Know About UTTAR- PRADESH

• With a population of over 190 million people,it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity.
  
• Uttar Pradesh is the most populous and fifth largest state of India. Only five countries of the world, China, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil and India itself have populations larger than that of Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur is the largest city of Uttar Pradesh and as per the 2001 census six cities of Uttar Pradesh, namely, Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi have population of over million.
• After independence, the state was renamed Uttar Pradesh ("northern province") by its first chief minister, Govind Ballabh Pant.
• Sucheta Kripalani served as India's first woman chief minister from October 1963 until March 1967, when a two-month long strike by state employees caused her to step down
• Uttar Pradesh is bounded by Uttarachal and Nepal in north, Madhya pradesh and Chattisgarh in south, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi in west and Bihar and Jharkhand in east. 
• Kanpur is the largest shoe-manufacturing centre in the country.
• Uttar Pradesh is home to largest number of Small Scale industrial units in the country, with 12% of over 2.3 million units.
• British pop legend Cliff Richard was born in U.P
• Adolf Hitler, the Chancellor of Germany, was so impressed by Dhyan Chand's( A Resident of UP) performance in the Berlin Olympic hockey-finals that he offered to elevate 'Lance Naik' Dhyan Chand to the rank of a Colonel if he migrated to Germany; Chand had declined the offer
• Pilibhit is known for its wood-flutes and wooden footwear (Khadaon),Flutes are exported to Europe, America and other countries
• The Britishers gave it the name of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1935 the name was shortened to "United Provinces". After Independence, the States of Rampur, Banaras and Tehri-Garhwal were merged with United Provinces. The name merged with United Provinces. The name of the United Provinces was changed to Uttar Pradesh in 1950.

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Icc Ranking..India Got First In !st Time Of Cricket History

               ICC Test Championship

20 Dec 2009

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
India	32	3957	124
South Africa	30	3672	122
Australia	35	4054	116
Sri Lanka	31	3574	115
England	39	4102	105
Pakistan	21	1744	83
New Zealand	29	2337	81
West Indies	29	2224	77
Bangladesh	19	255	13

 

            ICC ODI Championship

24 Dec 2009

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
Australia	39	5080	130
India	41	5046	123
South Africa	26	3085	119
New Zealand	25	2789	112
England	33	3606	109
Pakistan	28	3012	108
Sri Lanka	35	3686	105
West Indies	21	1589	76
Bangladesh	28	1548	55
Zimbabwe	32	823	26
Ireland	6	152	25
Kenya	14	28	2

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Ruchika molestation case: Blame-game begins

 A political blame game began Friday over the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case. While former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala denied promoting former top cop S.P.S. Rathore, convicted for molesting the teenager 19 years ago, and blamed former Congress governments for shielding him, the Congress said he was abdicating his responsibility."S.P.S. Rathore was chargesheeted during my government. Back then, when the complaint came, an FIR was immediately lodged. Yet my government was not satisfied with the action.

                          Therefore, we ordered a departmental enquiry into the case," Chautala said at a press conference in New Delhi."This is an incident of 1990 and at that time party's chief minister was Master Hukam Singh. And the moment it was brought to his notice he ordered an inquiry into the matter. After the inquiry's report, he was suspended."It was during the Bhajan Lal and Bansi Lal governments that Rathore was promoted, not ours," he added."I am surprised why we are being blamed for this," Chautala contended.

                          A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh had Monday held Rathore, former Haryana director general of police (DGP), guilty of molesting 14-year-old Ruchika in Panchkula town Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. Ruchika, a budding tennis player, had committed suicide three years after the incident.Chautala evaded questions on why a molestation case was not registered against Rathore despite his Indian National Lok Dal government was in power in Haryana in 1990-91.

                He also evaded the issue of his government recommending Rathore's name for the President's Police Medal in 1999, saying that the file must have been moved administratively.But Anand Prakash, the father of Ruchika's friend Aradhana who fought a long legal battle, did not buy Chautala's argument."He cannot blame only the Congress.  Even after R.R. Singh (the then Haryana DGP in 1990) gave his report recommending registration of a case against Rathore, the government took no action," Girhotra said in Chandigarh.

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US Strategy In Afganistan

 

 

 

U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered 30,000 more American troops to Afghanistan to defeat Taliban and al-Qaida extremists and restore stability to the war-torn country.
In an address outlining his new war strategy 1 December, President Obama said while Afghanistan is not lost, it has been moving backwards for several years. He warned that the U.S. and the common security of the world was at stake.
Mr. Obama told cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York that additional forces will help accelerate the transfer of responsibility to Afghan forces and allow U.S. troops to begin leaving the country by July 2011. 

 

 

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India Satisfied with Copenhagen Summit

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told Parliament Tuesday that a coordinated approach by India, China, Brazil and South Africa enabled them to thwart what he calls "relentless efforts" by rich countries to impose legally binding targets for carbon emission cuts.

Ramesh says India can be satisfied that the four emerging economies - called the BASIC group of countries - got their way on the issue in Copenhagen. 

"This is a very, very important achievement," he noted. "There is no mention whatsoever of a new legally binding instrument because this was clearly the intention of many European countries."

Ramesh says the four countries have emerged as a powerful force in climate-change negotiations, which are to continue until a summit is held in Mexico, next year. 

The Copenhagen summit set a commitment to limit global warming to two degrees.  But many people fighting climate change were disappointed because it failed to spell out specific targets that will enable the world to hold down temperatures.

Developed countries want commitments on carbon emission reductions made by countries like India and China to be subject to international scrutiny.  But developing countries have insisted that these pledges remain voluntary. 

Ramesh told Parliament that the final accord at Copenhagen safeguards the rights of developing countries.

He expressed satisfaction that India's commitment to cut its carbon emissions will not be subject to international verification.

"Mitigation actions of the developing countries will be subject to domestic measurement, domestic reporting and domestic verification, as per its internal procedures," he said.

Ramesh expressed confidence that India could not only meet its pledge of cutting carbon emissions by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 over 2005 levels, but could even improve upon it.

He says India will continue to adopt a constructive approach to the issue of climate change.

India is among the countries which could be adversely impacted by rising global temperatures. But, like other developing countries, it is wary that cutting carbon emissions will hamper it growing economy and insists that rich countries should bear the brunt of reducing greenhouse gases.

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Traffic light

Traffic lights, which may also be known as stoplights, traffic lamps, traffic signals, stop-and-go lights, robots or semaphore, are signaling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic. Traffic lights have been installed in most cities around the world. They assign the right of way to road users by the use of lights in standard colors (Red - Amber - Green), using a universal color code (and a precise sequence, for those who are color blind).

