Swachh Bharat will be a top priority: UP CM

The Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, today declared that the goals and targets of the Swachh Bharat Mission are of top priority to the new government in the State. He made this declaration when a Central government team led by the Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer, met him in Lucknow today.

Earlier this week, the Chief Minister had declared that 30 districts in the State will become Open Defecation Free (ODF) by December 2017. The Secretary, Shri Iyer, briefed the Chief Minister about the support that will be provided by the Centre to the State government to meet the ODF targets set by the State.This support will include posting of one young professional as a Zila Swachh Bharat Prerak (ZSBP) in each of the 75 districts of UP, priority fund allocation to the State, and continuous technical assistance, training and capacity building to the districts by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

The Central team, led by Shri Iyer, and the State Government, led by Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Rahul Bhatnagar, reviewed Swachh Bharat Mission progress in the State through a video conference with the district magistrates (DMs) of the State. For the success of Swachh Bharat in the State without compromising on quality, the DMs were advised to focus on toilet technology, building a cadre of 1 lakh trained Swachhagrahis to trigger behaviour change on the ground and geo-tagging of toilets built.

Districts that have gram panchayats situated along the banks of the Ganges were specifically asked to focus in a concerted manner on making those Gram Panchayats ODF at the earliest. Districts were also asked to take up solid and liquid waste management work increasingly in the coming days. The DMs spoke about the efforts they are making to scale up sanitationin their respective districts, and the challenges faced by them in the process.The Chief Secretary directed officials of the State to take all necessary steps to move Swachh Bharat activities at a faster pace in their respective districts.

In particular, 4 districts of the State – Varanasi, Etah, Sonbhadr and Agra – volunteered to become ODF by the end of the year, in addition to the 30 districts announced by the Chief Minister, taking the total tally of UP districts targeting ODF status in 2017 to 34. The Secretary appreciated the initiative shown by them, and urged them to deploy creative ideas to involve communities in the movement and make it a janaandolan in a true sense, as envisioned by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, at the time of inception of the Mission.

Capability of ISRO to Launch Satellites

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has the capability of launching  1700 kg to Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (600 km) and has proven its versatility in launching multi-satellite/multi-orbit missions as well as lunar (Chandrayaan-1) and interplanetary missions (Mars Orbiter Mission). As on date, PSLV has completed 38 consecutive successful missions, during which it has launched 46 Indian satellites (weighing ~ 43.2 tonnes) and 180 foreign satellites (weighing ~ 6.3 tonnes). It has already established itself as a preferred launch vehicle, in its class, in the global market for launch services, especially for smaller satellites. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), with indigenous cryogenic upper stage, has the capability to launch satellites up to 2.2 tonnes to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). GSLV has demonstrated its reliability through three consecutive successful missions in the past three years. 

The maximum GTO capability of other space launch agencies to launch satellites are: European Space Agency (ESA): 10.5 tonnes, USA: 13.8 tonnes, Russia: 6.5 tonnes, China: 14 tonnes and Japan: 8 tonnes.

In order to enhance the capability, ISRO has developed the next generation launch vehicle i.e. GSLV MkIII with indigenous high thrust cryogenic stage, to launch 4 tonne class of communication satellites to GTO and its first developmental flight is scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2017. The development of Semicryogenic engine has also been undertaken to further enhance the GTO payload capability of GSLV MkIII to 6 tonnes.

ISRO has proved the level of efficiency in the area of space science through –  (i) planning, development & execution of Lunar mission ‘Chandrayaan-1’ and High resolution imaging & Systematic topographic mapping of the Moon; (ii) successful insertion of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) around the planet Mars in very first attempt, achieving all planned objectives and continuing the operations of MOM beyond its designed mission life of 6 months; (iii) placing India’s first observatory in space ‘Astrosat’, which enables simultaneous multi-wavelength observations (Ultraviolet to X-Ray) to study Stars and Galaxies; (iv) indigenous development & validation of several new technologies viz. autonomy, deep space communication, scientific instruments in space science missions.

Future missions in space science includes (i) second mission to Moon ‘Chandrayaan-2’, consisting of an indigenous Orbiter, Lander & Rover and (ii) mission for solar studies ‘Aditya-L1’ to study the solar corona in different wavebands. 

The capability to set up a space station needs capability of lifting heavy payloads into space. While there is no specific plan for space station, ISRO is working towards this capability through launch vehicles using cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines.

