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51

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

INDIA AND VIETNAM SIGN TREATY ON TRANSFER
OF S ENTENCED PRISONERS
The Union Home Minister Shri Sushilkumar
Shinde and Minister of Public Security of Vietnam
Mr. Tran Dai Quang signed here today a treaty on
transfer of sentenced prisoners. The Treaty will help
the Indian prisoners imprisoned in Vietnam or viceversa to be near their families for serving remaining
part of their sentence. This would facilitate the
process of their social rehabilitation.
The Government of India has so far signed
such Agreements with the Governments of U.K.,
Mauritius, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Egypt, France,
Bangladesh, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sri Lanka,
UAE, Maldives, Thailand, Turkey, Italy, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Israel and Russia. Negotiations have
also been concluded with the Government of
Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil, and Spain. These treaties
have helped in repatriation of 43 Indian prisoners
from Sri Lanka, Mauritius and UK. Similarly 7
prisoners of UK and France where repatriated to
their respective countries.
The Seventh United Nations Congress on the
Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders
adopted the Model Agreement on the Transfer of
Foreign Prisoners in 1985 and since then many
countries have arrived at bilateral and multilateral
treaties. The Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003
was enacted for achieving the above purpose. For
achieving the objectives of the Act, a treaty is
required to be signed with countries having mutual
interest on this matter.
In addition to the above, the two Ministers
also held bilateral talks on security matters, issues of
training, capacity building, cyber security, cyber

crime, trans-national crime, terrorism and disaster

management. They reiterated the resolve of both
the countries of working together on different issues
of mutual interest.
India and Japan have decided to further
strengthen their cooperation in the maritime sector
as a part of the overall robust bilateral relations. The
two countries agreed to enhance their interaction
through the existing forums and through port-toport exchanges.
These issues came up for a discussion between
the Union Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan, who
is on an official visit to Japan and his Japanese
counterpart Shri Akihiro Ohta, Minister of land,
Industries and Transport & Tourism, Government of
Japan.
Shri Vasan explained the developments that
were taking place in India in the Ports sector and
assured Shri Ohta that concerns regarding
infrastructure and connectivity of ports are being
addressed expeditiously. In particular, he said that
the ports in Ennore and Chennai are catering to the
Japanese car exporters like Toyota and Nissan who
have so far exported about 42000 and 300000 cars
respectively from these ports.
During the talks, Shri Vasan thanked the
Japanese government for its support to various
Indian Ports and infrastructure projects through the
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He
also mentioned the possibility of JICA assistance to
VOC Port at Thoothukudi for the upcoming Outer
Harbour Project.
Japanese Minister Shri Ohta, while
acknowledging the existing cordial relationship
between India and Japan, assured that Japan will
carry forward the momentum. He also thanked Shri

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52

VOL14

Vasan for his efforts in this direction and expressed

Japans interest in shipbuilding and recycling
industries in India.
Shri Vasan later visited the Yokohama port
where he was received by Shri Nobuya Suzuki,
Deputy Mayor of Yokohama city and Shri Masaharu
Ikegami, the Vice Director General of the Ministry of
Land, Industries and Transport & Tourism, (MLIT)
Government of Japan.

INDIA DECLARED FREE FROM BIRD FLU

India has declared itself free from Notifiable
Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called bird flu,
and notified the same to World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE). India notified outbreak of Avian
Influenza (H5N1) at Poultr y Production Unit,
College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry,
Anjora, Durg and Government Poultr y Far m,
Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on 05th August, 2013.
The control measures adopted in the outbreak
were stamping out of entire poultry population
including destruction of eggs, feed, litters and other
infected materials in the radius of 1 k.m. around the
outbreak location, restriction on movement of
poultry, disinfection and cleaning up of infected
premises and subsequently issuing of the Post
Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP). The POSP was
issued on 12th August, 2013.
Even though India is free from bird flu, regular
surveillance to be continued throughout the country
especially in the vulnerable areas bordering infected
countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.
MP: SS: CP: bird flu (12.11.2013)

Bharat Ratna for

Prof CNR Rao and Sachin Tendulkar
The Government has decided to confer, the
Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award on eminent
scientist Prof C.N.R.Rao and cricket icon Sachin
Tendulkar.
Prof. C.N.R. Rao is an eminent scientist and a
well recognized international authority on solid state
and materials chemistry. He has published over
1,400 research papers and 45 books. Prof. Raos
contributions have been recognized by most major
scientific academies around the world through
conferment of memberships and fellowships. He has

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been honoured with several national and

international awards. Shri Sachin Tendulkar is
undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer - a living
legend who has inspired millions across the globe.
During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16
years, Shri Tendulkar has played cricket across the
world and won laurels for our country. He has been
a true ambassador of India in the world of sports. His
achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records
set by him unmatched, and the spirit of
sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary. That he
has been honoured with several awards is testimony
to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman.