                                Types of traffic lights

Three-set lights

Animated traffic signal

Typical set of traffic lights in Spain

The universal standard is for the red to be above the green, and if there is also an amber it is placed in the middle.^{[citation needed]} If the three-set lights are mounted horizontally, the red will typically be to the left of the green. The standards apply whether the country drives on the left or the right, but the placement of the mountings on the road would be mirror images of the other.

                        Go-stop sequence 


In most countries, the sequence is green (go), amber (prepare to stop), and red (stop). In Russia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Israel, and parts of Canada and Mexico, the green light flashes for a few seconds before the amber light comes on. In New Zealand and Canada, amber officially means 'stop (unless it would cause an accident to do so)' but in practice,^{[citation needed]} is treated as 'prepare to stop'.

                                   Stop-go sequence

In most^{[citation needed]} countries the sequence is red (stop), green (go). In some countries, the sequence is red (stop), yellow (prepare to go), green (go). In some places, such as the UK, Germany and Russia, the sequence is red (stop), red and amber (stop, prepare to go), green (go if clear).

                    Flashing yellow light

In some countries, a flashing yellow light means that intersection must be treated as non-signalized, other road signs such as "yield" or "major road" must be obeyed if present. The single flashing amber signal is used in the UK, Ireland and Australia at Pelican crossings. It is used in Serbia and the United States to mark places where greater attention is needed (dangerous crossings, sharp curves etc.).^{[citation needed]} In Canada, a flashing amber light means "drive with caution" and is frequently combined with a flashing red light (meaning "stop") at four-way intersections. In many South East Asian countries (e.g. Thailand) and European countries, a flashing amber light indicates a driver may proceed cautiously across a junction where signals operate only at busy periods.

                    Flashing red light

A flashing red is usually treated as a stop sign.

Pedestrian crossing lights

Typical pedestrian crossing light	Pedestrian crossing light with loudspeaker for the blind	A crosswalk traffic signal in Poá, Brazil	Three-state pedestrian lights‎
Traffic light with counter (seconds until green light) in Kiev Overview of UK 4-state traffic lights: 1. Stop 2. Stop 3. Go if clear 4. Stop if safe to do so

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Japan unveils record budget to boost economy

Japan unveiled on Friday a record trillion-dollar budget for next year despite growing worries about its debt mountain, seeking to revive an economy hit by its worst downturn in decades.

The move came as a batch of data added to worries that Japan's economic recovery is running out of steam, with the jobless rate rising and deflation continuing to hobble the world's number two economy.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's three-month-old government approved an unprecedented budget worth 92.3 trillion yen (1.0 trillion dollars) for the next financial year starting in April.

It predicted that Asia's biggest economy would grow 1.4 percent next year, marking the first expansion in three years, as it claws back from the worst downturn in decades.
"I will do my best to avoid a double-dip recession," Hatoyama told a news conference.
Hatoyama, who marked his first 100 days in office this week, has moved to slash what his party deems to be wasteful public spending and redirect money to struggling households.
His budget plan will pile further pressure on Japan's ailing public finances. The government will issue new bonds worth a record 44.3 trillion yen to cover the spending plans.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has warned that Japan's public debt is set to soar to more than 200 percent of gross domestic product by 2011.
"Rising debt is worrisome for Japan," said Okasan Securities equity strategist Hirokazu Fujiki.
"With the new government, only the allocation of resources has changed and that hasn't prevented debt from rising further."
Japan's economy grew in April-June for the first time in five quarters on rebounding exports and government stimulus measures, but stubborn deflation and a weak job market are seen as a threat to the recovery.
The unemployment rate climbed to 5.2 percent in November from 5.1 percent in October, worsening for the first time in four months, the government said.
Core consumer prices fell 1.7 percent in November from a year earlier, the ninth straight month of drops, fanning worries that deflation could jeopardise a fragile recovery from the worst recession in decades.
Last week Japan's central bank said it was a "critical challenge" for Asia's biggest economy to overcome deflation, which hurts companies and encourages consumers to put off purchases.
The economy is still gradually recovering but increasingly appears to be heading for a lull, said Hiroshi Watanabe, an economist at the Daiwa Institute of Research.
"Unemployment has improved rapidly for the past three months (to October) as it emerges from the worst period, but it is likely to stay slightly above five percent in the coming months," he said.
The jobless rate was a record 5.7 percent in July.
Kyohei Morita, chief Japan economist at Barclays Capital, said the jobless rate could rise into the upper five percent range in the April-June quarter next year with retail and other sectors reducing job offers.
Deflation may ease due to an economic expansion and a planned tobacco tax hike, but inflation will not return any time soon, he added.
"It will be at least three years until we see price rises. Japan's economic recovery is not strong enough to break out of deflation," he said.
Japan was stuck in a deflationary spiral for years after its economic bubble burst in the early 1990s, hitting corporate earnings and prompting consumers to put off purchases in the hope of getting a lower price.

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RTE Act to be amended to include disabled kids

Children with any kind of disability will soon be entitled to reservation in admission in private schools in their neighbourhood with the Union Cabinet on Thursday approving introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the Right to Education Act, 2009.

The amendment also aims at changing the mandate of school management committees constituted under the Act for aided minority institutions.

The Act provides for free and compulsory education as a fundamental right of every child in the 6-14 age group and earmarks 25% of seats to children from "economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups" in private schools. The amendment will ensure inclusion of children with disabilities within the meaning of "children belonging to disadvantaged groups", I&B minister Ambika Soni said after the Cabinet meeting.

The existing Act refers to disabled children as defined under the Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection and Full Participation) Act, 1996. The amendment will treat children with disabilities as defined in the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

The amendment will also take care of concerns raised by certain minority groups that provisions regarding the management committee under the Act are inconsistent with Article 30 of the Constitutions which gives minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions freely.

As per the RTE Act, the management committee should comprise elected representatives of the local authority, parents or guardians of children, and teachers.

After considering the concerns raised by these groups, the government decided to bring amend the Act to ensure that School Management Committees constituted under the Act by aided minority institutions shall perform an advisory function only.

In other schools, such committees will monitor the working of the school, prepare and recommend school development plans and monitor the utilisation of the grants received from the government and local authority.

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Interview I.C.S of Basant Garg AIR 2nd -2004

Dr. Basant Garg
All India Rank - 2 C.S. Exam. 2004

Dr. Basant Garg was in his best spirit when Team Chronicle visited him. He opened his heart on Strategy, Optionals, coaching, writing style, background and a number of other factors deciding one’s fate in this endurance test, i.e. C.S. Exam. Read on...

