RBI PENALISES SEVEN BANKS FOR VIOLATING VARIOUS NORMS
Seven Banks were penalised
by the Reserve Bank of India for violating various norms. Three banks- HDFC
Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and IDBI Bank - were fined Rs 2 million each for
non-compliance with various directions issued by RBI on Know Your Customer
(KYC) norms and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards. This action is based on
deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the
validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the banks with their
customers, RBI said in a release. The central banks also penalised four other
bank- Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Bank of
Maharashtra- for non-compliance with various directions issued by RBI on
monitoring of end use of funds, exchange of information with other banks,
classification and reporting of frauds, and on restructuring of accounts. While
Andhra Bank was fined Rs 10 million, the other banks were fined Rs 15 million
each. This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not
intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered
into by the banks with their customers, RBI said in another release.
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NPA UNDER MUDRA YOJANA STANDS AT RS 7,277 CRORE
The government Tuesday
informed Parliament that loans worth Rs 7,277.31 crore of public sector banks
under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) have turned bad at the end of March
2018. Loans extended under PMMY from inception of the scheme up to March 2018
by all member lending institutions (MLIs) were Rs 5.71 lakh crore, Minister of
State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla said in a written reply to the Rajya
Sabha. Loans under PMMY can be covered under Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro
Units (CGFMU), he said. CGFMU has been formed with the purpose of guaranteeing
payment against default in micro loans up to Rs 10 lakh extended to eligible
borrowers by the MLIs, he said. As on 01.02.2019, over 15.73 crore loans
amounting to Rs 7.59 lakh crore have been extended by MLIs under PMMY, since
inception of the scheme. Almost 73 per cent of the loans under PMMY have been
extended to women borrowers, Shukla said. Shukla said the RBI has apprised that
the list of suit-filed defaulters of Rs 1 crore and above and the list of
suit-filed wilful defaulters of Rs 25 lakh and above are available in public
domain on the websites of Credit Information Companies (CICs). RBI has also
apprised that the list of non-suit filed defaulters of Rs 1 crore and above and
non-suit filed wilful defaulters of Rs 25 lakh and above is confidential in
nature and is exempted from disclosure under section 45E of the Reserve Bank of
India Act, 1934, he said. Further, the RBI has advised all banks and financial
institutions to submit the said list to all CICs directly and not to the RBI
from December 2014 onwards. The scrutiny of these cases is to be completed by
December 31, 2019 and about 16.21 lakh claims of refund (including non-scrutiny
cases) are pending for issue as on January 31, 2019.
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POLICY AND INTENT NEEDS TO GO HAND-IN-HAND FOR MSME FINANCING:
GIRIRAJ SINGH
Effective policy and the
right intent is the key to resolving the financial constraints that the MSME
sector currently finds itself enmeshed in, Giriraj Singh said. Translating it
more colloquially as a combination of ‘Niti’ and ‘Niyat’ that works best, Singh
said that two major issues being heard the most in today’s time are financial
inclusion and employment. We need to create a system where a person looking to
raise a loan knows the reason when a bank refuses to lend. This will help him
work on his shortcomings, adhere to compliance and prevent disappointment, he
said. The key partners for the conference included the Ministry of MSME, NSIC
and the National SCST Hub- a Ministry of MSME Initiative. Lauding some of the
initiatives taken by the government for the upliftment of this sector, Singh
said that as per the data given by Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI), 11 lakh entrepreneurs were given credit under the Credit Guarantee
Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) from 2010-2014. He further
stated that from 2014-2018, 18 lakh entrepreneurs were granted loans which
showed positive momentum and also indicated growth in the number of
entrepreneurs in the country. Drawing attention to SIDBI’s Stand-Up India
scheme which aims at encouraging entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women, Singh
said data suggested that approximately 71,070 loans for SC/ST and 57,897 loans
for women had been sanctioned since the start of the scheme. Till the time
women - comprising half the population - will not be included in the employed
categories, India’s GDP will not see an increase. This fact has been substantiated
by renowned global organisations such as World Bank and McKinsey too, he said.
Urging bankers to recognise the difference between the varied finance seekers,
Singh said that some key aspects need to be understood while disbursing loans.
Banks have to understand, recognise and encourage entrepreneurs who need a loan
for their business. However, when those in need go to the bank, a long list of
rules and regulations is drawn up and potential borrowers feel discouraged to
avail funds, he highlighted.
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FOR MOTION OF THANKS, GOVT MAY CEDE SOME GROUND
Despite continuous
disruption of Rajya Sabha, the government is looking to ensure passage of the
Motion of Thanks on the President's address, keeping open the option of
accepting some opposition amendments if it fails to persuade non-NDA parties to
withdraw them. The passage of the motion, even without discussion, is seen as
necessary as Parliament is required to record its thanks for the President's
address to the joint session, and convey the same to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Passage of any amendment though will not alter the President's address. The Motion
of Thanks will need to be passed In the past only a sudden disruption, such as
fall of a government, has broken this practice. There is also a precedent of
the motion being passed without discussion, said a senior minister. While the
Motion of Thanks was discussed and passed by Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha has not
been able to transact any business since Parliament convened on January 31,
when President Ram Nath Kovind delivered a joint address to MPs of both Houses.
While minister of state for parliamentary affairs Vijay Goel has been reaching
out to all parties to allow the passage of the motion without any amendments,
the opposition has remained resolute in not permitting the Upper House to
function on account of a host of issues including the Rafale defence deal, the
Citizenship Amendment Bill, and the 20-point roster in universities affecting
SC/ST appointments. Government sources said opposition was not allowing
discussion on the Motion of Thanks because it wanted to deny Prime Minister
Narendra Modi an opportunity to speak in Parliament as in the Lok Sabha
discussion. The stalemate between the government and opposition parties has not
ended despite Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu holding forth with the floor
leaders every day of the session, requesting them to pass the Motion of Thanks
since it is a matter of constitutional propriety.
