Indian Leather Development Programme launched for the XI Plan Period

60 CRORE OUTLAY FOR TRAINING NON-TRADITIONAL WORKERS IN RURAL AREA

In view of the importance of the leather sector for economy and social equity, GOI has approved an ambitious plan with an outlay of Rs. 912.67 crore namely “Indian Leather Development Programme” with emphasis on Infrastructure Development, Capacity Building & Human Resource Development, Investment Promotion and Environmental Issues for the industry for implementation during XI plan period. In order to meet the growing demand of leather technologist, workers and designers, 3 new institutes on the pattern of FDDI Noida would be set up at Chennai, Rohtak and Kolkata with an outlay of Rs. 96.69 crore each. FDDI at Rohtak would be developed as a world class design institute. The institutes would be operational from the academic year 2011-12. HRD Mission with an outlay of Rs. 60 crore would target training of non-traditional potential work force in the rural areas. This project would train and prepare individuals in the rural areas in cutting, skiving and stitching and would place atleast 75% of those trained in the industry. It also includes skill up-gradation programs for workers of organized & un-organized sector. The scheme ‘Support to Artisan’ with an outlay of Rs. 40 crore would provide design support, corpus of revolving funds for obtaining bulk raw material, grant based livelihood support, marketing support/linkages and also bank linkages with an objective to ensure better and higher returns to the artisans. Under ‘Saddlery Development’ Rs. 10 crore has been allocated for providing R&D support to the Saddlery and harness. In order to enable industries to cope with the stringent pollution control norms, an allocation of Rs. 200 crores has been made in the XI Five Year Plan to meet environmental concerns. Such projects for addressing environmental concerns would be funded with 50% grants from Central Government, 15% from State Government and balance 35% from the Industry. The industry would bear the entire Operation and Maintenance costs. World-class infrastructure is the key to globally competitive leather industry and a Leather Tanning Complex would be set up at Nellore during XI Plan by State Government of A.P with support of Rs 29 crore from GOI. With an aim to enhance capacity and increase investment in the sector the scheme “Integrated Development of Leather Sector” (IDLS), a scheme for providing capital subsidy for modernization of leather units has been modified, allowing assistance to new units and raising the limit of subsidy to Rs. 2 crores from the existing Rs. 50 lakh per unit. A provision of Rs.253.43 crores is provided in the XI plan for the purpose. Indian Leather industry is an important component of Indian Manufacturing sector. The sector is labor intensive, with 30% of the work force being women and majority of workers from weaker section. The sector thus has strong linkage with rural economy and high impact on social equity.
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The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Lays Foundation Stone for its First Residential Campus at Jaipur

To usher in a new facility for the Chartered Accountants, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI, has laid the Foundation Stone for its first residential campus - “Centre of Excellence” at Jaipur. The Foundation Stone was laid by Union Minister of Corporate Affairs, Shri Prem Chand Gupta yesterday. Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje was the Chief Guest at the ceremony. Highlighting the importance of the 'Centre of Excellence' Shri Ved Jain, President, ICAI, said that it will not only provide residential training to students, as part of their articleship, but will also provide a research hub in accounting and other related areas. He said that the Centre of Excellence at Jaipur would be an international landmark in the field of education and training. The Centre will also help to meet the demands of neighboring countries and other parts of the world for training their accountants. The Centre will have a number of facilities including a Centre for Research and a Centre for Post-qualification courses. The Centre of Excellence will also have Auditoriums, Meeting Rooms, Conference Rooms, Computer Lab and a Sports Complex. It will also prove to be a boon to Rajasthan as it will place the state on the national and global accountancy map, support the Govt. on accounting and finance related reforms in different tiers of Governance and improve the quality of commerce education in the state.
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Shri Prem Chand Gupta lays the Foundation Stone for Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs

