Achievements of Vajpayee's Government 2004

[Guest guest]

Achievements of NDA Government

http://www.bjp.org/today/Achievements%20of%20NDA%20Government.htm

Dear Readers,

 

I am happy to present you the updated version of the booklet which

highlights the unique initiatives and landmark achievements of the

National Democratic Alliance Government. The booklet was widely

appreciated when it was published more than a year ago. Since then

there have been major developments like the Prime Minister's path-

breaking visit to Pakistan to attend the SAARC summit in India's

quest for peace, Bhutan setting the example of a good neighbour by

striking at the anti-India insurgents in its territory, economy

booming with GDP rising at 8.4 per cent in the second quarter of

2003-04 and foreign exchange reserves soaring past US $ 100 billion.

A feel-good factor permeates across the country. Belying all

apprehensions about shrinking job market, the NDA government has

created 84 lakh employment and self-employment opportunities every

year during the last three years. No other government could achieve

this feat. Our ever increasing IT and entertainment sectors have

opened new job avenues for lakhs of youngsters. Hence the need for

making the document up to date.

 

The NDA Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is completing its full 5-year uninterrupted

term. It is an historic occasion. It is the first non-Congress

Government to do so. Shri Vajpayee is also the first non-Congress

Prime Minister to achieve this feat and is the third longest serving

Prime Minister after Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Smt. Indira Gandhi.

Shri Vajpayee's inspiring leadership was evident in war and peace-

from Kargil to Islamabad. His hand of friendship to Pakistan set the

peace process in motion step-by-step.

One has to take a close look at the context and the quality of Shri

Vajpayee's premiership. Before March 1998, India had passed through

a phase of crippling instability; as many as three governments at

the Centre fell in less than two years. The first NDA Government too

became a victim of destabilisation and the 12th Lok Sabha was

dissolved in April 1999 after completing just over a year of its

life. However, the NDA won a renewed mandate under the leadership of

Shri Vajpayee in the elections to the 13th Lok Sabha.

The five years of the NDA government have seen ' India on the Move',

the main theme of this publication, in all the three critical areas

of nation building-Democracy, Development and Security. By leading a

large alliance of disparate political parties with diverse

ideologies, the Prime Minister has demonstrated that coalition

governance at the Centre can be stable and successful. This has

proved the maturity of India's democracy and enhanced its prestige

abroad. Centre-State relations have never been more harmonious.

India has forged ahead on many areas of economic growth and social

development, thanks to some of the most ambitious and reform-

oriented policies and programmes undertaken since Independence.

Massive investment of Rs. 50,000 crore in the next three years is

being envisaged for the second green revolution to change the face

of rural India once for all. A 'Connectivity Revolution' is sweeping

the country. Major initiatives have been taken to ensure Food

Security for the poor, Energy Security for the country and in

housing and education. New steps have been taken for the empowerment

and welfare of the SCs and STs. A new era has begun in the mutually

strengthening relationship between India and her Diaspora. It is the

wish of every patriotic Indian that our country's prestige and

standing in the comity of nations befit its size, population and

civilisational greatness. This wish is being steadily fulfilled.

As Shri Vajpayee has himself repeatedly stressed, all these are not

the achievements of any individual or government. Rather they are

proof of what can be accomplished through a partnership between the

people and the government at the Centre and States, and between

different sections of the society. By strengthening this

partnership, we can certainly realise the energising goal

articulated by the Prime Minister in his address to the nation on 15

August, 2002: "Let us make India a Developed Nation by 2020".

 

(Ravi Shankar Prasad)

Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting (Independent

Charge)

 

 

 

WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT...

 

In the last three years, 84 lakh additional employment opportunities

were generated every year as against only 39 lakh each year in the

previous five years.

About 65 lakh housing units were sanctioned by the Housing & Urban

Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) during the 28 years between

1970 and 1998. In contrast, in the last six years, the Government

has sanctioned construction of nearly 73 lakh new houses. Of these

over 50 lakh houses are in rural areas and 90 per cent are for poor

families.

To usher in the Second Green Revolution, the Agricultural

Infrastructure and Credit Fund is being set up in February 2004

which will provide funds at 2 per cent less than below the Prime

Lending Rate (PLR). This Fund will support a Rs. 50,000 crore

programme spread over the next 3 years.

Since introduction in 1998-99, Kisan Credit Cards have been issued

to over three crore and thirty-seven lakh farmers, through which

over Rs. 82,732 crore has been disbursed as loans.

In 50 years, only one crore and eighty-six lakh telephone

connections were sanctioned. In the past five years alone, over

three crore telephone connections have been provided. The number of

mobile phones has crossed the two crore mark from 12 lakh in 1999.

Nearly four crore gas connections were released since 1998, as

against only three crore and thirty-seven lakh in the previous 40

years. India is now the world's second largest LPG consumer after

China. World's longest LPG pipe line of 1,270 km from Jamnagar in

Gujarat to Loni in Uttar Pradesh was commissioned in May 2001.

India's Foreign Exchange Reserves have trebled from US $ 32.5

billion in 1998 to over US $ 100 billion in January 2004.

India emerges as the IT Superpower with Software and Service

industry growing by leaps and bounds; to account for 7 per cent of

GDP and 35 per cent of exports by 2008. Software exports have grown

from Rs. 8,000 crore in 1998 to Rs. 48,000 crore in 2004.

National Highways measuring over 24,000 km are being developed to

4/6 lane at a rate of nearly 11 km per day, as against only

11.12 km per year or 550 kms during the previous 50 years.

The number of people living below the povety line (BPL) has gone

down to 26 per cent in 1999-2000 from 37 per cent in 1993-94. It is

further expected to go down to 19 per cent by 2006-07.

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, under which wheat and rice are sold at

Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 per kg respectively, is the world's largest food

security programme for the poor, benefiting 1.5 crore families.

Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana launched in September 2001 is the

largest food for work programme in the history of India. Fifty lakh

tonnes of foodgrains valued at Rs. 5,000 crore are provided free of

cost to state governments. Another Rs. 5,000 crore is provided to

meet wages and material cost for creating durable rural

infrastructure assets and community facilities.

The Rs. 16,000 crore Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is the largest education

programme since Indpendence, meeting the Constitutional obligation

of compulsory and universal elementary education to all children.

Student loans for higher studies to be made available at 2 per cent

below PLR.

KARGIL TO ISLAMABAD : WAR AND PEACE

DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY

 

The successful conduct of free and fair Assembly elections in Jammu

& Kashmir with the enthusiastic participation of the people was the

turning point. It belied skepticism and Pakistan's false propaganda

and was a shot in the arm for peace and normalcy in the state. Doors

of dialogue were thrown open to all and a good beginning has been

made in first round of talks between the Deputy

Prime Minister, Shri L.K. Advani and the All Paties Hurriyat

Conference. Leaders of the Hurriyat Conference met the Prime

Minister for the first time and assured him of their support to the

peace process.

During his visit to the state in April 2003 the Prime Minister

assured the people of Jammu & Kashmir that all the problems can be

resolved through dialogue and on the basis of three principles of

Insaniyat (Humanity), Jamhooriyat (Democracy) and Kashmiriyat (ethos

of Kashmiri people).

Pakistani incursion in Kargil was succesfully beaten back by our

brave jawans.

Shri Vajpayee in a bold move extended the hand of friendship to

Pakistan. This set in motion the peace process which saw gradual

expansion of ties including resumption of rail, road and airlinks

leading to the Prime Minister's fruitful visit to Islamabad to

attend the SAARC summit.

At the same time, our military and para-military forces have

continued their relentless battle against terrorist outfits in Jammu

& Kashmir and achieved major successes.

As a step towards bringing peace and normalcy in J&K, the full-

fledged Inter-State Council meeting was held in Srinagar in August

2003. The three-day meeting held for the first time outside Delhi

was presided over by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister announced a major development package of Rs.

6,000 crore for the State during his visit to Jammu and Srinagar in

May 2002. Its centrepiece is the construction of the Rohtang Pass

Tunnel linking Manali to Leh and the planned completion of the 287-

km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah railway project linking the Kashmir

Valley to the rest of the country before August 15, 2007.

The package includes specific relief and rehabilitation measures for

the benefit of those who have been displaced from their homes by

cross-border terrorism.

North-East has been put on the road to development with massive

central assistance and creation of a separate department. Between

1998-99 and 2002-03, the centre has released Rs. 44,000 crore to

North-Eastern States.

The ban on NSCN(IM) has been lifted and talks held with its leaders

in New Delhi for the first time have brightened the prospects of

enduring peace in Nagaland. The Prime Minister's highly successful

visit to Nagaland in October 2003 has accelerated the process of

peace, development and emotional integration.

Peace in the region has received a boost with Bhutan flushing-out

anti-India militants from its soil. The training camps of ULFA, NDFB

and KLO militants were smashed in the operation conducted in

December 2003.

Bodo people's aspirations for peace, normalcy and development were

fulfilled with the memorandum of settlement between the Government

of India, Government of Assam and the Bodo Liberation Tigers for the

Bodoland Territorial Council within Assam. On December 7, 2003, the

Interim Executive Council of the Bodoland Territorial Council was

sworn in at Kokrajhar in presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and

2,641 BLT insurgents laid down their arms.

ECONOMY: DRIVING GROWTH FOR SPEEDY REMOVAL OF POVERTY AND

UNEMPLOYMENT

 

The NDA government has consistently expanded and deepened the scope

of reforms to unleash the huge locked-up potential for growth in the

Indian economy. Since broad national consensus is necessary to

achieve this objective, the Government has been working closely with

both State Governments and Opposition parties to enlarge the area of

agreement on key elements on the agenda of reforms. No government in

the past convened as many all-party meetings and Chief Minister's

conferences as the NDA government has done.

India continues to be one of the fastest growing economies in the

world. The real GDP growth in 2003-04 is expected to be over 7 per

cent with a strong agricultural rebound. The industry and service

sectors are also poised for higher growth. The second quarter (July -

September) of the 2003-04 witnessed an annual growth rate of 8.4

per cent, the highest ever.

The Government has been able to curb the rising trend in prices.

Inflation has remained moderate for a prolonged period.

The Government has prepaid US $3 billion of external loans during

2002-03 and US $1.4 billion so far during 2003-04.

