Author Archives: Naresh Kumar

How to take care of children during coronavirus? WHO issues guidelines

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines to take care of children at home and in schools from transmission of the COVID-19 virus with critical considerations and practical checklists and also advised national and local authorities on how to adapt and implement emergency plans for educational facilities.

Issued jointly with the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and UNICEF, the guidelines stated that in case of school closures efforts be taken to mitigate against the possible negative impacts on children’s learning and health, including plans in place to ensure the continuity of learning, including remote learning options such as online education strategies and radio broadcasts of academic content, and access to essential services for all children.

If schools remain open, the guidance calls for:

  • Providing children with information about how to protect themselves;
  • Promoting best handwashing and hygiene practices and providing hygiene supplies;
  • Cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, especially water and sanitation facilities; and
  • Increasing airflow and ventilation.

The guidance, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of COVID-19, is still relevant in all other contexts. Education can encourage students to become advocates for disease prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of viruses. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening schools after a closure, requires many considerations, but if done well, can promote public health.

For example, safe school guidelines implemented in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola virus disease from 2014 to 2016 helped prevent school-based transmissions of the virus.

UNICEF is urging schools – whether open or helping students through remote learning – to provide students with holistic support. Schools should provide children with vital information on handwashing and other measures to protect themselves and their families; facilitate mental health support; and help to prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to be kind to each other and avoid stereotypes when talking about the virus.

The new guidance also offers helpful tips and checklists for parents and caregivers, as well as children and students themselves. These actions include:

  • Monitoring children’s health and keeping them home from school if they are ill;
  • Encouraging children to ask questions and express their concerns; and
  • Coughing or sneezing into a tissue and avoid touching face, eyes, mouth and nose.

UN, WHO create new fund for Coronavirus

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A new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Solidarity Response Fund to raise money from donors to support the World Health Organization (WHO) respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first-of-its-kind, has been created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, together with WHO.

The fund has already lined up support from Facebook and Google who have instituted a matching scheme for funds raised through their platforms, while individual donors are also supporting the fund through www.COVID19ResponseFund.org.

“We need everyone to get involved in this massive effort to keep the world safe,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “A lot of people and institutions have been saying they want to contribute to the fight against the novel coronavirus. Now they can.”

 

Elizabeth Cousens, UN Foundation President and CEO said, “The case for global cooperation could not be clearer – communities everywhere are affected, and people want to contribute. This new fund will create space for people everywhere, together, to fight this virus.”

Funds will go towards enabling the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to enable all countries – particularly those most vulnerable and at-risk, and with the weakest health systems – to prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 crisis such as rapidly detecting cases, stopping transmission of the virus, and caring for those affected.

WHO is seeking financing for protective equipment for frontline health workers; to equip diagnostic laboratories; improve surveillance and data collection; establish and maintain intensive care units; strengthen supply chains; accelerate research and development of vaccines and therapeutics;  and take other critical steps to scale up the public health response to the pandemic.

All donations made to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by local laws. Swiss Philanthropy Foundation has also partnered with Transnational Giving Europe to extend tax benefit to European countries where applicable.

Learning and staying in shape key to longer lifespan, study finds

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People who are overweight cut their life expectancy by two months for every extra kilogramme of weight they carry, research suggests.

A major study of the genes that underpin longevity has also found that education leads to a longer life, with almost a year added for each year spent studying beyond school.

Other key findings are that people who give up smoking, study for longer and are open to new experiences might expect to live longer.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh analysed genetic information from more than 600,000 people alongside records of their parents’ lifespan.

Because people share half of their genetic information with each of their parents, the team were able to calculate the impact of various genes on life expectancy.

Lifestyle choices are influenced to a certain extent by our DNA – genes, for example, have been linked to increased alcohol consumption and addiction. The researchers were therefore able to work out which have the greatest influence on lifespan.

Their method was designed to rule out the chances that any observed associations could be caused by a separate, linked factor. This enabled them to pinpoint exactly which lifestyle factors cause people to live longer, or shorter, lives.

