Telangana triggers demands for more States

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung had resigned as chief executive of the Gorkha Territorial Administration on Tuesday. In Assam, violence erupted in support of a Karbi Anglong state. The demand for Bodoland has also resurfaced forcefully, with Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohilari announcing a rally in Kokrajhar. The previous Mayawati government had proposed splitting Uttar Pradesh into Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh, and Paschi Pradesh. Harit Pradesh is another demand. In the west, the movement for Vidarbha got a fillip.

Zimbabwe votes in historic elections

he day began early for most Zimbabweans as hundreds lined up at dawn to vote in a controversialpresidential election that could prove as significant as the one that heralded independence in 1980. Since that day, 33 years ago, Robert Gabriel Mugabe an 89 year old liberation hero - and his ZANU PF party have ruled the country with an iron fist. Morgan Tsvangirai, Mr. Mugabes rival for more than a decade, feels that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC -T) has a real chance to form a government in Harare. In 2008, Mr. Tsvangirai polled more votes than Mr. Mugabe, but refused to participate in a run-off after security forces brutalized his supporters and killed nearly 200 people in the ensuing violence. Zimbabwes neighbours convinced the two sides into an uneasy unity government in which the MDC controlled finance, but the ZANU PF maintained its hold on agriculture, mining and the security sector.

Suspended IAS officer faces charge sheet

Notwithstanding the severe criticism of its action, the Uttar Pradesh government is likely to charge sheet suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, who took on sand mafia in Noida. On Wednesday, senior cabinet minister Shivpal Singh Yadav justified Nagpals suspension and made it clear that the government would not revoke the order.

Manmohan government to dilute FDI retail norms

Definition of investment in backend infrastructure and 30 per cent sourcing clause may be changed
Yielding to pressure from multinational retail giants and worried at not a single proposal having come through in the past nine months, the Manmohan Singh-led government is set to dilute various conditions, including effecting a

change in the definition of investment in backend infrastructure and the 30 per cent sourcing clause, brushing aside opposition from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ministry. Furthermore, with the Commerce and Industry Ministry at the spearhead, the government proposes to increase the number of cities to be covered under the policy for 49 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail trade. This will be done by amending the clause to permit cities or States with less than 10 lakh population to allow opening frontend stores. Under a new policy, medium-scale industries, with a total investment not exceeding $2 million, will be made eligible for sourcing of manufactured/processed products. It is argued that the present condition of making those industries that outgrow this status ineligible for fulfilment of mandatory local sourcing would result in loss of business for small industries and also discourage retailers from developing a supply chain. The Ministry supports continuation of engagement of the MSME enterprise with the retailer for three years from the day it outgrows the investment limit as per the current policy. This would pave the way for a larger number of MSMEs being covered under the provision of 30 per cent procurement by retailers in multi-brand retail trade.

The government should remember they have no right over Niyamgiri. Every gram sabha has said a loud no to mining.

MNCs, on ad binge, undermine breastfeeding, says NGO

Even AIIMS journal carried baby food ad a violation of law
Leading multinationals are blatantly violating the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 and are misleading mothers and undermining breastfeeding, according to the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI). Worse, the Indian Journal of Paediatrics , brought out by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), carried a baby food advertisement in its July edition along with a World Health Organisation logo, with a disclaimer: exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months. The IMS Act, 1992, which was amended in 2003, prohibits advertising any baby food product meant for children up to two years,

Cabinet to take up FDI in defence, telecom & single brand retail GI tag for Nagpur orange, Dharmavaram saris
The juicy Nagpur orange, the famous tribal Warli art, Dharmavaram saris and Keralas Kaipad rice have been cleared for inclusion in Geographical Indications (GI) registry in the country. The logo for Leather Toys of Indore (already a GI product) was also approved.

Vizhinjams maritime history

Excavations by a team of archaeologists over three years have unearthed artefacts indicating that Vizhinjam, site for the proposed international container transhipment terminal, could have been one of the earliest port towns along the south Kerala coast, with a maritime history dating back to the first or second century BC.

Of surrogacy and the law

Against concerns of lack of clarity and sufficient protection for surrogate mothers in the draftART Bill, 2010, the Planning Commission is set to appoint a committee for wider consultations
The Centre will set up an expert committee for wider consultations on the draft Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Bill, 2010.

Towards cyber defence

Cyber terrorism is not a future threat or a prospective threat, it is an ongoing, current threat, says cyber security expert Dr Vivek Lall
Experts at a conference on Homeland Security organised by FICCI in the Capital recently were of the view that India must consider cyber security as an essential component of national security and foresee and plan for various challenges arising out of the growth of the Internet and digitalisation of governance. Threats abound: cyber crime, cyber espionage, cyber war and cyber terrorism, all represent genuine risks to nations, firms and individuals around the world. Experts reckoned it is a matter of time before cyberspace becomes an independent theatre of war.

THE INFANT MILK SUBSTITUTES, FEEDING BOTTLES AND INFANT FOODS (REGULATION OF PRODUCTION, SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION) Act, 1992

An Act to provide for the regulation of production, supply and distribution of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles and infant foods with a view to the protection and promotion of breast feeding and ensuring the proper use of Infant Foods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto . This act is apply to the whole of India (Sec 1). Various terms are defined in section 2. According to section 3, no person shall advertise, take part in promotion of use or sale, supply of or donate or distribute infant milk substitutes or feeding bottles, or give an impression or create a belief in any manner that feeding of infant milk substitutes is equivalent to or better than mother's milk. Section 6 gave direction that such container of infant foods and milk substitutes must affix label clearly written in local language that "Mother's milk is best for your baby", "Should be used only on the advice of a health worker", " a warning sign if used replacing mother's milk". No picture of baby or mother shall be depicted on the containers . Beside this all about manufacturing date, batch number, expiry date, compositions, etc. should also be written and must follow the instructions and guidelines given under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 (Sec 11). All educational material whether audio, or visual shall contain the content of benefits and superiority of breast feeding (Sec 7). No person other than health workers or institutions demonstrate the need and feeding of milk substitute (Sec 8). Food inspector working under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act or any authorised person shall be responsible for inspection or seizing activities if he/she finds that there is violation of this Act. Any person who contravenes the provisions of various sections shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to fine thousand rupees, or with both. Following voluntary organisations are notified where a complaint in writing can be made: 1. Central Social Welfare Board, DELHI 2. Indian Council for Child Welfare, DELHI 3. Association for Consumer Action of Safety & Health (ACASH),Bombay

The power conferred under the Sub-section 3 of Section 1 of the Infant Milk Substitutes Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, supply and Distribution) Act 1992, the Central Government formulated Rules in which the following provisions are given: 1. Authorised person has been specifically mentioned that he should be medical doctor (Sec 4). 2. Guidelines for breast feeding.

A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country). The use of a GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.