At the 87th 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.

Youngest workers and hazardous work

    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.
 
 

                - Cover children under18                                           *Ensure effective enforcement
                - Suppress extreme forms of child
                labour;                                                                      *Take measures for prevention, removal, rehablitation
                -Slavery,forced labour
                -Trafficking                                                               *Take steps through international cooperation and assistance
                - Prostitution,illegal activities
                - Most hazardous work
 
 

                Adopt national programmes of action
                Which                                                                        - Establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective
                                                                                                    appilication
                Protect the very young                                                - Determine the most hazardous work
                Protect girls                                                                - Compile data
                Protect other children with Special
                vulnerablities                                                               - Determine certain activities as criminal offences
                Include measures for prevention,
                Rehablitation, social integration                                    - Take effective enforcement measures
                Raise awareness and mobilise society
                Identify and reach out to Children at
                risk

    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.
 
 

'32'
NO THREAT TO HISTORICAL MONUMENTS FROM MRTS IN DELHI

    Following two representations, one from Shri A.K. Nagi of Delhi and another from M/s. UNITECH objecting to the MRTS alignemtn passing close to Jantar Mantar Monument, Kashmirigate and City Wall, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) took up the matter with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). As suggested by the ASI, the National Physical Laboratory was commissioned to examine the issue in depth.

    Apprehensions were expressed in the two representations that construction of MRTS structure in close vicinity of these monuments and operation of MRTS trains would cause damage to them.

    The 53.3 kilometre long MRTS project in Delhi has been taken up at a cost of Rs.4860 crores. In the first Phase , to begin with , 8 kilometre long Shahadra-Tees Hazari section of the Shahadra-Nangloi Rail corridor has commenced in October 1998. This is expected to be completed by March 2002 and the rest of the total 53.3 kilometre long route by March 2005.

    The Overseas Economic Cooperation Funds (OECF) of Japan is providing loan assistance for the Delhi Metro Rail Project to the extent of 56 per cent of the total cost of the project. The balance cost of the project on account of land cost and other related matters is to be met by the Government of India and the National Capital Territory Government of Delhi.

    The Union Cabinet approved the investment proposals for Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System in September, 1996. Under this decision, the project is to be implemented through a joint venture company named Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. with equity participation of 50 per cent each by the Government of India and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
 
 

    Addressing the seminar on Economic Reforms and Labour organised by International Labour Organisation here today, Shri Pant cautioned that high growth strategy are inherently risky and it affects the workers also. Hence while making efforts for higher growth, due care should be taken of all aspects of economy including protection of labour and of real wages. But while doing so, a middle path shall have to be adopted as excessive protection and insufficient protection both create social problems. The social security system in case of developing countries like ours, during the period of high growth would have to be significantly different from the systems of matured and stable economies, he said. Shri Pant called for much larger role of the Government to ensure the labour welfare than the commonly recommended role by liberal economic thoughts.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Labour, Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya, said that recent economic crisis in South East Asian countries has created large scale unemployment. Though India has not been directly affected by the crisis, the employment situation in the country has of late shown signs of concern. The average annual growth rate of overall employment in organised sector has declined to 1.09 per cent from 1.51 per cent in 1996 and in the organised sector in has declined to 2.04 per cent from 5.62 per cent in 1996. He called for massive efforts at the national level to address the problem and to make employment more productive. Shri Jatiya said that it could be overcome by channelising investment in the sectors which have high growth potential.
 
 

    The formulations for which prices have been revised/fixed consist of Insulins used for control/treatment of diabetes, Rifampicin based formulations used in the treatment of T.B., Ranitidine based tablets/injections used in the treatment of ulcer, Disprin used for pain relief, Dicrysticin (Penicillin based formulation) a broad spectrum antibiotic, Basiton Forte used in deficiency of vitamins and Wysolone tablet used as Cortico steroid.

    The prices fixed/revised would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette or the receipt of the order of the NPPA in this behalf. Necessary revised price list is also to be issued by the manufacturers/importers which is to be furnished by the concerned manufacturer to the government and NPPA, State Drug Control Authorities and distributors, wholesalers and retailers or any other agent. The manufacturers are also required to work out the prices of different pack sizes as the case may be in terms of notification issued in January 1998.
 
 

    An Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) has been constituted to examine the report of the Bureau of Industrial Costs and Prices (BICP) on the cost-price study of DAP and MOP and decide on the parameters to be adopted for computation of rates of concession for DAP (Indigenous) for the year 1999-2000 with effect from 1.4.1999. The final rates of concession would be worked out on the basis of the report of the IMG.

    Keeping in view the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates, it has also been decided to index the above rates of concession on a quarterly basis to the actual behaviour of the exchange rate. The rates of concession mentioned above have been fixed taking a foreign exchange rate of Rs. 42.85 to a US $ in the case of DAP (Indigenous) and MOP and Rs. 42.50 in the case of DAP (Imported) and would be taken as base for the first quarter (1.4.99 to 30.6.99). The final rates of concession for DAP (Imported) and MOP for each quarter will be decided on the basis of the actual average exchange rate (RBI reference rate) relevant for the quarter taking into account only variations of 25 paise or more as compared to the rate adopted for the previous quarters. In the case of indigenous DAP, change in the exchange rate by Re.1 to a US $ would make a difference of Rs.230/- in the cost of production and the rate of concession and quarterly indexing will be made on this basis.

