UP GOVT TO LODGE FIR AGAINST EXAMINATION CENTRE
Uttar Pradesh, the government has decided to lodge FIR against the examination centre infamous for mass copying in examinations and debar them for being examination centre in future. Chief minister Adityanath Yogi has directed the officials to take step for total change in over all set up in education sectors.
Reviewing the the education scenario in the state after a presentation of Primary, secondary, higher and technical education department officials, Mr Adityanath expressed his dissatisfaction over the the situation. He asked that presence of teachers and students should be insured through biometric machines in educational institutions and fee structure at private institutions must also be regulated by proper acts and statutes.
The Chief Minister has also directed to fulfil the needs of faculties and said that vacant posts of teachers and non teaching staff should be fulfilled in time bound manner. Our correspondent reports that first meeting of Adityanath Yogi cabinet is being held this evening at Lucknow. It will be chaired by the Chief Minister. Agenda of the meeting is yet not known but it is expected that government may take decisions on several issues in its much awaited first cabinet meeting. BJP had promised to wave off agricultural loans of farmers in its first cabinet meeting.
‘MAKE IN STEEL FOR MAKE IN INDIA’
Ministry of Steel Organise National Conference of Secondary Steel Producers on ‘Make in Steel for Make in India’ in New Delhi
New Delhi, April 04, 2017
Chaitra 14, Saka 1939
The Ministry of Steel @SteelMinIndia is organizing a National Conference of #SecondarySteel Producers on the theme #MakeinSteel for #MakeinIndia in New Delhi tomorrow i.e. 5 April 2017. On the eve of the conference the Minister of Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh @ChBirenderSingh said, “@SteelMinIndia places all steel producers on equal footing and we are working to provide them enabling environment for growth. Secondary Steel sector will play a key role in meeting the targets set under Draft #NationalSteelPolicy 2017. I am sure that the day-long conference with eminent speakers and participants will lead to concrete outcomes that will shape the future of industry”.
The Minister of Urban Development @Moud_India, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation @MoHUPA and Information & Broadcasting @MIB_India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu @MVenkaiahNaidu will be the chief guest of the inaugural function of the national conference and the Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping @MORTHIndia, Shri Nitin Gadkari@nitin_gadkari will be the chief guest of the valedictory session. The Minister of State of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri C.R. Chaudhary @crchaudharymos and the Minister of State of Steel Shri Vishnu Deo Sai @vishnudsaiand other dignitaries will also address the delegates. The Secretary Steel Dr. Aruna Sharma will also be present during the conference.
The focus of the conference is to deliberate on the issues and concerns of the secondary steel sector. The day-long conference will have session on “Technology innovation for quality steel production”, “Quality, energy & environmental issues impacting secondary steel sector” and “Strategy to give impetus to secondary steel sector”. Around 250 delegates from industry and other steel organisations from different parts of the country are taking part in the conference.
The National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology @NISSTMGG and Joint Plant committee @jpc_indiansteel under the@SteelMinIndia are jointly organizing the national conference.
DELHI ROZI ROTI ADHIKAR ABHIYAN
On the 6th & 7th of April 2017, the Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyaan (DRRAA) will be holding a dharna outside the Delhi Secretariat from 10.30 am onwards to protest against the large scale violations in the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Delhi and to demand immediate action by the Delhi government.
A People’s Assessment of the Implementation of Transparency, Grievance Redress and Accountability Measures of the National Food Security Act in Delhi undertaken by DRRAA has found that ration shops are violating the NFSA with impunity. Despite the passage of more than 3 years since the implementation of the law, the Delhi government has not put in place the requisite grievance redress and accountability measures in place. Further, the Delhi government is proposing to make Aadhaar enabled delivery of ration mandatory through use of Point of Sale devices even though the pilot undertaken by the government shows huge exclusion and problems in use of these devices. The government has also not made public the report of its pilot on use of Aadhaar enabled POS devices. The restrictive eligibility conditions laid down by the Delhi government for people to apply for ration cards has led to the exclusion of the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of society from the Public Distribution System. Scores of homeless and transgender people who applied have been unable to secure ration cards. The attempts of the Delhi government to weed out ration cards as “bogus” or “ineligible” in a non-transparent manner and without revising the eligibility criteria, is regressive and goes against the promises made by AAP in their manifesto.
