The Union Government constitutes B B Tandon Committee to monitor Government Advertisements

The Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry has constituted a 3 member Committee to see that guidelines set for government advertisements by the Supreme Court are followed. The committee will be headed by the former Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon. TV journalist Rajat Sharma and ad-man Piyush Pandey will be the other 2 members of the committee.
Background:

• The committee was constituted by I&B Ministry based on the recommendation of the 3 member selection committee comprising Press Council Chairman Justice (retd) C K Prasad, I&B Secretary Sunil Arora and advertising professional Prasoon Joshi..


• Supreme Court order on Govt Advertisements In May 2015, Supreme Court in its order had issued Guidelines on Regulating Government Advertisements based on recommendations of Prof NR Madhava Menon Committee.


• in its order, SC had barred publication of photos of leaders in government advertisements except those of the President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India.


• SC had also directed the Union Government to constitute a 3 member committee to regulate the issue of public advertisements.


• It had clearly mentioned that member of this committee should be consisting of persons with unimpeachable neutrality and impartiality.


• However, in March 2016 SC modified its earlier May 2015 order and allowed photographs of Chief Ministers, Governors & ministers to be carried in public advertisements.

0

Shares

The Union Government constitutes B B Tandon Committee to monitor Government Advertisements

Union Government notified Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change on 28th March 2016 notified the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The new set of Rules will replace the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998.
Highlights of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016

• Biomedical waste was defined as human & animal anatomical waste, treatment apparatus like needles, syringes and other materials used in health care facilities in the process of treatment & research.

• This waste is generated during diagnosis, treatment and immunisation in hospitals, nursing homes, pathological laboratories, blood bank, etc.

• The objective of the new set of rules is to properly manage the 484 tons per day bio-medical waste from 168869 healthcare facilities (HCFs) across the country.

• The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps and any other healthcare activity.

• Use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags will be phased out within 2 years.

• Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples & blood bags through disinfection or sterilisation on site in the manner as prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) or The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)

• All health care workers will be provided training & immunization regularly.

• A Bar Code System for bags or containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal will be established.

• Existing incinerators to achieve the standards for retention time in secondary chamber and Dioxin and Furans within 2 years.

• Bio-medical waste has been classified in to Four categories instead of the existing Ten categories to improve the segregation of waste at source.

• Procedure to get authorisation simplified. Automatic authorisation for bedded hospitals will be allowed. The validity of authorization synchronised with validity of consent orders for bedded healthcare facilities.

• The new rules prescribe more stringent standards for incinerator to reduce the emission of pollutants in environment.

• Emissions limits for Dioxin & furans were prescribed.

• State Government will provide land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment & disposal facility.

• No occupier shall establish on-site treatment and disposal facility, if a service of `common bio-medical waste treatment facility is available at a distance of 75 KM.

• Operator of a common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility has to ensure the timely collection of bio-medical waste from the HCFs and assist the HCFs in conduct of training.

0

Shares

Union Government notified Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016

Supreme Court approves Union Government’s guidelines to protect Good Samaritans to victims

Supreme Court has approved the Union Government’s guidelines to protect Good Samaritans, who help the road accident victims, from being unnecessarily harassed by the police or any other authority. These guidelines based on the recommendations K S Radhakrishnan committee were approved by the SC bench comprising justices V Gopala Gowda & Arun Mishra. These guidelines will be binding on all states and Union Territories untill the union government enacts a law to this effect. The bench also has asked the Union Government to give wide publicity to these guidelines so that people who help others in the time of distress are not victimised by any authority. It should be noted that SC took on record these guidelines to protect Good Samaritans placed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The Ministry had approached the SC for issuing these guidelines on all states and Union Territories by its order as it was facing difficulty to enforce them in the absence of any statutory backing.
Background:

The Guideline of the Transport Ministry were based on the recommendations of the 3 member committee headed by the former judge K S Radhakrishnan. The committee was appointed by the SC in 2014 to monitor steps taken by the Centre and state governments to ensure the road safety. The committee had given 12 major recommendations including setting up of State Road Safety Councils, evolving a protocol for identification of black spots, their removal and monitoring to see the effectiveness of the action taken. The committee had also suggested strengthening of enforcement relating to drunken driving, red light jumping, over-speeding and helmet or seat belt laws.

