India planning various programs in Space

Launching of GSAT-11

India has plan to realise GSAT-11 spacecraft for launch during the end of 2016 or first quarter of 2017. GSAT-11 is a first generation high throughput communication satellite with a lift-off mass of about 5600 kg, operating in Ka/Ku bands. It is a multi-beam satellite with 32 user beams and 8 hub beams over India.

It is planned to launch GSAT-11 spacecraft using procured launch services. At present, the indigenous capability to launch this weight class of satellite is not available.

The in-orbit testing of GSAT-11 satellite is planned to be conducted from the Master Control Facility (MCF) in Hassan, Karnataka and other suitable locations of ISRO Centres.

The spacecraft capability includes providing broadband connectivity to rural areas with higher bandwidth as compared to traditional communication satellites.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. 

BRICS Satellites

As part of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Cooperation, space agencies of respective nations, including India, are pursuing technical discussions to realise a virtual constellation (network of remote sensing satellites provided by space agencies) in a phased manner, wherein space agencies could provide data from their existing remote sensing satellites. Such virtual constellation is intended to deal with challenges of the mankind such as global climate change, natural disasters and environmental protection.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. 

Thirty Metre Telescope

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project is the joint responsibility of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) from India. As per the information provided by Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) under DST, the TMT is an international project being funded by scientific organisations of Canada, China, India, Japan and USA. The Evaluation process for an appropriate site includes scientific suitability (water vapour in the atmosphere, atmospheric turbulence and number of cloud-free nights in a year), infrastructure and logistics for setting-up of such a large international scientific project. While Mauna Kea, Hawaii is the preferred choice for the TMT project, given the large investments that have already been made and committed, the project is also looking at alternate sites both in the northern and southern hemispheres. Hanle, Ladakh is one of the sites being evaluated for hosting the telescope. Hanle being the protected area in the state of J&K, the project requires clearances from State and Central agencies such as environmental, defence, external affairs and home affairs.

The total cost of TMT project is about 1.5 billion US dollars. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for India’s participation in the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) project at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA at a total cost of Rs. 1299.8 crores from 2014-2023. From the Indian side, this will be a joint project of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) with a DST share of Rs. 675.25 crores and DAE share of Rs. 624.55 crores.

TMT will enable scientists to study fainter objects far away from us in the Universe, which gives information about early stages of evolution of the Universe. Also, it will give us finer details of not-so-far-away objects like undiscovered planets and other objects in the Solar System and planets around other stars. TMT being the largest optical and infrared telescope in the northern hemisphere will enable several discoveries which will surely inspire future generations. Project will also provide state-of-the-art high end technologies to the country, which would benefit a number of industries and R&D centers in the country.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. 

National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board

In order to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and any other format of Indian system of medicine covered by Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been constituted. The Board shall work as an umbrella organization that governs and promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner. The Ministry would drive the promotion of Medical & Wellness Tourism and will act as a facilitator and support the medical/wellness segment in promoting tourism and promoting India as a medical and wellness destination. The Board held its first meeting on 13th January 2016 and will look into the issues relating to visa issues, accreditation of hospitals and allied services as well as marketing and promotion of Medical and Wellness Tourism. 

This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. 

Transparent Gas Cylinders to curb Gas Pilferage

The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that in order to undertake a feasibility study on marketing of LPG in Composite cylinders by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), a public tender has been invited for procurement of composite cylinders by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.(HPCL). This pilot study is proposed in two select markets of Ahmedabad and Pune. 

Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reported that the approximate cost of a composite cylinder is more than double that of a steel made cylinder. OMCs will be procuring these cylinders through competitive bids by floating Public Tender. 

Efforts are being made to expedite launch of the pilot project, which is subject to successful supply of composite cylinders by the manufactures and getting statutory approvals. 