Q. Tell us about your academic background?
A. I am a medical graduate from Punjab University, Chandigarh. I joined in 1999 and just completed in December 2004.

Q. When did you first dream about the I.A.S. Examination?
A. Infact, right from the childhood I had dream to become an I.A.S. Officer. When cousin Dr. Amarjeet Garg cleared this exam in 1998, I started drawing roadmap for this examination. And finally sure to prefer this career.

Q. When did you start your preparation? This exam is supposed to be very tough in nature?
A. I started my preparation three years back when I was doing MBBS. When I spoke to my cousin and other people, I got the idea that the nature of exam demands extensive as well as intensive preparations. It required focused attention. Three years back I started preparation and adopted scientific method. I was utilising two hours a day at the institute and 2-3 hours in self-study. This was my routine since I planned to take up the exam, and selected Medical Science as my first Optionals.

Q. What should be the criteria to choose optional papers?
A. I think, interest, background, materials available and your ability to handle the vastness of the course are the criteria to opt the optional subjects.

Q. Can you explain how did you prepare your Prelims?
A. I got about 4 months to prepare, out of which I utilised 31/2 months for Medical Science because I subscribe the view that optional is more marks-fetching and crucial. For general studies, I was very selective in Polity and History. Economics, I studied extensively. Notes of an institute were quite helpful. For the current affairs. The Hindu and Frontline was sufficient. I did not study Geography. My performance in Geography was very poor. I did 5 out of 30 questions. I was confident of Science and Mental Ability. My target was to get 85-90, correct out of 150. For Prelims, I too help of an institute. For some section I relied solely on the notes of the institute. Apart from that I took help of the Abhimanyu I.A.S. Study group. One book that helped me a lot was Hind Year Book 2004. It was very helpful for Current Affairs. I spare more time for the optional.

Q. Did you prepare any notes?
A. I got notes of Sri Ram IAS. I am not in the habit of preparing notes.

Q. What was your second optional and why did you opt that?
A. My second optional was Zoology. It was very much related to my field. My mother is a lecturer of Zoology, she helped me a lot One of my cousins had appeared in Civil Services with Zoology as an optional, so I utilised his notes also.

Q. Is strategy more important than hard work?
A. Without hard-work, strategy won’t take you any way. But I can say that everyone puts their hard work, those who have strategy also are successful. Hard work builds the base and strategy builds the building over it.

Q. What is your advice to the fresher about opting Optionals.
A. Plan in advance. Try to get as much information about your optional as you can.

Q. To what extent writing style matters in the main exam?
A. Try to give the crux and convey what you want to convey in the answers. Strict to word limits. But I was always short of the word limits.

Q. How did you prepare for Essay paper?
A. It gets prepare by itself. You should have moderate control over language and grammar. When you prepare for GS mains, you automatically et prepared for essay as well. I attempted ‘Globalisation and its impact on India’, which I wrote in approximately 1400 words. I covered historical, social and economic aspects of this topic.

Q. Do urban background students have an advantage?
A. Yes, I do agree. English educated students have an advantage.

Q. How was your Interview?
A. It was Mr. Nawada Wala’s Board. It was stress free. The Board was very cordial. My interview lasted for 30 minutes. The chairman started the questions from the medical field like human cloning. Other members asked me about FDI, Indo-Nepal relation, human right in Punjab, electricity reform policy etc. It ended on a hilarious note and at no point of time they made me feel nervous. It went in smiling and I came out smiling. At one point while answering on post-terrorism Punjab I felt my answer was not adequate.

Q. What was your greatest mistake?
A. Everything went so well that I am not able to think of any mistake now, may be when I think about later I can find the mistake. Not to study Geography for General Studies was one mistake.

Q. When did you plan to take up civil services exam? How did you proceed?
A. When I was about to complete my MBBS. Initially started by own, then I joined an institute in Chandigarh and Delhi. Last year I was in Job. Whatever time I got free, devoted to the exam. I was an extensive exercise.

Q. What were your Optionals? Why did you opt the same?
A. Medical Science and Psychology. Medical Science as natural optional and Psychology was interesting, and was scoring too.

Q. What was your strategy to crack the exam?
A. In prelims focus was on optional rather than general studies and got command over large section of the syllabus. I studied fine study material. I tried to cover maximum issues and topics from standard text books. For general studies I consulted standard and conventional books and did practice last ten years questions. Time management was very crucial for me since I was in job. For prelims my prime target was to cover maximum topics of optional because it is more scoring. During preparation for main examination I tried maintain equilibrium between Optionals and general studies. It was very difficult to manage time during main exam. For Essay, I did little preparation. I prepared few topics and was lucky to get those very topics in the exam.

Q. How did you plan for General Studies?
A. I consulted standard books and practiced questions asked in previous years. I tried to improve upon areas I was not well in previous exams like Statistics, Economics and History. I studied very standard books lime D.D. Basu for Polity, Bipin Chandra for Modern History. For Geography I read conventional stranded textbooks.

Q. Your approach was of extensive study or followed intensive study method?
A. It was combination of both. Certain topics require extensive study, while others require intensive study.

Q. What was your strategy for main examination?
A. I started preparing general studies immediately taking prelims. My Psychology was already prepared. I has scored 355 marks in previous attempt. So, main stress was on Medical Science and a little bit on essay.

Q. How did you plan for essay?
A. For Essay, I did little effort. But I focused on only few themes. Like Indian democracy, Judicial activism etc. For essay my luck favoured.

Q. Tell us about your interview session?
A. An interview is the final stage of the show. For interview, I joined certain coaching institutes in Delhi and locally also. I seriously interpreted the feedback given to me during mock interview sessions and I tried to overcome by shortfall in very next mock interview. I was the last candidate to be interviewed and It was in the board of Madam Parveen Talha. It lasted for twenty minute. The board was very cordial. They asked various questions like on my job, about Mughal garden, Mughal architecture and other architectures. I was asked to compare different architecture. I had very little knowledge. I was answering in like ‘I don’t know’ because I was unable to answer. Other questions related to my field of medical profession and certain situational questions were asked. I handled intelligently those questions.

Q. Did you feel nervous at any point of time during interview?
A. No, the prepared in such a manner that nervousness was not part of my personality. I handled all the questions confidently and nervousness was nowhere. When I was waiting for my interview, I thought that board members have to select me and I have to just support them.