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GOVT CANCELS REGISTRATION OF NEARLY 5,000 NGOS IN 3 YEARS
INCLUDING DEEPAK TALWAR’S ADVANTAGE INDIA
Home Ministry has cancelled
licences of more than 4,700 NGOs in the country in last three years for
violating the provisions of foreign countribution regulation act (FCRA). The
registrations of 4873 NGOs have been cancelled during last three years for
violation of provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and
rules made there under, Kiren Rijiju, informed the Rajya Sabha. CBI has booked
Advantage India for misusing the funds in excess of Rs 70 crore. Advantage
India was owned by famous corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar and his associates
and investigating agencies have accused them of receiving and misusing the
funds from two defence manufacturers – Airbus SAS and MBDA. Deepak Talwar has
also been accused of money laundering in VVIP chopper scam case and recently he
has been brought back to India by the Modi government.
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BILL ON PONZI SCHEMES INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA
A bill seeking to protect
gullible investors from ponzi schemes was introduced in Lok Sabha Tuesday by
Finance Minister Piyush Goyal. The House will take up the Banning of
Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill for discussion and passage on Wednesday.
Members from the treasury benches and the opposition suggested to Speaker
Sumitra Mahajan that the Question Hour may be suspended Wednesday, the last day
of the Budget Session, to take up the bill so that it can be sent to Rajya
Sabha for passage after the Lok Sabha approves it. Goyal said the bill will plug
the loopholes which allow ponzi schemes to target small investors. The bill
seeks to put in place a mechanism by which such depositors can be compensated.
It has incorporated recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance.
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GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES BILL IN RAJYA SABHA TO AMEND
CINEMATOGRAPH ACT: JAIL TERM, FINE FOR FILM PIRACY
The government Tuesday introduced
a bill in Rajya Sabha to amend the Cinematograph Act and impose strict penalty
to combat the menace of film piracy. Rajyavardhan Rathore introduced the
Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Upper House. The Bill seeks to
amend provisions of Cinematograph Act, 1952, in order to tackle film piracy by
including penal provisions for unauthorised camcording and duplication of
films. To check piracy, particularly the release of pirated versions of films
on the internet which causes huge losses to the film industry and the
exchequer, the bill proposes to make film piracy offences punishable with
imprisonment of up to three years and fines that may extend to Rs 10 lakh or
both. The proposed amendment states that any person, who without the written
authorisation of the copyright owner, uses any recording device to make or
transmit a copy of a film, or attempts to do so, or abet the making or transmission
of such a copy, will be liable for such a punishment.
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GOVT INTRODUCES IFSC BILL IN RAJYA SABHA
The government on Tuesday
introduced a Bill to set up a unified authority for regulating all financial services
in international financial services centres (IFSCs) in the country. The
International Financial Services Center Authority Bill, 2019 mandates that
transaction of financial services in the IFCS shall be governed by an authority
headed by a chairman. Currently, banking, capital markets and insurance sectors
in IFSCs are regulated by multiple regulators - the RBI, Sebi and Irdai - and
this would provide inter-regulatory coordination. The bill has a provision for
establishment and incorporation of the authority. Regulatory bodies including
RBI, SEBI, IRDA, PFRDI would have one nominee as its member, while the finance
ministry will have rights to nominate two officials in the Authority. It will
be regulating the financial products, financial services and financial
institutions in an IFSC, the bill said. Two members could also be appointed by
the central government on the recommendation of the selection committee.
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RBI REPORT ON TREND AND PROGRESS OF BANKING IN INDIA 2017-18
As per the Reserve Bank of
India’s (RBI) Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2017-18, powered
by the drive to mobilise account ownership among unbanked adults through the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the proportion of persons joining the
formal financial system in terms of an account at financial institutions has
more than doubled since 2011 and by 2017, it had reached 80 per cent of the
Indian population – comparable with China and better than other BRICS peers. Within
a span of four years, the total number of accounts opened under the PMJDY
expanded to 328 million, with Rs. 851 billion deposits as on September 28,
2018. Of these accounts, 59.1 per cent were opened at branches located in rural
and semi-urban centres. Recovery in usage of these accounts has been setting in
during 2018-19 (up to September 28). Up to August, 2018, with all scheduled
commercial banks taken together, 23% of these accounts received direct benefit
transfers (DBTs). According to the report, during 2017-18 the dip in the
opening of new bank branches in 2017-18 was on account of banks with high
stress on their balance sheet undertaking branch rationalisation, including
turning to business correspondent (BC) in order to contain expenditure. The number
of brick-and-mortar branches and branches in business correspondent (BC) mode
declined in rural areas partly due to rationalisation of branches by banks
through closing down of branches which were either unviable or located in close
proximity to each other. Furthermore, some banks disengaged with corporate BCs
due to non-performance. At the same time, the number of BCs in urban areas
increased partly attributable to absorption of erstwhile pre-paid payment
instruments (PPIs) providers into the BC fold. The report also records that the
role of business correspondents (BCs) in expanding the reach of banking
services in rural areas is gaining acceptance and recognition which is evident
from the growth of 28 per cent in the number of transactions put through by BCs
through the information and computer technology (ICT) channel. As per the
report for the period ending March, 2018, both the number of Basic Savings Bank
Deposit (BSBD) accounts and the deposits in these accounts have increased. Furthermore,
the branch authorisation policy recognises BCs which provide banking services
for a minimum of four hours per day and for at least five days a week as
banking outlets. This propelled a sizable increase in the number of accounts
opened through BCs who are also generating robust growth in ICT-based banking
services. With a view to increase banking penetration and promote financial
inclusion, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on 28th August,
2014 to provide affordable financial services to all citizens within a
reasonable distance. As on 23.01.2019, a total of 34.03 crore accounts have
been opened under PMJDY with deposit balance of Rs. 88,566.92 crore. While 53%
of the Jan Dhan account holders are women, 59% accounts are in rural and
semi-urban areas. To facilitate banking transactions, 27.17 crore RuPay Debit
cards with an in-built accident insurance coverage have been issued to
beneficiaries under PMJDY. Also, an overdraft (OD) facility of Rs. 5,000 (since
revised to Rs.10,000) is available to provide hassle free credit to the
beneficiaries under PMJDY for meeting their exigencies, without insistence on
security and end-use. PMJDY account holders are also eligible for loans under
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and other loan products offered by different
banks. To give impetus to financial inclusion initiatives of the Government,
the PMJDY program has been extended beyond 14.8.2018 with the focus on opening
of accounts shifting from every household to every unbanked adult and making
the scheme more attractive with following modifications:
(i) Existing OD limit
revised from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000.