They found that cigarette smoking and traits associated with lung cancer had the greatest impact on shortening lifespan.

For example, smoking a packet of cigarettes per day over a lifetime knocks an average of seven years off life expectancy, they calculated. But smokers who give up can eventually expect to live as long as somebody who has never smoked.

Body fat and other factors linked to diabetes also have a negative influence on life expectancy.

The study also identified two new DNA differences that affect lifespan. The first – in a gene that affects blood cholesterol levels – reduces lifespan by around eight months. The second – in a gene linked to the immune system – adds around half a year to life expectancy.

The research, published in Nature Communications, was funded by the Medical Research Council.

Data was drawn from 25 separate population studies from Europe, Australia and North America, including the UK Biobank – a major study into the role of genetics and lifestyle in health and disease.

Professor Jim Wilson, of the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, said: “The power of big data and genetics allow us to compare the effect of different behaviours and diseases in terms of months and years of life lost or gained, and to distinguish between mere association and causal effect.”

Dr Peter Joshi, Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, said: “Our study has estimated the causal effect of lifestyle choices. We found that, on average, smoking a pack a day reduces lifespan by seven years, whilst losing one kilogram of weight will increase your lifespan by two months.”

Why is GST Anti-Middle Class but Pro-Rich, Pro-Farmer?

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When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House, the pat came from the President for undertaking the daunting taks of bringing the entire 1.3 billion consumers of the country under one tax regime, making it easy for market access by sellers.

The huge transition to GST-managed tax regime may benefit those who buy white goods as discounts are visibly pushing the demand but not for the middle class, which is still reeling under demonetisation effect of last year.

Many working and salaried class families have woken up on Saturday to a high taxation as they started buying daily consumables. With one stroke, the entire unholy ‘service tax’ has gone up from 15% to 18% and immediately all banks and service providers have sent urgent SMS messages passing on the burden to consumers.

Ironic but all luxury items have seen dramatic reduction in tax structure as cars are on huge discount sale from Maruti Suzuki to Tata Motors, while mobile makers are advertising equally effective price reductions over night. Not far behind, homes will be cheaper now though an elusive dream for many.

Those in rural areas are still not affected by the GST regime. Moreover, fertilizers getting GST discount from 12% to 5%, the direct beneficiaries will feel lesser impact from the concurrent hike in prices of daily consumable items until GST spreads over the remote areas too.

But those who entered restaurants on their way to office on Saturday had to pay extra in the name of central GST tax and State GST tax. It is still not clear for them why there should be two GST taxes in the bill when the GST is being rolled out as one unified structure.

Essentially, the salaried middle class will begin to feel the impact. Since elections are far away, the government is not in a mood to revise these tax slabs on daily consumables for some time.

To offset the hike in consumable goods, commodities such as packaged cement, medicaments, smart phones, and medical devices have been showcased as products where the tax is reduced.

For instance, packaged cement worked out to more than 31% earlier but now it is 28% and if the government is expecting the builders to pass on benefits to buyers, then it’s a dream for many.

In case of medicaments, including Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathic or Bio-chemic systemsalso and other medicaments in general, the rate was down from 13% to 12% now and the impact will be hardly noticeable.

Smart phones attracted a tax of 13.5% earlier and now it is 12%. Similarly, medical devices, including surgical instruments, were under 13% tax will be under 12% GST, which is not a great reduction.

Only benefit for religious-minded people is that Puja Samagri has been placed under Nil category, to woo the women who would feel the impact of GST immediately.

Otherwise, India is no longer a poor country but a rich country for the rich and for those who marvel in rich lifestyle while those who believe in Mahatma Gandhi’s simplicity would be extinct soon.

GST Regime Offers Huge Discounts on Mobile Phones, Cars, Gadgets, Not on Food

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GST roll out has turned a retail sales extravaganza across the country with car makers and retailers turning it into a sales pitch with huge discounts on goods based on GST rate slabs and large queues were seen from Mumbai to Bhubaneshwar and New Delhi to Bangalore on Friday night.