Q. What should coaching classes you attended?
A. The coaching institutes provide basic framework on which a person has to go. They give the basic idea and they also help you to decide which areas are to be focused, and which section has to show less interest. Then, it depends on your personal efforts and approach.
When asked about choosing right coaching institute one should decide on the credibility of an institute. Mr. Ravindran helped me to a great extent.

Q. What was your biggest mistake?
A. I should have taken it more seriously earlier also.

Q. What is your suggestion for fresher regarding selection of optional subjects?
A. In choosing optional subject one should keep in mind his background and interest. In addition, one should also concentrate on the availability of materials, coaching, notes, guidance etc. If a person has real interest he can crack the exam even if the optional chosen does not showing good trend.

Q. This was your fourth attempt. Tell us about previous attempts?
A. I was not very serious during first attempt, I appeared just to see the pattern of the examination. During the second attempt I planned in skillful manner. I faced the interview. Similarly in the third attempt faced the board but the rank I got was not satisfactory. So, I made up my mind again. I knew my weaknesses and planned accordingly. I was expecting a good rank in the final attempt and the result is before you. (Reproduced from Chronicle magazine)

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India – Analysis

Quick Facts: Indian Census 2001

 Population- 1,028,737,436

Over all decadal growth 21.34%

The per cent decadal growth of population is very high 64.53 in Nagaland.

The per cent decadal growth of population is very low 9.43 in Kerala.

 Religious demography of India-

Hindus 80.5%
Muslims 13.4%
Christians 2.3%
Sikhs 1.9%
Urban-27.8% Rural-72.2%

Goa is with highest urban population [Tamilnadu took over to Goa recently]
HP with highest rural population more than 90%

Scheduled Castes: 16.2%
Scheduled Tribes: 8.2%
State with highest proportion of Scheduled Castes Punjab (28.9 %)
State with lowest proportion of Scheduled Castes Mizoram (0.03 %)
**Arunachal Pradesh is the only state of India where SC population is Zero
State with highest proportion of Scheduled Tribes Mizoram (94.5 %)
State with lowest proportion of Scheduled Tribes Goa (0.04 %)
Uttar Pradesh most populated, estimated more than Pakistan’s population-16, 61, 98, 000
Sikkim least populated among sates-5, 41, 000


India Area-32, 87, 240 sq KM 7^th in world
16.7% of world population in 2.4% of world surface area
Largest City- Mumbai

Infant Mortality Rate*
57 per 1,000
**Here infant mortality rate refers to number of infants/1000 who loose life within 1 year of their birth
Life expectancy

62 years [Highest in Japan-82 years Lowest in Zimbabwe-37] 

Sex Ratio- 933 females per 1000 males as against 927 in 1991 census

Kerala has Highest sex ratio (1058). Haryana has lowest sex ratio of 861 among the major states.

UT with Highest Female Sex Ratio Pondicherry [1001]

UT with Lowest Female Sex Ratio Daman & Diu [710]

District with Highest Female Sex Ratio Mahe (Pondicherry) [1147]

District with Lowest Female Sex Ratio Daman (Daman & Diu) [591]

India will overcome China in population by 2030: UN 

Literacy rate- 64.84
Highest in Kerala-90.86
Lowest in Bihar-47.00
Haryana-67.91
The literacy rate in 2001 has been recorded at 64.84 per cent as against 52.21 per cent in 1991. The 12.63 percentage point’s increase in the literacy rate during the period is the highest increase in any decade.
Out of the total 600 districts in the country, 597 districts have been covered by NLM under literacy scheme.
75 males and 54 females literate out of every 100

 Highest enrolment ratio in class I-VIII Manipur-129.65%

Density of population in India: – 325 (33rd)

West Bengal most dense -904 and Arunachal Pradesh least-13

UT with Highest Population Density Delhi [9340]

UT with lowest Population Density Andaman & Nicobar Islands [43]

India’s total population below poverty line-26.10%

J & K has lowest population below poverty line [3.5%] 

Orissa has highest population below poverty line [47%]

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Indian Parliament-

           What is Parliament?

According to the Constitution of India, the union legislative body is called the Parliament. The Hindi term for Parliament is Sansad.  The Parliament includes the President and the two Houses – the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This kind of system, with two Houses, is called a bicameral legislature

                                       Rajya Sabha-

The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the Upper House of Parliament. The House has a maximum of 250 members, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature, science, and social services. The remaining 238 members are elected by the members of the legislative bodies from the States and Union Territories.  The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and unlike the Lok Sabha, it cannot be dissolved at any time.

Each member of the Rajya Sabha serves for a term of six years. But one third of its members retire at the expiration of every two years. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. It, however, elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members who takes care of the day-to-day working of the House.  Both Houses have equal legislative powers except in the area of finance where the Lok Sabha is given overriding powers.

                                          Lok Sabha-

The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is the Lower House of Parliament. The members are directly elected to the House. The electorate consists of all citizens who have attained 18 years of age and are otherwise not disqualified to vote under the law. Under the Constitution, the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha can be 552 members. The Constitution provides that up to 530 members would represent territorial constituencies in the states, up to 20 members would represent the Union Territories, and two members would be appointed by the President to represent the Anglo-Indian community if there is inadequate representation of the community.

The minimum age for qualification as a member of the Lok Sabha is 25 years. Each Lok Sabha is formed for a period of five years, at the end of which the House is dissolved. The House can be dissolved before the completion of the term or it can be extended by a Proclamation of Emergency. The period of extension cannot exceed one year at a time.  A Speaker and a Deputy Speaker, elected by the members of the Lok Sabha, conduct day to day business. The Deputy Speaker presides during the absence of the Speaker.

        What are the functions of Parliament?

Parliament has four primary functions- to make laws, to sanction government expenditure, to oversee the work of the government, and to represent the interests of the people. In the Indian system, the Council of Ministers are also Members of Parliament (that is, there is an overlap of the legislative and executive functions for several members) For those members who are part of the Council of Ministers, there is an additional responsibility of the executive as compared to those who are not in the Council of Ministers.  The broad functions of Parliament can be described as follows-

• Legislative responsibility- To pass laws

• Oversight responsibility- To ensure that the executive (i.e. government) performs its duties satisfactorily

• Representative responsibility- To represent the views and aspirations of the people of their constituency in Parliament

• “Power of the Purse” responsibility- To approve and oversee the revenues and expenditures proposed by the government 

          What constitutes the Government of India? 