‘Panic Button and Global Positioning System in Mobile Phone Handsets Rules 2016’ notified

WCD Minister, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi congratulates Prime Minister on the historic step for safety of women

The Department of Telecommunications has notified the “Panic Button and Global Positioning System in Mobile Phone Handsets Rules 2016”. The Ministry of Women and Child Development had taken up the issue of installation of a physical panic button on mobile phones as one of the initiatives in June 2014. It was observed that in order to provide safety to women in distress situation, it is important to enable them to send out distress signal to a family member or the police authorities so that they can be rescued.

The Ministry had discussed this issue with a number of stakeholders as well as Department of Telecommunications and had insisted that a physical panic button is much superior to having an App on the mobile phone. It was argued that a women in distress does not have more than a second or two to send out a distress message as a perpetrator will often reach out to her mobile phone in the event of a physical/sexual assault. After an elaborate process of discussion and deliberation, the Department of Telecommunications as well stakeholders finally agreed to have this facility installed in the mobile phones.

Accordingly, the Department of Telecommunications has notified the rules on panic button vide notification dated 22nd April, 2016 issued under section 10 of the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933. Under these rules, w.e.f. 1.1.2017, all feature phones will have the facility of panic button configured to the numeric key 5 or 9 and all smart phones will have the panic button configured to three times short pressing of the on-off button. Further, w.e.f. 1.1.2018, all mobile phones will be required to have the facility of identifying the location through satellite based GPS.

The Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, congratulated the Prime Minister on this historic step which aims at providing a security net to millions of women who face distress situation in day to day life. She stated that India will be one of the first countries to have mandated this for making women feel safe. She also stated that a panic button will also act as a deterrent to perpetrators. She has thanked the Minister for Communication and IT as well as mobile phone handset manufacturers for agreeing to bring about this historic change on her request.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development will now be working with the Department of Telecommunications and the stakeholders to ensure that similar solutions be made available for existing mobile phone handsets in the form of software patches by which same buttons could be configured to send out emergency calls for concerned telephone numbers. Ministry stated that these software patches will be made available for direct download in the smart phones and installation at the mobile phone shops by the concerned manufactures/service providers. 

Selling of Medicines Banned in Foreign Countries

New Delhi : A drug banned / restricted in one country may continue to be marketed in other countries as the respective Governments examine the usage, doses, indications permitted, etc. along with the overall risk-benefit ratio and take decisions on the continued marketing of any drug in that country. In India, safety issues concerning drug formulations are, as and when noted, assessed in consultation with the experts. Safety and efficacy issues relating to certain drugs which have been banned in some countries have been examined and some of these have been allowed for continued marketing subject to stipulated condition/restrictions. These include: 

I. Nimesulide:- The manufacture, sale and distribution of Nimesulide formulation for human use in children below 12 years of age has been prohibited in the country. 

II. Analgin:- The manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of Analgin and its formulations containing Analgin for human use was initially suspended in the country w.e.f. 18.06.2013. Subsequently, DTAB examined the issue of suspension of manufacture and sale of the said drug on 25.11.2013 in its 65th meeting and on the basis of the recommendations of the DTAB, the ban was revoked subject to the condition that manufacturers will be required to mention the following on their package insert and promotional literature of the drug:- 

“The drug is indicated for severe pain and pain due to tumour and also for bringing down temperature in refractory cases when other antipyretics fail to do so”. 

III Pioglitazone:- The manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of the drug Pioglitazone and formulations containing Pioglitazone for human use was initially suspended w.e.f. 18.06.2013. Subsequently, DTAB, after examination, recommended for revocation of the suspension of the manufacture and sale of the drug subject to certain conditions and accordingly, the suspension was revoked subject to the condition that the manufacturer shall mention on the package insert and promotional literature of the drug the following:- 

a) The drug should not be used as first line of therapy for diabetes. 

b) The manufacturer should clearly mention the following box warning in bold red. 

“Advice for healthcare professionals: 

I. Patients with active bladder cancer or with a history of bladder cancer, and those with uninvestigated haematuria, should not receive pioglitazone. 

