PM addresses International Convention on Universal Message of Simhastha

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi shaking hands with the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, at the International Convention on Universal Message of Simhastha, in Ujjain on May 14, 2016. The Union Minister for Mines and Steel, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh are also seen

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the International Convention on the Universal Message of the Simhastha, at Ninaura near Ujjain. 

The Prime Minister received President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka, at Indore airport. President Sirisena accompanied the Prime Minister from Indore, and both leaders arrived at the Convention together. 

Addressing the gathering, which has also been described as a “Vichar Kumbh” on the sidelines of the Kumbh Mela, the Prime Minister described this convention as the birth of a new effort. He said this was a modern edition of what might have happened in ancient times, when thought-leaders of society would gather at the sites of Kumbh melas, to reflect and provide new vision to society. 

Speaking at length on Indian tradition and culture, he said that the mantra of a ‘Bhikshuk’ is “may good happen to the person who gives me alms, and even to the person who does not.” The Prime Minister gave several other illustrations of the values and humanism which define Indian culture. 

Referring to the launch of the Simhasth Declaration, which was dedicated to the world by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Prime Minister said this will mark the start of a new discourse not only in India but around the world. 

The Prime Minister suggested that a ‘Vichar Kumbh’ should be held every year, to discuss issues such as afforestation and education of the girl child. 

India and WHO sign a landmark agreement for Global promotion of Traditional Systems of Medicine

The Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik addressing at the signing ceremony of the landmark agreement with WHO for collaboration in traditional systems of Medicine, at WHO Headquarter, in Geneva on May 13, 2016.

Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed an historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine. The PCA was signed by Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Ajit M Sharan and Assistant Director General, Health Systems and Innovations, WHO, Dr. Marie Kieny, in Geneva on 13th May, 2016. 

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of AYUSH Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik and the Director-General, World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan witnessed the signing of this landmark agreement at the WHO headquarters. 

The PCA is titled as ‘Co-operation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine between WHO and AYUSH, India, 2016-2020’. It aims to support WHO in the development and implementation of the ‘WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy: 2014-2023’ and will contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian Systems of Medicine. 

The PCA for the period 2016-2020 will deliver for the first time WHO benchmark document for training in Yoga, and WHO benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma. These will contribute significantly to the strengthening of national capacities in ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional medicine including in establishing regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine products and practice and promote their integration in national healthcare systems. 

Speaking at a Reception hosted by India on this occasion, the AYUSH Minister recalled the long history and rich heritage of traditional medicine in India and its growing relevance in providing holistic and comprehensive health care. He reiterated the high priority attached by the Government of India for the promotion of traditional medicine both in India and abroad and highlighted the numerous initiatives undertaken to functionally integrate AYUSH in India’s national health programmes and for achieving Universal Health Coverage. 

The Minister also mentioned that the initiatives and activities undertaken by India within the country align with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023. He added that India, in fact, sets a unique example for adopting a pluralistic health care delivery system that allows every recognized medical system to develop and be practiced with a view to provide integrated and holistic healthcare services. 

The PCA with WHO is a further recognition of India’s rich experience in the development and governance of traditional medicine. It will pave the way for India’s long-term collaboration with the WHO in fostering the global promotion and integration of AYUSH systems of medicine including through the inclusion of Ayurveda and Unani in the International Classification of diseases and the International Classification of Health interventions. 

Wrapping up official visit to Portugal, Ban receives ‘Order of Liberty’ medal

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal (right) presents the “Order of Liberty” medal to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Mark Garten

13 May 2016 – On the final day of his visit to Portugal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today received a medal in honour of his distinguished services to the cause of democracy and freedom.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa presented the “Order of Liberty” medal to Mr. Ban.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Portugal’s compassionate and positive response to the arrivals of refugees and migrants in Europe, and underscored the need for solidarity and responsibility sharing at the global level.

He also noted there would be a High-level Plenary of the General Assembly on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants in New York in September.

