Bihar seeks Centre’s go-ahead for labour law flexibility

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Seeking a special and differential fund devolution formula, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today asked the Centre to provide it flexibility in labour laws to improve competitiveness of industry in the state.

"While improved infrastructure is central, so is the need for flexibility in the application of labour regulations," he said at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting held to approve the Approach Paper for the 11^{th Five-Year Plan.}

^{"States, particularly those who have mounting problems of unemployment and wish to take advantage of their factor endowments should be permitted to interpret or apply regulations more flexibly to improve competitiveness," Kumar said.}

^{He said a special and differential dispensation including a revised formula for devolution beyond the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission for demographically large and developmentally weak states required serious consideration.}

^{Describing the present measures as ‘grossly inadequate’, Kumar said energy deficient states like Bihar should be given special treatment.}

^{Expressing disappointment at the absence of the river linking plan, the Chief Minister said Bihar would all the same go ahead with the ambitious programme.}

^{"We, in Bihar certainly intend to go ahead with considering the feasibility of implementing a river inter- linking strategy to optimise water availability," he said, adding that while North Bihar is water surplus, South Bihar faced endemic deficit.}

^{He said the incentive programmes for states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal should also be extended to other industry deficient areas.}

^{Reacting to the rise in Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) by an additional 2.5 per cent of GDP in the 11th Plan, Kumar said this was not adequate.}

^{"Looking at the daunting requirements of the financing in several sectors, I do not accept this as adequate," the Chief Minister said.}

^{On the issue of adhering to the FRBM targets, he said the Planning Commission’s recommendation for "sufficient flexibility in fiscal management arising from FRBM Act in the Centre and the State" deserves serious consideration.}

^{On the power sector, Kumar said the APDRP scheme needs to be restructured as it has been "boxed with various inflexibilities".}

^{About foreign investment, he said although it is expected to rise, there is no clear strategy on how the current impediments will be mitigated apart from improved infrastructure and some fine-tuning of sector caps.}

^{"Improving investment climate through faster clearances, energy security, enforcement of contract, creating credible regulatory institutions, flexible labour laws and keeping costs competitive remain problematic," he said.}

^{Kumar also voiced his opinion against the Plan Panel’s reliance on a two per cent cess for the education sector. "Mere reliance on a two per cent cess with no time limit to raise public spending to 6 per cent of GDP, which is a critical component of NCMP (National Common Minimum Programme) is unacceptable," he said.}

^{"We hope this would be rectified quickly and funds earmarked for the implementation of SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) and expanding secondary education," he added. (PTI)}

NHRC to release books for college students
on Human Rights Day

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is coming out with publications aimed at sensitising University students on human rights issues.

The eight books will be released by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat here tomorrow as part of the Human Rights Day celebrations.

Shekhawat will be the chief guest at the NHRC function tomorrow to commemorate Human Rights Day.

"The books, which have been written keeping in mind the University students, aim to inspire, motivate, cultivate curiosity, shape the opinion and enlighten them on various issues concerning human rights," NHRC said in a release here today.

It said the overall content of the books consists of milestones at the national and international level, critical analysis of the situation, role of various stakeholders, players and action agenda. (PTI)

NHRC issues notice to Nasik police over
death of dalit youth

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Taking note of the death of a dalit youth after he was beaten up by a mob during the recent violence in Maharashtra, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Police Commissioner, Nasik, seeking a report over the incident.

The Commission was sending a copy of the news item about the incident to the Police Commissioner for a factual report on it within two weeks, according to an NHRC release here today.

Rangnath Shankar Dhale, a 23-year-old resident of Nasik, was beaten to death by a mob on November 29 during protests against vandalisation of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in Kanpur.

He was beaten to death for allegedly pelting stones at passing vehicles on Nasik Road.

NHRC, which has taken suo-motu cognisance of newspaper reports on the incident while seeking a report from the state administration, said if the contents of the news items were true, there was a serious issue of violation of human rights of the citizen. (PTI)

Delhi to be power surplus by 2011-12: Dikshit

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Faced with widespread criticism over electricity shortages, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today asserted that Delhi would be power surplus by 2011-12 as the Government was taking "bold initiative" for reforms.

Addressing the meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) here, she said the "bold initiative" that her Government has taken in power sector reforms by unbundling the state electricity entity has resulted in bringing down the transmission losses from 52 per cent in 2000 to 36 per cent in 2005.

It was expected to be brought down to 20 per cent in the next two years, she said.