India's exports (in dollar terms) rose by an impressive 20 per cent

last year and have crossed US $ 50 billion in 2002-03, up from US $

33.2 billion in 1998-99. The surge in exports has occurred in spite

of a prolonged slowdown in the global economy and an appreciating

rupee in 2002-03. This points to the inherent strength of the

domestic industrial and services growth.

The manufacturing sector has gone through a process of restructuring

and is now ready to face global competition. An Infrastructure and

Manufacturing Fund will be set up by March 1, 2004 to give a big

push to both infrastructure and manufacturing. This major national

initiative will provide an aggregate additional investment of Rs.

50,000 crore over the next 3 years in infrastructure and

manufacturing projects like power generation, sea ports, air ports,

roads, tourism, telecommunication and urban infrastructure.

Foreign exchange reserves have reached an all-time high at US $

103.8 billion on January 9, 2004, moving up from US $ 32.49 billion

in 1998-99. The addition in the last one year alone was nearly as

much as the entire forex reserves at the inception of the NDA

Government six years ago. Significantly, most of the increase is due

to non-debt creating inflows.

The Government has reduced and rationalized the duty rate structure

in several items in the health, IT/electronics and power sectors.

Peak rate of customs duty on non-agricultural goods has been reduced

from 25 per cent to 20 per cent. Special Additional Duty of customs

(SAD) of 4 per cent has been abolished.

Exemption from customs and excise duties available to water supply

projects for drinking purposes has been extended to industrial as

well as agricultural purposes. Among other things, this will give a

boost to large-scale projects for desalination of sea water.

Small and Medium Industry Fund is being set up in February 2004 to

address the inadequacy of financial resources at competitive rates

and lack of SIDBI- coverage for some of the medium- sized

enterprises. The SMI Fund, initially of Rs. 10,000 crore, will be

spread over the next 2 years and will carry an interest rate to

ultimate borrowers at 2 per cent below PLR.

Unlike in the past, effective measures were taken to ensure that the

drought in as many as 14 States in 2002-03 did not result in either

shortage of foodgrains or a flare-up in the prices of essential

commodities anywhere.

Bank interest rates are the lowest since 1973, providing a strong

stimulus to growth and investment.

The current account of India's balance of payments has become

positive after a gap of 24 years. The current account moved from a

deficit of US $ 4.0 billion in 1998-99 to a surplus of US $ 4.1

billion in 2002-03.

With sustained growth in GDP, the ratio of external debt to GDP has

come down from 23.6 per cent in 1998-99 to 20.3 per cent in 2002-03.

The external debt service to current receipts ratio declined from

18.7 per cent in 1998-99 to 14.7 per cent in 2002-03.

The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 bears

eloquent testimony to the Government's commitment to fiscal

consolidation both at the Centre and in States. This Act ushers in

transparency in Government finances and parliamentary accountability

to fiscal performance.

The current policy of external commercial borrowings has been

liberalized to promote investment activity in industry, including in

small and medium enterprises. This revised policy provides automatic

approvals for the industrial sector, especially for infrastructure,

and including small and medium enterprises, provided it is made for

a minimum period of five years.

For bright but needy youngsters pursuing higher education, the

existing education loan scheme of banks is being liberalised at 2

per cent below PLR.

With effect from April 1, 2004, employees having annual salary

income up to Rs. 1.50 lakh in whose cases the entire tax payable is

deducted at source by the employer, will not have to file Income Tax

Returns. Pensioners who do not have taxable income will be exempt

from filing of returns.

E-filing of returns, currently available in respect of only ten

services, has been extended to all the 58 taxable services,

providing a major relief to tax-payers.

Strong market fundamentals, good corporate results, technological

and institutional reforms have led to increased confidence of

Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) in the Indian Capital Market.

FII inflows rose to US $75.91 billion in 2003 from (-) US $7.9

billion in 1998-99.

Major steps have been taken to simplify and restructure the tax

system with the twin objectives of making it more citizen-friendly

and increasing the government's tax revenues.

The SEBI Act has been amended to strengthen the capital market

regulator and create necessary safeguards against malpractices and

inefficiency. SEBI has been given power to levy deterrent penalties

against corporates and individuals.

The UTI Act was repealed to break the Unit Trust of India, which is

the country's oldest and largest savings fund, into UTI-1 and UTI-2.

This was done by fully protecting the interests of small investors.

UTI-2 has been handed over to a new set of owners to function as a

normal mutual fund.

Legislation has been passed by Parliament to enable banks and

financial institutions to reduce their non-performing assets through

securitisation and reconstruction of assets. The Companies Act has

been amended to address the issue of industrial sickness.

New opportunities for growth attracted increased flow of foreign

direct investment, which has grown from US $ 2.46 billion in 1998-99

to US $ 4.66 billion in 2002-03.

FDI in private sector banks under the automatic route has been

increased from 49 per cent to 74 per cent.

Major steps have been initiated to make the business environment

investor-friendly. Automatic approvals have been envisaged for FDI

in most areas. A new Special Economic Zone policy has been initiated

to enable a conducive regulatory environment for investment in

infrastructure development and production of goods and services for

exports.

Over Rs. 11,000 crore has been raised since 1999-2000 through

strategic sale and other forms of disinvestment of PSUs.

A radical exercise has been initiated to remove time and cost

overruns of public sector projects, as well as the regulatory

impediments to investment by the private and public sectors at the

Central, State and local government levels. These initiatives will

have profound effect on the time-bound implementation of physical

and social infrastructure projects and transform the character of

government-business interface.

HOME AFFAIRS: FIRM AND FAR-SIGHTED STEPS

 

Three new States - Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand - were

formed in year 2000 fulfilling the long-standing aspirations of the

people of these regions.

Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002 came into being to

strengthen the fight against terrorism while incorporating suitable

safeguards against possible misuse. Thirty-two terrorist and

subversive organisations were banned under POTA. These include

Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammand, Harkut-ul-Mujahaddin, Hizbul-

Mujahaddin, ULFA, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Al

Qaida and Dukhtaran-e-Millat.

India signed extradition treaties with a number of countries to

facilitate deportation of criminals. The Deputy Prime Minister and

Home Minister, Shri L K Advani, held wide-ranging talks with his

counterparts in these countries to strengthen cooperation in the

fight against terrorism, drugs and arms smuggling, money laundering,

and other forms of organised transnational crime.

The Government defeated several covert action designs by the

Pakistan ISI. As many as 161 ISI modules in various parts of the

country were busted.

Police reforms have been given top priority. In the three decades

since 1970, only Rs. 550 crore was given to the States by the Centre

for police modernisation. In contrast, the NDA Government has

started to provide Rs. 1,000 crore each year for the next 10 years.

Along with matching contributions from the State Governments, this

will entail an outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore for police modernisation

during this decade.

A Rs. 3,740 crore five-year plan for modernisation of Central

Paramilitary Forces has been approved.

The new millennium's first Census was completed in record time, with

the data being computerised for the first time. An interactive

website for generating maps on Census themes was also launched.

The NDA Government views large-scale illegal immigration from

Bangladesh as a serious problem and is taking appropriate measures

to check it. The Centre has sanctioned construction of the remaining

797 km of border roads and 2,429 km of border fencing on the Indo-

Bangladesh border at a cost of Rs. 1,334 crore. This work is being

completed on a war footing.

The Island Development Authority has been activated to promote

speedy and all-round development of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands

and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Parliament passed the historic Citizenship (Amendment) Bill,

providing for dual Citizenship for Persons of Indian Origin in 16

countries.

FOREIGN POLICY: STRATEGY OF PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

 

The NDA government assumed office when India had still not recovered

from a series of external and internal shocks in the 1990s which had

raised searching questions about India's strategic and security

assumptions:

The end of the Cold War had a huge impact on India's diplomatic room

for manoeuvre in the world. The quality of many of our relations and

alliances suffered from the consequent re-alignment of world forces.

Our security environment had deteriorated rapidly with increased

cross-border terrorism and tremendous nuclear and missile build up

in our neighbourhood.

Our precarious foreign exchange position in the early 90s resulted

in a weak economic situation, whch further restricted our

international, political and economic options.

Weak and unstable governments from 1996 to 1998 further aggravated

these problems of internal and external vulnerability.

The NDA government has restored India's national self-confidence in

international affairs. India has today emerged from the post Cold

War fluidities by forging new links with democracies of the world on

the basis of shared values, common objectives, convergent world

views and a coalition against terrorism.

We have succeeded in increasing the strategic space for India in our

efforts for a multi-polar world, guiding Indian foreign policy

through the global reverberations of 9/11 and the acrimonious

division caused by developments in Iraq.

The Pokharan nuclear tests declared our determination to decisively

respond to our security environment, withstanding external

pressures. It was our deft foreign policy which ensured that the

sanctions and the attempts to isolate India diplomatically after the

nuclear tests began to crumble within a year.

Our network of internatinoal relations now includes a strong

strategic alliance with Russia, a developing strategic partnership

with the USA, summit level dialogue with the European Union,

strategic dialogues, counter-terrorism linkages and other political

and security dialogue mechanisms with France, the UK, Germany,

China, Israel and Japan, among others.

We have used India's economic resurgence and our strengths in the

information and communicataions technologies to increase our

presence in world markets, expand appreciation and opportunities for

our workers abroad and to inspire confidence in our economic reforms

process.

The govenment has seized the initiative in actively projecting

India's security concerns and obtaining international recognition

for our perspectives on terrorism, particularly in our

neighbourhood.

Our sustained policy of developing close relations of friendship,

equality and mutual trust with our neighbours has yielded rich

results.

India has restored its traditional role as a friend and partner of

Afghanistan. There has been widespread appreciation of our close

involvement in the economic reconstrution of Afghanistan.

India has continued to sustain and strengthen its age-old relations

with Iran, the other countries of the Persian Gulf and the rest of

the Arab world. Our growing economic and defence cooperation with

Israel has been mutually beneficial, but has not affected our

traditonal solidarity with the Arab and Palestinian cause.

We have placed special emphasis on regional and sub-regional

cooperation. The Framework Agreement for South Asian Free Trade Area

(SAFTA) at the recent Islamabad SAARC Summit was a culmination of

patient efforts in this direction. We have actively promoted new

regional initiatives like BIMST-EC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and

India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral cooperation.

India has strengthened the 'Look East' dimension of its foreign

policy adding new vibrancy to our age-old relations with the

countries of South East Asia. The annual Summit level dialogue

between India and ASEAN is a measure of the progress achieved.