Mr. Ban commended Portugal’s role as a member of the Human Rights Council, as well as contributions to UN peacekeeping and Law of the Sea and ocean governance. He urged the swift ratification by Portugal and the European Union of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The Secretary-General and the President also discussed the political situations in Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Libya.

The Secretary-General also met with Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, President of the Assembly of Portugal, and raised the importance of the swift ratification of the Paris Agreement by that country.

They also discussed the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. Ban commended Portugal’s compassionate leadership regarding refugees and stressed the need to forge a common response to the large movements of refugees and migrants towards Europe.

They also discussed the role of parliamentarians as the voices of their constituencies and the importance of strengthening the cooperation between the UN and the Inter-Parliamentarian Union (IPU).

China has deployed more troops near Indian border: Pentagon

Washington, May 14 (PTI) China has increased defence capabilities and deployed more troops along the Indian border, the Pentagon has said, as it warned of increasing Chinese military presence including bases in various parts of the world, particularly Pakistan.

"We have noticed an increase in capability and force posture by the Chinese military in areas close to the border with India," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for East Asia Abraham M Denmark told reporters during a news conference here after Pentagon submitted its annual 2016 report to the US Congress on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China'.

However, Denmark said it is difficult to conclude on the real intention behind this.

"It is difficult to say how much of this is driven by internal considerations to maintain internal stability, and how much of it is an external consideration," he said in response to a question on China upgrading its military command in Tibet.

Referring to US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter's recent trip to India, Denmark said he had a very positive and productive visit.

"We're going to continue to enhance our bilateral engagement with India, not in the China context, but because India is an increasingly important player by themselves. And we are going to engage India because of its value," he said.

The Defence Department also warned of China's increasing military presence including bases in various parts of the world, in particular Pakistan - with which it has a "longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests".

China's expanding international economic interests are increasing demands for the PLA Navy (PLAN) to operate in more distant seas to protect Chinese citizens, investments, and critical sea lines of communication, it said.

"China most likely will seek to establish additional naval logistics hubs in countries with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and a precedent for hosting foreign militaries," the report said.

The Pentagon in its report expressed its concerns about Chinese military buildup near the Indian border.

"Tensions remain along disputed portions of the Sino- Indian border, where both sides patrol with armed forces.

"After a five-day military standoff in September 2015 at Burtse in Northern Ladakh, China and India held a senior-level flag-officer meeting, agreed to maintain peace, and retreated to positions mutually acceptable to both sides," it said.

The Pentagon said tensions remain with India along their shared 4,057-km border over Arunachal Pradesh (which China asserts is part of Tibet and, therefore, of China), and over the Askai Chin region at the western end of the Tibetan Plateau, despite increases in China-India political and economic relations. .

India is ready for NSG membership: US

Washington, May 13 (PTI) Amid reports that China and Pakistan are jointly opposing India's bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group membership, the US today said India meets missile technology control regime requirements and is ready for entry into the exclusive club.

"I'd point you back to what the president said during his visit to India in 2015, where he reaffirmed that the US view was that India meets missile technology control regime requirements and is ready for NSG membership," State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at his daily news conference.

His remarks came in response to a question on reports that China and Pakistan have joined hands to oppose India becoming a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

"I'm going to refer you to the governments of China and Pakistan with respect to their positions on India's membership," Kirby said.

"Deliberations about the prospects of new members joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group are an internal matter among current members," he said.

Defending its move to block India's entry into the NSG, China today claimed that several members of the 48-nation bloc shared its view that signing of the NPT was an "important" standard for the NSG's expansion.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing that not only China but also a lot of other NSG members are of the view that Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone for safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Asked about reports that China is pushing Pakistan's entry into NSG linking it to India's admission into the bloc, Lu said the NSG is an important part of NPT, which has been the consensus of the international community for long.

Although India is not part of the NSG, Indian side recognises this consensus, he claimed.

India, Pakistan, Israel and South Sudan were the four UN member states which have not signed the NPT, the international pact aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

Last month, Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said China has helped Pakistan to stall India's bid to get NSG membership.

Modi government approves IPR policy; trademark registration in just a month: 7 objectives

The Policy recognises the abundance of creative and innovative energies that flow in India, and the need to tap into and channelise these energies towards a better and brighter future for all.

