Hungary to close border with Croatia from midnight
Hungary warned on Friday it would close its southern border with Croatia from midnight (22:00 GMT), Reuters reported. The move comes a month after Hungary’s government shut its frontier with Serbia to hundreds of thousands of migrants and asylum seekers. A steel fence has been erected almost the length of its southern frontier. Hungary said it had to secure the borders of the EU from mainly Muslim migrants who it says pose a threat to the security and Christian values of Europe. The flow of migrants and refugees, which was between 5,000 and 8,000 per day in recent weeks, continued unabated on Friday over the border with Croatia.
Russian delivers 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Myanmar
Russian Emergencies Ministry delivers 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Myanmar
A Russian Emergencies Ministry Il-76 plane has delivered more than 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Myanmar that suffered devastating floods this summer. Food, blankets, tents and inflatable boats were delivered to Yangon’s airport on the instruction of the Russian government. Monsoon floods in the Southeast Asian nation this year have claimed more than 100 lives and affected more than 1 million people. Vasily Pospelov, Russia’s ambassador to Myanmar, was quoted as saying that the Russian Emergencies Ministry will help Myanmar build an early warning system for natural calamities.Media agencies
Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) 2015
Dear Media Friends,
The second edition of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) 2015 promises to be bigger and better, with the addition of a fifth franchise in Japan Warriors to add to the original four – Indian Aces, Philippine Mavericks (renamed from Manila Mavericks), Singapore Slammers and UAE Royals.
It will run from 2nd to 20th December 2015: Japan (2nd – 4th Dec), Philippines (6th – 8th Dec), India (10th – 12th Dec), Dubai (14th – 16th Dec) and Singapore (18th – 20th Dec).
You are requested to submit your application for Media Accreditation by clicking on the link below, and sending through your details along with supporting documents on or before 10th November 2015 http://www.iptlworld.com/media-accreditation
In case of any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Thanks.
IPTL PR
RBI releases revised guidelines for Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF)
Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (FITF) was constituted in the year 2007-08 for a period of five years with a corpus of Rs. 500 crore each to be contributed by Government of India (GOI), RBI and NABARD in the ratio of 40:40:20. The guidelines for these two funds were framed by GOI. In April 2012, RBI decided to fund FIF by transferring the interest differential in excess of 0.5% on RIDF and STCRC deposits on account of shortfall in priority sector lending.
Keeping in view the various developments over the years, GOI has merged the FIF and FITF to form a single Financial Inclusion Fund. The Reserve Bank of India has finalised the new scope of activities and guidelines for utilisation of the new FIF in consultation with GOI. The new FIF will be administered by the reconstituted Advisory Board constituted by GOI and will be maintained by NABARD.
The revised guidelines are mentioned below:
Constitution of the Fund
· After the completion of the initial five years, it has now been decided to merge both the Financial Inclusion Fund & Financial Inclusion Technology Fund into a single Fund viz. Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF).
· The overall corpus of the new FIF will be Rs. 2000 crore. Contribution to FIF would be from the “interest differential” in excess of 0.5% on RIDF and STCRC deposits on account of shortfall in priority sector lending (as notified by RBI from time to time) kept with NABARD by banks.
· All the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile FITF as well as prior commitments from FITF for projects already sanctioned, which falls within the scope of the erstwhile funds, will be transferred to/reimbursed from FIF.
· The Fund shall be in operation for another three years or till such period as may be decided by RBI and Government of India in consultation with other stake holders.
Objective of FIF
· The objectives of the FIF shall be to support “developmental and promotional activities” including creating of FI infrastructure across the country, capacity building of stakeholders, creation of awareness to address demand side issues, enhanced investment in Green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution, research and transfer of technology, increased technological absorption capacity of financial service providers/users with a view to securing greater financial inclusion. The fund shall not be utilized for normal business/banking activities.
· RBI has always advocated the policy of considering financial inclusion as a business proposition. It has, therefore, encouraged banks to see cost involved in the FI effort as a long term investment which would help banks in broadening its base for future business expansion. At the same time RBI has also realized the need for intervention from the regulatory and government side which would help creating an eco-system that would support banks investment in this area. It is with this objective in mind that the creation and continuation of the Financial Inclusion Fund is justified.