0

Shares

Supreme Court approves Union Government’s guidelines to protect Good Samaritans to victims

Union Government notifies Aadhaar Act, 2016

The Union Government has notified the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, benefits and services) Act, 2016. The Act will provide statutory backing for transfer of subsidies and benefits to eligible people having Aadhaar (UID) number.
Key facts:

• Aadhaar Act seeks to provide efficient, transparent and targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits and services to individuals residing in India by assigning them unique identity numbers (UID) or Aadhaar number.


• It will be used for all benefit that will be linked to consolidated fund of India or the expenditure incurred from it. Both central and state government can use Aadhaar for disbursal for benefits and subsidies.


• However the Aadhaar number cannot be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. The Act gives statutory for establishment of the Unique Identification Authority of India consisting of a Chairperson (part time or full time) and two Members (part time).


• Those individuals not having Aadhaar number shall be offered alternate and viable means of identification for delivery of the subsidies, benefits or service.

0

Shares

Union Government notifies Aadhaar Act, 2016

The Union Government notified E-Waste Management Rules, 2016

 

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The new set of rules will supersede the E-Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 and will pave the way for more transparent or environment friendly management of e-waste across the india.
Highlights of E-Waste Management Rules, 2016:

• Manufacturer, dealer, refurbisher and Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) have been introduced as additional stakeholders in the rules.

• The applicability of rules has been extended to components, consumables, spares and parts of the electromechanical.

• Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamp were brought under the purview of rules for the 1st time.

• Collection mechanism based approach has been adopted to include collection centre, collection point, take back system etc for collection of e-waste by the Producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

• Option has been given for setting up of PRO, e-waste exchange, e- retailer, Deposit Refund Scheme as additional channel for implementation of EPR by the Producers to ensure efficient channelization of e-waste.

• Provision for Pan India EPR Authroization by CPCB has been introduced replacing the State wise EPR authorization.

• Deposit Refund Scheme was introduced as an additional economic instrument where in the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical & electronic equipment.

• The amount will be returned to the consumer along with interest when the end of life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.

• The e-waste exchange as an option has been provided in the rules as an independent market instrument offering assistance or independent electronic systems offering services for sale & purchase of e-waste.

• The manufacturer is also now responsible to collect e-waste generated during the manufacture of any electrical and electronic equipment and channelise it for recycling or disposal and seek authorization from SPCB.

• For the 1st time, the roles of the State Government was introduced in the Rules in order to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in the dismantling or recycling operations.

• The State Government will prepare an integrated plan for effective implementation of these provisions and submit annual report to Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

0

Shares

The Union Government notified E-Waste Management Rules, 2016

Union Government launches Depot Online System of state run FCI

The Union Government has launched Depot Online System of state run Food Corporation of India (FCI) to bring transparency and minimise storage losses of foodgrains. It was launched by the Union Food & public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in New Delhi as part of Digital India initiative of the Union Government.
Key facts:

• Depot Online System will help real time monitoring of FCI operations & enhance transparency and efficiency.


• The project is being implemented in the FCI owned 553 depots and subsequently Food Corporation hired godowns will be also brought under the ambit of the project later.


• The system will bring automation of the entire process from entry & exit of foodgrains at Food Corporation of India depots.


• It would eliminate usage of manual registers and would help in better monitoring and supervision as would reduce leakages & losses.

0

Shares

Union Government launches Depot Online System of state run FCI

NITI Aayog has launches Women Transforming India initiative

The Union Government’s premier think tank NITI Aayog has launched ‘Women Transforming India’ initiative. The initiative was launched on the eve of International Women’s Day (8th March) in partnership with the United Nations & MyGov.
Key facts:

• Through this initiative NITI Aayog seeks to directly engage with women leaders from across urban & rural areas of India.


• It will collect entries in the form of written essays/stories, preferably accompanied by the photographs that set a context to the narrative.