II. Prescribers should review the safety and efficacy of pioglitazone in individuals after 3–6 months of treatment to ensure that only patients who are deriving benefit continue to be treated. Pioglitazone should be stopped in patients who do not respond adequately to treatment (e.g. reduction in glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1c). 

III. Before starting pioglitazone, the following known risk factors for development of bladder cancer should be assessed in individuals: age; current or past history of smoking; exposure to some occupational or chemotherapy agents such as cyclophosphamide; or previous irradiation of the pelvic region. 

IV. Use in elderly patients should be considered carefully before and during treatment because the risk of bladder cancer increases with age. Elderly patients should start on the lowest possible dose and be regularly monitored because of the risks of bladder cancer and heart failure associated with pioglitazone.” 

V. The Central Government has banned 344 Fixed Dose Combinations on 10.03.2016, as these combinations lacked therapeutic rationality/ justification. 

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today. 

India to Organise the Second International Yoga Day as a Mega Event

New Delhi : The Government of India plans to organize massive event to celebrate the Second International Yoga Day on 21 June, 2016. Ministry of AYUSH will conduct following activities to celebrate the Second International Day of Yoga. 

• Mass Yoga demonstration following a Common Yoga Protocol on 21st June, 2016. 

• A two-day International Conference on “Yoga for Body & Beyond”. 

• An International Yoga Fest, as Curtain Raiser to International Day of Yoga during 20-22 April, 2016 at Delhi which has already been organized. 

• Mass Media Campaign through radio TV, digital cinema and social media. 

• Mobilization of School Children for performing Yoga on 21st June, 2016. 

• Various Yoga organizations to provide technical support to State/UTs in Yoga training. 

• Yoga organizations to organize camps at various centers. 

• States/UTs requested to organize Mass Yoga demonstration at State, District, Block and Panchayat level. 

• All Ministries/Departments advised to organize Mass Yoga demonstration in their offices/premises. 

• Mobilization of NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts & Guides, NYKS and other organizations for organization of Mass Yoga Demonstration and other events on the occasion. 

• Mass Yoga Demonstration to be organized abroad through Indian Missions. 

• Central Council for Yoga & Naturopathy to organize one month training session in Common Yoga Protocol in each district through Yoga Institutions, NGOs, District Administration, etc. culminating in organization of Mass Yoga Demonstration on 21th June 2016. 

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yasso Naik in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

India takes U-turn, cancels visa given to Chinese dissident

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) In a U-turn, India has cancelled the visa given to a leading Chinese dissident to participate in a conference in Dharamsala, apparently buckling under pressure from China.

"We have cancelled the visa given to Dolkun Isa," a Home Ministry spokesperson today said without elaborating further.

Isa, a leader of World Uyghur Congress (WUC), who lives in Germany, had been invited for the conference being organised by US-based 'Initiatives for China'.

Cancellation of the visa is a U-turn on India's part after having issued the visa to Isa only last week.

Reacting to the Indian move, Isa said, "On April 23, I got a very short note by the Indian side that my visa is cancelled. There was no explanation."

He said he did not know what exactly was the reason for it. "May be because of Chinese pressure put on the Indian government. But, I do not know...I did not get any explanation from the Indian side," he said.

India's decision last week to allow WUC leaders whom China regards as backers of terrorism in its volatile Muslim- dominated Xinjiang province had come in the backdrop of Beijing blocking India's bid to get Pathankot terror attack mastermind Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN.

China's unhappiness about reports that Isa has been given the visa was reflected in Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying saying, "What I want to point out is that Dolkun is a terrorist in red notice of the Interpol and Chinese police. Bringing him to justice is due obligation of relevant countries."

However, Isa's name does not figure in the list of wanted people published by the Interpol.

According to the Interpol charter, if the requesting country wishes, the international organisation does not put up the name of the wanted person in its website.

India seeks time to implement Paris climate agreement

 New York, Apr 25 (PTI) India has sought time to implement the Paris climate agreement, saying it should not be done in "haste" and all countries should be allowed to follow their national processes.