(ii) No conditions
attached for active PMJDY accounts availing OD upto Rs. 2,000.
(iii) Age limit for
availing OD facility revised from 18-60 years to 18-65 years.
(iv) Accident Insurance
cover for new RuPay card holders raised from existing Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh
for new PMJDY accounts opened after 28.8.2018.
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INDIA WILL NOT MISS 5G OPPORTUNITY; ECONOMIC IMPACT SEEN AT
OVER USD 1 TRILLION: MANOJ SINHA
The economic impact of 5G
is estimated to be over one trillion dollars for India, which is aggressively
positioning itself to be at the forefront of the new age technologies,
Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said Tuesday. Vowing that India will not
miss the 5G bus the minister outlined the country's strides in telecom over the
last five years, highlighting the spike in data consumption, broadband user base,
and low tariffs, but added that ensuring safety and sovereignty of digital
networks will be a priority for the government. While we are gearing up for the
next wave of digital transformation, it is also important to ensure the safety,
security and sovereignty of digital communications. It is important that we
focus on security testing and establish appropriate security standards. We have
recently started a state-of-the-art facility for preparation of security
assurance standards, putting us at the forefront of technology, Sinha said. The
facility will work on security requirements and also facilitate development of
testing and certification ecosystem in the country, Sinha said. Terming 5G as a
gamechanger, the minister said that flagship government programmes like Digital
India and smart cities will ride on 5G. He underscored the need for promoting
investments to build underlying infrastructure that would make 5G a success,
and added that a working group has been constituted to initiate implementation
of recommendations of high level forum on 5G that had submitted its report in
August 2018.
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ASSISTANCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BY BANKS
As per information
received from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), according to the publicly
available information on the Bank of International Settlement’s website, the
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a Statement on ‘prevention of
criminal use of the banking system for the purpose of money-laundering’ in
December 1988, which included a principle on ‘Cooperation with law enforcement
authorities’. In terms of this Statement, the banks should cooperate fully with
National Law Enforcement Authorities to the extent permitted by specific Local
Regulations relating to customer confidentiality. Further, where banks become
aware of facts which lead to the presumption that money held on deposit derives
from criminal activity or that transactions entered into are themselves
criminal in purpose, appropriate measures, consistent with law, should be
taken. As per information provided by the Punjab National Bank, whenever any
case of suspicious transactions/fraudulent activity come to the bank’s notice,
the same is being reported to respective Law Enforcement Agencies and the bank
fully cooperates and remains engaged with them in the investigation. The bank
has further informed that in respect of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi case, the
incident did not come to notice of the Inspection Audit team of the bank though
it was going on from 2011, and after detection in the third week of January
2018, immediate investigation was initiated by the bank and fraud reported to
RBI shortly thereafter. The bank has also apprised that simultaneously, FIRs
were lodged with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and, subsequently,
complaints were lodged with the Enforcement Directorate on 13.2.2018 and the
Ministry of Corporate Affairs on 19.2.2018 with full details. A number of steps
have been taken to sensitise the banks on the issue of Money Laundering,
including, inter alia, the following:
·
RBI has issued Know Your
Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016 in which guidelines have been laid down in terms
of the provisions of Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 and the
Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, as per
which Regulated Entities, including banks are required to follow certain
customer identification procedures while undertaking a transaction either by
establishing an account-based relationship or otherwise and to monitor their
transactions.
·
RBI has issued Master
Directions on Frauds ― Classification and Reporting which require banks to
report frauds beyond a threshold amount to the police, monitoring and follow-up
of cases by a special committee, quarterly placement of information before
Audit Committees of bank Boards, and annual review of frauds by bank Boards.
These cover, inter alia, preventive measures, fraud detection systems, systemic
lacunae, remedial action, monitoring of progress of investigation and recovery,
and staff accountability.
·
Government has issued
Framework for timely detection, reporting, investigation etc. relating to large
value bank frauds to Public Sector Banks (PSBs), which provides, inter-alia,
that¾
·
PSBs at the time of
lodging a complaint with the CBI would also lodge a complaint with the
Enforcement Directorate in those accounts where money laundering and Foreign
Exchange Management Act violations also appear to be there. Similarly where the
fraud also appears to involve violations in the export and/ or import of goods
and services, a report will also be lodged with Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence; and
·
examination be initiated
for willful default immediately upon reporting fraud to RBI.
