General Studies

✔ General Studies, Current Affairs & GK- November 2009* ✔ ✔

*Union Carbide factory to be opened to public, media*

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State trying to convince people the waste is not toxic -

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The factory was closed in 1984 after the world’s biggest industrial disaster killed thousands and injured many more. The official figure for the total number of dead and injured due to the leak of toxic gases from the pesticides plant stands at 574,367. -

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December 2-3 to mark the 25th year of the tragedy. -

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The DRDO [Defence Research and Development Organisation] and the NEERI [National Environmental Engineering Research Institute] have declared that the waste is not dangerous to mammals or harmful for the people who visit the place.

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*Sheikh Hasina chosen for Indira Gandhi Peace Prize*

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Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been chosen for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development this year. -

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Ms. Hasina was chosen for her “outstanding contribution to the promotion of democracy and pluralism, her determined drive to alleviate poverty and secure social and economic justice for her people through inclusive and sustainable development, and her consistent commitment to peace.

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*Cabinet clears Bundelkhand pa ckage*

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The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs.7,277-crore Drought Mitigation Special Package for the integrated development of the drought-hit Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh from 2009 to 2010. -

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The package covers seven districts of Uttar Pradesh (Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalipur and Mahoba) and six districts of Madhya Pradesh (Chhatarpur, Damoh, Datia, Panna, Sagar and Tikamgarh). -

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Under the package, the main strategy will be optimisation of water resources through rainwater harvesting and proper utilisation of the river systems. Intensive and diversified agriculture will be promoted for gain in productivity of crops, besides higher sown area in the kharif season. Animal husbandry and dairy activities will be expanded as an ancillary activity to enhance farmers’ income. -

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The plans proposed under the package are estimated to cost Rs.7,266 crore over three years. Part of the cost will be met by way of converging resources from the ongoing Central government programmes and schemes.

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*Private firm to launch contract farming for cocoon rearing*

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Honeybee Silk Corporation, a Coimbatore-based sericulture company, will soon launch contract farming for mulberry cultivation and cocoon rearing, bringing into its fold 800 farmers in the State to produce about 900 tonnes of cocoon annually.

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*India willing to be isolated but will not accept legally binding cuts, says Jairam*

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A month before the heads of state meeting in Copenhagen on climate change, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday that India was willing to be isolated but would not accept legally binding emission cuts. In the same breath, he said domestically India would have to be relentless and ruthless in moving on a low-carbon trajectory to minimise the effects of climate change on the country. -

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He made this assertion while releasing the ‘State of World Population 2009’ report of the United Nations Population Fund. -

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Questioning the move to brand population as the culprit for greenhouse gas emissions, a linkage reiterated in the report, Mr. Ramesh said evidence was to the contrary. -

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Flagging China as a case in point, he said that despite a negative population growth rate between 1985 and 2005, emissions went up by 43 per cent. “It’s not so much a population issue but one of lifestyle and consumption patterns.”

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*Egypt woos Indian investment in renewable energy*

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Egypt is going all out to promote renewable energy and is striving to attract Indian investment. -

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Egyptian Minister for Electricity and Energy Hassan Younes, who visited a couple of wind energy facilities in and around Chennai on Wednesday, told that his government was providing a host of concessions to private investors: land would be given free and there would be government guarantee for energy purchase. -

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“At present, customs [duty] is 2 per cent. We are considering making it zero per cent for renewable energy equipment.”

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*Cabinet approves Nehru Solar Mission*

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After a series of consultations with stakeholders, the government has formulated the ambitious National Solar Mission(named Nehru solar mission) implementation plan to be launched soon.

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The National Solar Mission document which sets a target of 20,000 MW for solar power by 2020 was in principle approved by Prime Minister's Council of Climate Change in its meeting last month.

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The solar mission sets a goal of making the country dependent on renewable energy.

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The other missions currently under formulationa are: the national mission on enhanced energy efficiency that will have a target of about Rs 75,000 crore worth transactions in energy efficient systems, on water efficiency, on sustainable habitat and afforestation and agriculture.

