The sensitization workshop for senior level Jail Administrators of the country in Tuberculosis Control Programme is a maiden step in this direction. Senior Jail Administrators from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, Delhi and U.P. took part in the Workshop besides representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Directorate General of Health Services, Govt. of India. The participants in the two-day deliberations suggested a plan of action for implementation of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Jails all over the country.
 
 

• Presently colour is not allowed in flavour. Therefore, in carbonated and non- carbonated beverages, colour and flavour are only being allowed to be used separately.

• Addition of permitted synthetic colours is now proposed to be allowed in flavour emulsion and flavour paste, for use only in carbonated and non corbonated beverages. This amendment will facilitate the industry to use coloured flavour emulsion as well as paste in these beverages.

• The safe tolerance level of heavy metals like lead, copper, zinc etc. (in fruit products) are prescribed as part of standards of food products. These standards have been reviewed, and revised maximum tolerance levels of heavy metals in fruit products are now being prescribed.

• Similarly, maximum and minimum tolerance levels for heavy metals like copper and zinc are being proposed in case of infant milk substitutes and infant foods. In this case, a minimum tolerance level has been stipulated, as these are necessary ingredients for the child’s growth and development.

• Currently, carbonated water containing natural or artificial sweetening agents, requires a minimum of 5 per cent of sugar expressed as sucrose, except in the case of tonic water and dry gingerale. The proposed amendment seeks to retain this minimum level of sucrose content in carbonated water other than tonic water gingerale, unsweetened carbonated water and artificially sweetened carbonated water. Carbonated waters, include beverages, popularly termed as soft drinks.

    Shri Patil said that DFP, the largest grassroot level inter-personal communication channel of the I&B Ministry, has joined hands with the Ministry of Rural Development to communicate it's message to a cross-section of society, especially in remote and backward areas. This campaign assumes special significance in the light of restructuring of the poverty alleviation programmes and the merger of all Self-employment Programmes into one programme-Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana. Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana, Employment Assurance Scheme, Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme and Rural Housing are some schemes aimed at rapid transformation of rural India, the Minister added.

    The role of the Gram Sabha in planning and implementing area -specific programmes will be specially highlighted as part of the year of the Gram-Sabha, 1999-2000.

    Kissan meets/rallies, public meetings, seminars, symposia, health check-up camps, rural sports events will be organised as part of the Campaign. Special competitions, Film shows, Photo exhibitions and Cultural programmes are proposed to be held. Pamphlets and Brochures on various Rural Development Schemes would also be distributed.

    This multi-media publicity campaign is being launched in the districts of Belgaum, Dharwar, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Mysore and Bangalore. Besides DFP units, a number of Central and State Government departments and Voluntary Agencies would be involved in the Campaign.
 
 

    Steps to be taken under the action plan relate to product identification, market forecasting, lowering of product cost, quality control including virus indexing, cost benefit analysis and special policies to promote the industry including fiscal assistance. At a meeting held early this week with scientists, industrialists, entrepreneurs, foresters and financial institutions, all aspects relating to commercialisation of plant tissue culture was discussed threadbare before finalising the action plan. Important plant species for the domestic and export market were also identified. In addition, the two micropropagation technology parks were assigned specific responsibilities based on the needs of the industry. As a step in that direction, the DBT has already proposed to establish a national facility for plant virus testing and quality control at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute at Pusa, New Delhi. The quality control testing in terms of genetic fidelity will be done by the two micropropagation technology parks located at Pune and New Delhi.

    The interaction between the DBT and the industry was very fruitful and highly rewarding, as the problems could be raised and solutions found across the table. In her initial remarks the Secretary, DBT, Dr. Manju Sharma said that biotechnology can provide many a strategies including cell and tissue culture techniques as well as molecular approaches for the plant breeders. Genetic improvement of the cultivars for increasing productivity, improving the quality and enhancing the plant resistance to pests and diseases can be effectively brought about through biotechnology, she said. The micropropagation techniques using tissue culture methods provide unique opportunities to rapidly multiply the elite types, she stated.

    The DBT supported projects have successfully standardized complete protocols and processes for a number of economically important plant species. These protocols have been scaled up at the hardening units and tissue culture pilot plants. The two technology parks provide an effective platform for the transfer of proven technologies to the entrepreneurs.
 
 

    These properties could not be transferred because of the Delhi High Court stay orders of June 1,1984 that status-quo regarding the properties should be maintained and possession is retained by the Government of India.

    In August, 1984, the Government of India prayed the High Court to vacate the stay to enable the Government to complete the transfer of Wakf properties. The hearings of the case took place from time to time. Each time, the hearing was adjourned. From August 1984 to June 1998, 26 hearings took place. The Additional Solicitor General of India was also appointed to defend the case of Union of India. An application of early hearing was also moved before the High Court of Delhi on May 2,1986 followed by repeated requests since then. No orders has been passed so far by the High Court and the stay could not be vacated.
 
 

Earlier in the day the employees also voluntarily contributed one day’s salary to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the relief of the families affected by the border skirmish.
 
 

    Coal production of Coal India Limited during the month of May 99 was 18.93million tonnes against the target of 20.16 mt. The production of coal by Singareni Collieries company Ltd. was 33.12 per cent more in comparison to production during the same period last year. It was 2.09 mt whereas in May 98 the production was 1.57 mt. The despatches of coal from CIL were 3.90 per cent more than the target of 21.20 mt. They were 22.02 mt. The despatches from SCCL exceeded by 47.85 per cent in comparison to May 98. The despatches from SCCL during the month were 2.43 mt. Raw coal production was pegged down to liquidate stock which was 241.29 lt as on May 31, 99 .

    From Nov 1, 98 to May 99 the realisation against billing was 96.8 per cent whereas previous seven months collection was 92.3 per cent. Outstanding dues from power sector to CIL as on May 20, 99 stands at Rs. 5084.71 crores and from Southern

    Region Electricity Board to NLC as on May 31,99 stands at Rs. 1326.34 crores. The major amounts outstanding are Rs. 808.21 crores from MSEB, Rs. 605.17 crores from MPEB, Rs. 523.73 crores from GEB, Rs. 493 crores from UPSEB, Rs. 312.51 crores from BSEB and Rs. 526.06 crores from BTPS.
 
 

    The accident occurred when the train was travelling from Samba to New Guwahati. One passenger was killed, five had grievous injuries and two sustained simple injuries in the accident.