Shri Prem Chand Gupta, Minister for Corporate Affairs, today laid the Foundation Stone of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs at Manesar, Haryana. Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana and Shri Anurag Goel, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Director General & Chief Executive Officer of the Institute were also preset on the occasion.The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has established the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs as a holistic think tank, capacity building, service delivery Institute to help corporate growth, reforms and regulation through synergised knowledge management, global partnerships and real time solutions. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. An outlay of Rs. 211 crore has been made in the current Five Year Plan for the Institute. The IICA building is estimated to cost around Rs. 110 crores. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Prem Chand Gupta said that though the world is passing through a difficult phase of economic and financial crisis, in India the pressure on the financial systems has been considerably reduced due continuous monitoring and timely steps. To avoid such crisis the Government as well as the Corporate sector must develop capacity to foresee such crisis and take corrective action well in advance. A mechanism needs to be created through which the Government, Regulators and the business can work jointly to avoid such crisis, Shri Gupta said. Minister for Corporate Affairs also said that his Ministry has undertaken various tasks to provide an enabling environment for the corporate sector to drive economic growth. The e-governance programme, MCA-21, ensures 100% filing by corporates electronically on 24x7 basis. As regards legislations, the new Companies Bill has been introduced in the Parliament which proposes a comprehensive revision of the Companies Act, 1956. Limited Liability Partnership Bill has also been introduced in the Parliament, which would enable professional expertise and entrepreneurial initiative to combine, organize and operate in an innovative and efficient manner. The Competition Commission of India will be operational soon, which will enable effective competition regulation. The Accounting Standards have already been notified and we are gradually moving towards convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards by 2011. The Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs stated that IICA is positioned to take the convergence role for the Government, the business sector and the stakeholders. The Institute has already been registered as a Society in September, 2008. A Board of Governors has also been constituted by co-opting representatives from Government, professionals and business sector as well. The Institute has also signed MOUs with leading international institutes in its endeavor of global partnerships.
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Establishment of Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) at Mohali

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the establishment of an autonomous ‘Institute of Nano Science & Technology Mohali’ under the Department of Science & Technology at a total cost of Rs.142.45 crores for 11th Plan Period as a registered society.

This will intensify activities in Nano Science and Technology by promoting (i) Basic Research, (ii) Infrastructure Development, (iii) Human Resource Development, (iv) International Collaborations and (v) Public Private Partnerships.
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South Asian University Bill, 2008

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for presenting the South Asian University Bill before the Parliament. At the 13th SAARC Summit held in Dhaka in November 2005, Prime Minister proposed the establishment of a South Asian University (SAU) to provide world-class facilities and professional faculty to students and researchers from SAARC member countries. An Inter-governmental Agreement for establishing the SAU was signed at the 14th SAARC Summit in April 2007. The SAARC member states also decided that the University will be established in India. The establishment of the SAU in India would be the largest visible sign of transformation of SAARC from declaratory to implementation. It will also be the first international university to be set up in India. The University would have branches of learning in other SAARC member states. Its jurisdiction shall extend to whole of India and to campuses and centres established outside India in the SAARC region. It would have full functional autonomy, as per terms and conditions of the Inter-governmental Agreement of April 2007. The SAARC member states have decided to set up a Project Office for the University that is being funded by India for two years. The Project office will be tasked to acquire land for the University, oversee its construction, draw up charter, byelaws, business plan, governance structure, course curricula etc. the Project office has started functioning on May 7, 2008, with premises identified near Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), appointment of Prof G.K.Chadha, as the CEO, and appointment of experts for the various tasks to assist the CEO, and appointment Directors to the Office of CEO. The Third Meeting of the Inter-governmental Steering Committee on October 20, 2008 will be appointing the Conveners to the Task Forces set up on these subjects. The President and the Principal Officers would be from SAARC member states. The faculty and students would be mainly drawn from SAARC member states. The University shall grant the necessary diplomas, certificates and degrees, as it determines. It is expected to commence functioning in the second half of 2010, with 5,000 students and a postgraduate academic programme. At the request of Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi Development Authority will be allotting 100 acres of land for the SAU at Maidan Garhi near Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The cost of the land (approximately Rs 75 crores) would be borne by the Ministry of External Affairs. Contribution on other expenditure would be decided by the SAARC member states at the necessary intergovernmental mechanisms based on the existing participatory approach. A Draft South Asian University Bill has been finalized in consultation with the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law for development of the legal contours of the University, according to the terms and conditions of the Intergovernmental Agreement, including full functional autonomy, grant of degrees, holding of examinations, collaboration with other universities and certain privileges and immunities for itself and its officials, as accorded to all SAARC bodies, based on the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities. Ministries of Finance, Home, Human Resource Development, Law, and University Grants Commission have been consulted on it. The Bill will be introduced in the current session in Parliament. The realization of this prestigious project on schedule would be a visible manifestation of India’s asymmetric commitment to SAARC contributing to SAARC’s transformation to implementation phase.
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Establishment of a “Regional Centre for Biotechnology Training and Education” under the auspices of UNESCO at Faridabad, Haryana

