Home Minister Calls for Continuous Vigilance on Terrorism

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From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Subject: Releases............pt1

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Home Affairs

3-DAY DGPs/IGPs Conference Begins

Home Minister Calls for Continuous Vigilance on Terrorism

New Delhi: August 25, 2010.

 

The Union Home Minister Sh. P. Chidambaram has said that the Indian State has been able to stand up to the challenges posed by forces inimical to India both within and outside the country.  He was inaugurating the 3-day conference on DGPs/IGPs here today.  The Home Minister appealed for continuous efforts for capacity building at the central as well as State level to counter terrorism.  On Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Chidambaram said that the security forces have been instructed to act with great restraint.  The Centre has offered a dialogue with all sections of people and all political parties and groups in the state.  Lamenting the killing of innocent civilians by Maoists after naming them as police informers, the Home Minister said that the Government has called upon the CPI(Maoist) to abjure  violence and come forward for talks but there has been no direct and credible response to the offer.  Following is the text of the Home Minister's speech.

 

"My distinguished colleagues in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Mullapally Ramachandran and Shri Ajay Maken, Shri Rajiv Mathur, DIB and Chairman of the Conference, Shri Shivshankar Menon, National Security Adviser, Shri K.M. Chandrasekhar, Cabinet Secretary, Shri G.K. Pillai, Home Secretary, Directors General and Inspectors General of Police of the States and the Union Territories.  Chiefs of Central Police Organisations, other delegates, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.

 

We last met in September 2009.  The past 11 months have been quite eventful.  As always, the tidings are mixed, but more on this later.  I wish to begin by paying tribute to the men and women of the security forces who have bravely confronted the many challenges to internal security.  Some of them have made the supreme sacrifice.  I am certain that the vast majority of our countrymen and women acknowledge and salute the work of our security forces.  Like any other body of men and women, the security forces too have their shortcomings, but nothing that is said or written can take away a jot from the fact that the security forces are the first line of defence of our democracy and liberty.

 

It is customary on this occasion to award police medals for meritorious service to officers of the Intelligence Bureau.  I do so with great pleasure and offer my warm congratulations and good wishes to those who have received the honour.

 

Through 2009, and in the first 8 months of 2010, the security situation was severely challenged by forces inimical to India both within and outside the country.  Contrary to perceptions in a section of the media – and, consequently, among sections of the people – the Indian State has been able to stand up to these challenges and face them with confidence and courage.  Here, I must acknowledge the willing cooperation extended by the State Governments.  In my view, the prime mover is always policy. Experience shows that if there is clarity of purpose and a well-enunciated policy, the security forces will be able to deliver.  For example, we announced a policy of zero tolerance of cross border terrorism, and we initiated a number of steps to build capacity, augment intelligence, raise special forces, acquire modern equipment, impart better training and take counter-terrorism measures.  As a result, save for one incident, the last 21 months have been remarkably free of any terrorist attack.  The attack on the German Bakery in Pune was indeed a blot. I sincerely hope that the suspects will be apprehended as soon as possible.

 

That does not mean that the threat of terrorist attacks has gone away.  I wish to caution you that there is no let up in the attempts to infiltrate militants into India.  There is no let up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India.  Besides, there is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past.  My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build, at the Central and State levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism.

 

Apart from containing terrorism, our best record of achievement has been in the North Eastern States.  While the year 2009 was a distinct improvement on the year 2008, it is in 2010 that we have seen a dramatic decline in the number of incidents and in the number of casualties.  There have been only 464 incidents until August 15, 2010, as against 1,297 and 1,561 for the whole year in 2009 and 2008 respectively.  Only 52 civilians have been killed, as against 264 and 466 respectively, and we have lost only 15 men of the security forces.  Nevertheless, I must admit with regret that Manipur and Assam have been affected by long-duration blockades and bandhs and by intermittent violence.

