Govt to unveil
e-surveillance of funds for
flagship schemes
NEW DELHI, June
24: Castigated
by CAG for stepping away from
protocol in releasing over Rs
50,000 crore meant for welfare
schemes, the Government is
proposing electronic surveillance
of flow of funds earmarked for
flagship schemes.
While
CAG, the top auditor of
Government accounts, made note of
the deviation in funds
allocation, the Government’s
chief accountant - Controller
General of Accounts (CGA) - has
prepared the blueprint for
monitoring flow of funds worth Rs
200,000 crore per annum to over
20,000 implementing agencies.
The
blueprint is expected to be
unveiled by Finance Minister
Pranab Mukherjee in his budget
for 2009-10. He had made a
mention of it in the interim
budget in February.
The
mechanism will capture all data
related to centrally sponsored
and central sector schemes right
from funds earmarked, sanctions,
sub-sanctions to the names of
implementing agencies at each
level, details of associated bank
accounts and payment to the
ultimate beneficiary.
It
will also track state-wise,
district-wise and lower level
allocation of funds under 1258
Plan schemes. Pilot programmes
are already on.
"We
are implementing the Central Plan
Schemes Monitoring System (CPSMS)
and have successfully carried out
two pilot projects in Punjab and
Karnataka for tracking releases
and utilisation at ground level
for establishment of a
comprehensive Decision Support
System and Management Information
System," a source said.
"There
are some glitches in the present
system which need to be ironed
out as multiple registrations
were being recorded as there are
agencies involved in several
schemes and receiving funds from
various ministries resulting in
duplicity of agencies. Also many
sanctions were not being
captured. We are working to
streamline the flaws," the
source said.
The
official said that once the
corrections are made they would
be in a position to capture all
minute details of fund flow
including release and utilisation
without hassles.
The
initiative assumes special
significance in the light of
major increase in the social
sector spending by the
Government.
The
CAG, in its latest report, has
said, "For the year 2007-08,
Union Government made a provision
for transfer of central plan
assistance of Rs 51,259.85 crore
(as per revised estimates)
directly to state/district level
autonomous bodies and
authorities, societies, non
governmental organisations etc
for implementation of centrally
sponsored schemes...
"The
aggregate amount of the unspent
balances in the accounts of the
implementing agencies kept
outside Government accounts is
not readily ascertainable."
Sources
said Ministry of Finance and
Planning Commission officials had
a meeting with the CGA last week
to assess the progress of the
system.
"...
Pilots are currently underway in
the states of Punjab, Karnataka
and Uttarakhand for testing a
system for expenditure filing and
direct payment to beneficiaries
under the schemes..."
Mukherjee had said during the
interim budget.
The
results of the pilot would form
the basis of designing
comprehensive IT based Decision
Support System and Management
Information System for all the
centrally sponsored schemes and
central sector schemes,"
Mukherjee had added.
"An
improved version of sanction id
generation module has been
launched with effect from 1st
April, 2009. The new system
allows the user based
reporting," Joint CGA wrote
to Ministries recently.
Recognising
the deficiencies in the existing
accounting system and its
inability to support informed
planning, budgeting and effective
monitoring of Plan schemes, the
Planning Commission has stressed
for it in 11th Plan document.
Subsequently
the Finance Minister in his
Budget Speech (2008-09) also
announced the setting of the
CPSMS.
Also,
after finding out about the flaws
in fund sanctions, CAG had
changed the format for certifying
the Government accounts for the
first time in the history of
independent India.
Under
the new certification format,
introduced for the accounts
audited for 2007-08, CAG will not
give clean chit to the Government
accounts by describing them as
"correct statements of the
receipts and disbursements".
Besides,
it has introduced a new chapter
on discrepancies in the
Government accounting. (PTI)
NCM to seek
Centre’s help as many
states do no
abide directive
NEW DELHI, June
24: With several states
giving a cold shoulder to its
directive for setting up minority
commissions, the National
Commission of Minority (NCM) has
decided to approach the Centre
for its intervention.
Though
the NCM wrote to all states in
January this year asking them to
constitute state-level
commissions, only 14 states have
done so till date while others
have not even responded to the
directive.
Among
the states that have not acted on
the NCM directive is Orissa,
which witnessed a series of
communal violence last year.