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 a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

Modi says India stands with UK following London terror attack

PM expresses grief over terror attack in London

New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed sadness over the London terror attack and said India stands with the UK at this difficult moment

"Deeply saddened by the terror attack in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," Modi said in a tweet

Five people were killed and nearly 40 injured when a terrorist suspect mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and stabbed a police officer close to the British parliament complex in an incident inspired by "international terrorism"

Those dead included the assailant and the policeman he stabbed. The attacker was shot dead by Scotland Yard officers

"At this difficult moment, India stands with UK in the fight against terrorism. @theresa_may @Number10Gov," Modi said in another tweet

Mark Rowley, Britain's national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner, said the attack began when a car was driven over the Westminster Bridge, hitting members of the public and three police officers.

• London terror attacker was known to spies: British PM

London, Mar 23 (PTI) The lone attacker behind the terror attack on the UK Parliament was inspired by "Islamist terrorism" and known to Britain's security services, Prime Minister Theresa May said today.

May, who addressed the Commons as the Houses of Parliament reopened this morning a day after a terror attack on the complex claimed four lives and injured 29 others, said Britain's message was that "we are not afraid".

"It is believed this attacker acted alone. The man was British-born and had been investigated by MI5 over extremism fears," May said, adding that the attacker was inspired by "Islamist terrorism".

She described the investigation into the un-named suspect as "historic" and not related to any ongoing inquiries by security services.

The British Prime Minister also confirmed that eight people have been arrested as part of raids across London and Birmingham following the attack on Parliament.

In her statement from Downing Street last night, she had declared that Parliament "will meet as normal".

Today she joined MPs, peers and other Londoners in a minute's silence to show solidarity with the victims of the attack and mark the start of proceedings at the Commons.

One shot, several injured in UK parliament 'terrorist incident'

By Toby Melville | LONDON

A policeman was stabbed, an assailant shot and several people injured on Wednesday close to Britain's Houses of Parliament in what police said they were treating as a terrorist incident.

Reuters reporters inside the building heard loud bangs and shortly afterwards a Reuters photographer said he saw at least a dozen people injured on Westminster Bridge, next to parliament.

His photographs showed people lying on the ground, some of them bleeding heavily and one apparently under a bus. The number of casualties was unclear.

"Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was immediately suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside.

Prime Minister Theresa May was safe after the incident, a spokesman for her office said. He declined to say where May was when the attack took place.

The leader of the House, David Lidington, said in the chamber that an assailant who stabbed a policeman had been shot by police.

An ambulance helicopter landed on Parliament Square, just outside the building.

The BBC said police believed there was a suspect vehicle outside parliament but police did not immediately confirm that report.

Adityanath allocates portfolios, keeps key Home ministry

Lucknow, Mar 22 (PTI) Keeping the key Home ministry with himself to improve the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today allocated portfolios to his ministerial colleagues.

He also kept the Mining department, which was in news for allegedly being mired in corruption during the previous Samajwadi party regime, an issue which the BJP had raised vociferously during the election campaign. It was then headed by the tainted Gayatri Prajapati, who is presently in jail.

Adityanath, who was reported to have discussed the allocation of ministries with the BJP's central leadership in Delhi yesterday, has kept over three dozen departments with himself which might be distributed later.

The crucial Finance ministry has been allocated to Rajesh Agarwal, a six-time MLA and former deputy speaker of UP Assembly.

Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has been given the Public Works Department (PWD), Food Processing, Entertainment Tax and Public Enterprises Department.

The other Deputy CM, Dinesh Sharma was given Higher and Secondary Education, Science and Technology, Electronics and IT departments.

Sidhharth Nath Singh has been assigned the charge of the Medical and Health while Surya Pratap Shahi got Agriculture, Agriculture Education and Agriculture Research. Another senior minister Suresh Khanna will look after Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development.

Young face Shrikant Sharma will handle the Power department, while Swami Prasad Maurya has been entrusted with Labour portfolio.

The lone Muslim face in the council of ministers, Mohsin Raza been made the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Electronics, IT, Muslim Waqf and Haj.

Among the ministries that the chief minister has kept are the Information, Housing and Urban planning, Food and Civil Supplies, Personnel, Institutional Finance, Estate etc according to the list released by Governor Ram Naik today.

The Adityanath government, having 25 cabinet ministers, nine ministers of state (independent charge) and 13 ministers of state, was sworn in on Sunday.

