Manipur News

MNS:- The Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion for permitting FDI in multi-brand retail trading, subject to specified conditions.
The proposal had earlier been approved by the Cabinet in its meeting on 24.11.2012. However, implementation of the proposal had been deferred, for evolving a broader consensus on the subject.
In pursuance of the aforestated decision of the Cabinet on 7.12.2011, discussions have been held with State Governments, representatives of consumer associations/organizations, micro & small industry associations, farmers’ associations and representatives of food processing industry and industry associations. The Chief Ministers of Delhi, Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Governments of the State of Manipur and the Union Territory of Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, have expressed support for the policy in writing. The Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, through his press statements, has publicly endorsed the policy and asked for its implementation. The State Governments of Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura and Odisha have expressed reservations.
During the consultations with the stakeholders, views for and against FDI in multi-brand retail trading were expressed. On balance, however, the discussions generally indicated support for the policy, subject to the introduction of adequate safeguards.
Accordingly, the following proposals have been approved:
(i) Retail sales outlets may be set up in those States which have agreed or agree in future to allow FDI in MBRT under this policy. The establishment of the retail sales outlets will be in compliance of applicable State laws/ regulations, such as the Shops and Establishments Act etc.
(ii) Retail sales outlets may be set up only in cities with a population of more than 10 lakh as per 2011 Census and may also cover an area of 10 kms around the municipal/urban agglomeration limits of such cities; retail locations will be restricted to conforming areas as per the Master/Zonal Plans of the concerned cities and provision will be made for requisite facilities such as transport connectivity and parking; In States/ Union Territories not having cities with population of more than 10 lakh as per 2011 Census, retail sales outlets may be set up in the cities of their choice, preferably the largest city and may also cover an area of 10 kms around the municipal/urban agglomeration limits of such cities. The locations of such outlets will be restricted to conforming areas, as per the Master/Zonal Plans of the concerned cities and provision will be made for requisite facilities such as transport connectivity and parking.
(iii) At least 50% of total FDI brought in shall be invested in ‘backend infrastructure’ within three years of the induction of FDI, where ‘back-end infrastructure’ will include capital expenditure on all activities, excluding that on front-end units; for instance, back-end infrastructure will include investment made towards processing, manufacturing, distribution, design improvement, quality control, packaging, logistics, storage, ware-house, agriculture market produce infrastructure etc. Expenditure on land cost and rentals, if any, will not be counted for purposes of backend infrastructure.
(iv) A high-level group under the Minister of Consumer Affairs may be constituted to examine various issues concerning internal trade and make recommendations for internal trade reforms.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/permitting-fdi-in-multi-brand-product-retail-trading/

MNS:- Union Labour and Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge will give away the Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar and national safety awards for the Performance Year 2010 at a function in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi 0n Monday September 17th 2012.
The “Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar” (VRP), (Previously known as Shram Veer National Awards) and “National Safety Awards” (NSA) have been instituted by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment in 1965. The Awards Schemes are operated by the Technical Wing of the Ministry, namely, the Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Mumbai- an attached office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment which renders advice/service to workers, their representatives & managements in factories and docks to humanize industrial activities by promoting safety & health at work.
The applications for Viswakarma Rashtriya Puraskar (VRP) & National Safety Awards (NSA) from eligible applicants are invited every year. For VRP, the management is required to send the application on behalf of the workers and for NSA; the management directly applies for awards under each scheme. The applications received for VRP as well as NSA are adjudged by a Tripartite Awards Committee constituted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, comprising of representatives from Employers’ organizations, Employees’ Organisations and Central/State Governments. Besides the Tripartite representation, there are experts in the Committee from renowned institutions, Universities and Industries in the field of Safety, Health, Environment, Productivity and Quality.
VRP is awarded in recognition of outstanding suggestions given by a worker or group of workers and implemented by the management during the previous calendar year (Performance year) resulting in improvement in quality, productivity and working conditions such as safety, health and environmental conservations in the industrial undertakings where “Suggestion Schemes” are in operations.
VRP is awarded in the form of cash prize and a certificate of merit in three categories: Class ‘A’ – Five (5) of Rs. 75,000/- each, Class ‘B’ – Eight (8) of Rs. 50,000/- each and Class ‘C’ – Fifteen (15) of Rs. 25,000/- each. There are 28 puraskars being shared by 118 winners out of a total of 162 applications received from different industries for the Performance Year 2010.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/vishwakarma-rashtriya-puraskar-and-national-safety-awards-for-the-performance-year-2010/

