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Justice Liberhan submits report
New Delhi : June 30, 2009
Justice Liberhan handed over the report of the Commission of Inquiry set up in connection with the Ram Janambhoomi – Babri Masjid incident, to the Prime Minister. Union Home Minister Shri P.Chidambaram was also present on this occasion. The report, in 4 volumes with an extensive set of annexures, will now be further processed by the Home Ministry.
AKT/AD/LV /spandey
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Geologists' Examination from December 5, 2009
New Delhi : June 30, 2009
The Union Public Service Commission will hold the Geologists' Examination, 2009 commencing from 5th December 2009, for recruitment to the posts of Geologist (Junior), Group 'A' and Assistant Geologist Grade-I, Group 'B' in the Geological Survey of India and Jr. Hydrogeologist (Scientist 'B') Group 'A; in the Central Ground Board.
For details regarding eligibility conditions, the syllabus and scheme of the examination, centers of examination, guidelines for filling up application form etc. aspirants must consult the detailed notice of the examination published in the employment News/Rozgar Samachar dated 20th June, 2009.
The candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for its examinations, which can be purchased from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices throughout the country against cash payment of Rupees Twenty only. In case of any difficulty in obtaining Application Forms from the designated HPOs/Pos, the candidates should immediately contact the concerned Post Master or UPSC's "Forms Supply Monitoring Cell" over Telephone No. 011-23389366/Fax No. 011-23387310.
All applications must reach the "Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069" either by hand or by Post/Speed Post or by Courier, on or before the July 20, 2009. However, in respect of candidates residing abroad or in certain remote areas specified in the Notice published in the Employment News dated June 20,2009, the last date for receipt of applications by Post/Speed Post only is July 27, 2009. The candidates can obtain details of the examination as well as information about registration of their applications, venue of the examination and results etc. on the Commission website also i.e. http://www.upsc.gov.in.
RS/SR/spandey
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Expeditious approvals for PPP Projects and enhanced connectivity to Jammu & Kashmir and North East tops Ministry of Road Transport & Highways 100 day Action Plan
New Delhi : June 30, 2009
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has proposed to accord top most priority to the development of road infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir and North East states in its 100-day agenda. The Ministry, in its agenda, submitted to the Prime Minister's office has also given an action plan to fast track 30 PPP sub -projects so as to get all clearances before the end of September and put them for awarding. This is especially important as the approval of the PPP projects involves approvals from the various Ministries.
In the action plan submitted, the Ministry has fixed time-lines for the various approvals and it is expected that 30 projects will be awarded as result of these clearances. This includes 4 projects in Jammu & Kashmir. The Ministry has submitted that the completion of the appraisal by Planning Commission will be completed by 31st July and approval of the CCEA will be sought by the end of September. This would ensure that the projects are ready for awarding at the earliest. The Ministry aims to construct 7000 km of road per year.
Various projects to enable enhanced connectivity to Jammu & Kashmir have also been included in the 100 days agenda. The four- laning of the National Highway from Jammu to Srinagar is proposed in the plan. This will be done on BOT Annuity basis in six packages. This includes rehabilitation, strengthening and four laning of Srinagar to Banihal section (67.76 km), Ramban to Banihal (36 km) section, Udhampur to Ramban section (43 km) and Jammu to Udhampur section (65 km). The package for Jammu and Kashmir also includes four laning of Quazigund to Banihal section (15.25 km) and also of Chenanni to Nashri section (12 km). The estimated total project cost for these six packages to be executed by NHAI is estimated at Rs.9628.82 crore. The plan also has National Highway works amounting to Rs.100 crore. to be executed by Border Roads Organisation. This includes widening to 2-lane standards and strengthening of National Highway 1D (Zozila – Kargil – Leh road), and re-alignment and construction of 2-lane road for about 3 km at NH-1B (Batote – Kishtwar road).In addition, the Ministry would also clear 2 projects for state roads worth Rs.768 crore.
Better and enhanced connectivity to North-East states is also envisaged in the Action Plan. Strict time lines for the various projects in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and Mizoram have been submitted to the Prime Minister's office in this regard. The important projects include time lines for awarding of the contracts for two-laning of trans-Arunachal Highway from Nechipu to Hoj (311 km) and Potin to Pangin (407 km) estimated at Rs.1172.50 crore and Rs.1566.25 crore respectively both on BOT Annuity basis is proposed by the end of August, 2009. Another project relating to improvement of Stillwell road in Arunachal Pradesh (33 km) on cash contract basis with a project cost Rs.91.25 crore is proposed to be awarded by 31st July, 2009. Improvement to 2-laning of NH-154 in Assam to connect to remote areas with a project cost Rs.71 crore is proposed to be awarded by 31st July, 2009. Ministry has also included plan for construction of new 2-lane highway/improvement of existing national highways to 2-lanes paved shoulders in Dibrugarh and Tinsukhia Districts (70 km.) of Assam.