Gujarat is another such state.
"We
have decided to send them
reminders. But if we fail to get
any response even after two
reminders, we will take up the
matter with the Ministry of
Minority Affairs," NCM
Chairman Md Shafi Qureshi said.
He
said such commissions were
required to oversee
implementation of minority
welfare schemes.
"Minorities
also need a grievance redressal
forum at the state level and
these panels can address communal
tensions at the local
level," he said.
The
NCM has said in one of its
reports that such a commission
will not guarantee that no riot
will ever take place, but it will
provide a useful feedback to the
Government and can become a place
where affected people can
register their grievances.
In
its report on communal violence
in Kandhmal, the NCM had noted
that although Orissa has a
sizeable minority population, it
was "surprising" that
it did not have a minority
commission.
Taking
strong note of absence of such a
commission there, the NCM had
said Orissa must constitute a
minority commission as soon as
possible. "This
recommendation has been there in
the past too, but is yet to be
acted upon".
Qureshi
rued that though NCM had given
the states not having such a
panel, a performa of a Model Act
on the basis of which they could
have constituted the commissions,
they had not acted.
"None
except Puducherry has even
responded to our missive. The
Union Territory has informed us
that they are in the process of
constituting a minority
commission there," he added.
(PTI)
Delhi may soon
have its own state bird, animal
NEW DELHI, June
24: The country’s
showpiece capital may soon have
its own state bird, animal, tree
and flower.
Delhi
Government is in the process of
selecting species from a set of
wildlife options provided by the
Indian National Trust for Art and
Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
"There
are two species each in four
categories being considered by
the government. All of them are
symbols of our city and generally
recognisable to a good number of
people here," INTACH
Chairman S K Mishra told PTI.
Among
birds, the INTACH has suggested
the colourful and magnificent
Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus)
and purple seabird, a bird with
shining purple feathers and is
commonly seen in the greenbelts
of the city.
Commonly
found antelopes also known as
Neelgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)
which are considered sacred by
some Indians and blackbuck
popularly known as ‘Kala
Hiran’ are the species in
the animal category.
Black
bucks are included in the list of
endangered species in India as
well as Nepal. Two major factors
that have contributed to their
declining population are poaching
and habitat destruction.
Recognised
for their innumerable medicinal
properties, Neem and Pilkhan have
been endorsed in the tree
category.
The
government is considering a state
flower from among the all-time
favourite and colourful rose and
lotus, which already enjoys the
national status. While roses are
widely cultivated flowers in
Delhi, lotus is considered sacred
in Indian culture.
"Accordance
of the status of state symbol to
the highly vulnerable species
will help in making people aware
about their importance thus
ensuring their preservation and
conservation," said Samar
Singh, Senior advisor to INTACH.
He
said that given the need for
specific attention to their
bio-diversity, most of the states
have already declared their state
bird, animal, flower and tree.
(PTI)
DRDO registers
jump in filing patents
BANGALORE, June
24: Boosted by an
aggressive awareness campaign,
the Defence Research and
Development Organisation has
registered a substantial jump in
filing patents and set a 10 per
cent growth target for the
current year.
"Last
year, we filed 100 patents. Just
two years back, it was a very low
figure. DRDO has set a 10 per
cent growth target on the patent
filing front for the current year
and is confident of beating its
own expectations,"
DRDO’s Director in the
Directorate of Extramural
Research and Intellectual
Property Rights, S Sankaran,
said.
Bulk
of the patents filed is in the
area of life sciences, followed
by medical chemistry, drugs and
biological.
DRDO
would like to put more stress on
engineering products, an area
where patent-filing has been
comparatively less, Sankaran
said.
DRDO’s
thrust on patent-filing comes at
a time when they are redoubling
efforts to get on board high
quality talent to fuel its
projects, which are in plenty.
"We
proactively go to our labs and
try to have a lot of workshops in
which we sensitise on how one can
do, what sort of support one
should give," Sankaran said.
"And
we have patent clinics, we take
patent attorneys....(to advise)
people who got ideas which are in
the elementary stage. They may
have done something but
don’t know whether it’s
patentable or not," he said.
DRDO
is also taking steps to attract
science and engineering talent to
shore up its resource base.