At the second India-ASEAN Summit in Bali, framework agreement on

comprehensive economic co-operation was finalised. During Mr.

Vajpayee's visit to Thailand both countries agreed to reduce tarrifs

on over 80 items on trade.

We have initiated the process of rebuilding India's traditional

links with the Central Asian republics.

The Prime Minister's visit to Turkey in September 2003 was

significant. Apart from setting up a Joint Working Group to counter

terrorism, a group of Economic ministries was constituted to

increase bilateral trade. Direct flights between Istanbul and New

Delhi were established.

We have remained an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement

working towards re-orienting NAM to effectively confront the new

challenges of today's world. India believes NAM can become an

effective platform in the fight against international terrorism and

can make valuable contributions to South-South cooperation and the

North-South engagement. We have also worked actively within the

Commonwealth to promote democratic values and to extend technical

and economic assistance to its smaller states.

In the last five years, our government has placed special emphasis

on enriching the connections of the Indian diaspora with their

country of origin. We have worked to strengthen their cultural

moorings in India and to facilitate their participation in India's

economic development and growth. The diaspora has responded

magnificently to project India abroad.

The ultimate testimony to India's growing international stature is

our rapidly expanding interaction with countries and regions around

the globe. In the past five years we have received an unprecedented

number of leaders from every continent of the world. Tributes have

been paid to India's economic resurgence. A large number of

countries have publicly endorsed India's candidature for permanent

membership of an expanded UN Security Council.

These are trends which we will further strengthen and accelerate.

'JAI JAWAN' INITIATIVES

 

There had been little or no modernisation of the Armed Forces in the

past ten to fifteen years. The NDA Government can proudly claim

credit for having spent more money on this crucial aspect of

national security in the last six years than in the previous ten

years put together. While the total expenditure on Defence in 1996-

97 was Rs. 29,505 crore, it grew to Rs. 65,000 crore in 2002-03. The

last six years have seen systematic induction of many new and much

needed weapons systems.

For the first time since Independence, a comprehensive review of the

National Security System was carried out resulting in the

establishment of an Integrated Defence Staff.

The mobilisation of troops in January 2002 on the Indo-Pak border,

following the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament on 13 December,

2001, exerted immense pressure on Pakistan. India's policy of

firmness combined with self-restraint was successful in achieving

the objective.

India has signed defence deal with Russia for Admiral Gorshkov,

meeting Navy's need for an aircraft carrier.

The first Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Forces Command was

appointed in 2002.

A Joint Tri-Service Andaman and Nicobar Command, controlling the

assets of the three Services and the Coast Guard, has replaced the

earlier FORTRAN (Fortress Commander Andaman and Nicobar). This

constitutes the first joint command in the country.

The Government has opened up the defence production industry for

private sector participation with up to 100 per cent equity and FDI

up to 26 per cent.

The Government has approved a Rs. 18,000 crore Defence Housing

Project, the biggest ever since Independence, to substantially

increase and improve housing facilities for serving soldiers.

The age limit for the Women Entry Officers' Scheme has been relaxed

for widows, thus providing an opportunity for their rehabilitation.

A new provision has been introduced for Kargil martyrs and disabled

personnel whereby their next of kin/dependent child, when eligible,

would be offered employment.

A major contract was signed with Russia for the procurement of 310 T-

90 S tanks to strengthen Indian Army. Some of the tanks will be

imported and the rest will be produced in India under transfer of

technology agreement.

For the first time annual awards worth Rs. 1 crore were instituted

in 1999 to honour the scientists and technicians working with

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and to

encourage them to strive continuously for excellence.

The Defence Ministry substantially increased the monetary allowance

for Gallantry Awards which were more than the recommendations of the

Fifth Pay Commission.

Indigenisation has been at the core of the defence planning process

under the NDA Government. Several steps have been taken to make the

country self-reliant in defence needs. The achievements in this area

include:

BRAHMOS, the supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture with Russia,

successfully flight-tested many times.

AGNI-I (800 km) successfully developed and accepted for induction.

The range of this single-stage solid propelled missile fills the gap

between Prithvi and the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile.

AGNI-II (2000 km) successfully developed and being inducted.

Major boost to Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas project. Since

January 2001, LCA Technology Demonstrator I & II and prototype

vehicle I have successfully completed many test flights. In the year

2003, the aircraft crossed the sound barrier.

Kaveri, the indigenously developed advanced technology engine for

LCA, has completed ground testing in India and high altitude testing

in Russia.

The advanced multi-role aircraft SU-30 MKI inducted into the Indian

Air Force. The first squadron is now fully operational. 12 more

Sukhoi 30 MKI were inducted in IAF during the year 2002.

Multi Barrel Rocket System (PINAKA) ready for induction. PINAKA has

the capability of firing in a single salvo 12 rockets in less than

40 seconds with a range of 38 km.

Pilotless target aircraft Lakshya inducted into the Indian Air Force

and Navy. With this the country has reached self-reliance in this

class of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Electronic Security System (SAFARI) production successfully

commenced.

Compact Induction System (SUJAV) inducted.

Electronic Warfare System SANGRAH and TEMPEST inducted.

Successful development of FIN Stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding

Sobot (FSAPDS) Softcore ammunition for use on T-72 Tanks.

Successful work on BHIM (self-propelled gun) and INSAS (Indian small

arms system). Proto type tank Ex-KARAN developed.

Production of indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter

commenced. The government has approved a long-term approach for

series production of submarines in the country in order to meet the

naval requirements.

The Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal to build an

indigenous Air Defence Ship (ADS) at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,700

crore.

'JAI KISAN' INITIATIVES

 

To usher in the Second Green Revolution, the Agricultural

Infrastructure and Credit Fund is being set up in February 2004

which will provide funds at 2 per cent less than below the Prime

Lending Rate (PLR). This Fund will support a Rs. 50,000 crore

programme spread over the next 3 years.

Over 3.37 crore farmers have been issued Kisan Credit Cards since

introduction in 1998-99. Through this initiative, over Rs. 82,732

crore has been given as loans. Personal insurance package of Rs.

50,000 in case of death and Rs. 25,000 in case of permanent

disability to Kisan Credit Card holders has been operationalised.

Farmers now will have to pay a reduced interest rate of 9 per cent

maximum on bank loans up to Rs. 50,000 for each crop.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) of various farm products has been

consistently increased.

National Policy on Cooperatives unveiled to help rural cooperatives

reap the benefits of economic reforms.

National Agricultural Insurance Scheme has become operational in 22

States and 2 Union Territories. For the four crop seasons from Rabi

1999-2000 to Kharif 2002, claims of Rs. 1926.37 crore have been

paid.

A pilot project of the Farm Income Insurance Programme has been

launched during the 2003-04 Rabi season. An improvement over crop

insurance, it covers the two critical components of the farmer's

income, namely yield and price through a single policy instrument.

The Government has drawn up plans to make the States of Eastern

India the country's new food basket by harnessing their fertile soil

and abundant water resources. A new scheme on 'Farm Water Management

for Increasing Crop Production in Eastern India' has been launched

in 171 districts.

Controls imposed under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 have been

removed facilitating free trade and movement of food grains to

enable farmers to get the best prices for their produce.

For the first time since Independence, 48 Agricultural Export Zones

(AEZs) are being set up in 14 States with an investment of Rs. 1,325

crore, of which the Union Government through its various agencies

will provide Rs. 380 crore. AEZs are expected to facilitate nearly

Rs. 10,300 crore worth of additional exports over the next five

years.

A new Central sector scheme on Hi-tech Horticulture and Precision

Farming has been launched for the first time.

The Prime Minister has announced the launching of the National

Horticulture Mission in his Independence Day address. The Mission

aims at giving impetus to cultivation of fruit, vegetables, flowers,

spices etc. The target is to double the horticulture production in

the country by 2010.

The Government announced a one time assistance of Rs. 678 crore to

State Governments to mitigate hardships of the sugarcane farmers who

have not been paid sugarcane arrears for the 2002-03 season by

private sector sugarcane factories in Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal,

Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.

The Government has introduced a series of measures to provide relief

to small and marginal farmers of plantation crops like tea, coffee

and rubber. Further, a Price Stabilisation Fund of Rs. 500 crore has

been created for their benefit.

DRINKING AND IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT

 

A new initiative called Hariyali was launched in January 2003 for

accelerated promotion of watershed development programmes. It is

being implemented by the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Swajaldhara, a new drinking water programme for rural people

launched in December 2002, has received tremendous response. For the

first time, this centrally sponsored scheme is being implemented

through Panchayats, which are funded directly to the tune of 90% of

the project cost. The remaining 10% of the contribution comes from

villagers, thus ensuring their active participation and successful

maintenance of the schemes. The slogan of the Rural Development

Ministry is - "Dus Kadam Aap Chale, Nabbe Kadam Hum Chalenge" (You

walk ten steps, we'll walk ninety steps).

The year 2003 was celebrated as the Freshwater Year, with a call to

make water conservation and water management a people'##########. In

view of the importance of the subject as also in view of the success

of the year-long programmes and the positive response they received

from all sections of society, it has been decided to continue with

related activities for another three months till March, 2004.

As many as 19.2 lakh hectares of additional irrigation potential

through major and medium irrigation schemes has been created, mainly

in tribal and drought-prone areas, under the 'Accelerated Irrigation

Benefits Programme' (AIBP) by investing close to Rs. 10,653 crore.

Another 64,400 hectares of irrigation potential has been created

through completion of 3000 minor irrigation projects with Central

loan assistance of Rs. 227 crore under AIBP.

A task force has been constituted to recommend measures needed for

effective and speedy expansion of drip and sprinkler irrigation.

Budgetary support for the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme

(ARWSP) has been enhanced to Rs. 2,535 crore which is about 40 per

cent increase over 1998-99.

Out of 14.22 lakh rural habitations in the country, about 13.32 lakh

were fully and 80,860 thousand partially covered under this

programme.

The Command Area Development (CAD) Programme is being restructured

to enable greater involvement of farmers. Towards this end, 41,000

Water Users Associations covering 8.68 million hectares are in

position.

FOOD SECURITY: REACHING OUT TO THE POOREST OF THE POOR

 

In the Union Budget 2003-04, the scope of Antyodaya Anna Yojana was

expanded to cover an additional 50 lakh families, raising the total

coverage to 1.5 crore families at a cost of over Rs. 1,500 crore per

year.