The President is the formal, constitutional head of the Republic of India. After the Lok Sabha elections, the President invites the leader of the party or parties with the majority of votes in the Lok Sabha to form the Government.  The President appoints the leader of the majority party as the Prime Minister and on the advice of the Prime Minister appoints other ministers. The ministers can be chosen from both Houses of Parliament. The political power is vested with the Prime Minister and his team of ministers – the Council of Ministers.  The Council of Ministers constitutes the Government of India and the government is headed by the Prime Minister.  The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, (together forming the Executive) is responsible for the governance of the country and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha passes a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers, the term of the Government comes to an end.    As the leader of the majority, the Prime Minister is also the Leader of the Lok Sabha. He has to perform certain parliamentary functions like proposing dates of calling the House in session to the Speaker and drawing up the programme of official business.  The leader of the largest party in opposition in each House is designated as the Leader of the Opposition. Till 18^th December 2009 leader of opposition in LS was Mr. L. K. Aadvani but at present he has replaced by Susma Swaraj

      What is the role of the President of India with regard to Parliament?

The President is the constitutional head of Republic of India, directly elected by an electoral college that includes elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.  The President performs certain constitutional functions-

• The President invites the leader of the majority party to form the Government after a new Lok Sabha is duly elected

• The President nominates 12 members of the Rajya Sabha and has the right to nominate two members from the Anglo Indian community to the Lok Sabha if they are under-represented

• On the advice of the Executive, the President summons the two Houses of Parliament to meet from time to time

• The President has the power to discontinue a session in the two Houses and dissolve the Lok Sabha (in consultation with the Executive)

• The President has to agree to sign a Bill before it can become a law

• If the Houses are not in session, the President can enact or promulgate Ordinances having the same validity as a law passed in Parliament.

• The President has the power to appoint the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha on an interim basis

• The President has the right to address either or both Houses of Parliament

• The President has the power to call both Houses for a joint sitting in case a dispute arises over passing a Bill. In the joint sitting, the matter is decided by majority vote

      
       What are the special powers of Rajya Sabha? 

Rajya Sabha enjoys certain special powers. They are as follows-

• Rajya Sabha can declare that it would be in the national interest for the Parliament to make laws on any subject in the State List

• Rajya Sabha is empowered to make laws creating one or more All India Services, which would be common to the Union and State, if it is deemed to serve the national interest. The services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and All-India Judicial Service are part of the All India Services.

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Indian Polity & Constitution

What is Democracy-?

“Democracy is not just about Rights. It is also about Responsibilities. Democracy is not just about asserting our own identity. It is also about respecting the identity of others. Democracy is not just about seeking benefits. It is also about contributing to the process of nation building.” 

What is Politics-?

Politics refers to the relationship between government and society.

What is Political Science-?

 Political Science is concerned with a systematic study of ‘politics’ in human societies. Integration and Conflict are two sides of coin “Politics.”

What is State-?

State is a social organisation with a fixed territory and stability in society living within that territory. State is distinguished from other forms of social organisation in terms of sovereign power exercised by it. Here Sovereignty is defined as undisputed legal authority over a territory.

In ancient India, the Saptanga Theory of State elaborated in Kautilya’s Arthshastra mentions seven elements — Swami, Amatya, Janpada, Durga, Kosa, Danda and Mitra. In the west, writers like Harold

J. Laski and J.W. Garner have referred to four elements of state as follows-

1. Population
2. Territory
3. Government
4. Sovereignty [Central theme]

What is Government-?

The state has to exercise sovereign power over the territory and the people within its jurisdiction. For doing this it needs an organisation with persons exercising power on its behalf. Government is such an organisation of the state, with defined powers and functions for the different organs [Legislature, Executive and Judiciary] of the governments. Government of a State can be democratic or non-democratic, unitary or federal and Presidential or Parliamentary.

Indian State-

The origin of State in India is as old as Vedas, when Dharma was the cardinal principle of Politics in India. Manusmiriti is the earliest text to elaborate the principles of social life, propounds decentralization and welfare activities as the basis of the state organisation. Gradually ancient state has evolved into modern state. John Locke propounded the Doctrine of Consent and John Stuart Mill gave much importance to representative and responsible government.

Nation-

The concept of Nation refers to sense of belongings from a particular State or Region. A society claims distinction on the basis of some common characteristics of its people. Some characteristics that form the basis of such a claim are: lineage, culture, language, religion, territory, race, and so on. The idea of nation and the process of nationalism emphasize the sense of solidarity, and resemblances on various grounds. A sense of belonging among the people is provided by these factors either singly or in combination turned out as a Nation.

Nation Building-

This is the process of consolidation of various social groups [whole population] under a common tag. It is one of the main objectives of the sate to maximize the level of integration in society which is known as Nation Building.

Political System-

The political system of a state refers to the sum total of ideology or principles on which government of a State has been organised to discharge its duties or functions towards Citizens and to exercise the sovereign power of State. The political system of modern states are organised on the basis of constitution of a particular state.

Classification of Government-

Government of a modern state can be classified into various forms like democratic or autocratic, unitary or federal and parliamentary or presidential etc. This classification of government usually based upon the following factors-

S. No.	Basis/Factors	Type of Government
1.	Nature of exercise of power	Democratic or Autocratic
2.	Nature of executive agency	Parliamentary or Presidential
3.	Territorial distribution of power	Federal or Unitary
4.	Nature of constitution	Hard or Soft

Political Culture-

Political Culture of a country refers to a set of beliefs and attitudes prevailed in a particular political society.

Political Socialization-

The process by which a particular set of attitudes, belief and orientations is passed on from one generation to another is known as political socialization. It is study of “what, when and how people learn about politics”. Inter-generational continuity is the essence of political culture. The willingness of people to accept new ideas and beliefs is a matter of learnt behaviour. Thus, the learning process to acquire existing political culture is known as political socialization. Individuals acquire certain social obligations through ordinary course of interactions. Process of political socializations is not necessarily a conscious process. Various factors such as international developments, domestic transformations, historical events, and social stirrings shape the process of political socialization. There is a direct linkage between political culture and political socialization. Political socialization is the process by which political cultures are formed, maintained and changed. Thus, it is important to study the process of political socialization in order to understand political stability and development of political system. An individual acquires a particular belief, value and attitude towards politics of a state through manifest and latent transmission of information. The teaching of civics syllabus in the schools is an example of manifest political socialization. Latent political socialization process implies transmission of non-political attitudes towards prevalent institutions in a political system. It involves the fundamental aspects of culture in a political system. Political socialization takes place through a variety of institutions and situations. These are family, peer groups, educational institutions, secondary groups/such as work place, the mass media, government and political party machineries.