"When
we go to colleges, many
engineering students are not
aware of what is DRDO. Some
believe DRDO is doing some secret
defence projects...We are taking
steps to get more and more
younger people," DRDO’s
Chief Controller R & D
(Services Interaction), Dr
Prahlada said.
Joining
DRDO was generally not the top
choice of young graduates, but
the scenario is changing.
"The economic downturn that
has led to slowdown in the job
market and hefty pay packages in
DRDO following pay commission
recommendations are attracting
youngsters towards the
organisation," he said.
Attrition
among DRDO scientists and
engineers is almost zero this
year, as against 17 per cent
three years ago, Prahlada said,
adding that this year 20 IIT
graduates have joined the
organisation. (PTI)
Cabinet expansion
in HP expected in first week of
July
HAMIRPUR, June
24: Himachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal
has said that an expansion of the
state cabinet is due and it can
take place by next month.
"The
expansion is on the cards though
no date has been finalised. It
can be as early as first week of
July," Dhumal said while
talking to reporters here
yesterday.
He
declined to comment when asked
whether any sitting ministers
will be dropped on the basis of
their performance.
The
party secured three out of four
Lok Sabha seats in the
just-concluded elections.
Two
berths have been lying vacant
since BJP came to power in
December 2007. The government can
have a total of 12 ministers
whereas only 10 are there now
including the CM.
Sources
in the state BJP said that the
CM, who discussed the matter with
the party central leadership
during the recent national
executive meeting in New Delhi,
got a green signal for the
cabinet expansion.
Dhumal
had in the past said one
candidate each would be taken
from Mandi and Una districts to
fill the vacancies. (PTI)
Complaint against
Ash, Suzlon for illegal purchase
of land
MUMBAI/NASHIK,
June 24: A police
complaint has been registered
against Bollywood actress
Aishwarya Rai and several others,
including Chairman of wind power
company, Suzlon, Tulsibai Tanti
for illegal purchase of land at
Nandurbar district in north
Maharashtra.
The
complaint was lodged by a farmer
Anand Lala Thakare who alleged
that his land was purchased for a
sum of Rs 20,000 and illegally
transferred in Suzlon
company’s name.
"We
have received the complaint and
have called for the land
documents from the revenue
department after which a
preliminary inquiry would be
conducted to see if any offence
is made out," Keshav Patil,
Superintendent of Police,
Nandurbar district said.
Thakare
in his complaint has alleged that
his land was illegally usurped by
Suzlon company for setting up a
windmill.
According
to Thakare, Sarjan Realties had
taken his land on agreement-basis
but the company allegedly
transferred it illegally in
Suzlon’s name and rendered
him landless.
The
company is setting up a wind
power project at village Dhandane
in Nandurbar district.
The
actress is a shareholder of the
company.
Apart
from Rai and Tanti, the others
against whom the complaint has
been lodged are Mangal Surgeon,
Mohan Jawan, Jayant Bhosale, Anil
Gangavane, Sharansingh
Siddhusingh, Harish Panth,
district collector and share
holders.
The
State Government has ordered a
probe into the land deal in
tribal-dominated Dhule and
Nandurbar districts.
"A
committee headed by a retired
Secretary, and two additional
Chief Secretaries from Revenue
and non-conventional energy
department would probe the
charges," Minister for
Non-conventional Energy, Vinay
Kore said.
Meanwhile,
Suzlon has termed the allegations
as "unjustified and
baseless."
The
actress was not available for
comments as she is in London for
shooting. (PTI)
MCD to take steps
to stop
haphazard growth
of mobile towers
NEW DELHI, June
24: The
arbitrary installation of mobile
towers in the city has raised the
eyebrows of MCD which is now
considering taking strict action
against officials who have given
no-objection certificates to
operators without following
rules.
The
civic agency is also mulling to
initiate necessary action against
cell operators and check whether
the permission of RWAs was taken
before setting up such towers in
residential areas of the city.
"Necessary
action will be taken against all
those officials who have given
NOCs to service providers to set
up mobile towers despite not
fulfilling the required
conditions," Delhi Mayor
Kanwar Sain said.
"We
are looking into the matter and
are in talks with officials. We
will also take necessary action
against all those cell operators
who have illegally set up towers
in the residential areas,"
Sain added.
