, innovative management/techniques for increasing availability of water for different uses.
• Promoting research that leads to substantial savings in water applications or uses, besides demonstrated savings in a project or allied areas.

Promoting development of new policies/approaches for water saving, leading to cost- effective and efficient use of water.