 

It is a matter of great satisfaction that a number of groups are engaged in talks with the Government of India.  Among them are NSCN (IM), NDFB (PT), DHD (Nunisa), DHD (J), UPDS, ANVC, KLNLF, KNO and UPF.  We have appointed two Interlocutors: Shri R.S. Pandey to talk to the NSCN (IM) and Shri P.C. Haldar to talk to NDFB (PT), DHD (Nunisa), DHD (J), KLNLF, UPDS and ANVC, besides ULFA.  It is my hope that ULFA will also formally come forward to begin talks with the Government of India and the Government of Assam.  There is no denying that the success achieved in bringing so many groups to the negotiating table has contributed immensely to the decline of violence in the North Eastern States.  I would appeal to the groups – or factions of groups – that have stayed away from talks to give up violence, accept the offer of the Governments to hold talks, enter into agreements of ceasefire or suspension of operations, and begin talks with the Governments' representatives.  I am confident that solutions can be found within the Constitution of India to the demands of various groups for recognition of their identity, history, culture and desire for self-government.  The best example is the Bodo Territorial Council which has turned out to be a model of self-governance within the State of Assam and within the Constitution of India.

 

I shall now refer to Jammu & Kashmir.  As you are aware, beginning 2005, and with the exception of 2008, the law and order situation in J&K has been extremely benign, with few incidents and fewer casualties.  Unfortunately, since June this year, there has been an unexpected turn of events. I am afraid J&K is now caught in a vicious cycle of stone-pelting, lathicharge, teargasing and firing, leading to casualties, and resulting in more stone-pelting.  The security forces have been instructed to act with great restraint.  The situation has not yet returned to normal. Nevertheless, amidst serious disturbances, 457,324 yatris completed the Amarnath Yatra, exceeding the number of 392,000 yatris last year.  So far, 516,970 tourists have visited J&K, and that number also exceeds the 355,960 tourists of last year.  The Central Government has acknowledged that a political solution must be found to the problems of J&K.  The Central Government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people of J&K and all political parties and groups.  We are concerned that we have not been able to stop the vicious cycle in which that State is caught.  However, it is my hope that, in the next few days, we would be able to find that elusive 'starting point' from where we could reach out to the protestors, reassure them of their rights and dignity, restore peace and order, redeem the promises made, and re-start the process of dialogue that will lead to a solution.

 

Last year, I dwelt at length on the challenge of Left Wing Extremism.  It is often forgotten that it is the State Governments that have been, and continue to be, in the forefront of fighting the menace of Left Wing Extremism.  As far as I know, all State Governments are committed to the two-pronged strategy of development and police action.  In November 2009, we persuaded the States to adopt a coordinated strategy and we provided more para-military forces to the States.  We made it clear that it would take several years before we were able to contain the CPI (Maoist) and roll back their offensive.  I think the people of India understand – even if the critics do not – that the conflict will be a long-drawn one, that patience is the key, that mistakes will be made, and that the security forces need material and moral support to carry out their tasks.  In the last 10 months, despite setbacks in Gadchiroli, Silda, Tadmetla and Chingavaram, the security forces have been able to re-assert the control of the State in several affected districts.  While the loss of every life is a matter of grief and regret, nothing is more painful than the killing of innocent civilians after naming them as 'police informers'.  This year alone, so far, 424 civilians have been killed and, of these, 192 were killed after being named 'police informers'.  Who shares the grief of their families, who speaks up against their killings? We have called upon the CPI (Maoist) to abjure violence and come for talks.  I regret to say that there has been no direct and credible response to our offer of talks.

 

There are other concerns too. One of our principal concerns is the maintenance of communal peace and harmony. I am particularly dismayed by the fact that petty disputes and imagined slights trigger conflicts between communities and groups. The Scheduled Castes are especially vulnerable. While it is a matter of satisfaction that there has been no major outbreak of communal or caste violence in the last 12 months, I would urge you to remain vigilant. At the first sign of communal or caste violence, you should depute senior officers to deal with the situation firmly and without fear or favour.

