As compared to the corresponding period of 1998 there has been a decrease of 14.11 per cent in the total number of malaria cases. Upto the month of July this year, 54 suspected cases of dengue have been reported so far from the States of Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi.
 
 

    The Award was instituted on 20^th August, 1994, the 50^th Birth Anniversary of the Late Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi who had deep love and concern for children especially those suffering from disabilities. The selection for the Award is made each year by a National Selection Committee. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs. One Lakh and a Citation. The Award is conferred on an individual who makes outstanding contribution towards upliftment of children.

    Smt. Sumati Sukalikar was born on 23^rd December, 1924 at Mehkar in the District of Buldhana of Maharashtra. She is popularly known as ‘Tai’. She has been involved in social welfare activities since 1943. She has been decorateed with various Awards from time to time.

    Smt. Sumati Sukalikar has been instrumental in establishing Bal Jagat in Nagpur, an institution created somewhat on the lines of Shantiniketan. Bal Jagat provides an opportunity to children to develop themselves in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Children are able to learn fine arts, utilise their talents and develop themselves, physically and mentally. Bal Jagat is working for the welfare of children from poorer sections of the society etc. Smt. Sukalikar also founded the Women’s Welfare Project at the Deendayal Research Institute, Nagpur.
 
 
 

    The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) which has been, interalia, delegated with the responsibility to fix/revise the prices of drugs under DPCO 1995 has observed that SSI units which do not qualify for exemption under the above Government S.O. are manufacturing and selling drugs on the assumption that their status as SSI per se accords exemption to their products. It is brought to the notice of all the concerned that the exemption provided in the above order is not automatic and every unit requires to fulfil the following conditions before availing the exemption:

"(i) It is an independent unit/company and not a subsidiary of or owned or controlled in any manner by any other undertaking which is not so exempted from the provisions of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995;

(ii) the formulations are marketed by the concerned unit/company in their own brand names and trade marks or in the brand or trade name of any other small scale industry unit;

(iii) a declaration complying with conditions (i) and (ii) above along with a copy of Registration Certificate as a small scale industry unit is submitted to the Government within sixty days from the date of this notification in case of existing units and sixty days from the date of commencement of production in case of new units."

    Further, as clarified in the Note No. (ii) of the order "the exemption is granted only to those products, manufactured in their own factory under their own Registration certificate or in the factory of any other small scale industry unit."

    In view of the above those units that consider any of their product eligible for the exemption, should submit declaration to the Government/NPPA by furnishing information and documentary evidence required under the above Government S.O. The units are therefore advised to comply with the conditions of Notification forthwith.

    Any manufacturing unit selling the drug formulations in violation of the provisions of the DPCO 1995 shall be liable to penal action in accordance with the provisions of Essential Commodities Act under which DPCO, 1995 has been promulgated and also to pay the overcharged amounts to the Government.

    For further clarifications, if any, the units may write to the Dy. Director (Monitoring), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & fertilizers, 19^th floor, Jawahar Vyapar Bhavan, Janpath, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi 110 001 Phone 3701138.
 
 

    Central Electricity Authority recently organised a meeting with all the Power Utilities on Y2K in the Power Sector. This was attended by Shri V.K. Pandit, Secretary (Power) and Dr. N. Seshagiri, Director General, NIC and other Chief Executive of Power Utilities. Accordingly, in the above meeting, deliberations took place on the Y2K preparedness of the Power Sector and Utility wise and power station wise and targets set for the compliance programme. It was also noted that out of the 93,000 MW of capacity nearly 60 per cent capacity comprising Hydro and Thermal Power Stations were of pre-1985 technologies, having analog systems and hence are unaffected by Y2K effect. Programme on the remaining targeted power stations and associated transmission and communication systems, could be tackled with concerted efforts and vendors cooperation and as per targets.

    Shri Pandit expressed appreciation of the efforts made by CEA and cooperation extended to Power Utilities. Dr. Seshagiri, NIC mentioned that the NIC has instituted a Y2K help-cell in their organization to assist all sectors in the Y2K compliance and assured NIC's full support in completion of the programme by Utilities. He also mentioned that out of the 315 Power Stations, 220 Power Stations have analog systems and hence would be unaffected by the Y2K problem. He also mentioned that the CEA's coordination mechanism with the Power Utilities would be fully supported by NIC in completing the Y2K programme.
 