MNS:- Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Minority Affairs, has said that the issue related to the handing over of 123 wakf properties situated in Delhi to the Wakf Board will soon be resolved. Presiding over the 60th meeting of the Central Wakf Council here today Shri Khurshid said that he has been personally interacting with the concerned Ministries and hoped that soon the issue will be put before the Union Cabinet for final approval. Shri Khurshid informed Council that as the issue of these 123 properties has deep legal ramifications, the matter has been referred to the Attorney General of India for his advice. After that the Ministry of Urban Development will take final steps towards de-notifying these 123 wakf properties.
The important issues discussed at today’s meeting also included the issue of Re-unification of Punjab Wakf Board and the issue of the establishment of Begum Hazrat Mahal Women Technical University. The Secretary of the Central Wakf Council, Shri Ali Ahmed Khan, informed the Members that the Ministry of Minority Affairs had examined the issue of Re-unification of the Punjab Wakf Board but has not found it feasible/ appropriate. Grappling with the issue of providing quality higher education at affordable fees to the students belonging to the Muslim community, various models for establishing a Central Minority status University on wakf properties were also discussed at the meeting. The Secretary of the Council also informed that the work relating to National Wakf Development Corporation is underway in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
One of the Members of the Council, Justice (Retd.) Bilal Nazki – who has been assigned the task of preparing a Vision Document on the Wakf- circulated a brief synopsis of his Vision Document at the meeting for wider consultation. A suggestion for creation of a ‘Zakat Fund’ for the welfare of needy Muslims was also given at the meeting of the Central Wakf Council.
Shri Vincent H. Pala, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, was also present on the occasion. The following members were present at the meeting:
1. Justice S. Haider Abbas Raza (Retd.)
2. Justice Bilal Nazki (Retd.)
3. Shri Tariq Anwar, M.P.
4. Smt. Yasmin Ahmed, IAS (Retd.)
5. Shri Liaquat Ali Khan, IPS (Retd.)
6. Prof. (Dr.) Qamar Rahman
7. Dr. (Mrs.) Zeenat Shaukat Ali
8. Maulana Mohd. Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi
9. Dr. Zahoor Mohammad Khan
10. Shri Shakeel Ahmad Syed
11. Shri M. Iqbal A. Shaikh
12. Dr. Syed Shah Khusro Hussaini
13. Shri Syed Gulam Afzal Biabani alias Khusro Pasha

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/60th-meeting-of-the-central-wakf-council-held/

MNS:- Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah today said his ministry is making consistent efforts to popularise Solar Energy which is cheap and environment friendly. Various policies, regulatory and fiscal incentives have accelerated development of renewable energy generation and because of these initiatives, large capacity addition through renewable generation is envisaged in the 12th plan period, he said. Renewable energy has the inherent advantage of greater resource flexibility of a distributed energy system. Transmission plays a central role to facilitate seamless flow of electricity in a reliable and affordable manner. Renewable energy sector is coming into increasing focus in the context of climate change vis-à-vis concern on energy security. A range of policy initiatives have also emerged to address climate change concerns and other environmental issues. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said this while releasing a report on “Green Energy Corridors” at Delhi cantonment.
Minister of Power, Dr. Veerappa Moily speaking on the occasion said Green Energy Corridors report is the first of its kind in the country which will provide an impetus to large scale integration of Renewable Energy and will pave the way for clean development. The government could achieve the target of 85 thousand MW of power in the 12th plan and it could definitely produce 25,000 MW by the end of this financial year provided that other things are tied up. There are also capacities which have not been utilised, it is available around us, only thing is that a decision has to be taken,Dr. Veerappa Moily said.
The report on “Green Energy Corridors” which was released jointly by Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Dr. Veerappa Moily covers various studies on transmission infrastructure requirement and other related services for integration of large scale envisaged renewable capacity in 12th Plan. The report also covers Intra/Inter State transmission system strengthening, other facilities like flexible generation, establishment of Renewable Energy Management Centre(REMC), forecasting etc. to address intermittency and variability aspects as well as grid integration issues of large scale Renewable Energy generation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-strives-to-achieve-85-thousand-mw-of-power-during-12th-plan/

