Day: November 26, 2012

New Delhi, November 26, 2012: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed a proposal to tax diesel cars. The proposal — mooted in the Supreme Court today by amicus curiae Harish Salve — is based on a report from the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which calls for restraining the rapid increase in diesel cars with effective tax measures (both Salve’s proposal and the EPCA diesel report are available on the CSE website). The apex court has responded positively to the proposal.
The interim application submitted to the Supreme Court proposes:
i) an annual environment compensation charge amounting to 2 per cent of the purchase value of a petrol car and 4 per cent of the purchase value of a diesel car to be levied on all private cars in the NCR region to be collected annually, and
ii) an environment compensation charge of 25 per cent of the sale value of the vehicle to be levied on the sale of each private diesel car, which is to be collected by the dealers at the time of the sale.
The court’s bench has issued a notice to the government, asking for a report on the status of public transport as well as the progress of the eastern and western peripheral expressways needed to bypass the truck traffic in Delhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cse-welcomes-supreme-court-notice-on-proposal-to-tax-diesel-cars/

MNS:- Central Government has operationalised Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme since May 2007 with an objective to provide training and employment to school leavers, existing workers especially in informal sector including those under Below Poverty Line to improve their employability. Existing skills of the persons can also be tested and certified under the scheme. Testing/ assessment of the competencies are done by independent empanelled assessing bodies. Training under the SDI scheme is provided by various Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) under Central Government, State Governments, Public and Private sector industrial establishments. 1,413 demand driven short term course modules in 72 sectors have been developed in close consultation with industry, training providers and trade experts. The implementation of the scheme is being done through web portal. Salient Features of the scheme are :
• Demand Driven short term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) are decided in consultation with industry. MES is the minimum skills set which is sufficient for gainful employment.
• Optimum utilization of existing infrastructure to make training cost effective.
• Flexible delivery mechanism (part- time, weekends, full time, on site / offsite) to suit needs of various target groups.
• Different levels of programmes (foundation level as well as skill up gradation) to meet demands of various target groups.
• Courses are also available for persons having completed 5th Standard or have functional literacy and numeracy skills.
• Testing and Certification of skills acquired informally.
• Testing of skills of trainees by independent assessing bodies, which are not involved in training delivery, to ensure that it is done impartially.
• The essence of the scheme is in the certification that is nationally and internationally recognized.
The SDI scheme has been under implementation since 2007.
The Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri K.Suresh gave this information in reply to a written question whether the Government has any proposal to provide skill development and training for unskilled Below Poverty Line (BPL) youth in the country; if so, the details of the programme; and the likely timeframe for implementation of the said programme?

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/skill-development-for-bpl-youth/

MNS:- The prestigious Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award (IGNSS) has been conferred Sr. Stella Thomas (commonly known as Sr. Arpita Therese) belonging to the congregation of Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate(SMMI), for the best Programme Officer of National Service Scheme for the year 2011-2012. She hails from Kerala and has been serving as a Lecturer in Don Bosco College Maram, Manipur in the Department of English since 2007. Since 2009 onwards, she has been actively involving in the NSS matters as the Programme Officer of the NSS Unit-I of the said college. National Service Scheme (NSS) is a scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India launched on the 24th September 1969, with its motto, “Not me But You”. Sr. Stella is also the Coordinator of the Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of the college, which was launched in 2011 under Manipur Aids Control Society (MACS). The NSS in Don Bosco College, Maram has seen its new heights under her skilful enterprise and able leadership. She has been helping volunteers to explore their talents with many exposure programmes. She also had taken part in several training programmes both at National and Regional levels. Some of the commendable activities carried out under her leadership are Voluntary Blood Donation, Tree plantation, Cleanliness drive, Repair of NH 39, HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign, Outreach Programmes to the neighbouring schools, special camping in the adopted villages and a host of other activities related to NSS.
Recognising her activities and achievements in the field of NSS, the Government of India has conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award (IGNSS)-2011-12 on Sr. Stella Thomas on the 18th November, 2012 in an august function held at the Rastrapati Bhawan, New Delhi by HIS Excellency, the President of India.
On being the recipient of this awards the NSS fraternity of the state in general and the NSS Cell Manipur
University in particular are happy to convey warm greetings and congratulations to Sr. Stella Thomas. The NSS fraternity at the same time wish her a bright career in her future endeavour.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/indira-gandhi-national-service-scheme-award-to-sr-stella-thomas/