Monday, January 7, 2013

Standing Committee on Commerce Invites Suggestions of Public on India's Engagement with Free Trade Agreements (FTAS)

Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce Invites Suggestions of Public on India's Engagement with Free Trade Agreements (FTAS): Challenges and Opportunities

The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, headed by Shri Shanta Kumar, M.P., Rajya Sabha has taken up the subject of " India`s Engagement with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Challenges and Opportunities" for examination and report to the Parliament.

The Committee has decided to invite views/suggestions/comments from experts/institutions/organizations/stake-holders interested in the subject matter. The views/suggestions/comments may, inter alia, focus on issues like benefits and disadvantages, if any, that has accrued on account of signing Free Trade Agreements (hereinafter referred as FTAs) with various countries/region/bloc; ways and means to promote domestic agriculture as well as strengthen local industries through FTAs; role of FTAs in flow of investments, especially greenfield; level of impetus desired in the FTAs for services sector and those actually given till date; capacity creation, both physical and human as a result of these FTAs; extent of sensitivity observed towards climate and environment in FTAs; flaws/discrepancies if any, prevailing in the present architecture of FTA and remedies thereof; etc. The aforementioned issues are only indicative and not exhaustive.

Those desirous of submitting their views and suggestions to the Committee may send their written memoranda (either in English or Hindi) on the above subject to Shri J. Sundriyal, Director, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 201, Second Floor, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001 (Tel.: 23034541) or e-mail at sundrial@sansad.nic.in within thirty days from January 3, 2012. Those willing to give oral evidence before the Committee, besides sending Memoranda are requested to indicate so. However, the decision of the Committee in this regard shall be final.

The memoranda submitted to the Committee would form a part of the records of the Committee and will be treated as confidential. These are not to be disclosed to anyone, till the report of the Committee is presented to Parliament, violation of which would constitute a breach of privilege of the Committee.

LAZIUM DISPLAY BY CADETS ENTHRALL VICE PRESIDENT DURING INAUGURAL

January 7, 2013

FUNCTION AT DGNCC RDC CAMP 2013

Shri Hamid Ansari, the Hon’ble Vice President of India inaugurated the National Cadet Corps Republic Day Camp 2013 at the DGNCC Camp adjacent next to Parade Ground in Delhi Cantt. On arrival, the Vice President was received by the Director General, Lt Gen PS Bhalla, AVSM.

2,004 Cadets, both boys and girls drawn from 17 NCC Directorates covering all the States and Union Territories of the Country are participating in this camp that culminates into PM’s Rally on 28 Jan 2013. The cadets attending the camp will be participating in a number of activities, like Cultural Programme, National Integration Awareness and Institutional Training Competitions.
A contingent of smartly turned out NCC cadets drawn from all the three wings of Army, Navy and Air Force, presented a “Guard of Honour” to the Vice President on his arrival. This was followed by NCC cadets from Pilani presenting a Band Display. The girl cadets from Maharasthra as Lazium artists were at their creative best presenting a visual delight to a large audience comprising eminent dignitaries. The Vice President also visited the Flag Area where he listened to the young cadets briefing about their respective States and appreciated the various social themes displayed in the Flag Areas prepared by them.
In his address, the Hon’ble Vice President complimented the efforts of National Cadet Corps, the largest uniformed organization in grooming the youth of the country and its contribution towards “Nation Building’. He also mentioned that NCC is and would be in the Vanguard of all activities of our youth helping to channelise our youth into a creative force to usher in social changes through spectrum of activities that are a powerful instrument for spreading awareness in society at the grass root level. He also appreciated the impressive turnout of the ‘Guard of Honour’. The Hon’ble Vice President exhorted NCC cadets to avail the best of NCC training and be more responsible and empowered citizens of the country.