The concessional ration facility has been increased from 10 kg

cereal per family per month to 35 kg cereal per family per month for

36 crore people living below the poverty line.

Under various welfare schemes, over 50 lakh tonnes of foodgrains

have been provided to State Governments free of cost.

The country faced a severe drought in 2002. The centre allocated

87.36 lakh MTs of foodgrains free of cost and provided a cash

assistance of Rs. 4,214.95 crore under the Calamity Relief Fund

(CRF) and the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to the

drought affected States.

Under the special component of Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana,

63.41 lakh tonnes of foodgrains have been released to the drought-

affected States free of cost during the period between April 2002

and March 2003. During 2003-04, upto November 2003, Rs. 2,661.55

crore were released under this scheme. 49.14 lakh tonnes foodgrains

were released to drought affected states. In many States, SGRY has

helped villagers take up water conservation programmes like check

dams, canals, desilting of tanks, etc.

Foodgrains are provided at subsidised rates to non-governmental

organisations and religious establishments to run mid-day meal

programmes for poor children.

Under a scheme to supply foodgrains to SC/ST/OBC hostels/welfare

institutions, 15 kgs of foodgrains per resident per month are given

at subsidised rates. For inmates of such hostels, Nari Niketans,

NGO's etc. an additional allocation of foodgrains equal to 5 per

cent of the BPL allocation of each State/UT has been made at BPL

rates during the last two years.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT: PROSPERITY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT

 

Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), launched in September 2001,

with an annual outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore, is the largest Food-for-

Work programme in the history of India. Fifty lakh tonnes of

foodgrains valued at Rs. 5,000 crore are provided free of cost to

State Governments. Another Rs. 5,000 crore is to be utilised to meet

the cash component of wages and material cost for creating durable

rural infrastructure assets and community facilities. SGRY generates

about 100 crore mandays of employment every year in rural areas.

Under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), launched in April

1999, 18.15 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed and 39

lakh self-employed people have been provided assistance. The SHG-

Bank Linkage Programme propagated by NABARD is the largest and the

fastest growing micro-finance programme in the world. Some of the

most successful SHGs are those founded and run by rural women.

During the three years from 1999 to 2002, Rs. 3,225 crore of loans

has been disbursed by the banks under the Prime Minister's Rozgar

Yojana (PMRY) Scheme, and 7.80 lakh jobs generated.

The Prime Minister announced the Khadi Package on 14 May, 2001

involving an outlay of Rs. 1,215.85 crore for the accelerated

development of Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) programmes.

For the first time, the NDA Government created a separate Ministry

of Agro and Rural Industries. The Rural Employment Generation

Programme (REGP), of the ministry has become highly successful.

Since 1998, it has assisted 1.5 lakh small entrepreneurs to set up

production units creating 16 lakh employment opportunities. In the

next four years, REGP will create 25 lakh additional employment

opportunities.

80 per cent of all diseases and ailments are due to lack of safe

drinking water and sanitation. Under the Total Sanitation Campaign

(TSC) since 1999, the Government has helped construction of toilets

in 44 lakh households. Of these, 20 lakh were constructed in 2002-03

alone. TSC's aims are to construct toilet facilities in 8.4 crore

households in the next five years.

SMALL INDUSTRIES, BIG PRIORITY

 

An independent Ministry of Small Scale Industries (SSI) was set up

in October 1999.

Prime Minister announced a comprehensive policy package for

promotion and development of SSI in August 2000.

The Excise exemption ceiling for SSI has been raised from Rs. 50

lakh to Rs. 1 crore.

Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for collateral-free loans implemented.

Never since Independence have food processing industries received as

much support and encouragement. The entire food processing sector,

except for alcoholic beverages and products reserved under the SSI,

has been deregulated and de-licensed. It is now eligible for

priority sector lending.

Automatic approval of FDI will be granted for 100 per cent export

oriented units. Government assistance of Rs. 248 crore has resulted

in the setting up of projects worth Rs. 2,500 crore.

Credit linked capital subsidy scheme for technology upgradation

operational since October 2000.

394 specialised SSI branches set up till March 2002.

Integrated Infrastructure Development Centres Scheme amended to

cover the entire country with 50 per cent reservation for rural

areas.

Laghu Udyami Credit Card for SSI borrowers (upto Rs. 2 lakh)

launched.

DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY

 

In 50 years, only one crore and eighty-six lakh telephone

connections were sanctioned. In the past five years alone, over

three crore telephone connections have been provided.

The incredible rate of growth of telecom services in India, the

sheer size of the sector, the dramatic improvement in quality and

the equally dramatic fall in tariffs have together scripted one of

the major achievements of the country in recent years. This is an

area where the fruits of reforms have benefited the common man

directly. Until a few years ago, people were standing in queues to

obtain a telephone. Today, several telephone companies are standing

in queue to get the people choose their telephone.

A special drive has been launched to ensure that every village in

India has access to a public telephone. The total number of Village

Public Telephones (VPTs), which stood at 3 lakh approximately on

31st March, 1998 has increased to more than 5.2 lakh in November

2003 resulting in 85 per cent coverage.

The number of mobile phones, which was 12 lakh in April 1999 has now

crossed the two crore mark. What was only a few years ago a symbol

of luxury has become an affordable tool of empowerment for the

common man.

The Government's competition-enhancing and consumer-friendly

policies have resulted in the ending of Government monopoly in the

International Long Distance Telephone sector. This has resulted in a

drastic reduction in ILD tariff by over 50 per cent.

Tariff for National Long Distance Telephony was first reduced by 62

per cent from a maximum of Rs. 24 per minute to Rs. 8.40 per minute,

the largest ever decrease in tariff. This has now come down to Rs.

4.80 per minute; a further reduction by 43 per cent.

BSNL and MTNL have undertaken massive expansion programme to cater

to the growing demand for telephony from all parts of the country.

BSNL has launched its mobile telephone service "Cell One" in October

2002.

Internet Telephony has been permitted. International calls on the

internet are being offered for as little as Rs. 5 per minute. This

decision has also benefitted cyber-cafe and STD/ISD/PCO owners and

increased their earnings.

Public Call Offices (PCOs) which stood at 4.2 lakh all over India on

31st March, 1998 have been increased to more than 15.88 lakh by the

end of November 2003.

The role of private operators has increased significantly in the

telecom sector. The share of private sector has increased from 4.7

per cent in March 1998 to 34 per cent at the end of November 2003.

Government has decided to have a unified licence for Unified Access

(Basic and Cellular) services.

With a view to giving a boost to Rural Telephony, Universal Service

Obligation Fund has been set up. The Fund will be used to assist the

telecom service providers in giving access to basic telephone

services to people in the rural and remote areas at affordable and

reasonable prices.

The Grameen Sanchar Sewak (GSS) Scheme launched by the Prime

Minister in December 2002 has fast gained popularity, with around 80

lakh metered calls being made since its launch.

Total telephones increased from 2.28 crore on 1.4.1999 to 6.87 crore

on 30.11.2003. During the period, teledensity rose from 2.32 to

6.43, villages with telephone facility from 3.4 lakh to 5.19 lakh

and internet rs from 2.5 lakh to 37.49 lakh. Fixed phones

increased from 2.16 crore to 4.8 crore in the same period.

Optical fibre cable length increased from 0.65 lakh km on 1.4.1999

to 4.16 lakh km on 31.10.2003. Microwave systems increased from

58,247 km to 1,66,115 km.

MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT: BOLD NEW TUNES

 

In order to safeguard consumer's interests, the long-standing demand

for a regulator in broadcasting sector has been largely met by

entrusting broadcasting carriage issues to TRAI.

Entire entertainment sector, including films, has been recognised as

an industry and qualifies for funding from banks and other financial

institutions and now exercises for facilitating venture capital

funding are under process. Exports of the Film and Entertainment

Sector increased from about Rs. 200 crore in 1998 to over Rs. 900

crore in 2002.

Permanent venue for holding International Film Festival of India has

been finalised. Goa with its unique culture, lifestyle and ambience

has been selected as the permanent location of IFFI.

The government has permitted 26 per cent foreign investment in News

and Current Affairs for private television channels.

Private sector participation has been permitted in the FM radio

sector. Twenty-two private FM channels are in operation including

six in Maharashtra, four each in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, three

in New Delhi and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka,

Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The second phase of radio

privatisation is under active consideration for exploring new areas

like FDI, revenue sharing and news and current affairs.

Journalist Welfare Fund set up with a corpus of Rs. 5 crore. In case

of loss of life or permanent disability of a journalist due to an

unnatural cause (in the course of duty), the family of the

journalist is being helped with a one-time ex-gratia relief of Rs. 1

lakh.

Prasar Bharati commenced a 24-hour DD terrestrial and satellite news

channel in addition to the already existing 24-hour telecast for 17

channels including regional satellite channels in Telugu, Tamil,

Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya and Punjabi.

It also commenced DD-sports, DD-India, DD-Bharati, DD-North-East and

DD-Kashir (for J&K) Channels. Doordarshan's Direct-to-Home (DTH)

service will also be started shortly.

Doordarshan started narrowcasting of programmes of local relevance

in local languages. A Kisan channel to meet the specific localised

needs of farmers has been launched through Doordarshan.

Impetus provided for growth of print media by permitting up to 26

per cent FDI in Indian entities publishing newspapers and

periodicals dealing in news and current affairs and up to 100 per

cent foreign investment in Indian entities publishing scientific,

technical and speciality magazines/periodicals/journals. Five cases

of Indian edition of foreign magazines, eight cases of foreign

investment in Indian entities publishing specialised magazines and

one case of Foreign Direct Investment in Indian entity publishing

newspapers containing news and current affairs have been cleared

under the new policy.

DTH (Direct to Home) television service permitted in the KU band.

Plans for state of the art Media Centre are in the final stages, to

be located at the prestigious Lutyens Zone in New Delhi.

India's strengths in IT have enabled the animation industry to make

its mark in the international arena. Letters of intent have been

exchanged with the Governments of Canada and Italy, as precursors to

co-production agreements to increase the international presence of

the Indian animation and film industry.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: MAKING INDIA A SOFTWARE SUPERPOWER

 

The software and services industry has emerged as one of the fastest

growing sectors in the Indian economy with a growth rate of 26 per

cent during 2002-03 and a turnover of US $12.7 billion (Rs. 59,900

crore) and exports of US$10 billion (Rs. 47,500 crore).