• These stories will be reflecting new ground broken by the women in empowering themselves and others or challenging stereotypes.


• This initiative is also considered as an important step forward in furthering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes Gender as a one of the stand alone goal.


• NITI Aayog has been entrusted with the responsibility to plan, coordinate & monitor SDG efforts across Union Ministries & State governments.

0

Shares

NITI Aayog has launches Women Transforming India initiative

Justice Balbir Singh appointed as the Chairman of 21st Law Commission of India

Union Government has appointed the former Supreme Court (SC) judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan as the Chairman of 21st Law Commission of India (LCI). Currently Balbir Singh Chauhan is Chairman of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal. He was judge of the SC from May 2009 to July 2014. Balbir Singh also had served as the Chief Justice of Orissa high court from July 2008 to May 2009. Apart from him, The Union Government has appointed former judge of the Gujarat high court Justice Ravi R Tripathi as member of 21st LCI.
Background

Earlier in September 2015, Union Government had constituted 21st LCI for period of Three years with effect from 1st September 2015 to 31st August 2018.

Composition: (i) Chairperson (full-time), (ii) 4 Members (full-time). It will include a Member-Secretary. (iii) Three Secretaries: Department of Legal Affairs, Legislative Department & Legislative Department as ex office Members. (iv) Up to Five part-time Members.

Recommendations: 21st LCI will give its major recommendations on a review of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the criminal justice system and the bail law in order to ensure uniformity in the procedure of granting the relief.
About the Law Commission of India:

• The LCI is a non statutory and non constitutional body constituted by Union Government from time to time.


• The 1st commission was constituted in 1955 and since then various commissions were re-constituted every 3 years.


• It is usually headed by retired Supreme Court judge & former Chief Justice of a high court.


• So far, various Law Commissions have submitted 262 reports to make important contribution towards codification and progressive development of laws of the country.


• The 20th LCI was headed by the Justice A P Shah, Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and its tenure ended on 31st August, 2015.

0

Shares

Justice Balbir Singh appointed as the Chairman of 21st Law Commission of India

Union Government has signed the Raptor MoU on conservation of birds of Prey

The Union Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on conservation of birds of prey in Africa & Eurasia at the Convention on Migratory Species Office in Abu Dhabi.

The MoU was signed by the T.P Seetharam, the Ambassador of India to the UAE.

With the signing of the Raptor MoU, India became the 56th signatory state to sign it.

The MoU is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, where in the birds have been accorded protection.
What is Raptor MoU?

• MoU on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa & Eurasia is an international, legally non binding, agreement to protect migratory birds of prey.

• It was concluded on 22nd October 2008 and came into effect on 1st November 2008.

• It is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS.

• It seeks willingness of the signatory Range States for the working conservation of the raptor species and their habitats.

• An action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages the conservation action for Raptor species.

• The MoU extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey out of which 46 species including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, and more which are also found in India.

• The CMS or Bonn Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range.

• India has been a party to the CMS since 1st November 1983.

0

Shares

Union Government has signed the Raptor MoU on conservation of birds of Prey

The Union Government has announces to withdraw tax proposal on EPF

Union Finance Ministry has announced to withdraw its proposal to tax Employee Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals. It was announced by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha clarifying NDA government’s stand on the issue. However, government has not changed its plan to tax National Pension Scheme (NPS) withdrawal.
Background:

• Earlier in the Union Budget 2016-17, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to tax Employee Provident Fund & National Pension Scheme withdrawals with an effect from 1st April 2016.


• It was announced that 60 % of the amount deposited in Employee Provedent Fund(EPF) account of the employee would be taxed at the time of withdrawal and remaining 40 % would be tax free.


• However, the budget proposal had provided the tax exemption if the employee reinvests 60% of the Employee Provident Fund in a pension or annuity fund.


• The proposal to tax EPF & NPS withdrawals was made to create a pensioned society, especially among employees in the private sector who have no provision for pension.

What is EPF?

• The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit applicable only to the salaried employees.


• It is a fund to which both the employee and the employer contribute fixed amount (percent) of the former’s basic salary amount each month.