 

We are always mindful of the fact that 'police' and 'law and order' are State subjects and the primary responsibility rests with the State Governments.  At the same time, we recognise the responsibility of the Central Government to provide resources, intelligence, training facilities and para-military forces to the State Governments.  We have found that the Conference of Chief Ministers is a useful mechanism to deliberate and decide upon matters relating to internal security.  Since we last met, we have held two meetings, one with all Chief Ministers on February 7, 2010 and the other with Chief Ministers of LWE affected States on July 14, 2010.  Many of you were present at those meetings.  You will agree with me that the humongous task of building capacity to deal with the challenges to internal security can be described, at best, as 'work in progress'.

 

Let me share with you what we have done in the Central Government in the last 12 months:

 

·          The allocation for internal security in 2008-09 was Rs.25,923 crore.  In 2009-10, it rose to Rs. 38,114 crore (RE) and in 2010-11, after the first supplementary, it stands at Rs.40,582 crore.

·       The two schemes of Modernisation of Police Force for the States and for the CPMFs have been extended to 2010-11.

·          We have sanctioned the raising of an additional 38 Battalions in the CRPF, 29 Battalions in the BSF, 32 Battalions in the SSB, and 14,259 personnel in the CISF.

·          We have raised the level of support to the State Governments affected by Left Wing Extremism and, in the meeting on July 14, 2010, we obtained the concurrence of the Chief Ministers concerned to a new plan that includes creation of an Unified Command in 4 States; provision of helicopters for logistics support; establishment or strengthening of 400 police stations; appointment of additional SPOs; and implementation of an Integrated Action Plan with emphasis on road connectivity, primary education, primary health care and drinking water in the affected districts.

·          The hardware and software to connect the S-MACs in the State capitals to the State Special Branches are in place.  The connectivity will be completed by December 31, 2010.

·          We have augmented the training facilities for security forces.  Work has begun on the third and fourth regional institutes of the IB to be located in Jodhpur and Delhi. We have decided to set up one Central Academy for Police Training (CAPT) at Bhopal, two Central Detective Training Schools (CDTS) at Lucknow and Ahmedabad and 20 Counter Insurgency and Anti-Terrorist (CIAT) Schools of which 3 are operational and 12 more are likely to become operational in the current year.

·          We have drawn up Phase II of the Coastal Security Scheme and intend to implement it with effect from November 1, 2010.

·          We have received the final report of the consultants on modernising and upgrading the forensic science system and we have initiated the process of implementing the key recommendations.

·          The review of State cadres of the IPS has been completed and the sanctioned strength has been increased from 4013 on 1.1.2010 to 4730 at the end of the review.

·          We have made it mandatory for every IPS officer to undergo a course of training at three levels in his/her career at the SVP National Police Academy.

 

As I said, modernising the police forces and building capacity is 'work in progress'.  Having listed the key measures that we have taken, I think I am entitled to ask you about the steps that you have taken since the last meeting.  You will recall that at the last meeting I had raised some questions that were considered, at that time, quite provocative.  On reflection, most people agreed that those questions deserved to be raised and deserved to be answered. Therefore, I hope you will tell us whether you have succeeded in ensuring that every police officer, appointed to a post, has a reasonable tenure in that post.  I hope you will also tell us whether your Governments have increased, in real terms, the allocation under the head 'Police'.  Moreover, do you think that you have been delegated adequate financial powers to spend the money allocated to your department?  Should we try to put in place a system for transfer of funds under the MPF Scheme directly to the DGP of the State?  Is your State making the required 25 per cent contribution to the MPF Scheme?