"Given this encouraging scenario, Government of Delhi hopes that it will be in a position to attain the national target of 15 per cent AT&C losses by the end of the 11^{th Five Year Plan," Dikshit said.}

^{She said various power plants dedicated to meet the requirements of Delhi were in various stages of execution. "As a result, we will be adding 8,288 MW of power thereby enhancing the power availability in the capital to 12,917 MW by 2011-12, which will make Delhi power surplus," she said.}

^{With the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010 in sight, Dikshit said her government’s approach to the 11th Five Year Plan was towards ‘Development with a Human Face and Making Delhi a Global City’.}

^{She made a strong pitch for grant of statehood to Delhi to enable smooth progress of work to make it a ‘global city’, saying multiplicity of authorities has become a bane of the citizens.}

^{"We often find ourselves helpless in addressing the problems of the people due to lack of powers over the multiple agencies in the city. It is precisely from the angle of helplessness that this conundrum of sharing power and governing Delhi has to be solved urgently," Dikshit said.}

^{Noting that improving public safety, especially for women, was a matter of great concern, she said Delhi Police should concentrate on core police functions and shed the additional burden of licensing and other activities.}

^{Referring to the development of the National Capital Region, the Chief Minister was critical of neighbouring states, saying, "We have just not made any headway because of lack of commitment towards implementing Regional Plans by all concerned State Governments".}

^{Dikshit also made a call to other states in the region to cooperate in the cleaning of the Yamuna in the capital by way of release of water.}

^{She was also critical of other states for overdrawing from the power grid. Calling for urgent steps in this regard, Dikshit said grid failure could otherwise become a regular feature and adversely affect the quality of power distribution in the capital.}

^{Referring to the Commonwealth Games, she said her government had already worked out its schedule for timely completion of all identified projects and could do a similar preparation for Asian Games, 2014. "We particularly look forward to adequate support from the Union Government," Dikshit said. (PTI)}

Sheila underlines need for full statehood

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today underlined the need for full statehood for the national capital.

Speaking at the meeting of the National Development Council Meeting here, she said it had been long felt that the real solution to the planned and faster growth of Delhi laty in the grant of statehood to it.

A strong desire had been articulated by the Delhi Legislative Assembly for statehood for Delhi, she said in her address at the NDC meeting here.

Pending grant of statehood to Delhi, certain inconsistencies between the spirit behind devolution enshrined in Article 239 AA of the Constitution and various enactments in force that curtailed the role and fetter the authority and preceived accountability of the elected government, should be immediately addressed, she added.

"The NDC is the apex institution for giving substance to the federal vision of ensuring that the different tiers of the Government have specific roles and responsibilities towards culmination of a harmonious set of outcomes for the country as a whole."

As we were here to discuss the targets vis-a-ais the 11^{th Five Year Plan, during the which period the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be staged in Delhi, it was necessary that in the interest of federal planning and harmonious outcomes, a decision on the status of Delhi in sharing of power and authority was taken on a faster mode, the Chief Minister added. (UNI)}

Past loans of states from NSSF are likely to cost less

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: States saddled with expensive loans from the National Small Savings Fund in the past are likely to get relief, with a sub-committee of the National Development Council today recommending reduction in interest rates on these loans.

Small savings are mobilised by the state governments from the people and collections go to NSSF, created in 1999 in the Public Accounts of India.

All collections to the fund are currently transferred to states, which are complaining that they have accumulated high cost debts. The Centre acts as a trustee of the fund.

States demanded that all collections in NSSF should not be transferred to states and interest rate on past and current high cost NSSF loans be reduced.

As such, the sub-committee, chaired by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, recommended that the interest rates on loans taken by state governments from NSSF from 1999-2000 to 2002-03 should be reset at 10.5 per cent beginning next fiscal from 13.5 per cent.

The interest rate on current NSSF loans should continue at 9.5 per cent, recommended the sub-committee, which also comprised the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, RBI representative, Finance Ministry officials, and Finance Ministers of some states.

The interest on NSSF loans have come down from 13.5 per cent in 1999-2000 to 9.5 per cent from 2003-04.

The committee also recommended that small savings collections should be shared between states and the Centre in the ratio of 80:20 from next fiscal with the option to the states to take up to 100 per cent of the collections.

The sub-committee also recommended that the state governments’ request for additional open market borrowing to enable them repay loans other than those from NSSF be considered on a case-to-case basis.

Requests of states for advance payment of NSSF loans contracted up to 2002-03 should also be considered on a case-to-case basis within the approved market borrowing ceiling, the sub-committee recommended.