INS Vikramaditya Adds A New Dimension

to Navys Operational Capabilities:
Antony INS Vikramaditya Commissioned
in Indian Navy
Marking a new high in India-Russia strategic
cooperation, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony
today commissioned the completely refurbished
44,500 tonne carrier Admiral Gorshkov into the
Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at an impressive
ceremony at sub zero temperature in the windswept Sevmash Shipyard in the beautiful city
of Severodvinsk in Russia. Snow flakes kept falling as
the ceremony was held.
Speaking at the event, Shri Antony said
INS Vikramaditya would significantly enhance the
reach and capability of the Indian Navy. He said, the
country has a rich maritime history and the Indian
Ocean has guided our fate over the centuries.
Indias economic development is dependent on the
seas and safeguarding the nations maritime interests is
central to our national policy. Aircraft carriers have been
part of the Indian Navys force structure since our
independence and have effectively served the country
over the past five decades or so. The induction of
Vikramaditya with its integral MiG29K fighters and
Kamov-31 helicopters, not only reinforces this central
policy, but also adds a new dimension to our Navys
operational capabilities. The meaning of Vikramaditya,
which literally translates into Strong as the Sun is
complemented by the Ships motto Strike Far,
Strike Sure,he said.
Reflecting the mood at the ceremony, Shri

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Antony said, the event realizes the vision of
capability-based transformation of the Indian Navy
that was conceived more than a decade ago. Calling
it a Red Letter Day in the history of India- Russia
cooperation, Shri Antony said this relationship
remains a matter of the highest priority for both
nations for our mutual benefit and as a factor of
global peace and stability.
The successful culmination of Project 11430 truly
symbolizes the time-tested Special and Privileged
Strategic Partnership between our two great
nations. The Project has propelled the strategic
partnership between our nations to a new level. The
relationship between our two countries based on mutual
trust and belief has withstood the test of time and the
result is for the entire world to see in the form of
Vikramaditya. As the ship sails into its home waters in
the Indian Ocean Region, INS Vikramaditya will be a
befitting tribute to our long-standing relationship, he
said.
Describing the Project 11430 as a unique
one, Shri Antony said, it was a challenging task for
both the Russian and the Indian sides and
congratulated the entire team for converting the
Dream Project into a reality. The transformation
of INS Vikramaditya is an engineering marvel, which
has tested the professionalism, capability and
perseverance of the Indian Navy and the Russian
industry, especially the Sevmash Shipyard, he said
and expressed confidence that all possible support
would be extended by Russia to ensure that the ship
serves India effectively and efficiently for the duration
of its expected operational life cycle.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Naval
Staff Admiral DK Joshi said the INS Vikramaditya will
bridge the time-gap that may come up between the
INS Viraat and the Indigenously built aircraft
carrier Vikrant.It will also help achieving our medium
term goal of operating two aircraft carriers.
A large number of dignitaries including the
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Mr Dmitry Rogozin
and Defence Minister Mr Shoigu, the Chief of Naval
Staff Admiral DK Joshi, the Indian Ambassador to
Russia Shri Ajay Malhotra, the Defence Secretary Shri
RK Mathur, the DG Acquisition Shri SB Agnihotri
were present on the occasion.Mr Rogozin said
INS Vikramaditya symbolises the close friendship

53

between India and Russia and expressed confidence

that it will grow in the coming years.