Cabinet approves Amendment in the various acts to facilitate implementation of GST Regime

Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals: 

 

i. Amendment to the Customs Act, 1962;

ii. Amendments to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975;

iii. Amendment to the Central Excise Act, 1944;

iv. Repeal of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985; and

v. Amendment or repeal of the provisions relating to Acts under which cesses are levied.

 

The above proposals will result in the following benefits:

 

i. Insertion of Sections 108A and 108B in the Customs Act, 1962 seeks to provide for furnishing of information relating to import/export of goods by specified persons to enable analysis and detection of cases of unter/over-valuation in imports and exports, misuse of export promotion schemes including the Drawback Scheme and violations of the provisions of the Customs Act and various other laws under which Customs officials have been authorized to effectively implement these laws; and

 

ii. Amendments or repeal of various provisions of other Acts which will no longer be relevant consequent upon roll out of GST will result in cleansing of the irrelevant portions from the Statute Book and reduce multiplicity of taxes.

Parties welcome SC advice on Ayodhya, Muslim groups sceptical

New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court's suggestion of an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute today reignited the debate on the vexed issue, with political parties broadly welcoming it, but Muslim outfits voicing scepticism.

The ruling BJP welcomed the apex court's suggestion, insisting the parties to the case should keep in mind its "sensitivity", while the Congress was guarded in its response, saying there should be a "consensus-based" solution or the SC adjudicate the matter on merit.

Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Uma Bharti, considered Hindu hardliners in the Modi government, insisted that the temple be built at the disputed site.

Union Minister P P Chaudhary said the government favours talks to resolve the Ayodhya dispute.

"Government is always ready and encourages mediation. We encourage negotiations and mediations, even pre-litigation mediation and post-litigation mediation," Chaudhary, who is Minister of State for Law and Justice, said.

Muslim organisations, who are key to any amicable out- of-court settlement, however, voiced scepticism over efficacy of talks to resolve the long-standing dispute.

"We welcome this step and I believe they should have talks outside the court," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, adding the party will study in detail the observations made by the apex court, which has said the issue is "sensitive and sentimental", and is related to faith of millions of people.

Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "If all stakeholders on both sides can arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus-based solution, it will go a long way in ensuring lasting peace, goodwill, mutual respect and brotherhood. Otherwise, Supreme Court should adjudicate the issue on merit." 

Muslim organisations, including the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC), which is a party to the case, were sceptical about the Supreme Court's suggestion, saying attempts at out- of-court settlement in the past have been unsuccessful.

"We are ready with Chief Justice (of India) mediating...

We trust him. We are also ready we if he nominates a team for hearing the matter. But out of court settlement is not possible. If SC passes an order in this regard, we will look into it," said Zafaryab Jilani, convenor of the committee.

Jilani said that going by the past experience, he feels that the matter cannot be settled outside the court and referred to unsuccessful negotiation attempts made during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar and P V Narasimha Rao.

The Secretary General of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Wali Rahmani, said, "We have trust in the Chief Justice and if he is there we are ready for talks."

"Talks were held earlier also but it can be initiated again. But talks should not be long," he added.

Maulana Khalid Rashid of the AIMPLB alleged that the attempts in the past to resolve the issue were foiled by political parties.

"Negotiation have been made in the past a number of times between the two parties. But each time political parties foiled our attempts...(So), we are of the view that let the Supreme Court decide once and for all," Rashid said.

BJP veteran L K Advani, one of the protagonists of the movement whose 'rath yatras' for construction of Ram temple galvanised and polarised Hindus to the advantage of the saffron party, said all concerned should reach a consensus to resolve it.

"The Supreme Court's observation is a welcome step and I hope in the light of the apex court's advise, all concerned parties will reach consensus and will find a solution to resolve the Ram Temple issue," Advani, who was the flag bearer of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, said.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, whose petition seeking an urgent hearing on the matter led to today's development in the Supreme Court, suggested Ram temple should be built at 'Ram Janmabhoomi' (birthplace of Ram at the disputed site), while the mosque can be constructed on the other side of Sarayu river to resolve the dispute, which has defied resolution.

"We were always ready. Mandir and Masjid should be built but Masjid should be built on other side of Sarayu river. The Ram Janambhoomi should be entirely for Ram Mandir," he said, arguing, "we cannot change the birthplace of Ram, but Masjid can be made anywhere." 