Who makes Government in a State i.e. Political Parties-

Political Party refers to a political or social institution with a common ideology. Party system in a state varies from state to state as one party system, two party system and multi party system

Political Participation-

The study of political participation implies the study of actual involvement of people in the decision-making process rather than popular attitude of becoming involved. It refers to the involvement of mango peoples in policy making, implementing and its evaluation. In contemporary context effective participation of citizens in decision-making process has been emphasized through decentralization of power. Effective political participation is also achieved through the various emerging concepts like pressure groups, interest groups, civil society and NGO’s.

Political Development-

Political Development refers to gradual changes occurred into the political structure and political culture of a state during a certain time period. Political development is related to increasing governmental efficiency in the use of human and material resources of the nation for the common good. It also highlighted the notion of national political capacity or efficiency. Political development it refers to the capacity building of the government in discharging its duties or responsibilities. The concept of political capacity referred only to two basic areas of development: ability of a government to collect revenues from its subjects to implement its preferred policies and its ability to mobilize human resources.

Cardinal Theories of Politics-

                                 Liberalism-

An ideology based on a commitment to individualism, consent and toleration: modern liberalism differs from classical liberalism. According to this ideology economic system is based upon Laissez-faire approach and it advocated *capitalism. Ideology also advocated the concept of free market and liberalization. Almost all developed countries on globe supported this ideology

*A type of economic system which precedes socialism or communism. It is based on private ownership of the means of production and on the exploitation of the wage labour.

                                    Socialism-

A political ideology based on the principle of state ownership of resources and industry along with responsibility of socio-economic development. Socialism is a clear contrast to Laissez faire and advocated more interference from government side. Traditional Socialism is different from ** democratic socialism.

1. **Democratic Socialism refers to a mixed ideology aiming at bringing about socialism through democratic means. The ideology was consciously articulated by Nehru and endorsed by the Indian Parliament from time to time.

Marxism-

This ideology was advocated and founded by Karl Marx. Marxism is based upon the principle of classless society. Lenin of former USSR and Mayo of China were the main supporter of this ideology. Marx advocated replacement of capitalism by communism.

                                    Fascism-

Fascism refers to a political ideology which advocates an authoritarian hierarchical government (as opposed to democracy or liberalism). NAZI party of Germany under leadership of Adolf Hitler and Italy’s Mussolini were the prime advocator of this ideology

                               Gandhism-

One more political or economic ideology put forward by Mahatma Gandhi of India is known as Gandhism. This ideology is based upon the principle of non-violence and decentralization of power to local government

Few important terms in Polity-

Bourgeoisie-

This is a French term signifying citizen class or working class. The term is frequently used by Marxist socialists to denote the class of proprietors, capitalists, manufacturers, merchants, persons with a business of their own and members of liberal professions as opposed to the ‘proletariat’ who live only by selling their labour.

Proletariat-

In ancient Rome the property–less class which served the state by producing children proles. However, the most prevalent usage refers to the one developed by Marx. In this sense proletariat includes those in industry, agriculture and intellectual posts who live by the sale of their labour, as opposed to the capitalist bourgeoisie.

Elite-

This term denotes a group of persons who hold positions of eminence in society. The term is also used to refer to leaders in different fields, e.g. political elite and business elite.

Trade Union-

An association of wage earners of workers for the purpose of improving their conditions and protecting their interests

Syndicalism-

A movement of labour unions which favored “direct action” culminating in a revolutionary general strike to secure workers’ ownership and control of industry. It originated under the influence of Robert Owen and acquired its more violent aspects in France besides getting its name from the word ‘Syndicate’ (union trade).

Indian Polity-

The preamble of Indian constitution says that India is a Sovereign [undisputed legal right of Indian citizens over the state], Socialist [adhere to socialism ideology], Secular [without any religion and equal respect for all prevailed ones], Democratic [government by the people or by their elected representatives] Republic [A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens] country.

Some cardinal features of Indian Polity incorporated by Indian Constitution-

• Written
• Partially rigid and partially flexible
• Impartial Judiciary with Judicial Review
• Directive Principles of State Policy
• Universal Adult franchise
• Emergency Provisions
• Power distribution between Union and State on doctrine of “Pitch and Substance.”
• Independent Agencies like UPSC, EC and CAGI
• Positive Discrimination
• PRI

Government Form	Parliamentary Government on lines of British Parliament
Nature of State	Quasi-Federal [India is union of states but centre is more powerful]
Executive agency of Government	Legislature and executive organs are based upon the fusion principle not on separation of power like in USA
Liberty	Fundamental Rights and Independent Judiciary

Who made Indian Constitution-?

Indian Constitution was drafted and adopted by a Constituent Assembly that was not elected directly by the people. In fact, the Legislative Assemblies of the Indian Provinces elected it indirectly. The Assemblies themselves were elected in 1946 according to the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935. The Constituent Assembly could be called real representative of the people because it had representation of almost all shades of opinions. The words socialist and secular added into preamble of India constitution by 42^nd Amendment Act in 1976. Here it should be noted that Mr. K. T. Shah [then member of constitution assembly] advocated addition of these word into preamble but move was strongly opposed by Nehru. Here are few important details regarding development of Indian constitution-

• Cabinet Mission recommended the establishment of constitution assembly
• Each province was allotted seats in constitution assembly in proportion of its population and members were elected from provincial legislative assemblies indirectly
• Total member of constitution assembly was 385. Out of which 93 were representative of Indian States and rest were from British Indian council. Total 205 members were from Indian national congress. After partition total number members of constitutional assembly reduced to 299 but of whom 284 members were actually present and signed on the final Indian Constitution on 26^th November 1949.
• The main communities recognized for appropriate representation were General, Muslim and Sikh
• 1^st meeting of Constitution Assembly- 9-23, December 1946
• Objective Resolution of Indian Constitution put forward by Nehru on 13^th December 1946 and adopted by assembly on 22^nd Jan 1947 after a comprehensive debate
• Dr. Sinha was elected as temporary president of Constitution Assembly who later replaced by Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• Constitution assembly worked through various individual committees on separate subject matter which later drafted into a single unified document by Drafting Committee of Constitution Assembly
• Drafted Committee was established in 1947 under chairmanship of Mr. B. R. Ambedkar
• 11^th last meeting and adoption- 26^th November 1949
• Full adoption or ratification- 26^th January 1950 [this date was choosed because on the same date earlier National Congress adopted Indian Constitution in 1930s]
• It took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to frame Indian Constitution