Announcing the approval, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “IPR is an important step; till 2017 it will take only 1 month to register a trademark. That is the kind of capacity building that we are eyeing.” (Reuters)

In a major step towards enhancing ease of doing business, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet has approved the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, that will lay the future roadmap for intellectual property in India.

Announcing the approval, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “IPR is an important step; till 2017 it will take only 1 month to register a trademark. That is the kind of capacity building that we are eyeing.”

“The Policy recognises the abundance of creative and innovative energies that flow in India, and the need to tap into and channelise these energies towards a better and brighter future for all,” says the government release.

“While IPRs are becoming increasingly important in the global arena, there is a need to increase awareness on IPRs in India, be it regarding the IPRs owned by oneself or respect for others’ IPRs. The importance of IPRs as a marketable financial asset and economic tool also needs to be recognised,” the release adds.
The IPR policy lays down the following seven objectives:

1) IPR Awareness: Outreach and Promotion – To create public awareness about the economic, social and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society.

2) Generation of IPRs – To stimulate the generation of IPRs.

3) Legal and Legislative Framework – To have strong and effective IPR laws, which balance the interests of rights owners with larger public interest.

4) Administration and Management – To modernize and strengthen service-oriented IPR administration.

5) Commercialization of IPRs – Get value for IPRs through commercialization.

6) Enforcement and Adjudication – To strengthen the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combating IPR infringements.

7) Human Capital Development – To strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and capacities for teaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs.

M'gaon case: NIA gives clean chit to Sadhvi; dilutes charges against others

Mumbai, May 13 (PTI) In a U-turn, the NIA today dropped all charges against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and five others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case while charges under the stringent MCOCA law have been given up against all the other 10 accused including Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit.

During investigation, "sufficient evidences have not been found against" Pragya Singh Thakur and five others, the NIA said, adding it has submitted in the charge sheet "that the prosecution against them is not maintainable".

Seven people were killed in the blast when they were coming out of prayers during Ramzan on September 29, 2008.

There have been a lot of twists and turns in the probe into the Malegaon blast which was described as a handiwork of people associated with Hindu right wing groups.

The case was investigated initially by Joint Commissioner of Mumbai's ATS Hemant Karkare who was killed during the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Before the NIA took over the case in 2011, ATS had booked 16 people but filed charge sheets on January 20, 2009 and April 21, 2011 against 14 accused in a Mumbai court.

Purohit and Pragya had moved several applications before Bombay High Court and Supreme Court challenging the charge sheet and applicability of stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case.

Shiv Narayan Kalsangra, Shyam Bhavarlal Sahu, Praveen Takkalki, Lokesh Sharma and Dhan Singh Choudhury are the other five accused against whom charges have been dropped besides Sadhvi.

The agency also said during investigation that it has been established that no offence is attracted in this case under MCOCA, in which any statement given before a SP-level officer is admissible as evidence.

"In furtherance of same, the confessional statements recorded under provisions of MCOCA by ATS Mumbai have not been relied upon by the NIA in submitting the present final report," the agency said in its charge sheet.

Lt Col Purohit and nine others will now be tried for charges including murder and conspiracy under the provisions of anti-terror law UAPA, IPC, Arms Act and Explosives Substance Act. .

April CPI rises to 5.39%; March IIP drops to 0.1%

Food inflation picked up to 6.32% in April ; annual industrial growth slows down to 2.4 % in 2015-16 from 2.8 % in previous year

Retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) for April accelerated to 5.39% as compared to 4.83% in March, while the industrial output, measured by index of industrial production (IIP) for March, decreased sharply to 0.1% versus 2% in February.

Food inflation picked up to 6.32% in April from 5.21% in the previous month.

It was the first pickup in retail inflation since January, thus reducing the odds of further interest rate cuts next month by the Reserve Bank of India. RBI chief Raghuram Rajan aims to cap retail inflation at 5% by March 2017.

The pace of price gains in April was driven mainly by higher food costs. An early summer heat wave led to an increase of 3.8% in month-on-month prices for staple vegetables.