Giriraj Singh, known for his controversial comments, asked "If the Ram Temple is not built here, would it be built in Pakistan on Bangladesh".

Bharti, who was closely associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s and an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case along with Advani, insisted that the issue of ownership of the disputed site be settled through talks. She said whosoever owned the land should offer it to Lord Ram as a "gift".

"There can't be a bigger gift than this...we should arrive at a solution which will be remembered for thousands of years," she said.

Yogi Adityanath, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh whose guru and former Gorakhpur MP Yogi Avaidyanath was one of the leading figures of the movement, said aggrieved parties must sit together to resolve it.

Terming the Supreme Court's observation as a "solid" one, Adityanath said, "It is a welcome step." 

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia said the Centre must bring out a legislation to build the Ram temple.

The Ayodhya issue should be resolved at the earliest and a temple built with the involvement of all Indians, RSS functionary Dattatreya Hosabale said.

He said, "It (Ram temple issue) is to be decided by the Dharam Sansad as they are the people who organised the entire Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the parties who went to the court.

"RSS will not decide. RSS will go by the Dharam Sansad's decision. The issue should be settled at the earliest and a grand temple should be erected with the involvement of all Indians," Hosabale said.

‘Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs’

Based on the norms and guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan & Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384) to prevent sexual harassment of working women, DPE has issued guidelines vide OM No. DPE/15(4) /98(GL-004)/GM dated 29-05-1998 to all Ministries/Departments to direct the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)  under their administrative control to make necessary amendment in their CDA (Conduct, Discipline & Appeal)  Rules on the lines of the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.   Further, as per the 62nd Report of the “Status of Women Government Employees, Service Conditions, Protection against exploitation, Incentives and other related issues” by the    Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice, DPE vide it’s OM No. 6(1)/2014-DPE(GM) dated 19-08-2014 has requested Ministries/ Departments to advise CPSEs under their control to constitute WIPS (Women in Public Sector) Cell to facilitate experience sharing, helping in confidence building and to ensure speedy redressal of their grievances including sexual harassment at workplace.

CPSEs are under the administrative control of their respective Ministries/ Departments. The complaints of individual harassment cases are dealt in accordance with CPSE’s CDA Rules and extant guidelines issued by Government from time to time. The implementation of Government instructions in CPSEs vests with the respective Board of Directors of CPSEs and its concerned Ministry / Department  and as such the data on number of incidents of sexual harassment at workplace or about gender sensitization units in CPSEs is not maintained centrally in Department of Public Enterprises.

    This information was given by Minister of  State in the Ministry of  Heavy Industries  and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.

BS-IV Norms For Vehicles

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued notification No. GSR 643(E) dated 19.08.2015 vide which the mass emission standards for Bharat Stage IV shall come in to force all over the country in respect of four wheeled vehicles manufactured on or after the 1st April, 2017.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has reported that EPCA during its meeting held on 19th October 2016 informed the SIAM Members that only BS- IV vehicles should be registered from 1st April 2017. However, SIAM had clarified during the meeting that they will follow the Govt. of India notification and not manufacture any BS- III vehicles from 1st April 2017. 

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today. 

Mandatory Display of Food Safety Boards

Under the existing provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, it is mandatory to display the true copy of the license at a prominent place at all times within the premises where the Food Business Operator carries on the food business. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has come out with a revamped Food Safety Display Board (FSDB)  covering information viz.,  (i)  FSSAI registration/license number  which the customer can verify at FSSAI website (ii)  basic food hygiene and safety tips to inform the customers and the food handlers about the important food safety and hygiene requirements  (iii)  food Safety declaration indicating that the restaurant abides by regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (iv) consumer feedback system informing the consumer about various options for sending feedback to FSSAI through WhatsApp, SMS or give feedback on FSSAI App. These FSDBs have a holistic 360 degree approach wherein a consumer can know about the Safe Food Practices; Food Handlers can know about the Good Manufacturing Practices/ Good Manufacturing Practices to be followed; and the Regulatory Staff can know about the inspection check points, thus covering the gap.  FSDBs have till now been prepared for six sectors namely-restaurants, street food, milk retail, meat retail, food retail sector and fruit & vegetable retail. Presently, these Food Safety Display Boards are being displayed voluntarily by 14 major and few minor Food Business Operators across their chain covering around 2000 outlets across India.

 

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Smt Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.