 

    The modification in the earlier decision of the Department of Company Affairs follows the likely opening up of insurance sector in the private sector. The activities of the insurance sector would be regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority which has already been set up.

    Earlier, the Registrars of Company had been advised not to allow registration of companies with the ‘bank’ ‘banking’ investment’ ‘insurance’ and the ‘trust’. In view of the setting up of the Insurance Regulatory Authority, the Department of Company Affairs changed its guidelines for registration of insurance related companies in the private sector as well.
 
 

• Creation of increased employment opportunities to achieve higher standard of living of craftspersons individually and collectively in rural and urban craft clusters through efficient production practices, professional management and enlarged domestic as well as overseas marketing network .
• Preservation of cultural heritage through research and documentation, region/craft specific strategies and protection of crafts facing extinction.
• Social security net for safety of craftspersons and preservation of crafts.

    A sum of Rs. 257 crores has been allocated for the development of handicrafts sector during the 9^th Plan.
 
 

    Keeping in view the increased competition in the industrial scene brought in by the liberalization, NSIC has been introducing various schemes and programmes to assist SSIs in their development. Some of the initiatives taken by the NSIC include raw material scheme, hire-purchase scheme, bill financing, equipment leasing scheme and tender marketing - all aimed at improving the liquidity of the SSI sector.
 
 

    On this occasion, Shri Pande called upon employees not to treat this pledge as a ritual, but to follow it in real spirit.
 
 

    The broad intent of the Agreement is to promote and protect investment from either country into the other. Investment is defined broadly as every kind of asset including Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in accordance with laws and regulations of the country in which the investment is made. Definition of investment also includes business concessions conferred by law or under contract including concessions to search for an extract oil and other minerals. The agreement covers all investments accepted in accordance with the laws and regulations of a country, whether made before or after the coming into force of this Agreement but does not apply to disputes which arose before the entry into the force of the Agreement.

    Each country is required to encourage and create favourable conditions for investments and admission of investments shall be subject to the laws and policies of the contracting party where the investments are made. Investment would enjoy full legal protection and security in the territory of the country where investments are made. Investments are to be accorded both Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment and National treatment. MFN treatment is also to be accorded to investors. Such treatments would not be applicable in respect of customs unions or similar international agreements and relating to matters concerning taxation. Nationalisation or expropriation shall not be resorted except in public interest in accordance with law on a non-discriminatory basis and against compensation. Compensation for losses on account of war or other armed conflict, national emergency or civil disturbances is also provided for.

    The Agreement provides for free transfer of funds relating to investment. An elaborate dispute resolution mechanism including international arbitration is provided for both in respect of disputes between the two countries as well as between the investor of one country and the other country where the investment is made. The Agreement provides for investments to be governed by the laws in force in the territory of the country where the investment is made.

    The Agreement would remain in force for a period of 10 years and would thereafter continue in force indefinitely unless a year's notice is given by either side for the termination of the Agreement. the Agreement would enter into force on the date of the exchange of instrument of ratification.

    It is perceived that the Agreement will serve as a major catalyst for investment flows from either country.
 

• Wherever the destination is directly connected by Air India/Indian Airlines on the day the official has to commence the onward journey, the official concerned should necessarily travel by Air India/Indian Airlines in terms of the existing instructions. Air India and its booking offices will ensure convenient connections for the Government officials booked by these Airlines. The booking of tickets in such cases should also be through the concerned national carrier directly.
• If on a particular day when the onward journey is to commence, the final destination is not served by Air India/Indian Airlines, the officials may travel by other Airlines, with the approval of their controlling officers.
• In sectors where Air India/Indian Airlines do not operate or there is no direct flight to the final destination, the officials could travel by other Airlines, at their discretion. This will be subject to the official's travelling on the national carriers to the nearest station/point, if it is conveniently connected by other carriers on the day of journey in respect of travel to the final destination. In such cases, they could book their tickets through M/s Ashok Tours & Travel and Balmer & Lawrie.