Indian IT software and services industry is expected to account for

2.4 percent of India's GDP and 20.4 per cent of exports during 2002-

03 and is projected to account for 7 per cent of India's GDP and 35

per cent of exports by 2008.

Over ten lakh new employment opportunities for educated Indian youth

have been created in the IT sector. India's reputation is enhanced

globally as a key player in the emerging Knowledge Economy.

The IT-enabled services sector was practically non-existent in 1998.

Today, India's earnings in ITES have zoomed to US $ 3.5 billion (Rs.

15,750 crore). Over 2.2 lakh opportunities have been created in

ITES.

The Department of Information Technology has formulated 'Vidya

Vahini' and 'Gyan Vahini' programmes. It will provide connectivity

and IT Infrastructure to schools and higher learning institutions in

the country. Pilot projects have been taken up to connect about 200

Senior Secondary Schools in seven districts in the country and

campus-wide network at Delhi University. The Prime Minister launched

the programme on 11th June, 2003.

The Information Technology Act, 2000, which came into force in

October 2000, provides a legal framework to facilitate the growth of

e-commerce and prevention of cyber crimes.

Community Information Centres have been set up at 487 blocks in the

seven North-Eastern States and Sikkim to promote IT-based socio-

economic development in the region.

Video conferencing network has been set up in all the districts of

Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal through

NICNET. It has also been set up at Leh and Neuoma in Jammu &

Kashmir, which is the highest point in the world where such facility

has been made available.

Software Technology Park of India (STPI) opened its Earth Station

facility at Trichy, Pondicherry, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bhilai, Nasik,

Rourkela, Mangalore and Hubli. This will provide High Speed Data

Communication services to the software export industry.

PHYSICAL CONNECTIVITY: INDIA'S HIGHWAY TO PROSPERITY

 

The Rs. 54,000-crore National Highways Development Project (NHDP),

launched by the Prime Minister on 2 January, 1999, is the most

ambitious infrastructure initiative since Independence. Indeed, it

is the largest road construction project in India since the time of

Sher Shah Suri, who built the Grand Trunk Road. Under NHDP and other

projects, 14,846 km of world-class highways are being built.

In addition, the Union Government is providing over Rs. 1,000 crore

every year to the State Governments for improvement of State

Highways and other roads. For the first time in the history of our

country, such a large sum of money is being provided for improvement

of State Highways.

A substantial part of Phase-I of NHDP, i.e.the Golden Quadrilateral

connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, will be completed and

dedicated to the Nation by December 2004. The Government is also

taking steps to ensure that Phase II - the North-South Corridor

connecting Srinagar and Kanyakumari and the East-West Corridor

connecting Silchar and Porbandar - is completed by 2007 almost two

years ahead of schedule. Most of the work is being done by Indian

entrepreneurs.

Completion of Golden Quadrilateral alone will result in a saving of

Rs. 8,000 crore per year in fuel costs.

Besides, NHDP will create about 18 crore mandays of employment.

Already, its Phase I is creating over 3 lakh direct employment

opportunities every day.

The NHDP initiative has significantly contributed to revival of

several industries, including cement, steel and automobile.

Besides NHDP, four-laning of another 10,000 km of National Highways

stretches has been announced at an estimated cost of Rs. 40,000

crore under the Pradhan Mantri Bharat Jodo Pariyojana. Under this, 7

stretches covering a length of 622 km in five states are being taken

up in the current year.

A new Auto Policy announced with a vision to establish a globally

competitive automotive industry in India and to double its

contribution to the economy by 2010.

RURAL CONNECTIVITY

 

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), launched in December

2000, with an investment outlay of Rs. 60,000 crore, is the biggest

rural infrastructure programme undertaken in India since

Independence. Under this Centrally sponsored scheme, all the

remaining 1.86 lakh unconnected villages in the country will be

linked by good all-weather roads by 2007.

Since the launch of PMGSY, nearly Rs. 10,000 crore has been

disbursed to State Governments and construction has begun at about

30,000 villages. The Union Budget 2003-04 has further enhanced

provision for PMGSY.

WATER CONNECTIVITY

 

To find a long-term solution to the recurring problem of drought in

some parts of the country and floods in others, the Prime Minister

has announced a time-bound plan to link major rivers of India by

2016. A Task Force has been constituted to prepare a blueprint for

action, taking into consideration environmental protection and

proper rehabilitation of displaced people. Thus, a project that was

a matter of keen national debate for several decades, has finally

been taken up for implementation. Besides irrigation and drinking

water, this mega project would also bring benefits in power

generation, inland water transport and tourism.

As announced by the Prime Minister on 15th Augsut, 2003, the

ambitious Sagar Mala Project is being launched involving an

investment of more than Rs. 1,00,000 crore over a period of next 8-

10 years, financed largely through public-private partnership. The

Project includes setting up of new ports, modernisation and

expansion of existing ports and development of inland navigation. To

begin with, integrated develpment of Nhava Sheva and Kochi Ports

would be taken up.

A Long-Term Vision for Integrated Water Resources Development and

Management was released by the Prime Minister on February 5, 2003.

This envisages optimal sustainable development, maintenance of

quality and efficient use of the country's water resources.

The long-pending Sethusamudram Canal Project, announced by the Prime

Minister, is expected to take shape soon. The project seeks to

connect the Eastern and Western coasts of India.

Additional subsidies and promotional support have been given to

inland waterways. The North-East region is receiving special

attention in this regard.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been implemented in ports of

Chennai, Mumbai, Cochin, JNPT, Tuticorin and Kolkata to facilitate

movement of cargo from ports.

A new energy port at Ennore on the east coast, north of Chennai, has

become operational.

RAIL CONNECTIVITY

 

National Rail Vikas Yojana, a Rs. 15,000-crore extra budgetary

initiative, has been launched to strengthen the Golden Quadilateral

and its diagonals connecting four metros to run goods trains at a

speed of over 100 kilometre per hour and strengthen rail

connectivity to ports, construct mega bridges on the Ganga, the

Brahmaputra and the Kosi and to accelerate completion of last mile

of other important projects. It is the most ambitious project for

the development of Indian Railways since Independence. It has been

launched during the 150th year of Railways.

J&K Rail Project : A natinoal project linking Jammu & Kashmir by

rail from Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramula outside the

Railway Budget has been launched. It is scheduled to open by August

15, 2007.

A non-lapsable Special Railway Safety Fund (SRSF) at a cost of

Rs.17,000 crore has been set up with effect from October, 2001 to

undertake renewal and replacement of over-aged railway assets. A

National Technology Mission for Rail Safety will soon be launched.

Safety of rail services has been accorded the highest priority with

the introduction of a ten year comprehensive Corporate Safety Plan

(2003-2013) and acountability of railway functionaries fixed from

the Railway Board at the apex down to the lowest level for lapses in

safety. The Corporate Safety Plan has been worked out with a

projected expenditure of Rs. 31,835 crore during the next ten years.

Construction of Delhi Metro, a rail-based transport system for Delhi

has started in October 1998. The first phase of the project covering

about 55 kms is costing nearly Rs. 8,155 crore.

An Anti-Collision Device 'Raksha Kavach' developed by Konkan Railway

Corporation is being introduced on Indian Railways under a time-

bound programme to put an end to train accidents by collision.

A prototype Skybus developed by the Konkan Railway Corporation, has

been commissioned at Madgaon, Goa in October 2003.

AIR CONNECTIVITY

 

Decks have been cleared for the setting up of world class airports

in Delhi and Mumbai. Infrastructure is being upgraded in 24 airports

across the country. Government has also approved construction of new

international airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad.

A comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy is on the anvil.

Air India has made a remarkable turn around. Continuing its earning

streak, it has made profit for the first six months of this year,

despite a very difficult time for civil aviation.

The proposed fleet acquisition programme is under consideration of

the Government.

The designated airlines of ASEAN countries will be allowed to

operate daily services to/from the four metropolitan cities of New

Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata subject to equal reciprocal right

to the Indian side. They can also operate as many services as they

wish to/from 18 other important tourist points.

The designated airlines of Sri Lanka will be allowed to operate

daily services to 6 metropolitan cities and as many services as they

wish to 18 other important tourist destinations.

Private domestic carriers can now fly to the SAARC countries except

Pakistan.

Air connectivity in the North-East has taken a leap with the

introduction of fifty-seater aircraft. Flight frequency has been

increased and new routes have been added.

For the first time in the country a low-cost regional airlines has

been launched, which the government intends to encourage for making

air journey affordable.

ENERGY SECURITY FOR THE COUNTRY AND THE COMMON MAN

 

The waiting period of 4-5 years for an LPG connection has been

eliminated and connections are now made available across the

counter - 3.92 crore new connections released from 1st April 1998

against 3.37 crore connections in the previous 40 years.

Small size 5 kg. LPG cylinder with refill cost of only Rs. 90 has

been introduced for the benefit of people in hilly and remote areas

and economically weaker sections. With kitchens becoming smoke-free,

this will improve the health of women.

Government has decided to build 5 million tonne strategic crude oil

reserve to guard against disruption of supplies.

Vietnam gas project commenced commercial production in December 2002

with India's share of 3.5 MMSCMD of gas at an investment of about

Rs. 900 crore.

Blending of 5 per cent ethanol with petrol has been successfully

introduced from

1 January, 2003. This eco-friendly and renewable source of energy

will result in significant savings in foreign exchange and also

bring better price to sugarcane farmers. IOC and Indian Railways

have signed an MoU to launch a pilot project for producing bio-

diesel from non-edible oil seed plants like Jatropa (Ratan Jyot).

Contracts for eight Coal Bed Methane gas blocks have been signed and

eight more awarded for the first time, heralding utilisation of a

clean and alternative gas. India becomes the fourth country after

the USA, China and Australia to harness CBM.

National Auto Fuel Policy framed laying road-map for supply of clean

fuels including zero emission fuels. Rs. 10,000 crore has been

invested in refineries for upgradation of fuel quality to improve

the environment. Additional investment of Rs. 18,000 crore planned.

World's longest LPG pipeline was commissioned traversing 1,270 km

from Kandla/Jamnagar (Gujarat) to Loni (U.P) at a cost of Rs. 1,230

crore. This ensures smooth transport of the vital cooking fuel in

Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and U.P.