· Based on the policy announcements of RBI, banks have in a big way adopted the ICT-BC model as a mode for expanding banking operations in the unbanked areas. While the ICT-BC model is a low cost business model in comparison with the traditional model i.e. the brick & mortar model for providing banking services, there is still a significant investment required to be done for further facilitating investments from banks and other financial institutions.
· During the past five years banks have invested heavily in creating an infrastructure, which has resulted in a large number of business correspondents being appointed for expanding banking in the unbanked areas and a large number of basic bank accounts being opened for first time customers of banks. However, these accounts are yet to see any significant transactions happening and banks have also not started making any significant profits from the investments. This has lead to many instances of attritions of Business Correspondents (BCs) citing lack of business opportunities and sufficient income. The objective of the new FIF should be towards addressing these key concerns which would help scaling of our FI efforts.
Eligible Activities/Purposes
· Support for funding the setting up and operational cost for running Financial Inclusion & Literacy Centers. The setting up of such Centers are in sync with the objective of GoI for setting up Financial Literacy Centers upto the block level under the PMJDY. The cost of technical manpower employed by banks for running the Financial Inclusion & Literacy Centres (as banks have manpower shortages) will be funded from the fund. The scope of activities to be carried out by these centers would be as follows:-
a) Providing financial literacy training to all individuals/households of the area.
b) Providing counseling services for opening of bank accounts and for operating banking and other financial products and services.
c) Providing training to BCs about various banking & other financial products and services and also for training them in use of technological devices so as to ensure smooth servicing of customers.
d) Redressal of customer grievances by attending to customer complaints, if necessary, by taking up with banks and other institutions.
· Setting up of Standard Interactive Financial Literacy Kiosks in Gram Panchayats and any other financial literacy efforts under taken by banks in excluded areas.
· Support to NABARD & Banks for running of Business & Skill Development Centers including R-SETIs (to the extent not provided by State Governments) which will help in imparting skill sets necessary for undertaking income generating activities and for providing forward linkages for marketing activities. Grant will be in the form of one time capital cost and working capital for undertaking skill development activities for a maximum period of 3 years. NABARD and Banks will have the discretion to enter into partnerships with other entities like Corporates, NGOs, etc. involved in the running of such Centers, however, proposal for seeking funding support from the FIF will be entertained only from Banks or NABARD.
· Support to pilot projects for development of innovative products, processes and prototypes for financial inclusion. Proposals for such products and prototypes will have to be submitted through any of the implementing banks.
· Financial assistance to authorised agencies for conduct of surveys for evaluating the progress under financial inclusion;
· Sharing the cost of Government projects in connection with laying of last mile fibre optic network, funding of other technological or infrastructure related projects involved in improving or creating network connectivity, etc; in excluded areas.
Eligible Institutions
· Eligible institutions with whom banks can work for seeking support from the FIF:-
a) NGOs
b) SHGs
c) Farmer’s Clubs –
d) Functional Cooperatives
e) I.T. enabled rural outlets of corporate entities.
f) Well-functioning Panchayats
g) Rural Multipurpose kiosks / Village Knowledge Centers
h) Common Services Centres (CSCs) established by Service Centre Agencies (SCAs) under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
i) Primary Agricultural Societies (PACs).
|
RBI releases revised guidelines for Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF)
Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (FITF) was constituted in the year 2007-08 for a period of five years with a corpus of Rs. 500 crore each to be contributed by Government of India (GOI), RBI and NABARD in the ratio of 40:40:20. The guidelines for these two funds were framed by GOI. In April 2012, RBI decided to fund FIF by transferring the interest differential in excess of 0.5% on RIDF and STCRC deposits on account of shortfall in priority sector lending.
Keeping in view the various developments over the years, GOI has merged the FIF and FITF to form a single Financial Inclusion Fund. The Reserve Bank of India has finalised the new scope of activities and guidelines for utilisation of the new FIF in consultation with GOI. The new FIF will be administered by the reconstituted Advisory Board constituted by GOI and will be maintained by NABARD.
The revised guidelines are mentioned below:
Constitution of the Fund
· After the completion of the initial five years, it has now been decided to merge both the Financial Inclusion Fund & Financial Inclusion Technology Fund into a single Fund viz. Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF).