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*Cotton seed re-included in Essential Commodities Act (ECA)*

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The Cabinet on gave its approval for the re-inclusion of cotton seed as an essential commodity for six months under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA) 1955, by amending the Schedule to the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, or till the Seed Bill was passed by the Parliament, whichever move comes earlier. -

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With this, the Government would be empowered to regulate the production, quality, distribution, etc., of cotton seed and to curb the sale and spread of spurious cotton seed. -

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Quality, production and distribution would be subject to regulation under the Seed Control Order, 1983, thereby ensuring the quality of seed, particularly private hybrids of cotton/Bt.cotton seeds, and increasing productivity and production. -

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Cotton seed was deleted from the list of essential commodities when the ECA was amended in 2007.

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*Bihar BPL families under-rated: Nitish*

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the Centre should constitute an identification commission for proper survey of BPL families in the State. -

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Speaking at the Bihar Poverty Alleviation Summit organized by the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Kumar said that while official figures suggested that 41 per cent of Bihar’s population lived below poverty line, the actual number of BPL families was around 60 per cent. -

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Mr. Kumar stated that there was discrepancy between the Central survey, which pegged the number of BPL families in the State at 65 lakhs and the State survey, which said that the number was more than 1 crore. -

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Special package, vs special category recognition -Dr. Ahluwalia said that this would be considered only after a mid-term appraisal of the State’s performance, adding that this decision was “not in the hands of the Planning Commission, and that only the National Development Council had the authority to grant such a status.”

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*Nirmal Gram Puraskar*

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The Panchayati Raj Institutions that have attained full sanitation are awarded the prestigious Nirmal Gram Puraskar every year. -

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President Pratibha Patil gave away the Nirmal Gram Puraskar 2009 to districts and Block Panchayats from Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal for achieving total sanitation in their respective areas at a function in New Delhi.

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*Bangalore principles of judicial conduct*

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In the context of a few Supreme Court judges recusing themselves from hearing the dispute between Reliance brothers, the principles governing the

conduct of Judges have come into focus again. There are two such broad principles / statements adopted by the judiciary -- worldwide and also in India. -

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The Bangalore principles of judicial conduct are the UN-sponsored judicial code formulated to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges. Adopted in 2002 by judges from across the world including Inida are based on a celebrated 19th century English judgement Dimes vs Proprietors of Grand Junction Canal, where a decision of Britain’s judge was set aside on discovery that the judge had substantial shareholding in the canal company. -

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There is another set of principles adopted by Judges in India: the 1997 ‘Restatement of Judicial Values’ which are statements based on the Doctrine of Necessity. The said doctrine repositions law in relation to the state and society, providing for standards external to law to judge its adequacy.

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*Pendency of court cases in India: *As of June 2009, 52,000 cases are in the Supreme Court (24 judges and seven vacancies), almost 4,00,000 cases in high courts (652 judges and 234 vacancies) and a whopping over 2.5 million cases in subordinate courts (13,723 judges and 2,998 vacancies). The ratio of judges is as low as 12 per million, compared to 107 in the US, 75 in Canada and 51 in the UK.

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*Pakistan wants India to resume comprehensive talks*

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A day after asking the United States to use its influence on India for the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue process, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said not holding talks could only benefit “common enemies.” -

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Dialogue was the only way forward and, he said, the international community also wanted India and Pakistan to resume talks. -

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The whole world has acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic location and its vital role as front line ally in fight against terrorism. The international community also believes that non-resumption of dialogue will only benefit terrorists who are our common enemy.