"A debate about early entry into force of the Paris Agreement is unfortunate. Early ratification can be understood, but it will take time as per the national processes of approval," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said at the Major Economies Forum Meeting here yesterday.

"We should not make haste because Paris Agreement is to be implemented post 2020. There is enough time for ratification and all countries should be allowed to follow their national processes," he said.

According to reports, the US and China are leading a push to bring the Paris climate accord into force much faster aided by a typographical glitch in the text of the agreement.

India on April 22 signed the historic deal along with more than 170 nations, marking a significant step that has brought together developing and developed nations for beginning work on cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

"Paris agreement is a historical achievement for mankind.

All countries should implement it in letter and spirit. After signing of Paris agreement, developed world needs to immediately ratify the Kyoto Protocol second commitment period and should present enhanced pre-2020 actions," he said.

The minister also urged developed nations to announce their "enhanced" pre-2020 climate action plans and undertake the "urgent" task of mobilising USD 100 billion, lack of which will hamper implementation of nationally determined contributions of developing countries.

"The second urgent task to be done is Mobilisation of USD 100 billion. Without this crucial mobilisation, many of the developing countries cannot implement their nationally determined contributions," Javadekar said.

He said the need of the hour is to lay out the complete institutional mechanism for building up on the Paris accord.

"The plan to work for the first meeting of Ad hoc group on Paris Agreement (APA) and additional works by Subsidiary Body for Implementation and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBI/SBSTA)...should be prepared in consultation with all stake holders as issues covered under these bodes have a direct bearing on the Provisions of the Paris Agreement. There is a need for coherence between COP, APA, SBI, SBSTA and other institutions," he said.

Observing that India has led from the front as far as pre-2020 action is concerned, he said that though it is not mandated to take pre-2020 actions as per Kyoto Protocol, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showcased to the world that if there is political will, there is a way.

"India has shown its leadership by action. It is now actions of developed countries which will be watched by the world against the backdrop of India's proactive achievements," he said.

Promotion of Medical Tourism

New Delhi : The development and promotion of tourism primarily is the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities releases campaigns in the international and domestic markets and also undertakes other promotional activities including Promotion of Medical Tourism. 

However, in order to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and any other format of Indian system of medicine covered by Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been constituted. The Board shall work as an umbrella organization that governs and promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner. The Ministry would drive the promotion of Medical & Wellness Tourism and will act as a facilitator and support the medical/wellness segment in promoting tourism and promoting India as a medical and wellness destination. The Board held its first meeting on 13th January 2016. The issues relating to regulations, monitoring, marketing & promotion of Medical and Wellness Tourism are looked into by the Board. 

The foreign tourists who visited India for medical purpose during 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 171021, 236898 and 184298, respectively. Data for the year 2014 is of visa type by Nationality. Earlier data is of Nationality-wise FTAs by purpose of visit based on the information recorded in disembarkation card. 

This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. 

E-Tourist VISA Scheme : 150 countries eligible for e-Tourist Visa

E-Tourist VISA Scheme

Government of India introduced e-Tourist Visa (earlier known as Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by ETA) on 27.11.2014 to facilitate the nationals of the 43 countries visiting India. The e-Tourist Visa as on 26.02.2016 is available for nationals of 150 countries.

The year 2015 witnessed a growth rate of 4.5% in terms of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India.   During 2015, FTAs were 8.03 million as compared to 7.68 million in 2014.  FTAs during the period January-March 2016 were 25.08 lakh with a growth of 10.0% as compared to the FTAs of 22.81 lakh in January-March 2015.

During January-December 2015 a total of 4,45,300 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 39,046 during January-December 2014 registering a growth of 1040.4%. 

During the month of January-March 2016, a total of 3,21,049 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 75,859 during the month of January-March 2015 registering a growth of 323.2%.

The list of 150 countries eligible for e-Tourist Visa to India is given below:-

Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'lvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam., Zambia, Zimbabwe.

This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.