Beginning today, Saturday, July 1, 2017, India switched over to new tax structure called the Goods and Services Tax (GST), bringing more than one billion population under one tax regime and controlling $2billion market under one federal structure, surpassing the state-level levies and local taxes.

Car makers have been the main beneficiary of the new GST and the No.1 car maker Maruti Suzuki has dropped prices on key models by up to 3 percent, passing on the benefit to customers, though erstwhile hybrid models ceased to avail concessions and become costlier now. The next major player Tata Motos has reduced prices by up to 7 per cent.

On retail front, Big Bazaar chain of retail stores has announced discounts of 2 percent to 22 percent on groceries and household goods across the country while online fashion e-commerce retailer Myntra is providing huge discounts as taxes on garments change from July 1.

Social media and WhatsApp are abuzz with discounts and how customers have been given huge discounts. One such message read:”I bought a refrigerator worth Rs.28,000 for Rs.800 only,” bragging on the unverified discount offer.

Those who have taken coffee in Mavalli center on Saturday morning were surprised to see huge tax on coffee. The actual rate of coffee was Rs.32.20 and the central GST was Rs.2.90 and the State GST was another Rs.2.90, making it Rs.2.90, with a total bill of Rs.38 for coffee. Ironic but South India, which consumes mostly coffee was the worst hit from the GST, while tea is enjoying lesser taxation.

Mobile phones, which are not daily consumables, have been reaping with huge discounts as the GST came calling on July 1, 2017. Apple is among those which has offered Rs.900 to Rs.6,600 discount on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac laptops.

iPhones prices are down from Rs. 1,200 to Rs.6,600, while iPad models are given discounts from Rs.900 to Rs.3,900, with the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro models witnessing price drop of about Rs.5,100 to Rs.11,800.

Rentals in IT-Centric Cities May Come Down in Next 3 Quarters: Assocham Report

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Amid huge layoffs by IT companies, IT-centric companies are witnessing pressure on rentals of homes in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Gurgaon and Noida, which may decline to the extent of 10 to 20 percent over the next three quarters, said Assocham.

The worst hit was Bengaluru where the fresh inflows of young professionals is declining over the period as they constitute a major chunk of rental home seekers, which is fast bringing down the rentals with many house owners in the India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ slashing their rates, the study found after survey of owners.

“Even in the existing rental deeds, the tenants are seeking better options and no hike in the monthly outgo, quoting the adverse industry outlook. With better options, the market is tilting in favour of the tenants, especially those paying above Rs 50,000 per month,” said the report.

Owing to increase in layoffs, the rentals in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad may come down by 10 to 12 percent while in Pune it may see 20% decline, said the report. In delhi NCR region, Gurgaon and Noida rentals will see a decline of up to 10-15 percent, the study said in its forecast.

Currently, the IT sector employes over 40 lakh people, who are mainly spread over the five cities studied for the report, said Assocham in its report. “The IT and other services like financials are among the sectors which pay well. Besides, the age profile of these employees is quite tempting for the marketers. They are good spenders and want good life,” noted the report.

While rentals are seeing a decline in individual homes, the aprtments and gated communities are seeing the need for more such secure homes for the techies who work as couples and go to office in odd hours. “These factors kept the markets for rentals pushing up, especially in gated and well-equipped housing complexes and societies in Bengaluru, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad,” said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham.

Meanwhile, techies in Bangalore have approached the state IT minister for intervention to stop the layoffs in several companies of late to trim the expenses. They had asked the government to ensure better deal while laying off the staff or deferring the move by few more months instead of effecting it overnight making lives of families miserable.

South Asia SASEC Program of ADB Expands with Myanmar Joining as 7th Member

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South Asian Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program of Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expanded with the inclusion of Myanmar aas the 7th member in 2017.

Shaktikanta Das, India’s finance secretary said on the occasion that Myanmar is key to realizing greater connectivity and stronger trade and economic relations between the SASEC sub-region and the countries of East and Southeast Asia. Myanmar’s membership in SASEC can offer a host of opportunities for realizing synergies from economic cooperation in the sub-region, he noted.