The oil sector contributes about Rs. 6,000 crore a year through cess

introduced in June 1998 on petrol and diesel for development of

National Highways, rural roads and other road infrastrucure in the

country.

Administered Pricing Mechanism dismantled from 1 April, 2002 to

foster competition in oil sector so that consumers benefit through

competition and improved customer service. Marketing rights granted

to four more companies to add 55 per cent to the existing retail

outlets (ROs) by sanctioning additional 11,159 ROs.

Self-sufficiency achieved with crude refining capacity almost

doubling to 116.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) from about

62.2 MMTPA as in April 1998. Two new grassroot refineries at

Jamnagar (Gujarat) and Numaligarh (Assam) were commissioned and

three more are under construction at Paradeep (Orissa), Bhatinda

(Punjab) and Bina (Madhya Pradesh) to add 24 MMTPA capacity at an

investment of about Rs. 25,000 crore.

439 Kargil martyrs' families awarded retail outlets and LPG

distributorships. Nine outlets awarded to families of martyrs who

successfully protected Parliament from attack by terrorists.

POWER: A STRONG PUSH TO REFORMS

 

A political consensus has been evolved with the active involvement

of State Governments to pursue time-bound reforms in the power

sector.

A comprehensive Electricity Act 2003 enacted to strengthen the power

sector, encourage more capacity addition, protect consumers,

smoothen electricity transfer, check power theft etc.

A six-level intervention strategy for distribution reforms has been

outlined. To support the reforms, a specially designed, centrally

supported Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme

(APDRP) has been launched in 63 selected distribution circles all

over the country to make them 'Centres of Excellence'.

Comprehensive reforms of State Electricity Boards (SEBs) undertaken,

nine SEBs corporatised and unbundled, Electricity Regulatory

Commissions set up in 22 states for improving the power systems.

Privatisation of power distribution in Delhi and Orissa has already

led to improved supply.

A programme to develop an integrated network of 'transmission

system' having capacity to transfer more than 30,000 MW from surplus

to deficit regions has been launched, which will ultimately lead to

the 'National Grid'.

To rationalise the tariff fixation mechanism, a Central Electricity

Regulatory Commission has been set up.

A major thrust has been given for development of hydro power with

the launch of 50,000 MW hydro-electric initiative by Prime Minister

to generate power from untapped resources. The atomic energy

programme has also been progressing well.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has been established. The

Government's plan to achieve 30% energy savings in Government

buildings has well and truly begun in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the

Prime Minister's Office.

Over 4,200 MW of power generating capacity using renewable energy

sources has been installed. Wind power capacity has been increased

by 600 MW. Over five lakh biogas units have been installed.

First project set up under National Programme on Energy Recovery

from Urban and Industrial Wastes at Lucknow with 5 MW power plant

for municipal solid waste (msw), two more six MW projects installed

at Vijayawada and Hyderabad.

World's largest solar cooking system for about 15,000 people

installed at Tirupati-Tirumala Devasthanam (Andhra Pradesh) in

October 2002.

STEEL AND COAL: STRENGTHENING THE CORE SECTOR

 

100 per cent FDI through the automatic route allowed in the iron and

steel sector.

During the last five years, many major modernisation projects in the

public sector undertakings in the Steel Ministry have been completed

and new schemes taken up.

Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) is poised for a turnaround in

2003-04 following the successful implementation of the restructuring

package approved in February 2000. The Company announced a record

profit of Rs. 760 crore in the first half of 2003-04. During April

to December, 2003, the Company surpassed all earlier production and

sales records.

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), another public sector unit which

staged a turnaround in 2003-04, has achieved a record sales turnover

of Rs. 3,541 crore during April to November, 2003 and earned a

profit of more than Rs. 500 crore. Almost all PSUs including

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Manganese Ore

(India) Limited (MOIL), Metals Scrap Trading Corporation (MSTC),

Bharat refractories Limited (BRL), under the Ministry have shown

growth during the last five years.

World's fast commercial Romelt technology-based iron and steel plant

is being set up at Nagarnar in Chattisgarh.

The Government underlined its pro-worker attitude by completing

construction of four lakh houses for coal workers -78 per cent of

the work force in this sector will now have residential facility.

In 2002-03, the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) registered a

record profit after tax of Rs. 1,148 crore.

The progressive Mineral Policy and attractive investment regime make

the mining sector globally competitive. The policy allows foreign

equity upto 100 per cent for minerals and upto 74 per cent in

diamond and precious stones.

Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), so far, approved 73

applications for foreign direct investment in the mining sector

amounting to about Rs. 4,044 crore.

Off-shore Areas Mineral (Development & Regulatinon) Act, 2002

notified in January 2003 for development and regulation of mineral

resources in the territorial waters, continental shelf and other

maritime zones of India.

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) implemented a Rs. 4,206

crore expansion project to increase its mining, refinery and smelter

capacity.

The mineral production and exports went up substantially during the

last five years.

India hosted for the second time the World Mining Congress in

November 2003. Over 1,500 delegates from 48 countries participated

in the 19th World Mining Congres and EXPO 2003.

PSUs: INCREASED PROFITABILITY

 

The Central Public Sector Undertakings have made significant

contributions to the national economy through overall improvements

in their performance and productivity. Turnover, profitability and

dividend are continuously increasing. Between 1998-99 and 2000-01,

the turnover increased from Rs. 3,10,179 crore to Rs. 4,58,227 crore

(up 48%); the net profits increased from Rs. 13,203 crore to Rs.

15,653 crore (up 19%); the contribution to the exchequer increased

from Rs. 46,934 crore to Rs. 60,978 crore (up 30%); while dividend

paid to the Government has gone up from Rs. 4,932 crore to Rs. 8,260

crore.

Total investment in PSUs enhanced by around Rs. 40,000 crore during

the last three years.

TEXTILES: WEAVING A REVIVAL STRATEGY

 

Significant relief has been provided to the Integrated Textiles

Units. The scheme intends to bring down the interest rate to 8-9

percent through a process of restructuring. The package is

applicable to all the units in the organised sector with minimum

debt exposure of Rs.2 crore.

The Government has launched the 'Apparel Parks for Exports' Scheme

under which nine such parks have been sanctioned. The apparel parks

will provide integrated infrastructure for setting up of world class

apparel manufacturing units. They will also work as one stop shop

for overseas buyers.

The Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme has been enlarged for

powerloom units desiring to take loans upto Rs.50 lakh for modern

machinery. For this the direct subsidy has been increased from 12

per cent to 20 per cent. The modified scheme came into effect from

15th September, 2003.

A new Group Insurance Scheme for powerloom workers has been started

under which the insurance cover is Rs.80,000 for accidental death

and Rs.50,000 for natural death with the Central Government and LIC

bearing a major part of the annual premium.

Artisan Credit Card Scheme launched in December 2003. It will

provide credit to over 2.5 crore artisans and handloom weavers at

affordable interest of nine percent. Women artisans will get a half

percent rebate in interest.

HOUSING: TOWARDS 'SHELTER FOR ALL'

 

The Government is committed to facilitating the construction of 20

lakh additional housing units each year to meet the goal of Housing

for All by 2010.

About 65 lakh dwelling units were sanctioned by the Housing & Urban

Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) during 28 years between 1970,

the year of its inception and 1998. In contrast, in the last six

years, the Government has sanctioned construction of nearly 73 lakh

new houses. Of these over 50 lakh houses are in rural areas and 90

per cent are for poor families.

A new rural housing scheme Atal Grameen Griha Yojana will be

introduced from April 1, 2004. It is expected to extend the housing

sector boom from urban areas to rural areas. The National Housing

Bank will identify ways of introducing flexibility for repayment of

housing loans in line with harvesting seasons and other conditions

peculiar to rural areas.

Further, HUDCO has sanctioned 53 lakh dwelling units in gross and

under the Two Million Housing Programme from March 1998 to 31

December 2003.

The authorised capital base of HUDCO has been enlarged from Rs. 385

crore to Rs. 2,500 crore.

Similarly, HUDCO's sanctions for urban infrastructure in the first

28 years were Rs. 4,040 crore; while in the last six years its

sanction under this head was over Rs. 26,009 crore.

In 1999, the Government took the progressive step of repealing the

Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act 1976. Many States have

followed suit. As a result, large chunks of land are now available

for housing.

Several fiscal incentives have been granted to boost housing

construction activity. These include liberalised norms of financial

assistance with tax concessions and housing loans at never-before

cheap rates of interest.

To maintain the current high momentum of growth in housing, the

Government has decided to continue interest deductible under income

tax up to Rs. 1,50,000, for construction or purchase of a self-

occupied house property. In addition, income from housing projects

of prescribed specification, approved by the local authorities up to

31 March, 2005, will now be exempt from income tax.

The centre sanctions Rs. 500 crore for Dharavi in Mumbai to

transform it from being Asia's largest slum into an international

model of urban renewal. This Rs. 5,000 crore project will be

implemented by the State Government with the participation of the

local community and the private sector.

JAI VIGYAN: LEADING WITH SCIENCE

 

A holistic Science and Technology Policy -2003 has been adopted,

replacing the old policy of 1983. It presents a blueprint for

India's emergence as a major Knowledge Power.

Budgetary support to science and technology stands at an all-time

high, Rs. 2,294 crore in 2002-03, as against Rs. 1,189 crore in 1997-

98.

R&D is promoted in a big way in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology,

in which India is fast emerging as a formidable player.

21 Jai Vigyan Science & Technology Missions have been successfully

launched. An India Science Award of Rs. 25 lakh has been instituted

to promote and recognise scientific excellence.

The New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative, which

aims at making India a 'leader and not a follower' in technology,

has led to the creation of the biggest Indian knowledge network

after Independence. In this unique public-private partnership, more

than 50 private sector companies and 120 public funded institutions

are working on cutting edge technologies in areas such as advanced

fuel cells, liquid crystals, bioinformatics software, and

exploration of carbohydrates.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) continued its strong support

to diverse projects in key areas of biotechnology, pharma and auto

industry. Its partnerships include Telco's Indica, Shantha Biotech

(a successful indigenous vaccine producer) and NAL's 14-seater

indigenously designed and built aircraft, which was rolled out in

February 2003.