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for establishment of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Training and Education in Biotechnology at Faridabad, Haryana as a Category-II Institution of UNESCO with the revised budget of Rs. 99.55 crores. The proposed Centre would act as the focal point for cooperation amongst the Members countries of the Asian Region in Biotechnology. The Centre would be a regional hub for interdisciplinary education and training in biotechnology with emphasis on novel education programmes relevant to industry, including bio-drug discovery science, nano-science & medicine, imaging techniques, designer crops, bioengineering and biomaterials, intellectual property, technology transfer and regulation to fulfill and overcome the acute shortage of skilled human resources in India. The Centre will be governed by a Board of Governors with representations from India, UNESCO and the member countries. Collaboration with UNESCO will ensure gateways to international institutions such as European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), International Union of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (IUBMB) etc. and usher in skill acquisition in the global context. The Centre will be the first every inter-disciplinary institution in life sciences and biotechnology in India with unique international character to offer novel educational & training courses in the interdisciplinary and related areas of biotechnology. It would also be a place of designing of new and novel programmes for education & training which could be then assimilated by the existing universities in India and the Region.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44911&kwd=

Setting up of Ghani Khan Choudhary Institute of Engineering & Technology, Malda, West Bengal

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for establishment of Ghani Khan Choudhary Institute of Engineering & Technology, as a Centrally funded institution in Malda, West Bengal on the modular pattern of teaching as adopted by Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab. The Institution will offer courses in Engineering and Technology to cater to the various manpower requirements of the region, with special emphasis on courses relevant to the local population such as in food technology & sericulture. Initially, the Institution would start with Certificate level courses leading to Diploma, Degree and Post-graduate levels later. The total project outlay of the Institute will be around Rs. 97 crores.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44912&kwd=

Wake up call for Bihar Politicians for Development of the state

I feel very sad about politicians of Bihar who are in Power in both central as well as the state govt. This is because they are just fighting against each other and not focusing on the developnment of the state. Though at present, Bihar Politician are strong in center, they failed to bring many projects in Bihar till today

1. Indian Institute for Science Education and Research, IISER : The demand for establishing this institute by BBrains development Society are long. We submiited report to Bihar govt (51 member commiitte of BiharBrains).A report has been given on http://www.biharbrains.org/bihar-brains-demand-NISC-IISER.php. In turn Govt of Bihar, put case before Hon'ble CM (you can see on www.dst.bih.nic.in) and Also Hon'ble CM wrote letter to Hon'ble PM about need for the establishment of IISER in Bihar. Bihar Govt has assured the land for this mega project. But I feel, again CM is sleeping. He forgot to give "Bell Ring" to Hon'ble PM. Even though he forgot, where is our central govt leaders from Bihar. What our hon'ble MHRD minister and Hon'ble Railway Minster are doing. I appeal to our Hon'ble MHRD minister to bring IISER in Bihar. Bihar needs plenty no. of R&D organizations in which IISER has great potential to revive its ancient glory of research and development.

2.Indian Institute for Information Technology, IIIT: I heard this news from media that IIIT is going to be established at Darbhanga in Bihar. Hon'ble MHRD Minister has announced in a public meeting. But after that no updates............. What happened to IIIT in Bihar. I again appeal to Hon'ble MHRD state minister to fulfil his promises.

3. Central University and world class University : MHRD ministry has announced to establish one Central University and one world class university in Bihar. I don't know what is the meaning of world class university but atleast central university can be set up as soon as possible. Please start the process.


Other Possibilities to bring R&D projects in Bihar by Central govt.

1. National Railway University : Bihar is the fit case for setting up this university. But I think, this ideas has not come in the mind of Our Hon'ble Minister yet. I appeal to Hon'ble Railway Minister to set up this university in Bihar which will be unique for India and the world.
2. DRDO R&D center/CSIR Lab: In Bihar, there is no DRDO organization and CSIR labs. I do request and appeal to Honb'le PM and our central leaders to please set up atleast 10 these organizations in Bihar.


Possibilities for State Govt:

1. Aryabhatt Knowledge University : Bihar govt has passed the Bill but I feel there is no development in this. Please do this asap.
2. Patna School of Economics: I feel, on the pattern of Delhi School of ECONOMICS, Patna University or state govt should set up this institute. This type of institutes in Bihar will certainly pave the path for making financial junction of the state.

3. Medical and Engineering Colleges: I feel, there is no good progress on opening Medical and engineering colleges in Bihar by state govt. MCI is not giving certificate to Bihar because of its low standard and also Bihar govt is not satisfying the standard of MCI. This is so bad.

There are plenty no. of such projects required to be installed in Bihar but our politicians are not paying attention on the developnment. Bihar needs silent revolution of development and show the standard to the world. This is wake up call for all our leaders to develop this undeveloped state.