SASEC member countries are focusing on connectivity initiatives including Myanmar as road corridors in Myanmar provide the key links between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Ports in Myanmar will provide additional gateways to the landlocked North Eastern region of India and even Bangladesh can explore the potential of economic energy in the sub-region.

SASEC’s energy connectivity and energy trade prospects will be enhanced with the inclusion of Myanmar, involving its substantial resources of hydropower and natural gas. Moreover, developmental impacts of economic corridor in the SASEC sub-region will be maximized by exploring potential synergies with corridors in Myanmar that are linked to those in other Southeast Asian countries.

Myanmar was accorded an observer status of SASEC in 2013 when ADB’s annual meeting was held in Noida, India. Myanmar has been participating in annual SASEC Nodal Officials’ meetings as an observer since 2014. It was invited by the participating countries of SASEC countries to become a full member in 2015.

The SASEC program was formed in 2001 in response to the request of the four countries of South Asia – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal – from ADB to assist in facilitating economic cooperation among them as part of the South Asia Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ), formed in 1996.

As a project-based partnership, the SASEC program has been helping realize regional prosperity by enhancing cross-border connectivity, facilitating faster and more efficient trade and promoting cross-border power trade. Maldives and Sri Lanka joined SASEC in 2014, further expanding opportunities for enhancing economic linkages in the sub-region.

First Time India Becomes Net Exporter of Electricity

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India’s Central Electricity Authority for the first time has turned around from a net importer of electricity to Net Exporter of electricity in 2016-17.

During the current financial year 2016-17, as of February, India has exported around 5,798 Million Units to Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar which is 213 Million units more than the import of around 5,585 Million units from Bhutan, said a statement. Export to Nepal and Bangladesh increased 2.5 and 2.8 times respectively in last three years, it noted.

Ever since the cross border trade of electricity started in mid-80s, India has been importing power from Bhutan and marginally exporting to Nepal in radial mode at 33 kV and 132 kV from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. On an average Bhutan has been supplying around 5,000- 5500 Million units to India.

India had also been exporting around 190 MW power to Nepal over 12 cross border interconnections at 11kV, 33kV and 132 kV level and export to Nepal increased by around 145 MW with the commissioning of Muzaffarpur (India)– Dhalkhebar(Nepal) 400kV line (being operated at 132 kV) in 2016, said the government.

Export of power to Bangladesh from India got further boost with the commissioning of 1st cross border Interconnection between Baharampur in India and Bheramara in Bangladesh at 400kV in September 2013, which was augmented by commissioning of 2nd cross border Interconnection between Surjyamaninagar (Tripura) in India and South Comilla in Bangladesh. Currently, around 600 MW power is being exported to Bangladesh.

Export of power to Nepal is expected to increase by around 145 MW shortly over 132 kV Katiya (Bihar)– Kusaha (Nepal) and 132 kV Raxaul (Bihar)– Parwanipur (Nepal) and a few more cross border links with neighbouring countries are in pipe line, said the government agency.

Delegates for Commonwealth Auditors General Conference Meet President

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The delegates participating in the Commonwealth Auditors General Conference called on the President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee today (March 23, 2017) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President expressed happiness that the multilateral forum of Auditors General of Commonwealth countries has met in India this year to discuss contemporary issues of relevance to the member Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). He said that audit being a knowledge based activity, such interactions, sharing of knowledge, experiences, best practices would be mutually beneficial to all members of SAI.

The President said that in India, the office of the CAG has been established by the Constitution of India. Government Audit plays an important role in the scheme of parliamentary financial control.

The President said that it is praiseworthy that the delegates are engaging in fruitful deliberations on two very relevant contemporary themes, chosen for this Conference i.e. leveraging technology and environment audit. On global and national level – technology and environment have become the key drivers for formulating strategies to address a host of issues.

Technology has enabled faster communication, easy access to knowledge and information and facilitated efficient delivery of public services to citizens. Environment degradation and climate change along with their debilitating impact on our well being and of future generations are global concerns.

Such concerns have led to positive action in the nature of Paris Agreement and other global treaties. Environment not only affects our well-being, its degradation threatens the very existence of several small island nations.