Please do join us on the 6th & 7th of April 2017 (Thursday & Friday) outside the Delhi Secretariat from 10.30 am onwards.
Anjali Bhardwaj, Amrita Johri, Koninika Ray, Dipa Sinha, Vimla, Shakeel, Rajender Kumar
(On behalf of the Dilli Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyaan)
Contact- 9810273984, 9958284900
9TH UK-INDIA ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DIALOGUE HELD IN DELHI TODAY
Joint statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Finance Minister of India
“We, the Finance Ministers of the UK and India, met here today in Delhi for the 9th round of Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). At today’s meeting, we discussed how, notwithstanding the UK’s triggering of Article 50, India and the UK can work together to: strengthen our existing economic partnership in order to further boost trade and investment and; build on the bold vision for the India-UK Strategic Partnership set out by our Prime Ministers during Prime Minister May’s November 2016 visit to India.
Global economy and policy responses
We welcome the strength of the economic outlook for both countries. Whilst economic confidence has increased and global growth is forecast to rise in 2017, we recognise that political risk and policy uncertainty in some parts of the world remain heightened and share concerns around policy space to respond to future shocks. The UK and India agree that globalisation has had positive impact on the world, and remain strong advocates for free markets and free trade. We agree that international cooperation is vital to make the global economy work for everyone and address shared global challenges. Both sides commit to work together to strengthen our co-operation in the G20, IMF, World Bank and other multilateral bodies to that end.
The UK and India share a common commitment to addressing cross-border tax evasion and avoidance and agree to collaborate in determining the status of wealth deposited in foreign financial accounts by nationals of both countries. We look forward to enhanced cooperation in this area. The two sides encourage timely implementation of the G20/OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project outputs and call on other countries to meet their commitments. The UK and India have committed to the Common Reporting Standards on Automatic Exchange of Tax Information and will begin to exchange information in 2017.
We also support work to strengthen the Global Financial Safety Net, with a strong, quota-based and adequately resourced IMF at its centre. We urge all members to work towards the IMF completing the 15th General Review of Quotas by Spring or no later than the Annual Meetings of 2019. We will also work with the World Bank to ensure progress of commitments under the Forward Look as per the roadmap agreed at the 2015 Annual Meetings. We recognise the importance of international cooperation on financial stability, and remain committed to supporting the implementation of agreed reforms under the auspices of the Financial Stability Board and Basel Committee of Banking Supervision. We also look forward to finalising the remaining elements of the regulatory framework.
India and the UK reiterate their concern at the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance and underline the need to explore evidence-based ways to mitigate resistance. Both sides agreed to work together to ensure effective implementation of FATF’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards globally.
India and the UK have agreed to continue sharing economic knowledge and expertise, including through the India-UK Economic Policy and Prosperity Partnership (EPPP). Under this Partnership Programme, both countries welcomed the success of the first annual Exchange Programme between officials from the Indian Economic Service and UK Government Economic Service. They committed to developing EPPP so that it further deepens institutional ties and helps to improve economic policymaking in both countries. It is proposed to co-host an economic conference in India this year, which will provide a forum for exchanging ideas and taking forward shared priorities.
The UK and India also welcomed the selection of the first Chevening Standard Chartered Financial Services Fellows – eight top Indian financial services leaders of the future – who will attend an eight week intensive course in financial services in London in the spring; and the inauguration of the IMF’s South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Centre (SARTTAC) in February 2017. India and the UK are both founder members of this centre. This centre will further strengthen macroeconomic and financial capacity.