·
RBI has issued a circular
to all banks in February 2018 to implement security and operational controls
such as straight-through process between the Core Banking Solution / accounting
system and the SWIFT messaging system, enable time-based restrictions in SWIFT,
review logs at regular intervals, undertake reconciliation, etc. in a
time-bound manner.
·
RBI has instructed banks
to report deficient third- party services (such as legal search reports,
property valuers’ reports etc.) and ineffective action against collusion of
these providers with fraudsters to the Indian Banks’ Association, which
maintains a caution list of such service providers.
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RETAIL INFLATION DIPS FURTHER TO 2.05%, LOWEST IN 19 MONTHS
The consumer price
inflation (CPI) for the month of January further declined to 2.05 per cent
igniting hopes of another rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India. Industrial
production jumped to 2.4 per cent in December, 2018 from 0.5 per cent in
November, 2018. A Reuters poll of 30 economists had predicted CPI to have
accelerated to 2.48 per cent in January. This is the sixth straight month where
the inflation has remained below the RBI's medium term target of 4 per cent.
The CPI for the month of December came in at 2.19 per cent, lowest in the past
18 months, on the back of continued deflation in food items and sharp fall in
fuel inflation. The core inflation also fell to 5.4 per cent in January from
5.7 per cent in December alleviating some concerns over stickiness in non-food,
non-fuel inflation. The Reserve Bank of India, in its sixth bimonthly policy
review, revised downwards the path of inflation to 2.8 per cent in the fourth
quarter of 2018-19, 3.2-3.4 per cent in first-half of 2019-20 and 3.9 per cent
in the third quarter of 2019-20, with risks broadly balanced around the central
trajectory. It also projected the inflation outlook to remain soft in the near
term while flagging certain risks which merit careful monitoring beyond near
term. These include reversal in vegetable prices, uncertainty in trade tensions
and geopolitics which could impact commodity prices among others.
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INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION GROWS AT 2.4% IN DECEMBER ON THE BACK OF
MANUFACTURING UPTICK
India’s industrial
production grew by 2.4 % in December, a month after recording a 17 -month low
growth due to poor show from the manufacturing sector. Data released by the
Central Statistics Office showed while mining and electricity output reduced to
-1% and 4.4%respectively in December, manufacturing expanded by 2.7% during the
month. Lead indicators for IIP remain sluggish, yet a relatively favourable
base and a seasonally strong month contributed to the uptick. The main reason
for the slump in factory output growth in November 2018 was the poor show from
the manufacturing sector, which contracted 0.4 per cent in November 2018,
against the robust 10.4 per cent growth seen in November 2017.
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LAW MINISTER ASSURES TO CONSIDER DEMANDS WITH OPEN MIND
In the meeting, the
leaders of various lawyers bodies brought up their concerns and demands, and
the issues were discussed in elaborate detail. There was consensus that a proper,
structured scheme providing the security of insurance cover needs to be given
serious consideration The scheme should address concerns relating to untimely
death, medical insurance, etc. The Law Minister agreed with this demand and
said that it requires earnest consideration. Accordingly, a committee will be
constituted comprising of representatives from lawyers’ community and the
Government which will work out a comprehensive scheme. This scheme may include
assistance from Central and State Governments, as also involvementof State Bar
Councils and the representatives operating Lawyers’ Welfare Fund. The Union Law
Minister also conveyed to the representatives of lawyers that the Government is
keen to promote establishment of Lawyers’ Hall in district and mofassil courts
all over India. Shri Prasad also conveyed to the gathering that the Government
of India has, since 1993-94 provided grants to various State Governments and
Union Territory Governments amounting to Rs. 6670 crores out of which Rs. 3225
crores has been provided since Financial Year 2014-15 under the Centrally
Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure for District and Subordinate
Judiciary throughout the country. This accounts for 48% of total grant provided
to States and UTs under the scheme. He also mentioned that about 20000 courts
are being connected through secure broad band network and information regarding
court cases are now available to lawyers and litigants at the click of mouse. Prasad
appealed to the lawyers to withdraw their agitation as the Union Government has
decided to look into their demand with an open mind.
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LIFE INSURANCE - PRADHAN MANTRI JEEVAN JYOTI BIMA YOJANA;
5,67,88,890 ENROLMENTS
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan
Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) was launched on 9th May, 2015. The cover period
under this Scheme is 1st June of each year to 31st May of subsequent year. This
Scheme is offered/administered through both public and private sector life
insurance companies, in tie-up with Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural
Banks and Cooperative Banks. PMJJBY offers a renewable one year term life cover
of Rupees Two Lakh to all subscribing bank account holders in the age group of
18 to 50 years, covering death due to any reason, for a premium of Rs.330/- per
annum per subscriber, to be auto debited from subscriber’s bank account. The
Scheme is open for enrollment to all Savings Bank Account Holders including Pradhan
Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana account holders for en-rollment.