Given the importance of technology and environment in today’s world, the SAIs will have to remain in the forefront in these fields. They have an important role to play in ensuring that the nations meet their commitments on environment treaties and leverage technology to provide high quality services to the citizens.

The President hoped that the exchange of views and sharing of experiences at the Conference would help in providing future guidance not just to Commonwealth Countries but many other countries of the world.

India Signed Air Services Agreements or Drafts with 114 Countries So Far

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India has so far signed and initiated Air Services Agreement with 114 countries and latest one was with Rwanda, signed on 20th February 2017 at Kigali, informed Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The Air Services Agreements between India and other countries have the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange and help rejunevate the civil aviation sector, he said.

The agreements enable an environment for enhanced and seamless connectivity, while providing commercial opportunities to the carriers of both the sides ensuring greater safety and security.

The same was discussed when the Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mr. Hikmat Karzai visited India on Wednesday on the sidelines of the International Counter Terrorism Conference. Both sides discussed among others Air corridor for trade between Afghanistan and India.

Usually the Air Services agreements provide for both countries to designate one or more airlines with the right to establish offices in the territory of the other country for the promotion end sale of air services.

The designated airlines will have fair and equal opportunity to operate the agreed services on specified routes and they can enter into cooperative marketing arrangements with the designated carriers of same party, other party and third country.

Payza India Launches App for Online Bills Payment

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London-based Payza, an online payment platform, has launched an online Utility Bill Payments service for Indian customers after teaming up with India’s household utility and telecommunications service providers such as Airtel, Tata Sky, Tata Docomo, Vodafone, Reliance, DishTV, MTNL, BSNL, and others.

The Payza Utility Bill Payments option is available through the Payza Android App that enables users to securely link their television, internet, mobile, and landline phone accounts within their Payza account, to pay bills and track their payment history.

Along with telecom services, Payza India customers can also pay gas and electricity bills directly from their Payza account. The service is tied in with the major gas and electric providers for each state, including BSES in Delhi, BEST Undertaking in Mumbai, and India Power. Insurance providers, such as Bharti Axa, ICICI Prudential, IndiaFirst and Tata AIA, can also be paid through this new feature.

“Up until demonetization, where 500 and 1,000-rupee notes were scrapped by the government, more than 90% of all transactions in India were made in cash,” explained Firoz Patel, Global Executive VP for Payza.

“While this was a much needed move in the fight against money laundering, counterfeiting and the black market, the average Indian consumer was left scrambling for ways to pay for everyday items like their gas and internet bills. With the launch of Payza’s online bills payment app, we’ve given our Indian customers a complete digital payments experience. The Payza App and e-Wallet are perfect companions to the new reality in India.”

In 2016, Payza announced Indian Rupee (INR) support on its platform, allowing members to add and withdraw funds in Rupees, and make online transactions using the local currency. Indian Payza members can also receive foreign currency in their Payza e-Wallet accounts and withdraw those funds as Rupees to their bank account.

France 24’s Event Encore In India to Focus on Empowering Women

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As part of its special programming for International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, France 24’s culture team heads to India to explore the world’s largest democracy and see how women, and women’s rights, are making their mark on the country’s vibrant arts scene. Olivia Salazar-Winspear presents two special editions of the daily culture showEncore!

Wednesday 8th March

Paromhita Vohra and Ram Devineni present the comic-book project that is looking to change mentalities when it comes to women’s place in society. “Priya’s Shakti” and “Priya’s Mirror” take real-life stories as their inspiration.

The culture teams also catches up with filmmaker Leena Yadav, whose film “Parched” explores gender politics in the patriarchal setting of an isolated village, and discuss the challenges of pushing a feminist message in mainstream cinema.

Thursday 9th March

For the second part of this special edition, Encore! goes to Mumbai to meet with stand-up comedian Radhika Vaz. She highlights the cultural shift that’s redressing the gender balance slowly but surely in India, and how being “Unladylike” is a form of political resistance.