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose at a subdued pace in March, as manufacturing growth, which constitutes roughly three-fourths of the index contracted by 1.2% as against 0.7% in February, government data showed on Thursday. It cumulatively grew by 2% in the 2015-16 financial year, down from 2.3% in the previous year.

In March, the IIP was boosted solely by electricity generation, which rose by 11% from the 9.6% rise seen in the previous month. Annual growth in electricity generation however moderated to 5.6% from the 8.4% growth seen in the previous year.

On the other hand, mining output contracted by 0.1% in March, a sharp fall considering the 5% witnessed in February. Mining growth increased by 2.2% in the last financial year as compared to by a 1.4% rise in 2014-15.

Among product categories, radio, TV and communication equipment registered the highest growth at 36.5%, followed by Tobacco products at 19.8%. Electrical machinery & apparatus on the other hand, continued to fall by the largest margin at 36.2%.

Cable, Rubber Insulated, continued its long streak in contributing the most to the contraction in the index. On the other hand, electricity, commercial vehicles and telephone instruments were the highest positive contributors to growth.

On the use based classification, capital goods, considered a proxy of investment demand, continued to contract sharply, going down by 15.4% after a 9.8% slide in the preceding month. Annually, it went down by 2.9% after a 6.3% rise in the previous financial year. This contraction has consistently acted as the big drag on the performance of the IIP Index.

On the demand side, decline in consumer non durables accelerated to 4.4% from the 4.2% fall in the previous month. The IMD's forecast of an above-normal monsoon has boosted the outlook for rural demand, which should help arrest the sustained contraction in consumer non-durables over the coming months.

Growth in consumer durables however increased by 8.7% after growing by 9.7% in February.

In March, 13 out of the top 25 products within manufacturing showed growth, down from 19 last month.

Big Boost to Ease of Doing Business- Passing of Bankruptcy Code

Code is a comprehensive and systemic reform, which will give a quantum leap to the functioning of the credit market and would take India from among relatively weak insolvency regimes to becoming one of the world's best insolvency regimes; Vision of the new law is to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. 

History was created on 11th May, 2016 when the Rajya Sabha passed the major Economic Reform Bill moved by the Government i.e. ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,2016’. With the passing of this Bill, India has crossed an important milestone in becoming a world class economy. The Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill on 5th May, 2016. 

Hitherto India was lacking the legal and institutional machinery for dealing with debt defaults as per the global standards. The recovery proceedings by creditors, either through the Contract Act or through special laws such as the Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 and the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, has not had desired outcomes. Similarly, action through the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (SICA) and the winding up provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 have neither been able to aid recovery for lenders nor restructuring of firms. Laws dealing with individual insolvency, the Presidency Towns Insolvency Act, 1909 and the Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920, were almost a century old. This has hampered the confidence of the lender and development of the credit markets in India. Resultantly, credit by banks is the largest component of the credit market in India and corporate bond market has not yet developed to the desired level. 

The Government decided to embark on a fundamental and systemic reform which would address this problem, both commercially and judicially. The idea was to come up with a comprehensive solution, which would encompass borrowing by firms and by individuals. In recognition of the fact that major sub-components of lending are done by non-banks, in particular the corporate bond market which serve infrastructure projects, bankruptcy reforms needed to have a consistent treatment of default. While the systems of well-functioning advanced economies were studied, the design that was implemented for India reflects a careful judgment about what would work under India conditions. 

The new law aims to consolidate the laws relating to insolvency of companies and limited liability entities (including limited liability partnerships and other entities with limited liability), unlimited liability partnerships and individuals, presently contained in a number of legislations, into a single legislation and provide for their reorganization and resolution in a time bound manner for maximization of value of their assets. Such consolidation will provide for a greater clarity in law and facilitate the application of consistent and coherent provisions to different stakeholders affected by business failure or inability to pay debt. This law will thus promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit and balance the interest of all stakeholders. 