· The overall corpus of the new FIF will be Rs. 2000 crore. Contribution to FIF would be from the “interest differential” in excess of 0.5% on RIDF and STCRC deposits on account of shortfall in priority sector lending (as notified by RBI from time to time) kept with NABARD by banks.
· All the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile FITF as well as prior commitments from FITF for projects already sanctioned, which falls within the scope of the erstwhile funds, will be transferred to/reimbursed from FIF.
· The Fund shall be in operation for another three years or till such period as may be decided by RBI and Government of India in consultation with other stake holders.
Objective of FIF
· The objectives of the FIF shall be to support “developmental and promotional activities” including creating of FI infrastructure across the country, capacity building of stakeholders, creation of awareness to address demand side issues, enhanced investment in Green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution, research and transfer of technology, increased technological absorption capacity of financial service providers/users with a view to securing greater financial inclusion. The fund shall not be utilized for normal business/banking activities.
· RBI has always advocated the policy of considering financial inclusion as a business proposition. It has, therefore, encouraged banks to see cost involved in the FI effort as a long term investment which would help banks in broadening its base for future business expansion. At the same time RBI has also realized the need for intervention from the regulatory and government side which would help creating an eco-system that would support banks investment in this area. It is with this objective in mind that the creation and continuation of the Financial Inclusion Fund is justified.
· Based on the policy announcements of RBI, banks have in a big way adopted the ICT-BC model as a mode for expanding banking operations in the unbanked areas. While the ICT-BC model is a low cost business model in comparison with the traditional model i.e. the brick & mortar model for providing banking services, there is still a significant investment required to be done for further facilitating investments from banks and other financial institutions.
· During the past five years banks have invested heavily in creating an infrastructure, which has resulted in a large number of business correspondents being appointed for expanding banking in the unbanked areas and a large number of basic bank accounts being opened for first time customers of banks. However, these accounts are yet to see any significant transactions happening and banks have also not started making any significant profits from the investments. This has lead to many instances of attritions of Business Correspondents (BCs) citing lack of business opportunities and sufficient income. The objective of the new FIF should be towards addressing these key concerns which would help scaling of our FI efforts.
Eligible Activities/Purposes
· Support for funding the setting up and operational cost for running Financial Inclusion & Literacy Centers. The setting up of such Centers are in sync with the objective of GoI for setting up Financial Literacy Centers upto the block level under the PMJDY. The cost of technical manpower employed by banks for running the Financial Inclusion & Literacy Centres (as banks have manpower shortages) will be funded from the fund. The scope of activities to be carried out by these centers would be as follows:-
a) Providing financial literacy training to all individuals/households of the area.
b) Providing counseling services for opening of bank accounts and for operating banking and other financial products and services.
c) Providing training to BCs about various banking & other financial products and services and also for training them in use of technological devices so as to ensure smooth servicing of customers.
d) Redressal of customer grievances by attending to customer complaints, if necessary, by taking up with banks and other institutions.
· Setting up of Standard Interactive Financial Literacy Kiosks in Gram Panchayats and any other financial literacy efforts under taken by banks in excluded areas.
· Support to NABARD & Banks for running of Business & Skill Development Centers including R-SETIs (to the extent not provided by State Governments) which will help in imparting skill sets necessary for undertaking income generating activities and for providing forward linkages for marketing activities. Grant will be in the form of one time capital cost and working capital for undertaking skill development activities for a maximum period of 3 years. NABARD and Banks will have the discretion to enter into partnerships with other entities like Corporates, NGOs, etc. involved in the running of such Centers, however, proposal for seeking funding support from the FIF will be entertained only from Banks or NABARD.
· Support to pilot projects for development of innovative products, processes and prototypes for financial inclusion. Proposals for such products and prototypes will have to be submitted through any of the implementing banks.
· Financial assistance to authorised agencies for conduct of surveys for evaluating the progress under financial inclusion;
· Sharing the cost of Government projects in connection with laying of last mile fibre optic network, funding of other technological or infrastructure related projects involved in improving or creating network connectivity, etc; in excluded areas.