Four new autonomous centres were set up, namely National Brain

Research Centre (NBRC), Gurgaon; National Centre for Plant Genome

Research (NCPGR), New Delhi; Institute of Bioresources and

Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal; and Institute of Life

Sciences (LS), Bhubaneswar.

India is now the global leader in mint oil production, meeting about

70 per cent of the world menthol/mint oil demand. This became

possible by developing disease and pest-resistant varieties of mint.

An area of 2,00,000 hectares is cultivated with these new varieties

providing about 4 crore man days of employment.

SPACE: NEW FRONTIERS OF SUCCESS

 

In 2001, India took the first successful step in launching a

satellite into geostationary orbit. This was GSLV's first test

flight. India now has the ability to launch satellites into polar

and geostationary orbits. This puts us among the top six space-

faring nations of the world.

PSLV-C3 placed three satellites in polar orbit in 2001-TES of India,

PROBA of Belgium and BIRD of Germany - heralding an era of

commercialisation in space.

We have produced our own dedicated remote-sensing and telecom

satellites, namely the IRS series, INSAT series, and the exclusive

meteorological satellite, METSAT, which was launched in September

2002. The METSAT series has been named after Kalpana Chawla.

India is also in the forefront of nations in bringing the benefits

of space technology to development. The tele-medicine project

launched by the Prime Minister in July 2002 links leading speciality

hospitals in a number of cities with remote medical centres through

VSAT terminals. Ground water prospect maps for six States have been

released to help locate sites for drilling borewells.

A North-Eastern Space Applications Centre was set up at Shillong in

December, 2000.

For the first time the Indian Space Research Organisation has

started a comprehensive campaign involving the launch of 40 Rohini

Sounding rockets for study of gravity waves in the atmosphere.

TOURISM & CULTURE

 

A new Tourism Policy has been adopted. Its key objectives are:

positioning and maintaining tourism development as a national

priority; enhancing and maintaining the competitiveness of India as

a tourism destination; improving existing tourism products and

expanding these to meet new market requirements; creation of world-

class infrastructure; and developing sustained and effective

marketing plans. It also ensures that the tourist to India gets

physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated, culturally enriched,

spiritually elevated and "feels India from within".

Allocation for tourism has been increased five-fold to Rs. 2,900

crore in the Tenth Plan. Of this, Rs.1,535 crore has been earmarked

for development of tourism-related infrastructure. This envisages

Integrated Development of seven Tourism Circuits, Product

Infrastructure and Destination Development. Public-Private equity

partnerships are envisaged.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals during January to December 2003 recorded an

increase of 15.3 per cent over the previous year. This was achieved

in spite of various negative perceptions about whole of South Asia

due to SARS and terrorism activities around the region. Total

foreign exchange earning through tourism during the year was

estimated to be Rs. 17,049.41 crore which is about Rs. 3,000 crore

more than the previous year.

In a major initiative, cultural tourism hubs are being developed

across the country. Red Fort in Delhi, Ajanta and Ellora in

Maharashtra, Kurukshetra-Thaneswar in Haryana, Mahabalipuram in

Tamil Nadu, Hampi in Karnataka and Sibsagar in Assam are notable

success stories. Over a hundred neglected monuments were restored,

improved and their environment upgraded by the Archaeological Survey

of India.

In order to provide employment opportunities and to increase income

level in the rural areas tourism destinations are promoted in

village areas. Development works have been sanctioned at following

rural tourism sites during 2002-03-Kokkare Bellur(Karnataka), Hatwa

Village(Madhya Pradesh), Mopungchuket (Nagaland), Raghurajpur

(Orissa), Kamlasagar (Tripura), Phumen Ingti (Assam) and Jageshwar

(Uttaranchal).

Much of the ancient wisdom of India is stored in a large number of

manuscripts available with institutions and individuals all across

the country. For the first time, a National Mission for Manuscripts

has been launched with the aim of surveying, cataloguing,

preserving, collecting and digitizing these invaluable manuscripts

in a National manuscripts Library. Similar missions for Preservation

of Antiquities, Monuments and Intangible Cultural Heritage are being

taken up.

To commemorate the three major events in the cultural resurgence of

the country, the Department of Culture has drawn up a detailed plan

for reviving cultural and heritage yatras through the places

associated with the three great yatras of Adi Shankara, Swami

Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi.

HRD: FORTIFYING INDIA'S EDUCATIONAL EDIFICE

 

The University Grants Commission has been transformed into a

University Development Commission. UGC has launched one of the

world's largest networks dedicated to making quality academic

courseware accessible to about 300 universities and thousands of

colleges across the country.

The University of Roorkee has been converted into an Indian

Institute of Technology (IIT). Two new institutions - Indian

Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, and Indian Institute

of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior, have been

founded. Five new IITs are to be opened in the near future besides a

number of new institutes of national importance.

The number of approved engineering colleges increased from 562 in

1997-98 to 1,203 in 2003-04. Student capacity has risen from

1,34,298 in 1997-98 to 3,56,268. All the seventeen Regional

Engineering Colleges have been converted into National Institutes of

Technology. Bihar College of Engineering is also to be made an NIT.

The Bharat Shiksha Kosh has been set up, and registered as a society

to mobilise extra-budgetary support for education. It can receive

donations from individuals, governmental bodies, NRIs and PIOs.

The Government has considerably increased support to Sanskrit

education. The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, an autonomous

organisation under the Ministry of HRD, has been converted into a

Deemed University.

Computer Application and Multilingual Diploma Courses have been

launched for promotion of Urdu. A National Programme of Learning

Urdu via distance mode has been launched. Two major schemes for

minorities education - Area Intensive Programme for Educationally

Backward Minorities and the Scheme of Financial Assistance of

Modernisation of Madrasas - have been merged into a unified,

comprehensive scheme. Allocation for Urdu promotional activities

increased tenfold between 1996-97 and 2002-03.

The Government has allowed universities, IITs and other educational

institutions to start their own campus radio programmes.

A 24-hour TV channel 'Eklavya' exclusively dedicated to technology

education was launched on the Republic Day 2003. This will benefit

lakhs of engineering college students.

Nintey-nine per cent of total districts have been covered under

adult literacy campaigns. Literacy reached 65.5 per cent in 2001 as

compared to 52.2 per cent in 1991.

HEALTH: CLEAR GOALS, DETERMINED APPROACH

 

A National Health Policy has been approved, with stronger

governmental commitment to primary health care and greater

encouragement for private sector participation in secondary and

tertiary health care. Health sector expenditure increased to 6 per

cent of GDP.

The new National AIDS Policy has achieved final form. Its aim is to

achieve zero level of infectivity by 2007.

National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 has been unveiled. A National

Commission on Population has been set up to monitor implementation

of the policy. Also, a Community Incentive Scheme has been

introduced to encourage involvement of village communities in the

national effort to stabilise population.

The Government has approved the setting up of the National

Population Stabilisation Fund-Rashtriya Jansankhya Kosh-as an

autonomous body with a seed capital of Rs. 100 crore. The Fund will

mobilise resources from the private sector and charitable

organisations for undertaking activities and programmes aimed at

achieving a stable population.

A Bill proposing death penalty for persons producing and

distributing spurious drugs has been introduced in the Lok Sabha

during winter session.

The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of

Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production,

Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 has been enacted by Parliament in

April 2003.

Incidence of malaria has reduced from 2.28 million cases in 1999 to

2.03 million in 2001. Focused attention to malaria-prone areas led

to more than 50 per cent decline in malaria cases in 2001 as

compared to 1997 in 32 predominantly tribal districts in seven

States.

Population coverage under the Revised National TB Control Programme

has increased from less than 20 million in 1999 to 800 million at

present. Nearly 60 million persons were covered under RNTCP in the

second and third quarters of 2003. Entire population of the country

to be covered by 2005.

Leprosy prevalence rate in the country has been brought down from

5.3 per 10,000 population in March 1999 to 3.36 per 10,000

population in September 2002. Leprosy has now been eliminated from

14 states.

Prevalence of blindness, which was 1.49 per cent during 1996-99 has

been reduced to 1.1 per cent in 1999-2002. The number of cataract

operations performed, especially for the poor, has increased from

about 9 million during 1996-99 to about 11 million during 1999-2002.

The Safe Motherhood Programme was launched by the Prime Minister in

April 1998. The slogan of the campaign, 'Pregnancy is Precious, Let

Us Make It Safe', powerfully expressed one of the most crying

imperatives of the social sector. The campaign sought to recognise

the role of traditional dais and train them in new, hygienic and

safe methods of delivery.

Sixty districts have been provided equipment to upgrade neonatal

care facilities.

Efforts for eradication of polio have been stepped up and the number

of polio cases has come down to 194 between January-November 2003 as

against 1500 during 2002. Six rounds of pulse polio vaccination will

be taken up this year and will be continued till the eradication of

polio by 2005.

National Blood Policy has been approved.

Guidelines for bio-medical research framed.

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rules simplified to provide

credit facilities to patients at recognised private hospitals in

case of emergency.

A premier postgraduate Medical institute at Shillong (NEIGRIMS)

costing Rs. 422.60 crore approved.

Code of ethics for allopathic doctors - regulations of professional

conduct, ethics and etiquette - approved.

Pilot project for testing the feasibility of introducing Hepatitis-B

vaccine immunisation programme in slums launched.

The Government has given a big boost to Ayurveda, other Indian

Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy by more than quadrupling the

budget of this Department in five years.

The Essential Drug Lists for Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy

medicines issued for the first time. Also, a Traditional Knowledge

Digital Library documenting 35,000 Ayurvedic formulations has been

launched.

A National Medicinal Plants Board has been established to give a

special thrust to Indian systems of medicine and realise India's

huge potential in the production of standardised herbal products for

domestic use and for exports.

For the first time a comprehensive programme to provide free Anti-

Retro Viral Drugs to certain categories of HIV/AIDS patients like

children under the age of 15 years and mothers with HIV/AIDS who

approach public hospitals has been formulated. It will come in

effect from 1st April 2004. About one lakh patients are expected to

be covered at a cost of about Rs. 130 crores.

An Integrated National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme

incorporating the components of Dengue/DHF, Malaria, Filaria, Kala-

azar and Japanese Encephalitis has been cleared by the Cabinet and

will come into operation from April 2004.

New international norms for pesticide residues for bottled water

were notified to take effect from 1st January 2004.