He
said the opposition had raised
the issue during the a recent
meeting of the standing
committee, the key decision-
making body of the MCD, and they
were assured of action.
According
to Sain, there are around 2,000
cell towers in Delhi, out of
which 50 per cent are
unauthorised. Around 1,000 towers
had come up alone in the past two
years.
According
to guidelines issued by the Delhi
Government in February last year,
installation of cell phone towers
in residential areas are
subjected to certain conditions.
Such
towers should be permitted only
in consultation with the RWA
concerned and not to be left to
bilateral negotiations between
telecom companies and individual
residents or house owners,
according to the guidelines.
In
a circular, the Government had
said that installation of base
station antennas within the
premises of schools and hospitals
may be avoided as children and
patients are more susceptible to
electro magnetic fields. Setting
up antennas in narrow lanes
should also be avoided.
Operators
should set up wire fencing and
warning sign boards to prohibit
access to the sites, it said.
Leader
of Opposition in MCD Jai Kishan
Sharma said that open violation
of rules in setting up of such
towers is a matter of "grave
concern" and shows the total
failure of the ruling BJP in
implementing the rules and
regulations.
"The
harmful radiations from these
towers are adversely impacting
pregnant women and babies. It can
lead to serious ailments like
cancer, heart problems and
disability," Sharma claimed
and added that he had seen such
towers in lanes of Balli Maran
and Chandni Chowk which were only
3-4 ft wide.
"We
immediately demand the suspension
of all such officials who have
given NOCs to cell operators
without taking into account the
laid conditions and strict action
should be initiated against
them," he said.
He
said the RWAs should be properly
consulted before giving NOCs and
it should be ensured that such
towers do not come up near
schools and hospitals. (PTI)
Monsoon plays
truant; Govt preparing plan of
action
NEW DELHI, June
24: What should the
Government do to tackle a
possible failure of monsoon?
Agriculture Secretaries of states
that have not received rainfall
will meet Union Agriculture
Secretary tomorrow and search for
answers.
About
60 per cent of the total
cultivable area of 140 million
hectare is rain fed, while the
rest is irrigated.
Southwest
monsoon, which had brought cheer
to the farming community due to
its early onset on May 23, had
stopped in its tracks over Konkan
region of Maharashtra on June 7.
Union
Agriculture Secretary T Nanda
Kumar will hold discussions with
Agriculture Secretaries of states
like Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar,
Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh on how
to deal with the situation that
could send the economy into a
downward spiral.
On
June 20, the Committee of
Secretaries (CoS), headed by
Union Cabinet Secretary, took
stock of the situation arising
out of delay in monsoon and its
impact on Kharif crops.
The
CoS had decided that the
Agriculture Ministry on June 25
will call a meeting of
agriculture secretaries of those
states which have so far not
received rainfall. These states
have been also asked to come up
with contingency plans in case
the monsoon gets further delayed.
However,
Nanda Kumar had said that
"at this point of time there
is no cause of worry". He
would brief the cabinet secretary
about the outcome of the meet on
June 26.
The
Agriculture sector supports the
livelihood of about 60 per cent
of the country’s population.
The
major Kharif crops are paddy,
jowar, bajra, maize, cotton,
groundnut, soyabean, arhar, urad,
moong and sugarcane. Failure of
monsoon will severely impact the
output of these crops.
Although
farm sector accounts for less
than 20 per cent of GDP, the
country was hoping that a good
crop would prop up growth,
especially when other sectors are
not doing so well given the
global slowdown.
The
CoS is likely to meet again after
the meeting of state-level farm
secretaries.
The
Agriculture Ministry has been
asked to monitor the seed
availability to ensure that
farmers get sufficient seed for
re-sowing, if required. The delay
in monsoon damages the already
sown seeds, for which farmers
need re-planting.
The
main focus of the government has
been on the rainfed areas, which
are dependent on monsoon rains.
As
on June 19, the country had
received just over 50 per cent of
the normal rainfall this season.
Of the 36 meteorological
sub-divisions, 28 reported
deficient or scanty rainfall
while eight received excess or
normal rains.
Under
normal conditions, monsoon should
have reached Mumbai by June 10
and covered entire Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar
Pradesh by June 15. (PTI)
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