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FINANCIAL INCLUSION OF MSMES NEEDED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE
COUNTRY - GIRIRAJ SINGH
Ministry of Micro Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSME) organized a Regional Conference on MSME Financing
under National SC/ST Hub Scheme in New Delhi. Giriraj Singh, in his inaugural
address stressed on the need for financial inclusion of small entrepreneurs,
without whom the country cannot develop. While appreciating the banking sectors
concerns about the Non-Performing Assets and bad debts, he pointed out that
where there is need based financing from the banks the recoveries have been
more than 99 per cent. He urged the banks to set their priorities in line with
the policies and financial guarantees of the Government and provide loans to
youth and small entrepreneurs. The MSME Minister said Government is keen to bring
SC/ST entrepreneurs at par with their counterparts in the industry, dedicating
financial schemes exclusively for them. Talking about the 12 initiatives of the
Government for the MSME sector announced by the Prime Minister on 2nd November
2108, Giriraj Singh urged MSMEs to take full advantage of the 59 Minute Loan
Sanction portal He said the resources are limited but the Government, during
last 4 years, have done a lot for the development of MSME sector. Arun Kumar
Panda, said timely availability of low cost capital, technology upgradation to
make MSMEs competitive, market accessibility and skilled man-power are the core
components for the development of the MSME sector. Heurged MSMEs to avail the
benefits of various schemes of the Ministry like Credit Guarantee Trust Fund
for Micro & Small Enterprises (CGT SME), Prime Minister’s Employment Generation
Programme (PMEGP), Credit Linked Capital Subsidy for Technology Upgradation
(CLCSS), Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness for MSMEs, Financial Support to
MSMEs in ZED Certification Scheme. Additional Secretary & Development
Commissioner MSME Ram Mohan Mishra urged Chambers of Commerce to transfer to
MSMEs knowledge of emerging areas of business and technology and share with
them their vision of the future in order to make MSMEs competitive. This
handholding will give the necessary boost to the MSME sector in the country.
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NEW TARIFF REGIME: TRAI GIVES TV VIEWERS UP TO MARCH 31 TO
CHOOSE CHANNELS
The Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (TRAI), on Tuesday extended the deadline for cable TV
subscribers to shift to the new tariff order regime till March 31. In the
meantime, distribution platform operators (DPOs) have been asked to either
continue the new packs, or migrate the consumers to the ‘Best Fit’ pack. The
‘Best Fit Plan’ shall be designed based on Consumers’ usage pattern, language
spoken and popularity of channels. It should preferably be a blended
combination of various Genre, while making ‘Best Fit Plan’ for a subscriber,
DPOs should ensure that payout per month of the ‘Best Fit Plan’ generally does
not exceed the payout per month of existing tariff plan of the subscriber, the
regulator notified DTH and cable operators. Subscribers will be free to change
their ‘Best Fit Plan’ at any date and time on or before July 31 this year 2019
and DPOs are directed to convert their ‘Best Fit Plan’ into the desired pack
(channel/Bouquet) within 72 hours from the time choice exercised by the
subscriber. There will be no ‘lock-in period’ for the subscribers who have been
migrated to ‘Best Fit Plan’ by DPOs till March 31. In a notification, the
regulator said that of the approx. 100 million cable service TV homes and 67
million DTH TV homes in the country, nearly 65 per cent of the subscribers of
the cable services (65 million homes) and 35 per cent subscribers of the DTH
services (close to 24 million homes) have already exercised the options. Announcing
the extension of the deadline, Trai added, It was brought to the notice of the
Authority that as the system of selecting channels/bouquet by the subscribers
had been introduced for first time in the country, some subscribers were facing
difficulties in selecting the channels/bouquet of their choice. In some cases,
LCOs have not been able to reach out to subscriber to create awareness among
them and collect the options.
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DTH OPERATORS CAN OFFER A SECOND TV CONNECTION AT A DISCOUNTED
PRICE: TRAI
After the new regulatory
regime for DTH came into effect this month, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India (Trai) has clarified that it is up to the service provider to offer a
discount on the base price of a second TV connection. In a recent statement,
the market regulator has clarified that its regulations do not stop operators
from offering discounts or lowering the network capacity fee for a second or
subsequent connection in the same household. Trai has, however, warned
operators that such discounts should be offered uniformly in a location and
declared transparently on the company’s website. The clarification came after
some subscribers raised the issue regarding the price of multiple TV
connections in one home.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI DEDICATED ESIC MEDICAL
COLLEGE AND 510 BEDDED HOSPITAL, FARIDABAD (HARYANA) TO THE NATION
Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi said that the Central Government is working to provide good
quality medical care to every citizen of the country. While dedicating ESIC
Medical College and 510 bedded Hospital, Faridabad to the Nation, the Prime
Minister said that this Medical College will provide medical facilities to the
workers and their family members of the region. The ESIC Medical College and
510 bedded Hospital, Faridabad has been constructed with a project cost of
Rs.595 Crore (approx.) in a sprawling area of 30 Acres. The associated hospital
is equipped with state of art equipment and provides medical services in all
specialities as envisaged under ESI Act.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
AYUSHMAN BHARAT PMJAY
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana (PMJAY) is implemented through the State Government/UTs. The State
Governments have the flexibility to implement PMJAY either through insurance
companies, or directly through trust/society, or in a mixed mode. The payment
for treatment is done on pre-defined package rate basis. Keeping in view the
State specific requirements, States/UTs have the flexibility to modify these
rates within a limited bandwidth.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
GUIDELINES REGARDING RE-USE OF MEDICAL DEVICES
The Government of India
has enacted the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010
and notified Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 for registration
of Clinical Establishments with a view to prescribing the Minimum Standards of
facilities and services provided by them. Under the said Act, the National
Council for clinical establishments has approved Minimum Standards for
different levels of Hospitals These minimum standards inter-alia provide that
the hospitals should have adequate drugs, medical devices and consumables
commensurate to the scope of services and number of beds. These standards
further provide that the quality of drugs, medical devices and consumables
shall be ensured. The Hospitals are also required to follow standard
precautions like practicing hand hygiene, use of personal infection equipment
etc. and infection control practices including compliance to Bio-Medical Waste
Management Rules to reduce high risk of healthcare associated infection. Further,
Central Government has published Medical Devices Rules 2017 effective from
01.01.2018. As per the said rules, Medical Device intended to be used for
single use should be labeled appropriately.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
MONITORING OF HEALTHCARE SERVICE PROVIDED UNDER PPP MODE
Public Health and
Hospitals is State subject. The National Health Mission offers flexibility to
the States to provide healthcare services under Public Private Partnership mode
depending upon its requirements. Under the National Health Mission (NHM),
technical and financial support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their
healthcare systems, based on the requirements posed by the States/UTs in their
Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). This includes support for provision of
healthcare services through Public Private Partnership mode for
projects/programmes such as Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, Free
Diagnostic Service for high end low volume tests like Teleradiology Services
& CT Scan Services, Ambulance Services, Biomedical Equipment Management
Maintenance Programme, National Quality Assurance Programme and other ancillary
services duly sharing the suggested guidelines with them. At present, the
Clinical Establishments Act is applicable in 11 States viz. Arunachal Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand,
Rajasthan, Assam and Haryana and all Union Territories (except Delhi).