About INS Vikramaditya

INS Vikramaditya, the floating airfield has an
overall length of about 284 meters and a maximum
beam of about 60 meters, stretching as much as
three football fields put together. Standing about 20
storeys tall from keel to the highest point, the sheer
sight of this 44,500 tonne mega structure of steel is
awe inspiring. The ship has a total of 22 decks.
With over 1,600 personnel on board,
INS Vikramaditya is literally a Floating City. With a
capacity of over 8,000 tonnes of LSHSD, she is
capable of operations up to a range of over 7,000
nautical miles or 13000kms.
To enable this 44,500 tonnes floating steel city
to cut through the choppy seas with speeds of up to
30 knots, she is powered by 08 new generation
steam boilers generating a total output power of
180,000 SHP. These boilers power four enormous
propellers, each greater in diameter than twice the
height of an average male. Such a four propeller four shaft configuration is another first in the Indian
Navy.
The power generation capacity onboard is
about 18 megawatts enough to cater to the lighting
requirement of a mini city. An extensive revamp of
sensors including fitment of Long range Air
Surveillance Radars, Advanced Electronic Warfare
Suite makes the ship capable of maintaining a
surveillance bubble of over 500 kms around the ship.
The ship has the ability to carry over 30
aircraft comprising an assortment of MiG 29K/Sea
Harrier,Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALHDhruv and Chetak helicopters. The MiG 29K swing
role fighter is the main offensive platform and
provides a quantum jump for the Indian Navys
maritime strike capability. These fourth generation
air superiority fighters provide a significant fillip for
the Indian Navy with a range of over 700 nm and an
array of weapons including anti-ship missiles, Beyond
Visual Range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs and
rockets.
The ship is equipped with state of the art
launch and recovery systems along with aids to
enable smooth and efficient operation of ship borne

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54

VOL14

aircraft. Major systems include the LUNA Landing

system for MiGs, DAPS Landing system for Sea
Harriers and Flight deck lighting systems.
The heart of the operational network that
infuses life into the combat systems onboard the ship
is the Computer aided Action Information
Organisation (CAIO) system, LESORUB-E, with the
capability to gather data from ships sensors and data
links and to process, collate and assemble
comprehensive tactical pictures. This state of the art
system has been specifically designed keeping in mind
the essential requirement on the carrier for fighter
control and direction. One of the most prominent
equipment fitted on the super structure is the
Resistor-E radar complex. Resistor-E is the
automated system designed for providing air traffic
control, approach/landing and short range
navigation for ship borne aircraft.
This complex along with its various subsystems provides navigation and flight data to ship
borne aircraft operating at extended ranges from the
mother ship. The precision approach guidance
system aids the fighters on approach to be directed
down to a distance of 30 meters short of flight deck.
INS Vikramaditya also boasts of a very modern
communication complex, CCS MK II, to meet her
external communication requirement. Installation of
Link II tactical data system allows her to be fully
integrated with the Indian Navys network centric
operations.

SITANSHU KAR FROM SEVMASH SHIPYARD IN

RUSSIA WITH INPUTS FROM CAPTAIN
PV S ATISH IN NEW DELHI
A Curtain Raiser on
Inland Waterways Project
The Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan would
inaugurate a Transport terminal of the Inland
Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at a function at
Garden Reach Jetty-2 in Kolkatta Port Trust area
tomorrow.
Kolkata being a transportation hub on the
Ganga, the new terminal would serve states of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and the North-Eastern
Region. The construction of this RCC Inland

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Waterways Terminal (IWT) terminal was taken up at

a cost of Rs. 38.47 crore and it will give a fillip to
inland navigation in the region.
Shri G.K. Vasan would also flag off coal barges
of 2100 DWT (Deadweight tonnage) of Jindal ITF
Ltd, to formally launch the recently started
movement of imported coal on National Waterway1 (the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System) by
inland vessels from Sandheads in Bay of Bengal to
Farakka Thermal Power Plant of NTPC Ltd. in District
Murshidabad, West Bengal.
This coal movement has started under a
Tripartite Agreement among Inland Waterways
Authority of India, NTPC Ltd. and Jindal ITF Ltd. in
August, 2011. Under it, Jindal ITF Ltd has invested
about Rs. 500 crore for transshipper at Sandheads,
coal carrying barges, inland water terminal at Farakka
with state-of-art coal unloading cranes and conveyor
system. The operator, Jindal ITF Ltd. will transport
minimum three (3) million tonnes of coal per annum
for seven years. NTPC can also receive additional coal
for the Kahalgaon Thermal Power Plant through this
operation. This additional supply of coal through
inland waterways, an eco-friendly, economical and
fuel efficient mode of transport, will augment coal
supply to NTPC Power Plant at Farakka enabling
increased power generation.
This is the first project for bulk movement of
coal through National Waterways and also when a
private entrepreneur has made a substantiate
investment in the IWT development for the first time
in the country. A conveyor belt system from the jetty
on National Waterway-1 to the coal stockyard of
NTPC power plant was also set up at Farakka.
The Inland Water Transport is economical,
environmental friendly and is most suitable for bulk
cargo movement. IWAI is developing first 3 National
Waterways namely NW-1 (on the Ganga), NW-2
(Brahmaputra) and NW-3 (on the West Coast Canal
system) for shipping and navigation by providing
navigational channel with targeted depth and width
for most part of the year. Intermodal connectivity
with rail and road has also been planned for selected
locations depending on the hinterland cargo
projections. The infrastructure so far created will be
further developed if any other specific projects