 

At the end of the Conference of Chief Ministers on February 7, 2010, I had suggested that the States set for themselves the target of recruiting another 150,000 police personnel by the end of September, 2010 and I hope you would be able to tell us how close you are to achieving that goal.  We also recommended that States adopt the Transparent Recruitment Process (TRP) and I hope you will tell us whether you have done so. CCTNS is an important project that will enhance the efficiency of policing in your States. I hope you would tell us the progress you have made and the difficulties, if any, you face.  And finally I hope you would be able to tell us what steps have been taken in your States to enact a new Police Act based on the model Bill that was circulated to the States and what steps have been taken to set up the State Police Establishment Board and the Police Complaints Board.

 

In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to assure the people of India that the Governments and the police forces of India welcome criticism.  At the same time, I want to tell you, on behalf of the people, that when faced with a threat or a crisis or a tragedy, everyone – and I mean everyone – turns to the police.  Imagine a town or a district without a police force; imagine a State ravaged by Left Wing Extremism without special forces venturing into the jungles; or imagine Manipur or Assam without security forces confronting armed militant groups.  Whatever the critics may say, there is no substitute for an efficient and effective police force.  It is your duty to raise and lead such a force.  In fact, each one of you assembled here should consider it an honour to be able to head such a force.  The force under you may not yet be the ideal one, but as long as you head that force you should work untiringly to make it a force that is admired and respected by the people of your State.

 

I have great pleasure in inaugurating the Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police

 

Thank you". 

 

Earlier, the Home Minister gave away police medals for meritorious  service to officers of Intelligence Bureau.  The conference will be addressed by the Prime Minister tomorrow. 

 

ok/kka/dk/kol/13:24 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Power

PGCIL Plans Capital Expenditure of RS. 55,000 Crore During XI Plan

Parliamentary cosultative Committee on Power held

New Delhi: August 25, 2010.

 

Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister of Power, while appreciating the significant contributions made by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) towards the development of the Indian power sector stated that in a short span of 18 years of commercial operation, PGCIL has achieved manyfold growth in network expansion as well as on financial fronts. He was addressing the Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament of Ministry of Power here yesterday.  Shri Bharatsinh Solanki, Minister of State for Power, MP'S/ Shri Uday Singh, Mahabal Mishra, Bajuban Riyaz, Prakash Javedkar, Bhudev Choudhary, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Dhananjay Singh, Shri P. Umashankar, Secretary (Power) and senior officials from the Ministry of Power were also present at the meeting.

 

The meeting was to deliberate on PGCIL which is a Navratna Company. As of date PGCIL has established a transmission network of about 77,500 Circuit Kms, 132 sub-stations and a transformation capacity of about 89,000 MVA. Speaking at the meeting Shri Shinde stated that, "This growth appears all the more impressive, when you see that in 1992-1993, the network was only 22,220 Circuit Kms, 42 Sub-stations and a transformation capacity of 12,220 MVA. PGCIL has done a commendable job in developing the 'National Grid' to facilitate optimum utilization of generating resources and meeting power demand in various parts of the country."

 

Shri Shinde explained that PGCIL also has an impressive track record on the financial front. At the end of the Financial Year 2009-10, the asset base of the company had gone up to Rs. 43,200 crore and turnover & net profit increased to Rs. 7,504 crore & Rs. 2,041 crore, respectively. Besides power transmission, PGCIL has diversified into other synergetic business such as Telecom and consultancy assignments at National and International levels to further enhance the value for shareholders. Even in its budget utilization PGCIL has remained at the top of the list of power companies for over the past five years.

 

The Minister further noted that based on its good performance, PGCIL is recognized as one of the largest and best managed transmission utilities in the world. Its operational efficiency in maintaining the huge transmission network at an availability exceeding 99% is noteworthy. Shri Sinde further informed that for XI plan period, PGCIL has planned a capital expenditure of Rs. 55, 000 crore for implementation of various transmissions schemes and further enhancing the capacity of National Grid.