Encore! also meets with the “Why Loiter” group, who stage cultural interventions in public spaces which can feel hostile for women. One of “Why Loiter’s” members, Priyanka, demonstrates how a simple “Antakshari” -or singing game- in the Mumbai metro brings men and women together in a friendly sing-off.

Indian Minister to Participate in Nairobi Conference on Devolution

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The Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal will represent the India in the 4th Annual Devolution Conference to be held from 6th to 9th March, 2017 at Nakuru County of Kenya.

He is expected to share the experience of devolution system and its progress in India and specifically highlight the 73rd-74th Constitutional Amendments and provisions their under for strengthening the local governance in India.

During his visit to Kenya, Mr. Meghwal will address the Devolution Conference and will brief the Conference on the revenue sharing between the Centre and the States as well as showcase the smooth devolution on the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission from the earlier 32% share in 13thFinance Commission to 42% of Union’s net tax receipts, to the States, said a statement.

To share the successful experience of the Urban and Rural Local Bodies, Mr. Meghwal will inaugurate the Conference with the objective of sharing of good experience of devolution system and through the platform of Devolution Conference and how it can be used to increase Good Governance and Public Accountability for the Social and Economic Development internationally.

About 10,000 delegates are expected to participate from different regions including African Nations and China in the conference, including Members of Parliament, Leaders of Opposition from several States, professionals, representatives of various civil societies, religious and social organizations from Kenya among others.

ADB Gives $375 Mln Loan for Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed in New Delhi $375 million in loans and grants to develop 800-kilometer Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, which is the First Phase of a planned 2,500–kilometer long East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC).

The Corridor is expected to spur development on India’s eastern coast in line with the Government of India’s Make in India policy to stimulate manufacturing, and Act East policy to integrate the Indian economy with Asia’s dynamic global production networks.

ADB approved $631 million in loans and grants in September 2016 to develop the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and approved loans comprise a $500 million multi-tranche facility to build key infrastructure in the four main centers along the corridor – Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati, and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The First Tranche of $245 million was signed on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 that will finance sub-projects to develop high-quality internal infrastructure in 2 of the 4 nodes of the corridor–Visakhapatnam and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti.

Another component of the approved ADB funds signed on 23.02.2017 was a $125 million policy-based loan that will be used for capacity development of institutions engaged in corridor management, provide support to enhance ease of doing business and for supporting industrial and sector policies to stimulate industrial development.

“ADB is supporting an industrial corridor development approach that involves creation of efficient transport, and reliable water and power supplies in the industrial clusters along with a skilled workforce, to be backed by industry-friendly policies that improve ease of doing business for integration of local economy with global production networks,” said L. B. Sondjaja, Deputy Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.

“We estimate that by 2025, annual industrial output along the corridor will increase fourfold to $64 billion from about $16 billion in 2015 if investment opportunities are maximized over the next few years,” he added.

The project is an important milestone in the process of developing the corridor and realizing the objectives of Make in India. We sincerely hope that the project will complement the ongoing efforts of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to enhance industrial growth and create high-quality jobs,” said Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), in the Ministry of Finance, who signed the loan agreement for Government of India.

The project agreement was also signed by Hema Munivenkatappa, Special Secretary to Government (Finance) on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Along with the ADB loans, agreement was also signed for a $5 million grant from the multi-donor Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund that is managed by ADB to build climate change resilient infrastructure. The Government of India will provide extra funding of $215 million to the $846 million project.

Among the outputs envisaged under the $245 million tranche 1 loan include strengthening and widening of a 29.6-kilometer section of state highway to four lanes to improve connectivity from Kakinada Port to National Highway 16, investments in smart water management in Visakhapatnam to reduce nonrevenue water and provide continuous water supply, upgrading 7 power substations to supply high-quality and reliable power supply to Visakhapatnam, Naidupeta, and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti industrial clusters, and effluent treatment facility in Atchutapuram and Naidupeta clusters.

The tranche 1 loan will have a 25-year term, including a grace period of 5 years, a 20-year straight line repayment method at an annual interest rate determined in accordance with ADB’s LIBOR-based lending facility.