Important Committees established by Constitution Assembly-

Committee	Chairman
Committee on the Rules of Procedure	Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Steering Committee	Do
Finance and Staff Committee	Do
Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag	Do
Credential or Bonafide Committee	Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
House Committee	B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya
Order of Business Committee	K. M. Munshi
Committee on the Functions of the Constituent Assembly	G. V. Mavalanker
States Committee	Jawahar Lal Nehru
Union Powers Committee	Do
Union Constitution Committee	Do
Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas	Sardar Patel
Minorities Sub-Committee	H. C. Mukherjee
Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee	J. B. Kriplani
North-East Frontier Tribal Areas Committee	Gopinath Bardoloi
Drafting Committee	B. R. Ambedkar

Various provisions copied from outside sources in Indian Constitution-

The Constitution of India, as opted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, was not something absolutely new. It was, to a great extent, influenced by the Government of India Act of 1935 that was passed by the British Parliament. In addition Constitution Assembly copied many provisions from the already working constitution of various countries which makes Indian Constitution most lengthy and comprehensive document in world of constitution. The provisions took by constitution assembly from various country’s constitutions are as follows-

S. No.	Provision	Source
1.	Federal Structure, Office of Governor, Power Division, Judiciary and Public service commission	GOI Act 1935
2.	Parliamentary system, Rule of Law, Single Citizenship, Office of CAG, Legislation, Cabinet form of govt., Prerogative writs and Bicameralism	Britain
3.	Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Office of Vice-President, Independence of Judiciary, Impeachment of President and Impeachment process of SC and HCs Judges	USA
4.	Quasi Federal Structure with strong center [residuary powers], Appointment of state governors by center and Advisory/review role of supreme court	Canada
5.	Concurrent List [List III], Freedom of trade, Commerce and interstate trade, Joint Sitting of Parliament	Australia
6.	Preamble & Fundamental Duties	USSR
7.	Emergency Provisions and suspension of rights during emergency	Weimer constitution of Germany
8.	Amendment Procedure, Indirect election of RS members and PRIs	South Africa
9.	Directive Principles of State Policy, Election process of President & Nomination of members by President	Irish Constitution of Ireland
10.	Procedures established by law	Japan
11.	Idea of Justice in SOCIAL, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC and POLITICAL	Russian Revolution, 1917
12.	Idea of Liberty, Equality and fraternity	French Revolution, 1789-1799

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Indian Foreign Trade Policy 2009-2014

What is Foreign Trade Policy?

The Union Commerce Ministry, Government of India announces the integrated Foreign Trade Policy FTP in every five year. This is also called EXIM [Export, import] policy. This policy is updated every year with some modifications and new schemes. New schemes come into effect on the first day of financial year i.e. April 1, every year. The Foreign trade Policy which was announced on Thursday August 28, 2009 is an integrated policy for the period 2009-14.

Objectives of Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14

1. To arrest and reverse declining trend of exports due to global recession is the main aim of the policy. This aim will be reviewed after two years.
2. To double India’s exports of goods and services by 2014.
3. To double India’s share in global merchandise trade by 2020 as a long term aim of this policy. India’s share in Global merchandise exports was 1.45% in 2008.
4. Simplification of the application procedure for availing various benefits
5. To set in motion the strategies and policy measures which catalyze the growth of exports
6. To encourage exports through a “mix of measures including fiscal incentives, institutional changes, procedural rationalisation and efforts for enhance market access across the world and diversification of export markets.

Aim in General: The policy aims at developing export potential, improving export performance, boosting foreign trade and earning valuable foreign exchange. FTP assumes great significance this year as India’s exports have been battered by the global recession. A fall in exports has led to the closure of several small- and medium-scale export-oriented units, resulting in large-scale unemployment.

Targets:

1. Export Target : $ 200 Billion for 2010-11
2. Export Growth Target: 15 % for next two year and 25 % thereafter.

EPCG [Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme] Scheme:

1. Obligation under EPCG scheme relaxed.
2. To aid technological Upgrdation of export sector, EPCG Scheme at Zero Duty has been introduced.
3. Export obligation on import of spares, moulds etc. under EPCG Scheme has been reduced by 50%.

Refixation of Annual Average Export Obligation: 

Taking into account the decline in exports, the facility of Re-fixation of Annual Average Export Obligation for a particular financial year in which there is decline in exports from the country, has been extended for the 5 year Policy period 2009-14. Support for Green products and products from North East extended.

Announcements for FPS [Focus Product Scheme], FMS [Focus Market Scheme], MLFPS [Market Linked Focus Product Scheme]-

1. 26 new markets added in this scheme.
2. Incentives under FMS raised from 2.5 % to 3 %
3. Incentive available under Focus Product Scheme (FPS) rose from 1.25% to 2%.
4. Extra products included in the scope of benefits under FPS
5. Market Linked Focus Product Scheme (MLFPS) expanded by inclusion of products like pharmaceuticals, textile fabrics, rubber products, glass products, auto components, motor cars, bicycle and its parts.etc. (However, benefits to these products will be provided, if exports are made to 13 identified markets (Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia and New Zealand).
6. Focus Product Scheme benefit extended for export of green products and some products from the North East.
7. A common simplified application form has been introduced to apply for the benefits under FPS, FMS, MLFPS and VKGUY.

MDA [Market Development Scheme] & MAI [Market Access Initiative]-

Higher allocation for Market Development Assistance (MDA) and Market Access Initiative (MAI) has been announced.

Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) 

The following cities have been recognized as towns of export excellence (TEE)

1. Handicrafts : Jaipur, Srinagar and Anantnag
2. Leather Products : Kanpur, Dewas and Ambur
3. Horticultural Products: Malihabad

Scheme for Status Holders (Status Holders means star status holders)

1. Additional Duty Credit Scrip’s shall be given to Status Holders @ 1% of the FOB value of past exports accelerate exports and encourage technological Upgrdation.
2. This facility shall be available for sectors of leather (excluding finished leather), textiles and jute, handicrafts, engineering (excluding Iron & steel & non-ferrous metals in primary and intermediate form, automobiles & two wheelers, nuclear reactors & parts, and ships, boats and floating structures), plastics and basic chemicals (excluding Pharma products).
3. This facility shall be available up to 31 March, 2011.
4. Transferability for the Duty Credit scrip’s being issued to status holders under VKGUY [Vishesh Krishi & Gram Upaj Yojana] Scheme permitted only for the procurement of cold chain equipments.

Extension of Income Tax Exemption to EOU [Export Oriented Units] and STPI [Software Technology Parks of India]-

Income Tax exemption to 100% EOUs and to STPI units under Section 10B and 10A of Income Tax Act has been already extended for the financial year 2010-11 in the Budget 2009-10.