The vision of the new law is to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. It is true that some business ventures will always fail, but such failures will be handled rapidly and swiftly. Entrepreneurs and lenders will be able to move on, instead of being bogged down with decisions taken in the past. The Code empowers the operational creditors (workmen, suppliers etc.) also to initiate the insolvency resolution process upon non-payment of dues. In order to develop the credit market in India, in case of liquidation, financial debts owed to unsecured creditors have been kept above the Government’s dues in the list of priorities (waterfall). 

Facilitating early resolution and exit is as important as facilitating investment. The essential idea of the new law is that when a corporate entity defaults on its debt, control shifts from the shareholders/promoters to a committee of creditors, who have 180 days (extendable by 90 days in deserving cases) to evaluate proposals from various players about resuscitating the company or taking it into liquidation. When decisions are taken in a time-bound manner, there is a greater chance that the corporate entity can be saved as a going concern, and the productive resources of the economy (labour and capital) can be put to the best use. This is in complete departure from SICA regime where there were delays leading to destruction of the value of the firm. 

The Code separates commercial aspects of the insolvency proceedings from judicial aspects. While Insolvency Professionals (IPs) will deal with commercial aspects such as management of the affairs of the corporate debtor, facilitating formation of committee of creditors, organising their meetings, examination of the resolution plan, etc., judicial issues will be handled by proposed Adjudicating Authorities (National Company Law Tribunal / Debt Recovery Tribunal). One more important institution created under the Code is the ‘Information Utility’ which would store financial information and data and terms of lending in electronic databases. This would eliminate delays and disputes about facts when default does take place. 

The Code also provides a fast track insolvency resolution process for corporates and LLPs. This will be an enabler for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to complete the resolution process in 90 days (extendable to 45 days in deserving cases). 

The Code also addresses the important issue relating to cross border insolvency by providing the enabling mechanism on the subject. The Government, at an appropriate time, will come out with a detailed framework for cross border insolvency. 

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is thus a comprehensive and systemic reform, which will give a quantum leap to the functioning of the credit market. It would take India from among relatively weak insolvency regimes to becoming one of the world's best insolvency regimes. It lays the foundations for the development of the corporate bond market, which would finance the infrastructure projects of the future. The passing of this Code and implementation of the same will give a big boost to ease of doing business in India. 

Manohar elected unopposed as ICC's chairman

Dubai, May 12 (PTI) Veteran cricket administrator Shashank Manohar was today elected unopposed as ICC's first independent Chairman, two days after he stepped down from the post of BCCI President.

The 58-year-old was elected to the post after the ICC Full Council's approval of constitutional amendments proposed by the Board following its April meeting.

Manohar, who on Tuesday resigned as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, is the first elected independent Chairman of the game's governing body and will commence his two-year term with immediate effect.

According to the election process, ICC directors were each allowed to nominate one candidate, who had to be either a present or past ICC director. Nominees with the support of two or more Full Member directors would have been eligible to contest the election, which was scheduled to have been concluded by May 23.

However, given that Manohar was the sole nominee for the position and the Board has now unanimously supported his appointment, the independent Audit Committee Chairman, Adnan Zaidi, who has been overseeing the election process, has declared the process complete, and Manohar the successful candidate,' the ICC said in a release.

Manohar is a prominent Indian lawyer who served his first stint as the BCCI President from 2008-2011. Following the passing of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Manohar was re-elected as the BCCI President in October 2015 and, by virtue of that position, has held the role of ICC Chairman since then.

Commenting on his election, Manohar said: "It is an honour to be elected as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council and for that I am thankful to all the ICC directors who have put their faith and trust in my abilities.

I also take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues in the BCCI who have supported me during my recent time as the BCCI's President.

"These are exciting times for international cricket as we are presently carrying out a comprehensive review of the 2014 constitutional amendments which is aimed at not only improving governance structures, but cricket structures as well. The ultimate objective is to grow our sport and engage a whole new generation of fans and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to shape the future of cricket, which has a proud history and rich tradition."

In order to accommodate the new position of an "independent" ICC Chairman, on Monday the Full Council unanimously approved various amendments to the ICC's constitution. The amendments also included the abolishment of the President's post with effect from the 2016 ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh, which has become redundant.