Trade and investment
The trade and investment relationship between India and the UK is flourishing and continues to expand and deepen. We reaffirmed our Prime Ministers’ commitment to building the ‘Closest possible commercial and economic relationship’.
We reviewed progress made since Prime Minister May’s visit to India in November 2016. In particular, we noted the success of the Joint Working Group on trade, which held its second meeting between senior officials in March 2017. Both sides were encouraged by the work of the Joint Trade Review, which seeks to identify steps to strengthen our trade relationship, now and as the UK leaves the EU.
Investment is a particularly important part of this economic and commercial partnership. The UK and India reaffirmed non-discriminatory treatment of foreign investors and committed to ensure an environment in which investors can continue to invest with confidence. The UK and India agreed to work together swiftly to encourage sustainable bilateral investment that benefits both countries, including through the Joint Working Group.
Both sides welcomed the recent launch of a Fast Track investment promotion mechanism, which provides a single window to help UK companies when establishing and expanding their business in India.
Improving the business environment
We are committing to taking forward measures to improve the regulatory environment in India, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2016. Reforms in India, including the GST and Insolvency legislation, are significant steps towards improved business conditions in India. Both sides welcomed UK’s support to India in implementing these reforms, drawing upon the UK’s experience to share knowledge, best practices and build capacity in areas including regulation, Insolvency and tax administration.
The UK and India recognise the social and economic benefits of a dynamic, vibrant and balanced national Intellectual Property regime including as a driver for growth. Both countries exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding to commence bilateral cooperation in November 2016 and look forward to now agreeing to a work plan setting out a range of bilateral activities aimed at improving administration, outreach, use and enforcement of IP.
Financial services relationship
Both governments welcomed the impressive progress by the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP), under its co-chairs Mr Uday Kotak and Sir Gerry Grimstone, since its establishment as part of the 2014 Economic and Financial Dialogue. The two Finance Ministers recognised the success of this government initiated and private-sector led partnership in deepening links between our countries and generating commercial opportunities for both sides. Both sides welcomed the publication of further reports on financial inclusion, responsible shareholder engagement, rupee internationalisation and green finance. The Finance Ministers also agreed to renew the IUKFP’s mandate and looked forward to future papers on bank restructuring, fintech, disinvestment, India-UK trade and investment relationship – recommendations from financial and professional services – and ease of doing business in financial and professional services.
Recognising the crucial role of insurance and reinsurance to manag
e complex risks in the economic system, the UK and India welcomed the opening of Lloyd’s of London’s first Indian branch to underwrite re-insurance business. Both sides also agreed to work to boost cooperation and collaboration between the regulatory authorities and industries in both countries to foster sharing of best practices.
Both sides recognised the importance of developing strong pension systems, agreeing that India and UK can share experiences in this area.
Financing India’s growth
Both sides recognised London’s position as the world’s leading financial centre and the crucial role its markets will continue to play in raising capital for investment in India. We applauded the successful issuances by HDFC (INR 3,000 crore or £366 million) and NTPC (INR 2,000 crore or £244 million), the first ever masala bonds to be issued by Indian entities. Both sides also welcomed the issuance in London by the Canadian province British Columbia, the first foreign sub-national entity to issue rupee-denominated bonds.
The two Finance Ministers welcomed that the proposal of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to issue a Masala Bond in London in next few months. They also welcomed IREDA’s plans to issue a green bond in London and list their masala bonds on the London Stock Exchange within six months. They also looked forward to other Indian entities, including Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation(IRFC) preparing to issue Masala Bonds in London in the coming months.
Given the increasingly important role the rupee will play in the global economy in years to come, we also welcomed the City of London Corporation’s establishment of a Rupee Initiative to bring together market experts and leverage the UK’s position as the world’s number one foreign exchange centre to further develop this market.