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
CASHLESS FACILITY UNDER PMJAY
The details of the
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) are given below:
1. Government of India has
launched Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) on
23.09.2018. PMJAY is centrally sponsored scheme. It is entirely funded by
Government and the funding is shared between Centre and State governments as
per prevailing guidelines of Ministry of Finance.
2. PMJAY provides health
coverage up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary
hospitalization to around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 50
crore beneficiaries).
3. PMJAY is an entitlement
based scheme. This scheme covers poor and vulnerable families based on
deprivation and occupational criteria as per SECC data.
4. PMJAY provides cashless
and paperless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service in
any (both public and private) empanelled hospitals across India. In other
words, a beneficiary from one State can avail benefits from an empanelled
Hospital anywhere in the Country.
5. Under PMAJY, the States
are free to choose the modalities for implementation. They can implement the
scheme through insurance company or directly through the Trust/ Society or
mixed model.
6. There is no restriction
on family size, ensuring all members of designated families specifically girl
child and senior citizens get coverage.
7. At National level,
National Health Authority (NHA) has been set up to implement the scheme.
8. MoU has been signed
between National Health Agency (now National Health Authority) and 33
States/UTs to implement PMJAY.
9. About 1393 treatment
packages are available for the beneficiaries under PMJAY.
Any beneficiary of PMJAY
can approach any empanelled hospital in the country under PMJAY to avail the
benefits. It is an entitlement based scheme and does not involve enrolment, or
issue of plastic cards. On establishment of the beneficiary’s identity,
services are rendered to him/her in a cashless manner.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
TRANSFORMING SHCS AND PHCS AS HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTRES
As per the budget
announcement 2017-18, 1.5 lakh Health Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres
are to be transformed into Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) by December,
2022. The roll out plan of Ayushman Bharat - HWCs is given as below:
·
FY 2018-19 = 15,000
·
FY 2019-20 = 25,000
(Cumulative 40,000)
·
FY 2020-21 = 30,000
(Cumulative 70,000)
·
FY 2021-2022 = 40,000
(Cumulative 1,10,000)
·
Till 31st December 2022 =
40,000 (Cumulative 1,50,000)
As part of Ayushman
Bharat, the Government is supporting the States for strengthening Sub Centres
and Primary Health Centres as Health and Wellness Centres for provision of
comprehensive primary care that includes preventive and health promotion at the
community level with continuum of care approach. Universal screening,
prevention and management of common non-communicable diseases have been rolled
out across the country. States are using a Community based Assessment Checklist
(CBAC) for universal screening of 30+ population to sensitize and mobilize
community for availing services for chronic illnesses at HWCs.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR 111 NAVAL UTILITY HELICOPTERS
(NUH) FOR INDIAN NAVY
In a first of its kind,
Ministry of Defence has issued Expression of Interest for shortlisting of
potential Indian Strategic Partners and foreign OEMs for the ‘Procurement of
111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) for the Indian Navy on 12 Feb 19. These
helicopters will replace Chetak Helicopters and will be utilised for albeit
SAR, CASEVAC, LIMO, passenger roles and torpedo drops. 95 helicopters out of
111 will be manufactured in India by the selected Indian Strategic Partner. The
case was approved by DAC on 25 Aug 18. The project is likely to provide major
boost to Govt’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and fillip to manufacturing
capability for helicopters in India. The Request for EoI from Indian private
companies for participating in the project has been hosted on the MoD/Indian
Navy website on 12 Feb 19. However, the Request for EoI from foreign OEMs has
been forwarded to companies that participated in the RFI deliberations. The
OEMs have been mandated to set up dedicated manufacturing line, including
design, integration and manufacturing processes for NUH in India and make
Indian Manufacturing Line as a global exclusive facility for the NUH platform
being offered. Whilst Indian companies have been given two months to respond to
the EoI, the foreign OEMs have been given three months for responding due to
the nature of inputs required. High level of indigenisation i.e about 60% of
the helicopter is desired through the NUH project. The RFP for procurement is
likely to be issued towards the end of third quarter of this year to the
shortlisted Indian companies.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
APPLICATIONS INVITED TO OPEN MORE PMBJP KENDRAS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY; APPLICATION FEE WAIVED OFF BY GOVERNMENT
Mansukh L. Mandaviya,
while giving a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, stated that as on
05.02.2019, 5001 ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
Kendras’ are functional in 651 districts of the country. Presently, the product
basket of PMBJP covers more than 800 medicines and 154 surgicals &
consumables covering all therapeutic groups such as Anti-infectives,
Anti-diabetics, Cardiovasculars, Anti-cancers, Gastro-intestinal medicines, etc.