MNS:- Union tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai has said that tourism will be a major source of employment in the years to come. Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Pusa in New Delhi today, he said while the agriculture sector provides jobs to 45 people per lakh, tourism provides employment to 78 people per lakh as per a Planning Commission finding. Shri Sahai said”India has the potential market for tourism and has set a target to achieve 12 per cent growth in tourism sector by 2016. If this is achieved, we will be able to create 25 million additional jobs”. The Minister said India has tremendous facilities for the development of human resource in tourism sector which can be utilized by developing countries. He said our target is to attain one percent share of the world tourism arrivals by the end of 12th Five year plan.
Complementing the faculty and the staff of the institute the Minister expressed the hope that it will continue to shine in the years to come. The Minister felicitated distinguished alumni and Former Principals on the occasion. The Institute has organized a number of workshops, seminars and conferences at National and International levels to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Year 2011-12.
The institute was setup in 1962 as an autonomous registered society under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The Institute was started in the barracks in the Pusa complex in 1962 and shifted to the existing campus in 1967-68.The Institute was transferred from Ministry of Agriculture to Ministry of Tourism in 1982.Affiliation from National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology was accorded in 1986.
The Institute started training programmes of Hunar Se Rozgar under Capacity Building Service Providers Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in 2010.Training Programmes of “National Skill Certification” under Capacity Building Service Providers Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India were started in 2010. Presently the institute is conducting four training programmes of “Hunar Se Rozgar” and two training programmes of “National Skill Certification” and has trained 944 persons in Hunar Se Rozgar and 3480 persons in National Skill Certification.
The Institute has trained faculty and hotel executives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Republic of Syria under ITEC programme of Ministry of External Affairs. The faculty has had international exposure in USA, UK, France, Italy, Qatar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China, South Korea, West Africa and Indonesia. The Institute was bestowed National Award for the Best Institute for Overall Performance for four consecutive years in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Institute was bestowed National Award of the Best Institute in Academics in 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, in Placement in 2007-08, in Implementing Central Schemes in 2008-09, 2009-10 and in Skill Certification Programme in 2008-09.Three faculty members have won “Hall of Fame” awards for winning the National Award of Excellence for the Best Teacher Awards three years in a row. One faculty members was bestowed the “Lady Chef of the Year-2011” for outstanding contribution by Indian Culinary Forum, Indian Federation Culinary Association and Worlds Association of Chef’s Society. Institute has adopted Red Fort, World Heritage Site of Delhi under “Campaign Clean India” of Ministry of Tourism in 2012.One faculty member was bestowed AAD Award by Association for Advancement of the Deprived, New Delhi for her work in Child Nutrition in 2012.Faculty conducted training sessions and demonstrations at International Level of Indian Cuisine in Vatel University, France, Indian Cuisine, Salone del Gusto, Italy, Bakery & Confectionary, Choongwoon University, South Korea, Indian Cuisine for Southern United State Trade Association, USA. Institute was bestowed the award of Most Preferred Institute 2012 by Franchise India and India Restaurant Congress.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tourism-to-be-a-major-source-of-employment-subodh-kant-institute-of-hotel-management/