• This percentage is pre-set by government. At present, the entire Employee Provident Fund amount is tax free at the time of withdrawal if the employee has completed the 5 years of continuous service.

0

Shares

The Union Government has announces to withdraw tax proposal on EPF

The Union Government appoints Three Information commissioners of CIC

Union Government has appointed 3 Information Commissioners at the Central Information Commission (CIC). They were administered the oath of office by the Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur. With their induction, for the 1st time CIC has full strength i.e. the total number of Information Commissioners including the Commissioners at the Central Information Commission has gone up to 11. Their appointments have been made for a term of Five years or till they turn 65.
Appointees are Amitava Bhattacharya: He is retired IAS officer who had served Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Bimal Julka: He is retired IAS officer who had served as Information & Broadcasting Secretary.

Divya Prakash Sinha: He is retired IPS officer and counter terror veteran who had served as Secretary (security) at the Cabinet Secretariat.
About Central Information Commission:

• CIC is designated statutory authority to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person who have not been able to submit information.


• It was established in 2005 as per the The Right To Information (RTI) Act, 2005 that has provisions for establishment of Central and State information commissioner.

Appointment:

The Chief Information Commissioner & Information Commissioners are appointed by President on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising of Prime Minister as Chairperson, leader of single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha and Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

Tenure: The Chief Information Commissioner & Information Commissioner hold office for a term of five years or till he attains the age of 65 years.Chief Information Commissioner is not eligible for reappointment.

0

Shares

The Union Government appoints Three Information commissioners of CIC

Union Government extended E-Tourist Visa Scheme extended to 37 more countries

The Union Government has extended e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 37 more countries. With this, the total count of countries under the scheme will become 150. The new countries included in e-Tourist Visa scheme are Austria, Albania, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Comoros, Cote d’lvoire, Cape Verde, Czech Republic, Croatia, Eritrea, Denmark, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Iceland, Lesotho, Liberia, San Marino, Moldova, Namibia, Romania, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Trinidad & Tobago, Tajikistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

About E-Tourist Visa Scheme :

• Union Government had launched e-Tourist Visa Scheme in November 2014. e-Tourist Visa Scheme facilitates pre-authorization of Visa i.e. electronic travel authorization given to foreigners prior to travel.


• Under this scheme, an applicant registers for visa online and receives an email authorizing him/her to travel to India after it is approved.


• On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorization to the immigration authorities who will in turn allow to enter into the country.


• Scheme seeks to tap the vast tourism potential of India which still remains untapped & explored.

0

Shares

Union Government extended E-Tourist Visa Scheme extended to 37 more countries

Union Government launched ENVIS portal

Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has launched Environment Information System (ENVIS) portal and mobile application. It was launched on the sidelines of the national interaction-cum-evaluation workshop for Environment Information System. ENVIS Portal (http://envis.nic.in) runs parallel with the objectives of Digital India which works on improving the digital literacy in the environment sector and deliver services digitally. It will play important role integrating network of ENVIS centres.
About Environment Information System (ENVIS):

• ENVIS is central sector Scheme of the MOEFCC implemented since 1982.


• The purpose of the scheme is to integrate country wide efforts in environmental information collection, storage, collation, retrieval & dissemination.


• The ENVIS network presently consists of 69 centres, of which 29 are under environment departments of various state governments UT administrations while remaining 40 are operated by the environment related government and non governmental organisations.

0

Shares

Union Government launched ENVIS portal

The Union Government has unveils National Capital Goods Policy 2016

Union Government has unveiled a National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to give an impetus to the capital goods sector and the Make in India initiative. It was unveiled by the Union Minister of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprise Anant Geet on the occasion of the Make in India Week held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This is for the 1st time, the Union Government (Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprise) has framed such national policy for the capital goods sector.
Key features of Policy:

• Increase the exports of capital goods from the current 27-40 percent of production. Increase share of domestic capital goods production in terms of demand from 60-80percent in order to make India a net exporter of capital goods.


• Facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub sectors, ensure mandatory standards, increase skill availability and promote growth & capacity building of MSMEs.