The action plan aims to give the impetus to the infrastructure sector and also addresses the critical issue of road infrastructure and connectivity in states of Jammu & Kashmir and North-East.
MC/ RS/MK /spandey
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Shelter for the rural poor central release of Rs. 8795 crore for Indira Awaas Yojana during 2008-09
New Delhi : June 30, 2009
The Ministry of Rural Development has allocated and released Rs.8795.77 crore to 33 States/Union Territories during the previous financial year 2008-09 for construction of 21.27 lakh houses under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and an additional target of 18.02 lakh houses under the Economic Stimulus Package. The Stimulus Package amounted to Rs. 3050 crore was accordingly released to the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) for use as the 1st instalment. The 2nd instalment is to be utilised out of the IAY funds of the current financial year 2009-10.
As per the information received from the State Governments, so far out of the total available funds of Rs.14453.48 crores, an amount of Rs.8308.25 crore has been utilised which comes to around 57.48%. For the current financial year 2009-10, so far 40% of the allocation of Rs.8800 crore has been released as part of 1st instalments to 514 districts across the country.
Indira Awaas Yojana is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development to provide houses to below the poverty line people (BPL) families in rural areas. It has been operation since 1985-86. The funding of IAY share between the Centre and States is in the ratio of 75:25. In case of UTs entire funds of IAY are provided by the Centre. However, in the case of North Eastern States, the funding pattern has been changed and at present the ratio is 90:10. Further, 60% of the IAY allocation is meant for benefiting SC/ST families, 3% for physically handicapped and 15% for minorities. Also the IAY houses are expected to be invariably allotted in the name of women. In addition, 5% of the central allocation can be utilized for meeting exigencies arising out of natural calamities and other emergent situations like riot, arson, fire, rehabilitation etc.
In order to introduce transparency in selection of beneficiaries permanent IAY waitlists have to be prepared gram panchayat wise by the States/UTs. These lists contain the name of deserving BPL families who need IAY houses in order of their poverty status, based on the BPL list 2002. Gram Sabhas select the beneficiaries from the list of eligible BPL households/Permanent IAY Waitlist wherever it has been prepared.Construction of an IAY house is the sole responsibility of the beneficiary. Engagement of contractors is prohibited and no specific type, design has been stipulated for an IAY house. However, sanitary latrine and smokeless chullah are required to be constructed alongwith each IAY house. For construction of a sanitary latrine, in addition to financial assistance provided under IAY, the beneficiary can avail of financial assistance as admissible under the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC).
In order to facilitate smooth implementation of the program necessary instructions have been issued to all the DRDAs regarding Convergence of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) with IAY. IAY beneficiaries can get the benefits available under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), Janshree and Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme etc
Under IAY, during 2005-06, 15.52 lakh houses were constructed against a target of 14.41 lakh houses and during 2006-07, against the target of 15.33 lakh houses, 14.98 lakh houses were constructed. In the financial year 2007-08, 19.92 lakh houses were constructed against the target of 21.27 lakh houses. Again for 2008-09, 18.04 houses have been constructed as on date. Over the last four years 68.46 lakh houses have been constructed which is more than the target set under Bharat Nirman.
AKT/ST/SAK /spandey
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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MS. Nirupama Rao to be the next Foreign Secretary
New Delhi : June 30, 2009
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following appointments: -
1. Smt. Nirupama Rao, IFS (1973), presently Ambassador, Beijing, as the next Foreign Secretary on the retirement of the present incumbent Shri Shivshankar Menon on July 31, 2009.
2. Shri M.N.Prasad, IAS (BH:72) as Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, on contract basis, in the rank, pay and status of Secretary to the Government of India with effect from July 1, 2009, until further orders.
RS/SR /spandey
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ambika Soni condoles demise of A K Lohithadas
New Delhi : June 30, 2009
The Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Ambika Soni has expressed grief on demise of A K Lohithadas, the renowned Malayalam Director. Describing Lohithadas as one of the finest writers in the history of Malayalam cinema, the Minister said that the void created by the death of Lohithadas at such a young age would be hard to fill. "My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved family. The world of cinema has been deprived of a real talent", she added.
A K Lohithadas created quite an impression with his maiden script, Thaniyavarthanam (1987 with Mammootty in the lead), which is still regarded as one of the finest films in Malayam cinema history. He won a number of awards for his writings and direction during his brief but illustrious career.
SBS/spandey
PIB Kolkata
PIB Kolkata
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Palash Biswas
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