World Bank Provides $63 Mln for Tejaswini Program for Girls in Jharkhand

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A Financing Agreement for IDA credit of US$ 63 million for the “Tejaswini” Socio-Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Project” was signed in New Delhi last week with the World Bank.

The Financing Agreement was signed by Mr. Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank.

A Project Agreement was also signed by Mr. Mukhmeet Singh Bhatia, Principal Secretary, Department of Women, Child Development, Government of Jharkhand and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank.

The project seeks to empower the adolescent girls with basic life skills and thereafter provide further opportunities to acquire market driven skill training or completion of secondary education, depending on the inclination of the beneficiary.

The project will be delivered in 17 Districts of Jharkhand. The project has three main components, (i) Expanding social, educational and economic opportunities (ii) Intensive service delivery (iii) State capacity-building and implementation support. About 680,000 adolescent girls and young women in the project Districts are expected to benefit from the program. The closing date for the project is 30th June, 2021.

64 Indian Food Exporters to Participate in Gulf Food 2017 in Dubai

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With 64 Indian exporters of Agriculture and Processed Food products are participating under APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) will particiapte in the Gulf Food 2017 in Dubai to be held from 26th February to 2nd March, 2017.

APEDA pavilion will be inaugurated by Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary. APEDA is an apex organization under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry created for Promotion and Development of agricultural and food exports.

APEDA’s exports include fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, pickles, chutneys, guar gum, poultry, meat and dairy products, confectionery, cut flowers, food grains, aromatic plants, Basmati Rice and Indian Long Grain Rice and other Indian delicacies. India exports agricultural products to more than 80 countries world over, amounting to US$16,195.61 million in 2015-16.

UAE is a potential market for Indian food products such as Basmati Rice, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Non-Basmati Rice, Buffalo Meat, alcoholic Beverages, Sheep and Goat Meat, Processed Fruits and Juices, Cereal Preparation, Misc Processed items, Dairy Products, Milled Products, Wheat, Cocoa Products, Pulses, Other Cereals, Groundnut, Processed Vegetables, Floriculture, Guargum, etc. The export of APEDA scheduled products to UAE market for the year 2015-16 was US $ 1,371 Million.

3 EU Delegations on Whirwind Tour of India

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A delegation of the Committee for Internal Market and Consumer Protection, European Union led by Ms. Vicky Ford met the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, in New Delhi on February 23, 2017.

The European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection is on a visit to Mumbai and New Delhi from 21-23 February 2017 to meet ministries, parliamentarians, standardisations authorities and consumer organisations. The Delegation comprises of Ms. Vicky Ford (IMCO Chair), Mr. Andreas Schwab, Ms. Evelyne Gebhardt, Ms. Olga Sehnalova, Ms. Marlene Mizzi and Mr. Ivan Stefanec.

The Delegation intends to push for a revived EU-India strategic partnership and also cover regulatory issues in areas such as services, standardisation, customs and consumer protection.

MEPs are keen on knowing the Indian customs priorities, including the management of port controls and relevant customs IT systems. They will visit start-up incubators and Info-tech park which offer key opportunities for unlocking the potential of the digital market and of services.

The delegation will try to assess how India ensures safe products, combats counterfeiting, safeguards consumer rights, keeps consumers informed about products/services, cracks down on anti-competitive behaviour and reduces administrative burdens, while sharing experiences about the standardisation process in India and EU.

Two other EU delegations are also visiting India to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership. The AFET Committee under the leadership of its new chair, MEP David McAllister, would be meeting various leaders and representatives of the Indian Government, industry, as well as think tanks.

The AFET delegation comprises of Mr. David McAllister (Chair), Mr. Cristian Dan Preda, Ms.. Željana Zovko, Ms. Neena Gill, Mr. Jo Leinen, Mr. Amjad Bashir, Mr. Urmas Paet.

The AFET delegation will focus on EU-India relations, including an enhanced foreign policy dialogue on issues of global and regional importance and of mutual interest or concern, such as peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.