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*Indus civilisation reveals its volumetric system*

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The three pots from Harappa with volumetric inscriptions on them. Calculations indicate that the Indus volumetric system is based on multiples of 9.24 litres. -

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A reconstruction of broken bangles from the Moneer area of Mohenjo-Daro. The number of reconstructed bangles (17) matches the number from the sealing text on the pot that had the broken bangles inside. -

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According to Bryan Wells, who has been researching the Indus script for more than 20 years. his Ph.D. from Harvard University for his thesis on “The Epigraphic Approaches to Indus Writing.” It is to be published as a book in 2010. -

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Dr. Wells agreed with another Indus scholar Steve Bonta’s (Pennsylvania State University) theory that the “fish” sign in the script stood for

weights. -

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Indus fish signs-According to Dr. Bonta, the fish sign occurred frequently with numbers in the script and in clusters too. He later found that the Akkadian Sargonic texts referred to the weight systems of Dilmun (Bahrain) as “minus.” The system of weights from Dilmun was exactly the same as that of the Indus system. Dr. Bonta, who speaks Tamil, realised that “min” in Tamil meant fish. “So our theory is that the term “minus” is derived from the Indus and that the fish are weights,”

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*Mars exploration by 2030: ISRO chief*

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Radhakrishnan has said exploration of Mars will take a tangible shape by 2030. -

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He called the “next logical frontier in space” after Chandrayaan-II, which will be put in place by 2013 with robots and rovers to study the surface of the moon.

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*Make appointment of CIC transparent’*

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Concerned over the intense lobbying for the post of Chief Information Officer (CIC), Right to Information (RTI) activists have sought the intervention of the Prime Minister in making the appointment process a transparent exercise that is also inclusive and participatory. -

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The least that the Government ought to do, according to the letter, is fulfil its obligations under Section 4 of the RTI Act, which requires every public authority to make public the reasons for all its administrative and quasi-judicial decisions. -

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Stating that the RTI is being slowly killed, the letter draws data from a recent survey conducted by the National RTI Awards Secretariat, which revealed that only 27 per cent of those who approached Information Commissions across the country were able to get the information they sought.

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*Amendments to Right to Information Act on the anvil*

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Activists led by Aruna Roy submit letter containing their misgivings -

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“RTI constrained by inadequate implementation, lack of trained staff, poor management” The Department of Personnel and Training (Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions) has admitted that the government is considering amendments to the Right to Information Act, 2005.

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*Remembering the first Indian labourers in South Africa*

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First Indian labourers arrived in the British colony on November 16, 1860

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Organisations in both countries planning commemorative celebrations next year -

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When a group of Indian labourers disembarked from ‘S.S. Truro,’ a paddle steamer from Madras (now Chennai), in the British colony of Natal in South

Africa on November 16, 1860, it never thought it would become part of history. -

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‘S.S. Belvedere’ was the second ship to bring Indian workers, this time from Calcutta (Kolkata). -

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The British were forced to import workers from India as locals refused to work on fields. Recruiting Indian workers was not difficult; they needed no passport as they hailed from British India. -

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The indentured Indians arrived in Natal in 384 vessels — 262 from Madras and 122 from Calcutta. The last one, ‘Umlazi 43,’ arrived on July 21, 1911. -

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In the early 1870s, the first ‘passenger’ Indians — who were not ‘indentured’ and were free to engage in business — came to Natal on their own to make money. -

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When Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Natal in 1893, the Indian immigrants were divided into three groups — ‘indentured’ immigrants who were on contract; ‘free’ Indians who had completed indentureship and decided stay back in Natal instead of returning to India; and ‘passenger’ Indians. -

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It has almost been a century and a half since the first Indian immigrant workers arrived at Durban. The Government of India, the High Commission of India in South Africa and various organisations in both countries are planning celebrations next year to mark the 150th year of arrival of Indians. The High Commission of India, through the Consulate-General of India in Durban, has established the ‘1860 Legacy Foundation’ to represent different community associations in tandem with this celebration. The South African government will also be involved at the national, provincial and local levels in the funding and coordination of the event. -

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The eighth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), which provides an opportunity for overseas Indians to meet and exchange their views on matters of common interest, will be held in Chennai in January 2010. A special session on the 150th anniversary of Indians in South Africa will be part of the PBD. -

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A mini-PBD to coincide with the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Conference in Durban was also planned, along with an India-centric trade fair there and a visit of South African senior citizens to India, Mr. Shringla said.