While the 12^{th Finance Commission had awarded debt swap scheme for states, it excluded NSSF loans to states from the scheme.}

^{Many states like West Bengal complained that mechanical exclusion of NSSF loans from the purview of debt relief on the ground that the fund is maintained in the Public Account is unfair.}

^{While even now borrowings from NSSF carry 9.5 per cent interest rate, states can borrow much cheaper in the market.}

^{However, the sub-committee said that the advantage of market borrowings and NSSF loans, relative to each other, can change over time.}

^{Small savings are available almost ‘on tap’ with greater degree of certainty and regularity and the repayment in instalments carries a lower refinance risk compared to the ‘bullet’ repayment under market borrowing.}

^{NSSF is carrying a high income-expenditure deficit on cash basis. Its accumulated deficit at the end of 2006-07 is estimated at around Rs 22,000 crore. Its current weighted average cost of funds is 9.9 per cent, whereas it is lending to states at 9.5 per cent. (PTI)}

Intensive combing operation in interior Khengjoi Hill

IMPHAL, Dec 9: An intensive combing operation to flush out insurgents from interior Khengjoi Hill range in Manipur’s Chandel district, bordering Myanmar, was launched, official sources said today.

Security forces began search operation some days ago at thick and inaccessible forests of Khengjoi Hill range where insurgents were believed to have set up camps.

Sources said Indian and Myanmar security authorities had also discussed the presence of insurgents particularly of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) earlier but it was not immediately known whether the two sides would launch a joint operation at Manipur-Myanmar border.

During the combing operation there was a heavy gunbattle between insurgents of Manipur People’s Army (MPA) and Assam Rifles personnel on December six at Phaizol village in Khengjoi Hill range, sources said.

While UNLF claimed inflicting heavy casualties killing two Assam Rifles personnel and injuring more than five others, security sources denied the claim.

Sources said it was not a ‘non-stop combing operation’ as security personnel would ‘wait for opportune moment’ to decide when and where to launch the search operation.

Reports said the security action had resulted in the exodus of villagers from Khengjoi Hill range as they feared casualties since the bombs were exploded at random.

Village leaders who fled from Khengjoi area said in press statements that villaglers might not be able to celebrate Christmas with the usual merriment because of the developments in the interior areas. (PTI)

Punjab asks Centre to give funds without strings

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: The Punjab Government today suggested the Centre release funds to states for development without imposing conditions as it advocated decentralisation of the planning process.

"The Government of Punjab is of the firm view that all Centrally-sponsored schemes, relating to subjects allocated to states under the Constitution, must be done away with and funds released may be unconditionally allocated to states under the Gadgil formula," Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in his speech at the 52^{nd meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) here.}

^{He sought to draw the Centre’s attention to what he called procedural rigidities that he insisted deprived his state of access to most national programmes.}

^{"Relatively developed states like Punjab are virtually excluded from accessing most of the national programmes because of the procedural rigidities and availment norms, which are fixed solely with an eye on the least developed states," Singh said.}

^{He suggested states that have achieved more than minimum national norms be suitably assisted to improve their performance further.}

^{His Government, Singh said, also firmly believed in decentralisation of the planning process.}

^{The Chief Minister cited the enactment last year of the Punjab District Planning Committees Act and said 29 activities currently administered at the provincial level are proposed to be decentralised to municipalities and Panchayatiraj institutions.}

^{"Primary healthcare, primary education, rural water supply, social security and elementary nutrition programmes have already been transferred to these institutions," he added.}

^{With child gender imbalance being massive in Punjab, the Chief Minister insisted there has been an improvement in the sex ratio in the 0-6 age-group from 798 in 2001 to 817 females per 1,000 males in 2005.}

^{In order to attract industry to border areas of Punjab, Singh requested the Centre that the four border districts of his state be given fiscal and other incentives in line with those granted to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.}

^{The Chief Minister also requested the Centre to approve a Rs 544-crore special package his Government has sought from it to address the farm crisis in the state. (PTI)}

Carnival at 10 Janpath as Cong celebrates Sonia’s birthday

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: It was a carnival-like atmosphere outside Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath, residence here today as scores of joyous Congress workers celebrated their leader’s 60^{th birthday singing, dancing and beating drums.}

^{Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues were the first to reach the heavily-guarded bungalow in the heart of the city early in the morning to greet the UPA Chairperson.}

^{Wearing a pink-coloured printed saree and a black coat, a smiling Gandhi received leaders cutting across party lines, offered them sweets and posed for photographs while accepting flowers, bouquets and gifts.}