Joint Parliamentary Committee has been constituted to look into the

controversy related to pesticide residues in cola drinks.

An additional 8,669 sub centres will be set up under Primary Health

Centres in underserved states to provide better health services at

grassroots level.

SOCIAL SECURITY NET: STRONGER AND WIDER

 

Over 6 lakh low paid workers exempted from contribution to the

Employees State Insurance Scheme.

A unique social security scheme for agricultural workers, the Krishi

Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojana-2001, became operational from July

2001.

An insurance scheme for Indian workers going abroad for employment,

The Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana, 2003, became operational from 25th

December 2003.

The compensation due to workers under the Workman's Compensation Act

was raised from Rs. 2.74 lakh to Rs. 5.48 lakh for disability and

from Rs. 2.38 lakh to Rs. 4.56 lakh in case of death.

India will shortly become home to the second largest number of

elderly persons in the world. The population of our elderly, at

present estimated at 76 million, is expected to increase to 100

million in 2013. To enable them to live their life of retirement in

dignity, the tax rebate to senior citizens has been increased to Rs.

20,000. As a result, their income up to Rs. 1.53 lakh will

henceforth become fully exempt from income tax. To enable them to

earn a reasonable and secure income from their life's savings, a

new 'Dada-Dadi Bond' will be introduced from April 1, 2004. All

above 60 years of age will be eligible to to these bonds,

which will carry a rate of interest higher than the prevailing

market rate.

The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has launched a special pension

policy, called Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana, guaranteeing an annual

return of 9 per cent, in the form of monthly pension scheme

benefitting citizens above the age of 55 years.

The Government has restored the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to its

employees. Among other things, this will benefit domestic tourism.

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND CHILD WELFARE

 

The Government declared year 2001 as Women's Empowerment Year. The

year was used to create widespread awareness about women's rights

and issues.

Five annual 'Stree Shakti Puraskars' have been instituted to honour

distinguished women for their contribution to the empowerment of

women at the grassroots level.

The Department of Women and Child Development launched a new

scheme, 'Swyamsiddha', an integrated programme for the empowerment

of women through the network of Self-Help Groups. The Department has

also launched another scheme, 'Swadhar', which provides for holistic

rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances.

The Government has decided to extend the coverage of the scheme of

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in all the 5,652 blocks

of the country. This is the world's largest outreach programme for

early childhood care and protection. The programme employs more than

a million women workers, mostly from the poorer strata of society,

for providing nutrition, childcare, immunisation and early education

to children and mothers.

The Government has increased the honoraria of Anganwadi workers by

Rs. 500 per month and of Anganwadi helpers by Rs 240 per month, with

retrospective effect from 1st April, 2002. The Anganwadi workers and

helpers constitute the largest single workforce of women anywhere in

the world.

The declining female to male ratio in India's population is a matter

of serious concern. Ironically, the problem has become more acute in

some states that are economically and educationally more advanced.

The Government has passed the Medical Termination of Pregnancy

(Amendment) Bill, 2002 to check the evil practice of female

foeticide using sex-determination tests.

A National Charter for Children has been adopted. A National

Commission for children is to be set up to address chidlren's needs

comprehensively.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

 

Major revision of List of Scheduled Castes through three

Constitutional Amendments for the first time in 26 years covering

over 100 communities in 18 States; three Constitutional amendments

made to restore relaxation/concessions available to government

employees belonging to SCs/STs in the matter of promotion; over 650

castes and communities included in the central list of backward

classes.

Priority to empowerment through education; Post-Matric Scholarship

Scheme for SC students emerges as the biggest educational

scholarship scheme; about Rs.570 crore central assistance provided

under the Scheme to cover over 78 lakh beneficiaries.

22 lakh children of those engaged in unclean occupations provided

Pre-Matric Scholarship; Scheme to continue during the 10th plan with

enhanced scholarship rates.

Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Scholarships Scheme launched to promote

merit among SC/ST students; First, Second and Third rank holders

among SC/ST students in any Board examinations granted scholarships

worth Rs. 60,000, Rs.50,000 and Rs. 40,000 respectively. Deserving

SC/ST girl students, in case of not figuring among the first three

rank holders, granted additional scholarship of Rs. 40,000 each.

Interest rate on loans to weaker sections reduced by one per cent.

Over 20 lakh Scheduled Castes beneficiaries extended financial

assistance for employment-oriented schemes by Scheduled Castes

Development Corporation.

New Micro-Credit Finance Scheme for Women Safai Karamcharis/

Scavengers launched to help them start small trades and thus free

them from demeaning traditional occupation.

A New Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC)

was set up in April 2001, with the authorised share capital of Rs.

500 crore, as an apex institution for financing economically viable

projects for Scheduled Tribes. Loans to the tune of Rs. 93.98 crores

sanctioned during 2002-03 and Rs. 42.16 crore was released for

tribal enterprises. Sanctioned target of Rs. 100.00 crore set for

the year 2003-04

Under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Legislative

Amendment, 2002, 42 new tribal communities of different states have

been included and 16 tribal communities from the existing list have

been deleted. Also, there is proposal for inclusion of another 86

communities.

One hundred and thirty-seven Special Courts and Special Cells set up

in various states for prevention as well as trial of cases of

atrocities against Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes.

One hundred Social Justice Centres to be set up across the country

as announced by the Prime Minister to facilitate awareness,

assistance, rehabilitation and training of target groups upto

village level under one roof.

Swarnima Scheme benefits over 23,000 poor OBC women.

The Government announces a separate Commission for Denotified and

Nomadic Tribes.

SPORTS & YOUTH AFFAIRS

 

India to host 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The First Afro-Asian Games held in October/November 2003 in

Hyderabad.

A new Youth Policy 2003 announced.

The Department of Youth Affairs & Sports upgraded to a separate

Ministry in 2000.

To rekindle the spirit of voluntary social work among the youth, the

Government has launched the scheme of National Reconstruction Corps

in 120 districts.

The Prime Minister announced a five-fold increase in the allocation

for sports in the Tenth Plan compared to the Ninth Plan.

Cash awards for medal winners in all major sports events have been

enhanced by almost 20 times, to provide attractive incentives to

outstanding sportspersons.

India recorded her best-ever international performance at the

Manchester Commonwealth Games, followed by another impressive show

at the Busan Asian Games.

The All India Council of Sports has been revived after a gap of 20

years to guide the country's efforts to become a strong player in

international sports.

LEGAL REFORMS FOR FASTER JUSTICE

 

In a historic initiative, the Government received Parliamentary

assent for the Freedom of Information Bill, 2002, which introduces

greater transparency and openness in the functioning of the

Government and public bodies.

Fast Track Courts have been set up across the country to alleviate

the fate of about 2 lakh undertrials languishing in various jails by

deciding their cases on priority on a day-to-day hearing basis.

Sessions cases pending for more than two years have also been

earmarked for disposal through the fast track route. Of the 1,734

Fast Track Courts sought to be established, 1,194 have already been

set up by September 2002, of which 869 have become functional. These

courts have disposed of 63,581 cases out of 1,63,025 cases

transferred to them so far.

Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code has been amended to provide

for a guaranteed interim compensation within 60 days to

separated/divorced women and the ceiling on such compensation has

been removed. Previously, the aggrieved person, wife, children and

parents, had to wait for years to get maintenance for which an upper

limit of Rs.500 was fixed since 1955 and remained unchanged

thereafter.

Realising that the Government is a party to litigation in a bulk of

cases, the Legal Services Authorities (Amendment) Act, 2002 has been

enacted. It provides for compulsory pre-litigation conciliation for

settlement of cases relating to the public utility services like

transport, postal, telegraph, telephonic service, supply of power,

water, sanitation, hospitals and insurance. This provision would

filter out a large number of cases before they reach the courts.

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

 

The outlay for afforestation has been doubled to Rs. 1,025 crore in

the Tenth Plan. Joint Forest Management has been given a special

thrust so as to promote people's participation. National Green Corps

(NGC) launched with the setting up of eco-clubs in 150 schools in

each district.

India acceded to the Kyoto Protocol, the most significant agreement

as yet to combat climate change, in August 2002, reaffirming its

commitment to strengthen global efforts to tackle global warming.

India hosted the prestigious 8th Conference of the Parties to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-8) during

October-November 2002 in New Delhi. The conference established

India's standing in global environmental statesmanship and provided

impetus to Clean Development Mechanism. The Delhi Declaration

adopted at the end of the conference strongly articulated the

concerns of developing countries, and firmly established the link

between climate change and sustainable development.

As a major step for introduction of transgenic crops, the government

has cleared the commercial cultivation of genetically modified Bt

cotton, which is an insect-resistant crop. Evaluation trials have

indicated substantial increase in yields with concomitant reduction

in the number of insecticidal sprays.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, in coordination with the

concerned ministries, has taken several measures for control of

vehicular pollution in the four metros. These measures include

adoption of alternative fuels like CNG. Implementation of these

measures has resulted in improved air quality in these cities.

Action plans for pollution control in 24 major cities have been

drawn up.

The Government has approved a National Action Plan for Conservation

of Wildlife. Apart from combating poaching and illicit trade in

wildlife and wildlife products, the strategy aims at safeguarding

the interests of the poor and tribals living around protected areas.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH-EASTERN STATES

 

The North-Eastern region was accorded greater attention by the

government. To ensure sustained attention, a separate Department of

Development of the North-East Region was set up in September 2001.

A number of infrastructure projects have been set up through the Non-

Lapsable Central Pool, through which more than Rs. 1,500 crore has

been released so far.

A special package for strengthening Doordarshan and All India Radio

infrastructure in the North-East has been approved for

implementation during the Tenth Five Year Plan.

Each one of the 487 blocks in the North-East has been provided with

a modern information centre. Each Centre comprises five computers

and an internet connection provided over a satellite link. Many of

these areas were completely cut off from the rest of the country and

these centres have in many cases, provided a communication link for

the first time to the people of the North-East.

A Rs. 329 crore project to strengthen technical education in the

North-East Region has started from January 2001.

The North-East Council has been activised. It is focusing on inter-

state projects, and now has an annual budget of Rs. 450 crore.

Sikkim has been included as the 8th State of the Council.

Prime Minister announced an economic package for development of

Nagaland in October 2003.

Training programme for North-Eastern youth arranged in association

with NIC & DOEACC, NIFT & SEWA.

 

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