Eligible Institutions
· Eligible institutions with whom banks can work for seeking support from the FIF:-
a) NGOs
b) SHGs
c) Farmer’s Clubs –
d) Functional Cooperatives
e) I.T. enabled rural outlets of corporate entities.
f) Well-functioning Panchayats
g) Rural Multipurpose kiosks / Village Knowledge Centers
h) Common Services Centres (CSCs) established by Service Centre Agencies (SCAs) under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
i) Primary Agricultural Societies (PACs).
|
OF THE SONG LAUNCH OF DEEWANI MASTANI
PRESS INVITATION
Eros International & Bhansali Productions cordially invites
You to attend the cover of the Press Conference
Of the Song Launch of
Deewani Mastani
From their upcoming Hindi Film
Bajirao Mastani
To be addressed by:
Deepika Padukone
Anju Modi (Costume Designer)
Time : 3:30 p.m
Date :17th October (Saturday)
Venue : Hotel Leela, Near Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Date :17th October (Saturday)
Venue : Hotel Leela, Near Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
You are requested to send correspondents/photographers/camera crew for the Song Launch.
AAP DEMANDS A HOME MINISTER TO MANAGE THE MAHARASHTRA POLICE FORCE
BJP – Shiv Sena in a corruption nexus on postings
Press Release 17 October 2015
Maharashtra state is in a dismal condition. The ruling BJP – Shiv Sena combine are in a political tussle to grab headlines through bans and threats. The BJP bans meat and the Sena protests, then the Sena invokes cultural terrorism. Both the parties are unfit to govern the state and are hiding behind political stunts to hide their ineptitude.
The suicide of Police Inspector Ashok Sadre in Nashik yesterday shows that the Home Ministry in unable to manage the police force. This sad event comes close on the heels of another disturbing suicide – Constable Anant Rajaram Sawant set himself ablaze in Mumbai as he was tired of his prolonged illness and the failure get leave and rest. The worst aspect of PI Sadre’s suicide is that there is a campaign launched to defame him. The Maharashtra Police has first issued, and then denied, statements alleging that he was a corrupt cop, suspended and facing inquiry. Our protectors are killing themselves and all that the home department does is indulge in a blame game.
The zealous Sheena Bora inquiry, the shuffling of Mumbai Commissioner, the failure to give protection to the ORF Chairperson, the suicides of policemen all point to the single fact that that the Home Department is being mismanaged by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Aam Aadmi Party strongly feels that the Home Department deserves a dedicated minister as the CM in unable to give it his undivided attention. We demand that the State Government appoint a Home Minister or admit that they are incapable of governance.
We condemn the Shiv Sena that attacks Pakistani civilians for misplaced nationalism but does not feel any empathy towards Maharashtra policemen who are killing themselves in frustration. Basically the BJP and the Shiv Sena are hand in glove in the transfer/posting scam & many other scams. All these so called conflicts are only to distract the people from the growing corruption. Shiv Sena Minister Diwaker Raote made a complete sham of the transfers/postings in the Transport Department and blatantly sold postings for money while the Chief Minister turned a blind eye to the scam.
3RD EDITION OF THE NORTH EAST FESTIVAL
3RD EDITION OF THE NORTH EAST FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN NEW DELHI IN GRAND STYLE
-Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the festival said, “North East is the most beautiful destination in India and its people are most beautiful and nice”
-Mr Kejriwal ensured all North Easterners’ safety in the capital
- The organizing committee gifted Mr Arvind Kejriwal a sketch of Swahid Kushal Konwar, the great martyr of India’s Freedom Movement from Assam
- With more than 3 lakh people expected to attend the festival, Tourism and Act East Policy is the key focus this year of the North East Festival
- 25 food stalls, 60 artisans, 40 musical bands, 30 folk dances enthralling National audience
- Fun and frolic galore with music, dance, fashion, food, exhibition of tribes, freedom fighters, film, discussions and much more
New Delhi, 17 October 2015: After two hugely successful years, the third edition of the North East Festival kicked off in great style in a brand new avatar in the capital. Being held from 16th to 18th October at IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi, the festival was inaugurated yesterday by Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi. Deputy CM Delhi, Mr. Manish Sisodia & Mr Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Delhi were the guest of honours for the inaugural.