• Seeks to address some of the key issues including availability of finance, raw material, productivity, quality & environment friendly manufacturing practices, innovation & technology, creating domestic demand and promoting exports.


• Enhance Indian made capital goods export through a ‘Heavy Industry Export or Market Development Assistance Scheme (HIEMDA)’.


• Strengthening existing scheme of Department of Heavy Industry on enhancement of competitiveness of Capital Goods sector by increasing the budgetary allocation.


• Seeks to launch a TDF (Technology Development Fund), upgrade existing and setting up new testing and certification facility.


• It also seeks to make standards mandatory in order to reduce sub standard machine imports and provide opportunity to local manufacturing units and launch scheme of skill development for Capital Goods sector.

0

Shares

The Union Government has unveils National Capital Goods Policy 2016

Union Government has sets up 2 committees to ensure consistency in tax policies Research Unit

The Union Government has been constituted 2 new committees namely Tax Policy Research Unit & Tax Policy Council (TPC) to streamline the taxation policy & administration. These committees have been constituted based on the recommendation of the Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) on taxation reform.

Tax Policy Research Unit :

• The TPRU will be headed by the Revenue Secretary. it will carry out studies on related topics of fiscal or tax policies.


• It will assist the TPC in taking appropriate policy decisions and shall prepare tax proposal & analysis of legislative intent.


• It will also take decisions on expected increase or decrease in tax collection & economic impact. It will comprise of officers from CBEC, CBDT as well as economists, researchers, statisticians , legal experts.

Tax Policy Council :

• The TPC will help government in identifying key policy decisions for taxation. It shall aim to have a consistent and coherent approach to the issue of tax policy.


• It will look at all the research findings coming from TPRU and suggest broad policy measures for taxation. The council will be headed by the Union Finance Minister.


• It shall have Nine members – Minister of State for Finance, Commerce Minister, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, Chief Economic Advisor & Finance Secretary.


• It would also have secretaries from the department of Revenue, DEA, DIPP and Ministry of Commerce.

Backgroud:

• Taxation policy or administration is handled in the CBDT and the CBEC.


• But there are also 2 independent boards Tax Research Unit (TRU) & Tax Policy and Legislation (TPL) wings which are also sending proposals to the Union Finance Minister.


• TARC in its 1st Report had identified handling of tax policy and related legislation as one of the areas in need of structural modifications.


• In order to bring consistency, multidisciplinary inputs and coherence in taxation policy making, it had recommended establishment of Tax Council supported by a common Tax Policy and Analysis (TPA) unit to cater to needs of both direct and indirect taxes.

0

Shares

Union Government has sets up 2 committees to ensure consistency in tax policies Research Unit

Union Government announced First batch of 20 smart cities from 11 States & Delhi

The Union Ministry of Urban Development on 28th January 2016 announced the First batch of 20 smart cities from 11 States & Union Territory of Delhi under the Smart Cities Mission.

20 cities were selected through the Smart City Challenge competition that saw the participation of 1.52 crore citizens from 97 cities & towns.

23 States and Union Territories who could not make to the list of winners will be given an opportunity to participate in fast-track competition.
Details related to 20 smart cities

• Among the 20 cities & towns, 3 cities are from Madhya Pradesh, 2 each from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and 1 each from the remaining 5 made it to the winning list.

• The 20 winning cities & towns have proposed a total investment of 50802 crore rupees over the 5 years with all the cities proposing Public-Private-Partnership as a major vehicle of resource mobilization. A total area of 26735 acres has been identified by these cities for making them smart cities through necessary interventions.

• These 20 cities account for a total population of 3.54 crore and five have population below five lakhs each, four in the range of 5 to 10 lakhs, six in between 10 to 25 lakhs, four between 25 & 50 lakhs and only Ahmedabad has above 50 lakhs.

0

Shares

Union Government announced First batch of 20 smart cities from 11 States & Delhi

Union Government formed expert committee to review the Specific Relief Act, 1963

The Legislative Department in the Ministry of Law and Justice on 28th January 2016 constituted an expert committee to review the Specific Relief Act, 1963. The committee will have 5 members besides the Chairman.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within 3 months.