Extension of ECGC [Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (of India Ltd)]-

The adjustment assistance scheme initiated in December, 2008 to provide enhanced ECGC cover at 95%, to the adversely affected sectors, is continued till March, 2010.

Announcements for Marine sector-

1. Fisheries exempted from maintenance of average EO under EPCG Scheme (along with 7 sectors) however Fishing Trawlers, boats, ships and other similar items shall not be allowed for this exemption.
2. Additional flexibility under Target plus Scheme (TPS) / Duty Free Certificate of Entitlement (DFCE) Scheme for the marine sector.

Announcements for Gems & Jewellery Sector:

1. Duty Drawback is allowed on Gold Jewellery exports to neutralize duty incidence.
2. Plan to establish “Diamond Bourse (s) with an aim to make India and International Trading Hub announced.
3. Introduction of a new facility to allow import on consignment basis of cut & polished diamonds for the purpose of grading/ certification.
4. 13 value limits of personal carriage have been increased from $ 2 million to US$ 5 million in case of participation in overseas exhibitions.
5. The limit in case of personal carriage, as samples, for export promotion tours, has also been increased from US$ 0.1 million to US$ 1 million.
6. Time limit of 60 days for re-import of exported gems and jewellery items, for participation in exhibitions has been extended to 90 days in case of USA.

Announcements for Agro Exports-

1. Introduction of a single window system to facilitate export of perishable agricultural produce with an aim to reduce transaction and handling cost.
2. This system will involve creation of multi-functional nodal agencies. These agencies will be accredited by APEDA [Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority]

Announcements for Leather Exports-

On the payment of 50 % applicable export duty, Leather sector shall be allowed re-export of unsold imported raw hides and skins and semi finished leather from public bonded ware houses.

Announcements for Tea Exports-

1. The existing Minimum value addition under advance authorization scheme for export of tea is 100 %. It has been reduced from the existing 100% to 50%.
2. DTA (Domestic Tariff Area) sale limit of instant tea by EOU units increased from 30% to 50%.
3. Export of tea has been included under VKGUY Scheme benefits.

Announcements for Pharma Exports-

1. Export Obligation Period for advance authorizations issued increased from existing 6 months to 36 months.
2. Pharmacy sector included under MLFPS for countries in Africa and Latin America & some countries in Oceania and Far East.

Announcements for Handloom Exports-

The claims under Focus Product Scheme, the requirement of “Handloom mark” was required earlier which has been removed.

Scheme for Export Oriented Units-

1. EOUs have been allowed to sell products manufactured by them in DTA (Domestic Tariff Area) up to a limit of 90% instead of existing 75%, without changing the criteria of ‘similar goods’, within the overall entitlement of 50% for DTA sale. (This means that instead of 75% these units can sell up to 90 % of their products in the domestic markets)
2. EOU allowed procuring finished goods for consolidation along with their manufactured goods, subject to certain safeguards.
3. Extension of block period by one year for calculation of Net Foreign Exchange earnings of EOUs kept under consideration.
4. EOU allowed CENVAT Credit Facility.

Announcements for Value Added Manufacturing (VAM)

To encourage Value Added Manufactured export, a minimum 15% value addition on imported inputs under Advance Authorization Scheme.

Announcements for Project Exports-

Project Exports and a large number of manufactured goods covered under FPS and MLFPS.

Fuel included in DEPB Scheme-

Custom duty component on fuel where fuel is allowed as a consumable in Standard Input-Output Norm included in factoring.

Easy Import of samples-

Number of sample pieces has been increased from the existing 15 to 50. This will facilitate the duty free import of samples by exporters.

Convertibility of Shipping Bills-

Greater flexibility has been permitted to allow conversion of Shipping Bills from one Export Promotion scheme to other scheme. Customs shall now permit this conversion within three months, instead of the present limited period of only one month.

Reduction in Transaction Costs-

1. Dispatch of imported goods directly from the Port to the site has been allowed under Advance Authorization scheme for deemed supplies. (Presently the duty free imported goods could be taken only to the manufacturing unit of the authorization holder or its supporting manufacturer.
2. Maximum applicable fee for 18 Authorizations/ license applications (except those mentioned in Chapter 3 of FTP) has been reduced to Rs. 100,000 from the existing Rs 1,50,000 (for manual applications) and Rs. 50,000 from the existing Rs.75,000 (for EDI applications).
3. No fee shall now be charged for grant of incentives under the Schemes in Chapter 3 of FTP.

Disposal of Manufacturing Wastes-

Disposal of manufacturing wastes / scrap will now be allowed after payment of applicable excise duty also before fulfillment of export obligation under Advance Authorization and EPCG Scheme. Earlier it was allowed after fulfillment of export obligation.

Announcements for Sports Weapon-

Licenses for the import of sports weapon will be issued now by Regional Authorities provided a NOC (No Objection Certificate) is issued by Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs. (Earlier DGFT [Directorate General of Foreign Trade] Headquarters had to be approached for this)

Announcements for Medical Devices-

To solve the problem of medical device industry, the procedure for issue of Free Sale Certificate has been simplified and the validity of the Certificate has been increased from 1 year to 2 years.

Announcements for Automobile Industry-

Those Automobile industries which have their R&D establishment will be allowed free import of reference fuels (petrol and diesel), up to a maximum of 5 KL per annum, which are not manufactured in India.

Announcements for EDI Initiatives-

1. Export Promotion Councils & Commodity Boards have been advised to issue RCMC through a web based online system.
2. It is expected that issuance of RCMC would become EDI enabled before the end of 2009.

Inter Ministerial Committee

Mr. Anand Sharma announced that an Inter Ministerial Committee will be formed to redress/ resolve problems/issues of exporters.

Set up of Directorate of Trade Remedy Measures Announced

A Directorate of Trade Remedy Measures shall be set up, which will enable support to Indian industry and exporters, especially the Micro Small & medium Enterprises MSMEs in availing their rights through trade remedy instruments,

Duty Credit Scrip’s

Earlier the payment of customs duty for Export Obligation (EO) shortfall under Advance Authorization, DFIA or EPCG Authorization was allowed in cash only. Now this payment can be done in the way of debit of Duty Credit scrip’s.

Import of Restricted Items

Restricted Items can be imported now (as replenishment) against transferred DFIAs (Duty Free Import Authorizations) as the present DFRC (Duty Free Replenishment Card) scheme.

Dollar Credits

There is a provision for state-run banks to provide dollar credits

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