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targeting large quantity of bulk goods like coal,
fertilizers, and foodgrains etc. are identified and
committed for transportation on National
Waterways.
At present 10 Thermal Power Stations are
operational in the proximity of National Waterway
1. Another 11 are expected to come up along the
NW-1 in the next 5 to 8 years with the total installed
capacity of 15000 MW. National Waterway 1 is fully
ready to cater to the transportation needs of NTPC,
and other industrial units for transportation of bulk
cargo required for the plants located on the banks of
the Ganga. Inland Waterways also has potential to
create of employment opportunities for people in
the vicinity of waterways
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
has approved amendments to the scheme for
Financial Restructuring of State distribution
companies which had been approved by the CCEA
on 24th September 2012 to enable the financial
turnaround of the State distribution companies for
their long term viability.
The Central Government had notified the
Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) for State owned
distribution companies vide OM dated 05.10.2012.
The scheme is under implementation in Tamil Nadu,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal
Pradesh. Utilities of Jharkhand, Bihar and Andhra
Pradesh which were facing financial difficulties and
were keen to participate in the scheme could not do
so due to practical difficulties in meeting certain
requirements of the FRP scheme. Therefore, to
enable these three States for participation under the
scheme, the cutoff date for reckoning the eligible
amount of short term liabilities for issuance of
bonds / reschedulement by lenders is now shifted to
31.03.2013 from 31.03.2012 (for these three States
only). The scheme will be available to these States
upto 31 December 2013 unless extended by
Government of India.
The expected outcomes from implementation
of the scheme in these three States would be:
Providing comfort to lenders by securing
State takeover of and guarantee for debt.
Bringing about financial discipline in the
distribution sector in the State.

55
Providing a commercial orientation to the
functioning of distribution companies.
Casting responsibility on the State
Government to ensure a steady flow of
revenue to the distribution companies by
improving efficiency of their operations.
Accelerate the AT&C loss reduction effort of
DISCOMs, through additional incentive from
the Central Government.
Ensure regular rationalization of tariff to
cover cost of service.
Ensure timely audit of DISCOM accounts.
Gradual elimination of the gap between ACS
and ARR.
Improve the financial health of distribution
utilities to enable them to procure more
electricity for meeting growing demand.

Policy on Foreign Direct Investment in

the Pharmaceutical Sector
The Cabinet considered the proposal of the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for review of the
policy on foreign direct investment in the
pharmaceutical sector.
The Cabinet decided that the current policy in
brownfield and greenfield projects in the
pharmaceutical sector will continue subject to the
additional condition that in all cases of FDI in
brownfield pharma, there will not be any noncompete clause in any of the inter se agreements.

4th Annual Lecture Series on Governance

& Public Services
Following is the text of the Union Minister of
State in the Prime Ministers Office and Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri V.
Narayanasamy on the occasion of the 4th Annual
Lecture Series of UPSC on Governance and Public
Services here today:
I feel privileged and honoured to extend my
warm welcome to Honble President of India to this
function. Honble President has unparallel experience
and eminence in governance and public service, in his
long standing public life spanning several decades. It
is, therefore, quite appropriate that Honble
President is delivering lecture today. We are all eager
to hear the Honble President on the subject of