The Specific Relief Act, 963 provides for the law relating to certain kind of specific relief and has not been amended since its inception.

Decision was taken in view of tremendous developments that have taken place after 1963 and also in the context of present scenario involving contract based infrastructure development, public private partnerships and other public projects involving huge investments and enforceability of the contracts thereof.

It is a remedy which aims at the exact fulfillment of an obligation or specific performance of the contract rather than a general relief or damages and compensation. The review of the Act will also ensure ease of doing business.

0

Shares

Union Government formed expert committee to review the Specific Relief Act, 1963

The Union Government launches Sahaj Scheme for online booking of LPG cylinders

Union Government has launched the Sahaj Scheme for online booking of LPG cylinders.This scheme was launched by the Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan as part of Government’s 2016 Year of the Consumers initiative.
Features of Scheme:

• Consumers can book LPG cylinders online through the unified web portal www.mylpg.in which is available in 13 languages.


• coustomer can apply online for the new LPG connection and they need not visit to the LPG distributors for it.


• This facility is available around the clock and with online and offline payment options. LPG cylinders will be delivered at home even in their absence.


• The Union government has decided to target of adding Ten crore new LPG connections by December 2018 to present 16.5 crore connections.

0

Shares

The Union Government launches Sahaj Scheme for online booking of LPG cylinders

HRD Ministry inaugurates permanent campus of IISER in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

The Union Government has inaugurated the 1st phase of permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Vithura in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It was inaugurated by the Union Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani in presence of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram is dedicated to scientific research & science education of international standards. It had started functioning in the state in August 2008 with a transit campus at the College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram, kerala.
About the Institutes of Science Education & Research:

• IISERs are a group of most premier statutory science education & research institutes in India of national importance and are intended to be the IITs of basic sciences.


• The institutes were created under The National Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2010 (an amendment of the National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007).


• Presently there are 6 IISERs in operational namely IISER Kolkata (West Bengal), IISER Pune (Maharashtra), IISER Mohali (Punjab), IISER Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), IISER Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) & IISER Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh).


• In 2015 Union Budget, two new IISERs one at Brahmapur (Odisha) and other one in Nagaland have been announced.

0

Shares

HRD Ministry inaugurates permanent campus of IISER in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Dr Urjit Patel re-appointed as Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor for Three Years

The Union Government re-appointed Dr Urjit R Patel, as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), for a second three year term.

Patel who joined Reserve Bank of India on January 11, 2013 had headed a committee that paved the way for the proposed monetary policy committee. Patel, a doctorate from Yale University, also had a stint at IMF.

Patel is the 4th deputy governor and the other three are HR Khan, R Gandhi and SS Mundra.

The re-appointment of Patel assumes significance as in recent past, none of the deputy governors got a 2nd term.
About Dr Urjit Patel

• Dr Urjit Patel is an economist with hawkish point of view on inflation.

• He authored a research paper called Dynamics of Inflation Herding:

Decoding India’s Inflationary Process along with Gangadhar Darbha, ED, Nomura.

• Between 1990 &1995, Dr Patel worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 1995 covering the US, India, Bahamas & Myanmar desks.

• Dr Urjit Patel was on deputation from 1996-1997 from the IMF to the Reserve Bank of India and provided advice on development of the debt market, banking sector reforms, pension fund reforms, real exchange rate targeting and evolution of the foreign exchange market.

•Dr Urjit Patel was also a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and was also a part of IDFC’s management committee for almost 10 years ever since it was 1st incepted.

• From 2005 to 2008, he also worked in board of Multi Commodity Exchange of India.

•Dr Urjit Patel was NRI at Brooking Institution, Washington DC from 2006-07.

• As an academic as well as consultant,Dr Urjit Patel also provides advice to Indian government on different panels.

• Patel was the board member in Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation as well.

• Prior to his appointment as the deputy governor at Reserve Bank India in 2013,Dr Patel was advisor (energy And infrastructure) with Boston Consulting Group.

0

Shares

Dr Urjit Patel re-appointed as Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor for Three Years