    The 80 per cent ‘on account’ payment for the first quarter of 1999-2000 would be made on the basis of the rates of concession mentioned above. The rates for payment of ‘on account’ concession for the remaining quarters will be the final rates of concession fixed for the previous quarter. The difference between the final concession fixed and the ‘on account’ concession will be paid to the manufacturers and importers on receipt of the certificate of sales in the prescribed proforma from the State Governments.

    The concession scheme on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilisers was introduced by the Government from Rabi, 1992 to cushion the impact of decontrol which led to increase in the price of P&K fertilisers and consequent reduction in their consumption. In its current form, Government fixes the maximum retail prices (MRP) at which these fertilisers are to be sold and a concession is paid to the manufacturers and importers to cover the difference between the MRP and the cost of sale or import.
 
 

    The table below gives the requirement and availability of major fertilizers namely, Urea, DAP and MOP during Kharif’99 season in the country:

PRODUCTION AND IMPORTS OF UREA AND DAP IN THE LAST THREE YEARS
 

    Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the book will serve as a guide for future construction engineers. He said that Konkan Railway is an unique engineering marvel created by our own engineers. It is therefore necessary to record experiences gained during the construction of this railway for the benefit of others involved in design, investigation and execution of similar projects. The Minister called upon for undertaking aggressive marketing by Konkan Railway Corporation so that it attracts more business and also develops more Railway Tourism. He said the Minister of Railway would continue to give financial support to the Corporation so that it can overcome all its initial financial problems and emerge as the most viable system soon.

    The Minister of State, Shri Ram Naik in his address said that Konkan Railway which connects Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala has transformed the lives of 11 million people of the region. He said that it has provided the impetus for socio economic development to a land rich in mineral and agricultural resources. He said that the Konkan Railway is indeed an achievement for the thousands of engineers and workers who built it and whose skill and dedication is a matter of pride. He said that the Konkan Railway is really one of the engineering wonders of the world. He said that the book on Konkan Railway will really prove to be a useful document.

    The 490-page book gives a comprehensive technical data on how the various phases of the project were planned and completed, the problems faced during construction and the innovative methodologies used for overcoming them. This will be of immense help for the posterity to draw inspiration from and improve upon. The book will benefit immensely budding engineers and students in engineering colleges to learn practical aspects of construction work.

    Replete with a number of coloured photographs, tables and charts, the book gives informative data on earthwork, tunnels, grade crossings, electrical and signalling works, bridges and railway stations. The Foreword of the book has been written by Shri V.K. Aggarwal, Chairman, Railway Board.
 
 

    The Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid homage to the memory of the rebel poet by visiting his birth place at Churulia in Burdwan District of West Bengal on 20^th May, 1999. The Government of India has also constituted a National Committee to chalk out other functions during the centenary year of the poet. The Committee will meet under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister and includes as its members five eminent poets drawn from different parts of India. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Sikander Bakht, Minister of Industry, Ms. Mamta Banerjee, Shri Tapan Sikdar, Shri Indrajit Gupta, Ms. Chandra Kala Pandey, among others, are the members of this Committee.

    To mark the centenary, the Department of Culture in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, Poetry Society (India) and India International Centre will be organising a programme of a Kavi Sammelan on 26^th May, 1999 where ten poets from different parts of the country will participate and pay homage to the memory of this great poet. The Kavi Sammelan would be followed by Nazrul Geethi-100, a music programme organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi.

    Earlier, on Friday, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, inaugurated a 2-day Seminar on Firaq Gorakhpuri, the first Jnanpith awardee of Urdu, organised in Allahabad by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language. The Seminar was spread over 5 sessions presided over by Shri Shamsur Rehman Faruqi, Prof.Gopi Chand Narang, Justice Markande Kartju of Allahabad High Court, Prof. Shamim Hanfi and Prof. Abul Kalam Qasmi. A galaxy of 25 scholars of eminence from all over India presented their papers.

    The Minister, in his speech, while emphasising Firaq’s contribution as a poet, philosopher and linguist, also emphasised the importance of the composite culture of India. During the Seminar, a number of debates were held which brought out the importance of Firaq Gorakhpuri and also the importance of the process of culture blending during different periods of Indian history. The seminar also addressed itself to the present cultural and social scenario, coming to the conclusion the present times are very important to the history of India -- Indians have started researching their roots, resulting in the emergence of different social, cultural and linguistic identities.
 
 

    The following are the first 20 candidates in order of merit in the list:
 
 

    The top position in the results this year has been secured by a lady candidate (Ms. Bhawna Garg). Further, among the first 20 candidates, there are 5 lady candidates as against only 2 lady candidates who figured in this range in the results of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 1997.

    Some highlights of the results of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 1998, are given below:

• FEMALE – MALE RATIO OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES IN C.S. (MAIN) EXAM.’98

    There is a +9.01% increase in the number of finally qualified female candidates this year vis-à-vis last year. While in C.S. (Main)’97 Exam, the percentage of successful female candidates was 10.14% (63 out of 621) in C.S. (Main)’98, the percentage has gone up to 19.15% (90 out of 470). Correspondingly the percentage of successful male candidates has gone down from 89.86% in 1997 to 80.85% this year.
 

• EDUCATION QUALIFICATION-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES:

• AGE-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF FINALLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES:

*    See the details result of Civil Services(Main) Examination,1998 on 'Focus' otherwise click here