The two Finance Ministers were pleased with the strong progress being made to establish the joint India-UK fund under the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Technical Assistance from the UK has played an important role in the initial phase of the NIIF and in establishing its readiness to raise and manage funds. The joint UK-India fund aims to leverage private sector investment from the City of London to finance Indian infrastructure projects. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to anchor invest up to £120 million each in the joint fund which aims to raise around £500 million, and has the potential to unlock much more in future. The two Finance Ministers announced that the fund will focus initial investments on India’s rapidly growing energy and renewables market and that a fund manager is expected to be selected by the Autumn. Progress will be accelerated by starting the process of appointing a fund manager now with early market engagement via the publication of a blueprint, with the aim to identify additional and complementary sectors for fund investments.
The UK and India recognised the importance of combating climate change, supporting the mobilisation of finance from a variety of sources, instruments and channels to mitigate its effects alongside generating economic opportunities. We welcome the work of the G20 Green Finance Study Group promoting green finance and encouraging the issuance of green bonds, among other forms of green finance, to aid this objective. The UK welcomed India’s efforts to promote green finance, including the steps taken by the Securities and Exchange Board of India by issuing a concept paper on issuance of Green Bonds and the issuance of the first ever green masala bond by an Indian entity, NTPC. As such we agreed to set up a Forum to share experiences and best practices, with representation from the RBI, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Renewable Energy, SEBI, Bank of England and HM Treasury, with a view to extending membership in due course.
The Ministerial India-UK Energy for Growth Dialogue on April 7th, 2017 will identify further opportunities for the UK to engage in the India’s highly successful green finance sector.
Developments in FinTech
The UK and India highlighted the vital role of technology in improving the provision of accessible, secure, high-quality financial services. In an era of unprecedented technological change, FinTech can improve outcomes for consumers, increase financial inclusion, and monitor and stem flows of black money. Both sides recognised the important role that FinTech will play in supporting both Digital India and Make in India, particularly following India’s move towards a less cash society.
Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral collaboration on FinTech and explore the possibility of a regulatory cooperation agreement between the FCA and the RBI in the second quarter of 2017, which will enable the regulators to share information about financial services innovations in their respective markets, including emerging trends and regulatory issues. The feasibility of a UK-India FinTech Bridge would also be explored.
Both sides welcomed the FinTech delegation joining the Chancellor in India and highlighted the major India-UK Fintech Conference due to take place in Mumbai on 5 April,2017.
The UK and India look forward to the next dialogue in London in 2018.
THAILAND TO PURCHASE OF CHINESE TANKS
The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved the purchase of 10 Chinese tanks worth $58 million to replace an old US model, a government spokesman said, the second of three planned purchases of 49 tanks from China. Thailand ordered 28 tanks from China last year. “These tanks will replace the M41 tanks, which are small and old,” Sansern Kaewkamnerd said. Thailand has used the US M41 light tanks since World War II. Relations have been strengthening between China and the United States’ oldest ally in Southeast Asia, particularly since ties with the US cooled after a 2014 coup. In January, the cabinet also approved $380 million to buy a submarine from China and is considering buying three more.Media agencies
NATO CHIEF URGES GERMANY TO SPEND MORE ON DEFENSE
NATO head Jens Stoltenberg urged Germany Tuesday to spend more on defense, touching on a sore point in German politics that has also inflamed relations with the US. “For me it’s decisive that the US and Germany agree that we have to invest more in our security,” the former Norwegian prime minister told German business daily Handelsblatt. Increasing defense budgets “isn’t about making the US happy,” he went on. “It’s about Europe’s security. Europe is much closer to the crises and threats than the US, closer to Russia, closer to Syria and Iraq.” Heads of state in the alliance agreed in 2014 to aim to raise defense spending to 2.0 percent of GDP within a decade. Media agencies<
THE INTERCULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Submit your application!
We are looking for successful, solution-oriented intercultural dialogue projects!
The Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) is a key intercultural dialogue project of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. The award honours successful and innovative projects in the field of intercultural dialogue, both in Austria and on a global scale.
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