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*Centre to invite bids for Ultra Mega Power Projects*

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The Centre has decided to invite qualifying bids for three Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) by early 2010. -

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The three UMPPs in Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Chhattisgarh -

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Managing director of Power Finance Corporation (PFC)- Satnam Singh. -

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The PFC is the nodal agency for the UMPP project, each having a generation capacity of 4,000 MW that entails an investment of around Rs.16,000 crore.

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*Parties war over Jammu and Kashmir’s political future*

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Even as New Delhi has accelerated its covert engagement with the Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference, major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified efforts to give legitimacy to their own, competing visions of the State’s future. -

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Leaders of the National Conference have made the recommendations of a State Autonomy Commission Report, which was endorsed by the Assembly in 1998, the centrepiece of their political position. -

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The controversial report calls for the revocation of all Central legislation made applicable to the State since 1953. Among other things, the implementation of the SAC recommendations would mean Jammu and Kashmir residents would no longer enjoy the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, the right of appeal to the Supreme Court, and the protections of the Election Commission of India and the Comptroller and Auditor-General. -

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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also demanded that the government push the retired Supreme Court judge Saghir Ahmad — who heads a working group set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make recommendations on the State’s constitutional future — to finish his work. -

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The Prime Minister had set up five working groups during a March 2006 all-party Round-Table Conference on Jammu and Kashmir called in Srinagar. Four of those groups submitted their reports in April 2007, when the RTC was last convened. Justice Ahmad’s group, though, has not even met after a two-day session held in New Delhi on September 2 and 3, 2007

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*India, Iran discuss energy, transit routes*

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India and Iran on Monday held talks on closer cooperation in energy, transit routes to central Asia and sharing of information on militant activity in the Pakistan-Afghanistan belt. -

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In the first high-level talks after elections in both countries, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, in talks with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, flagged New Delhi’s interest in the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. -

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They also discussed prospects of trilateral dialogue between India, Iran and Afghanistan on transit routes to central Asia, with the Iranian port of Chabar to be the staging point for goods. -

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In four hours of talks with Mr. Krishna, including a luncheon in his honour, Mr. Mottaki discussed issues relating to security, pricing and guaranteed supply, and resolved to convene a meeting of the Joint Working Group to discuss the finer details of this and other energy related projects. -

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India also raised the issue of the implementation of the Liquefied Natural Gas deal signed in 2005 for the supply of five million tonnes per annum of gas.

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*Kakodkar confident of meeting 2020 target of nuclear power generation*

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With the setting up of nuclear power parks and plants with international civil nuclear co-operation, the country will be able to achieve the 2020 target set by it for energy generation from nuclear sources, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Anil Kakodkar said here on Monday. -

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With international civil nuclear cooperation, 10 units would come up by the year 2015 or 2016. Two units, in collaboration with Russia, were planned in Koodankulam, two with French collaboration at Jaitapur and similarly in Haripur, Gujarat and Orissa.Since December 2008, while there were three fatal accidents at construction sites, five people died in a major fire at the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) in Hyderabad, he said.

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*Survey on for conservation of clouded leopards*

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A survey is on to ascertain the exact number of the reclusive and endangered clouded leopard at the Buxa Tiger Rerserve (BTR) in north Bengal, to prepare an action plan for their conservation. -

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Manas National Park in Assam -

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Its scientific name,Neofelis, is derived from neo, meaning ‘new,’ and felis, meaning ‘small cat.’ -

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There might be around 15 clouded leopards at Buxa. -

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After the study, a plan would be formulated for the conservation of the species. -

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The clouded leopard is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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*Impeachment for ECs too, says CEC*

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After the unprecedented recommendation by his predecessor, Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla wants the Constitution to be amended so that the removal procedure for the Election Commissioners is made similar to that of the CEC. -

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In an exclusive interview to PTI, the CEC, who assumed office after the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls soon after the government rejected his predecessor N. Gopalaswami’s recommendations for his removal on the alleged ground of “partisanship”, said he would write to the government making his recommendations for the Constitutional amendment. -

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Now after the Supreme Court judgment in the Seshan case

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*Oxford to collaborate in exploring Pattanam site*

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Oxford University has responded positively to a suggestion from the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) of a joint collaboration to further explore the Pattanam archaeological site, near Kochi. -

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Dr. Cherian said Pattanam was the first site in the Indian Ocean to yield archaeological evidence for the Mediterranean, North African, West Asian and Chinese maritime contacts. He said the site, which was spread over about 45 hectares, may be the ancient port of Muziris. -

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Because it was a densely populated area, extensive excavation was not possible. He said the evidence suggested that Pattanam was a commercial location, exposed to long distance and regional trade, prior to Roman contact.