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VOL14

Governance and get enlightened. Honble President

of India during his visit to Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA),
Mussoorie on 18th October, 2013 spoke at length on
the need and importance of good governance and
public service. I had the opportunity of listening to
the passionate speech of Honble President in
Mussoorie.
Honble President, in his speech stressed on
the critical need to observe political neutrality for the
government servants and to accord high priority to
achieving the governments objective of inclusiveness
which can be accomplished through the determined
implementation of the programmes to promote
gender equality, education, health, rural
development, social welfare, etc.
Honble President also stated in Mussoorie
that the goal of inclusiveness demands the adoption
of a grassroot approach and that would enable true
involvement of the people in formulating and
implementing development plans that will shape
their future. Sir, we look forward to your words of
wisdom and guidance in public service.
For any Government, ensuring proper and
efficient delivery of public services to the target
population is the hallmark of efficiency. And issues of
governance play a major role in this efficient delivery.
This essentially boils down to proper human
resource management, namely, recruitment of
appropriate personnel in adequate number at
appropriate time. Post recruitment training, training
during service career and maintaining discipline
including recognizing good work is also important. In
all these important areas, the contribution of Union
Public Service Commission cannot be over
emphasized.
The Recruitment Rules of Group A & B services
are framed and finalized in consultation with UPSC.
To match with the changing time, the amendment of
recruitment rules has also been undertaken in
consultation with UPSC efficiently. The UPSC has
been mandated for recruitment of Group A officers
through competitive exams. I am proud to say that
they have been doing a wonderful job in effecting
huge recruitment for the Central Government
including the premium All India Service. UPSC enjoys

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great credibility and trust of the masses and is

recognised for its fair, just and impartial selection
process.
Another important contribution of UPSC has
been in undertaking selection by promotion. By
introducing various innovative measures like the
single window mechanism the time taken for
processing of promotion cases has reduced
considerably. This single window system has also
reduced the average time taken for giving advice in
many disciplinary cases.
UPSCs contribution in bringing about reforms
in Civil Services Examination is also noteworthy. The
Government after considering the recommendations
of the UPSC has accepted many important
recommendations which have also been notified and
applied to Civil Service Examinations in recent years.
I would like to emphasise here that in terms of course
contents, a full paper on ethics and integrity has
been included in the Civil Service (Main)
Examination.
We are witnessing a lot of activity in our
governance system today for tackling corruption. I
am sure introducing this subject at the time of
recruitment through competitive examination
would sensitize the new recruits and thereby the
entire Government in mitigating this problem. We
have also introduced capsules on anti-corruption
measures in the training for Civil Service officers. We
have also requested the State Governments to
include course on anti-corruption during the training
of Government officers. We have initiated action to
strengthen our anti-corruption laws and taken
several administrative measures to tackle
corruption.
When it comes to public service deliver y,
another important area is in making the whole
process as transparent as possible along with
accountability. We have introduced Right of Citizens
for time-bound delivery of Goods and Services and
Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011 in the Lok
Sabha and the Standing Committee has given its
recommendation. We expect that the Bill will be
passed in the Parliament soon. In todays world, the
citizens of our country are very much knowledgeable
and aware of the functioning of the Government,

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thanks to the RTI and also the age of internet. A
slightest glitch somewhere or the smallest mistake in
the process of service delivery is going to be noticed
and voiced very strongly.
Hence, the Central Government is promoting
higher and higher use of technology in the routine
functioning of the Government. E-governance is one
of our priority and we have started e-office in the
Department of Personnel & Training.
I am happy to bring to the attention of
Honble President that DOPT had a retreat recently
where senior officers of the Department spent some
quality time in brainstorming. This has thrown up
many new ideas for improving the role and
functioning of the Department for increasing the
satisfaction of all its stakeholders.
I am sure thoughts and ideas expressed by the
learned dignitaries in the lecture series on

57

Governance and Public Service would provide

opportunity to assimilate these new ideals to
prepare a road map and create a vision for bringing
about contemporary reforms in various
methodologies in bringing Good Governance and
Public Service delivery.
Today, we are honoured that the President of
India Shri Pranab Mukherjee is gracing this occasion
and has spared time from his ever-busy schedule to
deliver a lecture on this subject which is very close to
his heart. I am sure that all of us will be extremely
benefitted by the invaluable new ideas, thoughts to
be expressed by a Statesman and multi-faceted
personality of his stature having a vast and varied
experience as an able Administrator, Diplomat and
Finance wizard. I wish this event a grand success. I
also wish the Chairman and Members of UPSC, other
officers and staff every success in their endeavours.

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