The Minister further stated that as per the Standing Finance Committee (SFC)
Note on ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), the three year
plan of PMBJP envisages that 1000 PMBJP Kendras will be opened in each year
i.e. 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. The targets for opening PMBJP Kendras during
2017-18 and 2018-19 have already been achieved by the Government.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
GOVERNMENT NOT CONTEMPLATING ANY BAN ON STEEL EXPORTS: STEEL
MINISTRY
Government does not
intervene in the pricing decisions of the steel companies. Consequently, the
domestic steel prices are market driven and depend on the demand-supply
scenario and the intensity of competition. Vishnu Deo Sai said. However, the
Ministry of Steel is taking steps to make the raw materials like iron ore,
coking coal and natural gas available at affordable prices, so that the steel
companies can become globally competitive. The Government is also trying to
encourage private players and CPSEs to go for overseas asset acquisitions for
raw material securitization. The Government has released the National Steel
Policy 2017, which had laid down the broad roadmap for encouraging long term
growth for the Indian steel industry, both on demand and supply sides, by
2030-31. The Government has also implemented the preference to Domestically
Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy which mandates a
minimum domestic value addition of 15% on the imported input steel to be
eligible for big ticket Government procurements and tenders. There is also the
‘Make-in-India’ programme, which aims to provide an impetus to the
manufacturing and mining sector of the country through various policy
initiatives and incentives which are expected to benefit the domestic steel
industry. The Minister of State further said the Government is not
contemplating any ban on steel exports. Vishnu Deo Sai, said there is no
continuous upward trend during each of the last three years and current year. The
prices fell in the initial period, from April, 2015 to January, 2016, before
recovering again. The prices then consolidated and rose till March, 2018. Subsequent
to that, the prices showed a mixed trend before peaking in September, 2018. Prices
have shown a downward trend since then till January, 2019, he said.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
SCHEMES OF MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT FOR
VARIOUS SECTIONS
The Department of Social
Justice and Empowerment has launched the ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)’ on
1st April, 2017 with an objective to provide senior citizens belonging to BPL
category and suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, with
physical aids and assisted living devices such as walking sticks, elbow
crutches, walkers/ crutches, tripods/ quad-pods, hearing aids, wheelchairs,
artificial dentures and spectacles free of cost to the beneficiary senior
citizens. The scheme is entirely funded from the Senior Citizen’s Welfare Fund
(SCWF). Under the Scheme funds are not released to the different States/UTs but
to the sole Implemented Agency i.e. ‘Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation
(ALIMCO)’, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment. The following scholarship schemes have been introduced by the
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities during the last three
years- Top Class Education (for Graduate degree/Post-graduate degree/ diploma
in notified institutes of excellence in education) – 2015-16, and Free Coaching
(for students appearing in competitive examinations for Government jobs and
admission to technical and professional courses) – 2017-18. The fund in respect
of Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana is released to the implementing agency i.e.
ALIMCO for organizing Assessment / Distribution Camps throughout the country.
The funds released under the scheme during 2017-18 is Rs.17.5 crore and
Rs.53.25 crore during 2018-19. In so far as schemes of Top Class Education and
Free Coaching for Students with Disabilities (SwDs) are concerned State/UT-wise
funds are not allocated. However, in case of Top Class Education for SwDs, the
number of slots of scholarships are distributed among all the States and Union
Territories. The number of slots available to any State/UT is decided on the
basis of percentage of population of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) of that
State/UT in comparison to the total PwD population of India. In case the number
of scholarships so allocated to a State/UT is not fully utilized, due to
non-availability of eligible candidates, the unutilized slots are allocated
amongst the other States/UTs where the number of eligible candidates is more
than the slots allocated to that State/UT. The total amount released under Top
Class Education is Rs. 176.75 lakh and for Free Coaching for SwDs Rs. 87.24
lakh during the last three years.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
KUSUM SCHEME TO PROMOTE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY AMONG FARMERS
UNDER CONSIDRATION: SHRI R. K. SINGH
The Government is formulating
a Scheme ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evamUtthaanMahabhiyan (KUSUM)’ which inter-alia aims
to promote use of solar energy among the farmers The proposed scheme provides
for:
·
setting up of
grid-connected renewable power plants each of 500KW to 2 MW in the ruralarea;
·
installation of standalone
off-grid solar water pumps to fulfil irrigation needs of farmers not connected
to grid;and
·
solarization of existing
grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and
also sell surplus solar power generated to Discom and get extraincome.
·
The Scheme is under
consideration of the Government and therefore, detailed provisions are yet to
be finalized.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
A NUMBER OF MEASURES TAKEN TO POPULARISE ROOF TOP SOLAR POWER
SYSTEM
Under the present rooftop
solar programme, which was approved by the Government in December 2015, an
aggregated capacity of 2100 MW is targeted to be achieved in residential,
institutional, social and Government sector through central financial
assistance by the year 2019-20. As per data captured on the SPIN portal of the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), a total of 1279 MW capacity grid
connected rooftop solar PV systems have been reported installed in the country
as on 31.1.2019. While no formal study has been commissioned to study the
rooftop solar scenario, the Government is taking a number of steps to promote
rooftop solar in the country, these include:
·
Providing central
financial assistance (CFA) for residential/institutional/social sectors and
achievement linked incentives for Government sectors through Rooftop Solar
Scheme.