^{Those came to wish her included Home Minister Shivraj Patil, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.}

^{Singh, accompanied by wife Gursharan Kaur, presented her a bouquet, a shawl and a uniquely handcrafted memento containing an essay on her political career, letters from the Prime Minister and other eminent personalities.}

^{President A P J Abdul Kalam, who is at present touring Dehra Dun and Haridwar, sent a letter and bouquet wishing her on the occasion.}

^{CWC members, PCC chiefs and Congress Chief Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, Amarinder Singh and Bhupinder Singh Hooda offered their greetings to the party president.}

^{The memento titled ‘In Appreciation’ also contained television sound bytes of her supporters wishing her on her birthday and paintings of her from young children across the country.}

^{Outside, scores of Congress workers waving party flags burst crackers, distributed sweets and danced to drum beats braving the morning winter chill. Large hoardings and banners were put up along the tree-laned street greeting Gandhi.}

^{Congress workers from across the country, who queued for several hours to greet their party chief, also presented her 60 varieties of saplings collected from all over India by Seva Dal.}

^{The Congress president was born in 1946 in the town of Or Orbassano, near Turin (Italy) and married Rajiv Gandhi in 1968. She became Congress chief in 1998 and was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1999. (PTI)}

UP Election commissoner’s term extended

LUCKNOW, Dec 9: The tenure of State Election Commissioner Aparmita Prasad Singh has been extended by two years by an order of the State Government, officials said today.

As per a notification issued in this regard, Singh’s term has been extended to seven years or upto the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier, they said.

Earlier, the EC was entitled to stay in the office for five years or upto 65 years of age, whichever was earlier.

This arrangement would come into effect immediately, officials said, adding necessary amendment had been made in the UP State Election Comission (Panchyat and Local bodies) (Appointment and Service conditions) rules, 1994. (PTI)

Most women getting little medical help during childbirth

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Even as the country grapples with a high maternal mortality rate, less than half of women have access to skilled health personnel during deliveries while states like Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Jharkhand have the worst record in institutional birth, according to latest surveys.

In Chhattisgarh a mere 15.7 per cent births take place in health care centres as against 99.5 per cent in Kerala, says the National Family Health Survey, (NFHS) which gives trend data on key indicators in 29 states.

The situation is even more dismal in Nagaland where 12.2 women received professional help during delivery.

In Jharkhand, which follows the North East state closely, the figure is 19.2 per cent, says the survey, the third since 1992-93.

The recent UNICEF report on State of World Children shows that only 48 per cent of women in India are getting assistance during deliveries, as compared to 99 per cent in the US.

The report says that 96 per cent women in Brazil and China get attention, followed by 72 per cent in Indonesia.

Only Nigeria and Bangladesh fall below India, with 35 and 13 per cent respectivley.

"These facts are worrying. The government has announced various schemes, but at the end there is not much of a change. In India, one woman dies every seven minutes from a pregnancy related cause," said Aparajita Gogoi, National Coordinator of White Ribbon Alliance of India, an advocacy group, told .

Gogoi says in the present circumstances, it will be difficult for the country to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

"It would be difficult for India to meet the target of a three-fourth reduction in maternal mortality by the year 2015 if women in the country are not able to get institutional delivery," she said.

"We have to take basic step to stop maternal mortality," said Gogoi whose ‘Alliance’ works with various NGOs, UN bodies and community to raise awareness and act as catalyst for action to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

It is estimated that for every 100,000 live births in India, 301 mothers will die, 60 to 70 times more than in developed countries.

"It is an irony that one life should be lost in the process of creating another," she added.

Gogoi said even in Delhi, institutional deliveries are just 60.7 per cent. "Despite overall development in the country, there is no sign of reduction in maternal deaths in the last 10 years," she said.

The situation is worse in rural areas, she said, where the maternal mortality ratio stands at a shocking 619 according to NFHS.

The NFHS survey states that skilled health personnel are not available in states like Nagaland (25.9), Jharkhand (28.7 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (29.2).

In Delhi, 65.1 per cent of women have received the help of skilled health personnel but Kerela again scores high with 99.7 women getting access to professional health workers.

"Despite government claims of providing health services in remote areas, some places even don’t have skilled doctors who could tackle complicated cases where a woman needs blood transfusion or a cessarian section. In such a situation, maternal mortality is bound to be high," Gogoi said.

Besides improvement in health care services, she said women needed to be empowered and guaranteed of their rights, "including the right to have access to appropriate health care and the right to survive childbirth". (PTI)