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*Zoo to move elephants out *The Zoological Park at Vandalur on the outskirts of Chennai is set to shift the four elephants in its collection following a ban imposed by the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) on elephants being part of zoo collections.

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*Liberhan report may be tabled next mont *The report of the Liberhan Commission, which probed the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, is expected to be tabled in Parliament on December 22, the last day of the winter session.

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*India to import rice, says Pranab*

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India, a traditional rice exporter, will import the grain for the first time in 20 years to meet a projected shortfall of the crop hit by drought and floods, the government said on Wednesday. -

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According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, India, the second largest rice producer in the world, may import 2,00,000 tonnes of rice if there is greater price parity to meet the domestic demand.

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*Canadian Premier visits Golden Temple *Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the holiest shrine of the Sikh community, Harmandar Sahib at Golden Temple, in Amritsar on Wednesday amid tight security.

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*Haryana to set up breeding centres for antelopes*

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The Haryana Government has decided to set up breeding centres for antelopes and peacocks at Pali-Gothra village in Rewari, Nahar wildlife sanctuary, and Munethi and Kund villages. -

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e-shakti, a smart card of bihar government, for labourers covered under NREGA.

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*Cape Comorin -southern tip of India* S. Ranganathan-one among the greatest of India’s civil servants remembered,He passed away on October 18, 1990 at the age of 82. Yet the fragrance is as fresh as ever. November 12, 2009 marked his 101st birth anniversary.

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*Yellow ribbon’ campaign launched in Ganjam district*

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Competitions and seminars will be conducted in schools -

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Parents, teachers, police will be educated about child rights -

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The slogan of the campaign is ‘Say YES to Prevention of Child Abuse’.

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*Seven die after consuming ‘susla’*

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GULBARGA -

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The auspicious new moon day and the annual festival of the gram devata Maramma, on Monday, in Konkal village in Shahapur taluk of Gulbarga district turned out to be tragic for the village.

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*‘Konark temple crumbling’*

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Voicing concern over the safety of the Sun Temple at Konark and alleged smuggling of antique pieces from there, a body working for its protection on Sunday demanded the formation of an expert committee to supervise the preservation of the 13th century wonder. Navy’s first women combatants to take to the skies -

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Sub-Lieutenants Seema Rani Sharma and Ambica Hooda, who will be inducted as the Navy’s first women observers (airborne tacticians).

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*Preventive detention of Polish national nullified*

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The Supreme Court has quashed the order of preventive detention of a Polish citizen under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) for trying to smuggle foreign currency into India. -

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On October 28, a Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H.L. Dattu ordered the release of Gimik Piotr forthwith and said it would give reasons later.

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*The last hurdle in the operationalisation of the 123 Agreement *• Three steps that need to be concluded. • One is an assurance from India on non-proliferation in the form of a letter. • The second is the conclusion of the reprocessing agreement between the two countries. • The third step is a civil liability law. • Before Mr Singh’s departure for the US the Cabinet on Thursday had cleared the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, which will allow India to join the international convention on civilian liability in case of nuclear damage.