·
Persuading states to
notify the net/gross metering regulations for RTS projects. Now all the 36
States/UTs/SERCs have notified such regulations and/or tariff orders.
·
Prepared model MoU, PPA
and Capex Agreement for expeditious implementation of RTS projects in Govt.
Sector.
·
Allocate Ministry-wise
expert PSUs for handholding and support in implementation of RTS projects in
various Ministries/Departments.
·
Suryamitra program is
being implemented for creation of a qualified technical workforce.
·
Initiated DG S&D rate
contract for solar rooftop systems.
·
Creation of SPIN-an online
platform for expediting project approval, report submission and monitoring
progress of implementation of RTS projects.
·
Initiated Geo-tagging of
RTS project, in co-ordination with ISRO, for traceability and transparency.
·
Facilitated availability
of concessional loans from World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to SBI
and PNB respectively, for disbursal of loans to industrial and commercial
sectors, where CFA/incentive is not being provided by the Ministry.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
RAILWAY REDUCES PROPOSED FARES OF TRAIN 18 TICKETS
Rationalising the fares of
Vande Bharat Express or Train 18, the railways Tuesday said an air-conditioned
chair car ticket for a Delhi-Varanasi trip would cost Rs 1,760, instead of Rs
1,850, and the executive class fare will be Rs 3,310, instead of RS 3,520. On
the return journey, the chair car ticket would cost Rs 1,700 and the executive
car ticket will be priced at Rs 3,260, a railway order said. Both the fares are
inclusive of the catering charges. The semi-high speed train is scheduled to be
flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15. The train has two
classes of tickets -- executive class and chair car -- and will have
differently priced meals.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
GOVERNMENT RELEASES COMPREHENSIVE PUBLICATION ON VARIOUS
INITIATIVES TAKEN
Union Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change released a publication in New Delhi on climate
actions in India titled India – Spearheading Climate Solutions. This
publication India – Spearheading Climate Solutions mentions the key actions
India has taken under various sectors towards combating and adapting to climate
change. Harsh Vardhan said that India has been one of the proactive countries in
the world that has been working on multiple aspects of climate change at
domestic as well as international level. Harsh Vardhan said that this
publication not only highlights our achievements towards climate action but
also our preparedness for future. The initiatives captured in this publication
are reflection of our commitment towards addressing climate change concerns
while keeping a fine balance with the sustainable development priorities, said
the Union Minister. Further, the Environment minister said that we all know
that climate change has become a global problem and the continuing change in
climate across the world is posing threat to our environment and society.
Today, it’s easy to get disheartened or fearful about climate change but, I
always believe that there is a solution to every problem; you just need to find
it., said Dr. Vardhan. In the last four years, many clean and green development
initiatives taken at both the state and national level have significantly
contributed to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. A number of new
policies and initiatives in various sectors like e-mobility, green
transportation, renewable energy, waste management, afforestation, water, etc.
have also been introduced to minimise the impact of climate change. The
ambitious goal of generating 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, smart cities,
electric vehicles, energy efficiency initiatives, leapfrogging from Bharat
Stage -IV to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms by April 2020 etc. have been
undertaken proactively to minimise the impact of climate change. Schemes like
UJALA for LED distribution has crossed the number of 320 million while UJJWALA
for distributing clean cooking stoves to women below poverty line has covered
more than 63 million households. India recently submitted its Second Biennial
Update Report (BUR) to UNFCCC in December 2018 as per the reporting obligations
under the convention. The report brings out the fact that emission intensity of
India’s GDP came down by 21% between 2005 & 2014 and India’s achievement of
climate goal for pre-2020 period is on track.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
52 OF 400 VENTILATORS IN DELHI HOSPITALS NON-FUNCTIONAL, STATE
TELLS HC
After 3-year-old Farhan
died in the national Capital for an alleged want of proper ventilator care
earlier this month, the state government of Delhi has told the High Court that
a substantial number of ventilators in its government hospitals are not
working. The state also told the HC on Tuesday that they were aiming to have a
web portal up and running within two months, which would provide an online
daily update on ventilator and bed availability across Delhi's government
hospitals. After directions were issued by the HC, the state asked all its
hospitals to provide a status update on ventilators and according to the
information received from the government hospitals, up to 52 ventilators (13
per cent) of the total of 400 ventilator beds (including 300 ICU and 100
non-ICU) available in the hospitals are non-functional. Fifty-two ventilators
are non-functional and efforts are being made to get them repaired. The
procurement of 18 ventilators is under process, said the reply filed by the
state government in the High Court on February 12.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
J&J FAULTY HIP IMPLANT PATIENTS MAY GET ₹10 LAKH EXTRA COMPENSATION
The government committee
on the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) faulty hip implant case has recommended ₹10
lakh in additional compensation for those who have had two revision surgeries.
There is a rider, however: if such patients have already been reimbursed by the
company, they will get ₹5 lakh. The expert committee, which met on 4 February,
recommended the additional compensation without making any modifications in the
formula that was approved in November for the quantum of compensation to be
awarded to people fitted with the faulty implants. The patients’ concerns have
been taken care of and hence it was decided to increase the compensation for
those who have had two revision surgeries, said one of the persons mentioned
above. The government started fresh discussions in January after J&J and a
group of patients expressed concerns. Both the parties shared their views with
the committee on 9 January. The committee will now start reviewing the cases
for compensation, the second person said.
#For Source of Information copy and paste the heading in google.
Thanks & Regards,
CS Meetesh Shiroya
Thanks & Regards,
CS Meetesh Shiroya
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