The third, European Parliament’s Delegation comprising Mr Geoffrey Van Orden, (Chair), Ms. Neena Gill (1st Vice-Chair), Ms Cora Van Nieuwenhuizen (2nd Vice-Chair), Mr Alojz Peterle, Mr Jakob Von Weiszacker, and Mr Flavio Zanonato will be visiting Delhi and Bangalore from 20th – 23rd February, 2017.

In Bangalore the group will meet Karnataka Minister for Industry and representatives of leading Indian and European businesses. Software and aeronautics.

Telecom Exports from India to be the focus of ASEAN-India Digital Partnership

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To commemorate the 25th year of the ASEAN India relations, India’s Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council is holding an inter-ministerial meeting between telecom ministers of ASEAN countries and India in New Delhi today, on 20th February, 2017 to explore the posibility of strategic and commercial tie ups.

Telecom Minister of State Manoj Sinha led the discussions from Indian side with telecom ministers, senior government officials and industry leaders from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Indonesia and Bhutan.

India expressed its keen interest to partner with ASEAN countries in enabling Digital Connectivity between India and ASEAN region and also for enabling broadband within ASEAN countries.

“These digital connectivity projects are of strategic importance and can have a transformative impact on the economy and cooperation between ASEAN and India. India has committed to provide financial as well as technological support for projects that could include-high-speed fiber optic networks, digital villages, rural broadband, national knowledge network, secured communication networks and telecom training and skill development,” said a statement by the ministry.

TEPC is organizing its flagship event “India Telecom 2017: An Exclusive International Business Expo” on 21-22 February 2017 at New Delhi at Shangri-La’s Hotel Eros in New Delhi, with an estimated 100 foreign high profile ICT industry delegates from 30 countries.

 

FDI Rules Relaxed to Push SME Sector: Nirmala Sitharaman

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Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday said separate data regarding investment made by foreign companies in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is not maintained but remittance-wise data is available in public domain at the website of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion at www.dipp.nic.

Foreign Investments bring international best practices and latest technologies leading to economic growth in the country and providing much needed impetus to manufacturing sector and job creation in India, said the minister.

To boost the manufacturing sector and give impetus to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Government of India has permitted a manufacturer to sell its product through wholesale and or retail, including through e-commerce under automatic route, she noted.

For the benefit of SME sector, provisions have been provided for FDI in retail trading sector. For retail trading of single brand products, in respect of proposals involving foreign investment beyond 51%, sourcing within India of 30% of the value of goods purchased has been mandatory, preferably from MSMEs, village and cottage industries, artisans and craftsmen, in all sectors, she said.

With a view to benefit farmers and to push the food processing industry, 100% FDI under Government route for trading, including through e-commerce, has been permitted in respect of food products manufactured and or produced in India, she informed the House.

India Ropes in Czech, Russia for Heavy Industry Tech Transfer

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Indian Government is taking various measures for bringing investment from Central Eastern Europe such as opening up Foreign Direct Investment in many sectors, carrying out FDI related reforms and liberalization and improving ease of doing business in the Country, said minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Mr. Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, February

India has engaged Czech Republic in heavy engineering and has been interacting with Russian Federation in heavy engineering since its formation for technological cooperation, said the minister. Czech Republic and Russian Federation remain major partners of India in heavy engineering industry and several major achievements have been recorded due to continued support from these countries, he said.

Both the Ministry of Industry, Czech Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24th November 2015 for technology transfer in heavy engineering that includes modernization of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), which was set up with Russian collaboration.

Also, an MoU has been signed between HEC and CNIITMASH, a Russian Government Company, for transfer of latest technology to HEC and setting up a training infrastructure for highly specialized metallurgy like electro slag re-melting, welding, gearbox manufacturing and non-destructive testing, informed the minister.

BHEL has signed an MoU on 15th April 2015 with the Russian Joint Stock Company INTMA to set up a Gas-based Power Project in Kazakhstan. Andrew Yule & Co. Limited has signed an MoU with Togliatti Transformator of Russia on 10th January 2014 for technical knowhow and design in the field of manufacturing of transformer, noted the minister in his reply.