 

Shri Uday Singh mentioned about the issues of open access and private transmission. Shri Mahabal Mishra, spoke about the implementation issues involved in the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. Shri Babujan Riyan highlighted the issues related to systems. Shri Prakash Javedkar mentioned about the need to provide more autonomy to PSU's to develop professionalism. Shri Bhudev Choudhary mentioned about the problems of physical verification of implementation aspects of RGGVY. Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Singh mentioned about the problems of burnt transformers in villages. Shri Dhananjay Singh wanted to know as to when Power Grid will fulfill the needs of the entire country. The Power Minister thanked the Members present for their valuable suggestions.

 

rj/dk/kol/13:24 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Discussion Paper on Options for Compulsory License

New Delhi: August 25, 2010.

 

The public concern has been expressed on the availability of low cost medicines in view of recent developments in the pharmaceutical sector. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has prepared a discussion paper on options for Compulsory License under the Patents Act, 1970 as amended in 2005. The discussion paper has been uploaded on www.dipp.nic.in

 

The views and suggestions backed up by facts, figures and empirical evidence are invited from all the Stakeholders by 30th September, 2010.

 

rj/dk/kol/13:24 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

India-Asean Ties Set to Strengthen

Anand Sharma Leads Delegation to Vietnam

New Delhi: August 25, 2010.

 

Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry is leading an Official Delegation to Vietnam to review the India-ASEAN Services & Investment negotiations along with his ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries' counterparts during 26-27 August 2010. Shri Sharma is scheduled to hold discussions with the Trade and Commerce Ministers of ASEAN comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in the ASEAN Economic Ministers' – India Consultations scheduled for 27th August 2010 at Danang in Vietnam. These Consultations are also Ministerial-level preparations for the ensuing ASEAN-India Summit at Hanoi in October 2010.

 

India has already signed the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement that covers tariff liberalisation between the parties which has come into force from 1st January 2010. India – ASEAN trade stood at US$ 43.5 billion in 2009-10 and is targeted to reach US$ 70 billion by 2012.

 

India and ASEAN are currently negotiating a Services & Investment Agreement. India is keen to conclude a liberal agreement that would have substantial sectoral coverage and would provide commercially meaning market access. The current meeting is part of the negotiation process. The Commerce & Industry Minister is also slated to meet Trade/Commerce Ministers of the countries representing the East Asia Summit (EAS) during this visit. EAS is a formation of ten ASEAN countries and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Republic of Korea.

 

Shri Sharma would take this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the AEM Meeting with Japanese Minister of Economy & Trade and Industry, Mr. Masayuki Naoshima, EU Trade Commissioner, Mr. Karel De Gutch and Malaysian Minister for International Trade & Investment, Mr Mustapa Mohamed to review and discuss the progress made towards the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), India-EU Trade and Investment Agreement and India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations respectively. Commerce & Industry Minister will look forward to reiterating high commitment of India for an early and balanced outcome of these FTA negotiations.

 

rj/dk/kol/13:25 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Tourism

Union Ministry of Tourism Cautions Against Unauthorized Use of "Incredible India" Logo

New Delhi: August 25, 2010.

 

It has come to the notice of Ministry of Tourism that some Information Centers/Travel Agents/Tour Operators/Individuals with an intention to misrepresent, misguide and cheat the public/tourists, are using the logo of "Incredible India" in an unauthorized way without taking any prior permission from the Ministry of Tourism.

 

Furthermore, some service providers, who are not approved by the Ministry of Tourism or any other agency of Govt. of India, are displaying "Govt. of India approved" in an unauthorized way.

 

"Incredible India" is a copyright and a registered trademark of the Ministry of Tourism (ROC No. A-69795/2005 under Register of Copyrights and registered under Trademark Act) and any display of this logo without due permission of the Ministry of Tourism can invite suitable legal & penal action. Similarly, any service provider not approved by the Ministry of Tourism or any other agency of Govt. of India, displaying "Govt. of India approved" phrase is also liable to similar legal or penal action.

 

ad/db/dk/kol/13:25 hrs.

 

--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/