This year’s main focus of the festival is Tourism, Look East and Act East Policy with various discussion sessions with top policymakers,
The “North East Festival”, has become a brand which is synonymous with the unification of the various stakeholders of North East under one dynamic platform.
While inaugurating the 3rd edition of North East Festival, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhisaid, “North East is the most beautiful destination in India and its people are also most beautiful and nice. It is extremely heartening to see such a festival happening in Delhi. North East festival is a great initiative and we promise to make it bigger with more marketing next year. I would like to ensure that people from North East are safe in Delhi and we will do everything to ensure their safety here.”
This year a special exhibition on North East’s Freedom Fighters’ contribution to India’s Independence has been organised. The organizing committee gifted Mr Arvind Kejriwal a sketch of Swahid Kushal Konwar, the great martyr of India’s Freedom Movement from Assam.
Speaking about this year’s edition, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Organiser in Chief, North East Festival said, “North East Festival is an attempt to build bridges between North East and rest of India by showcasing best of North East has to offer. With 25 food stalls, 60 artisans, 40 musical bands, 30 folk dances, various exhibitions of tribes, handloom, handicrafts and much more have made North East Festival the biggest Cultural Festival in Delhi.”
He added, “This year, tourism is the key focus and the festival would bring forth various facets of the North East. With the enthusiastic support of Delhi Tourism, we are inviting tour operators across Delhi to be a part of the North East Festival and we expect many foreign tourists as well.”
North East Festival is organised by the reputed socio-cultural trust, Trend MMS, in association with IGNCA and North East Today.
Highlights of North East Festival 2015:
- With 40 musical bands with some of the best musical bands of India, 30 dance forms it is one of the biggest tourism festival of India
- A dedicated Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition showcasing best of ethnic handloom & handicraft products. Around 60 artisans/ textile entrepreneurs to showcase unique products of NER
- Agri-Horti Exhibition
- A seminar on design improvements wherein the top designers of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts will train the artisans
- Seminars on the potential of the food processing industry and the impact of North East Industrial policy in association with FINER
- One evening dedicated to Majuli, world’s largest river island which is being lost to erosion
- A session on strategic importance of North East and Act East Policy
- State specific presentations from North Eastern States
- Dance Performance by various tribes of North East
- Traditional Sports of North Eastern India
- North Eastern Food delicacies
- Fashion shows showcasing best of North East designs
- Exhibition of North Eastern Tribes
- Exhibition of North East Freedom fighters
RSVP
Anuj Kumar Boruah/ Ayonava Bagchi
99583 72662 / 9818774606
Oct 16 at 11:55 PM
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PROGRAMME SCHEDULE OF NORTH EAST FESTIVAL AT IGNCA.
17th Oct, 2015) programme schedule of North East Festival at IGNCA.
We cordially invite you to attend the festival.
3rd edition of North East Festival @ IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi
17thOctober, 2015
Programme Highlights
Day Time Carnival – 11 AM – 5 PM
Musical Performance by: Aben, Pilgrim, Chakrabyuha, Nishant Hagjer, and Ojapali.
Ethnic dance performance, Exhibition of Handloom & Handicrafts, Agro & Horticulture Products, Traditional Sports of North East
Discussion Sessions – Venue: IGNCA, Conference Hall
11 AM – Opportunity for Agri& Food Processing Industry in North East in association with FINER
Speakers- Top officials of MoFPI, Entrepreneurs, Mega Food Park etc
3 PM – North East’s strategic importance to India
Key note speaker: Ram Madhav, Gen Secy BJP
Mr. Ravi Capoor, JS(Commerce), Govt of India, Mr.AM Singh, JS(DoNER) top officials of various Governments, top intellectuals of NER
7 PM – An evening dedicated to river island Majuli
Chief Guest – Ms Uma Bharti, Union Water Resource Minister(To be confirmed)
Guest of Honour -Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union DoNER Minister
8 PM Cultural Programme– Performance by Minute of Decay, Mondakini, Traffic Jam, Abiogenesis, The Local Train, Boomarang andParikrama
Fashion Show – Designers Tatyana Tasri G & Momin (Meghalaya), Achunbo (Nagaland), Adityam & Doichong Buchem (Assam & Nagaland), and Jagrity Phukan (Assam)