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*Climate change: India satisfied with joint statement* • India on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the joint Indo-U.S. statement, particularly the portion on climate change, which “represents an increased degree of congruence” in the way the two countries approach the challenge. • the Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S. also laid the foundation for a significant and focussed collaborative effort both on clean energy and

climate change. On the Copenhagen process, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Bali Action Plan as the basis for deliberations at the Conference of Parties next month. • The statement recognises the key principle of common and differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities enshrined in the UNFCCC. In accordance with that principle, the joint statement commits developed countries such as the U.S. to take on economy-wide emission reduction targets, while developing countries should take mitigation actions which are specific in nature such as India’s renewal energy plan or afforestation target. • Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment, said the statement was in line with the Indian position. There was a lot of pressure from the U.S. on India, China, Brazil and South Africa to change their position on climate change, but India seems to have made its position clear which is reflected in the statement, she told Hindu

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*PM leaves for Port of Spain* • Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, where he will attend the two-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) beginning on Friday. • India and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on counter-terrorism and five other agreements during the visit. • Dr. Singh held talks with Mr. Obama on the entire gamut of bilateral ties, the situation in the region and global challenges such as terrorism, climate change and the economic crisis. “I am satisfied with the visit,” Dr. Singh said hours before wrapping up the trip. Describing his tour as very productive, he said, “I am confident that we cannot only continue but also strengthen the momentum of our relations built up in the last few years.”

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*On the Brahmaputra dam issue* • The UN International Convention of 1997 on Non-Navigational Uses of International Water Courses mentions that the lower-reparian country should be consulted and its cooperation should be sought. India abstained in the vote in the UN and China had opposed this Convention of 1997. • Because of this, India and China will have to enter into a political dialogue and negotiations on the issue of construction of a dam on Brahmaputra from the Tibetan side.

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*Leiberhan Commission's report leakage rocks Parliament *• Ahead of the 17th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, the issue was pitchforked back into the centrestage of the country’s political discourse, with the Liberahan Commission report “indicting” the BJP’s top leadership for its failure to protect the disputed structure, being leaked. The Commission also found fault with the so-called second generation of BJP which enthusiastically backed the demolition job. • It took 17 years and 48 extensions for the Liberhan Commission probing the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya to submit its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in June this year. One of the country’s longest running inquiry commissions, which has cost the government nearly Rs 7 crore, the Liberhan Commission was set up to probe the sequence of events leading to the razing of the Babri mosque by Hindu mobs on December 6, 1992. • The commission’s lawyer, Anupam Gupta, dissociated himself from the one-man panel after eight years because of differences with Liberhan.

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*Analysis of the NREGP functioning* • First, the promise of 100-day employment to one member of every household that seeks employment is largely unfulfilled. • Second, there are several in-built biases in the execution of NREGP. The poor are inadequately represented in those selected for participation. The duration of employment is systematically lower for poor households. • Third, whereas few participants admit to paying bribes, several reported that personal acquaintance was necessary to secure employment under NREGP. • Lastly, notwithstanding the unfulfilled employment promise of the NREGA,

many participants indicated that they wanted to continue to work on NREGP. This is less of an indicator of the efficacy of the NREGP than of the fragility of their livelihoods.

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*RAPS’ fifth nuclear reactor attains criticality *• The fifth nuclear reactor of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-5) at Rawatbhatta, with a capacity of 220 MWe, reached criticality at 12.51 p.m. on Tuesday. • This is the 18th nuclear power reactor to be commissioned in the country. With its commissioning, the total nuclear power-generation capacity now stands at 4,340 MWe. • Although RAPS-5 is an indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), built by the NPCIL, • it uses natural uranium fuel imported from Russia. Hence it will come under the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) safeguards as per the Separation Plan, under which India has agreed to put a total of 14 reactors under the safeguards. A few months earlier, RAPS-2 started using natural fuel from Russia. • The PHWRS use natural uranium as fuel, and heavy water as both coolant and moderator. • “Commissioning of the sixth reactor at RAPS is in the final stage. We will be ready for loading the fuel into the reactor in the first week of December. Ten days after the fuel is loaded, RAPS-6 will go critical.” It would also use fuel from Russia as part of the Separation Plan and, hence come under the IAEA safeguards. RAPS-6 would start generating its entire 220 MWe in February 2010. • The fourth reactor at the Kaiga Atomic Power Station in Karnataka would be commissioned before the end of this financial year, that is, before March 31, 2010.However, Kaiga-4, with a capacity of 220 MWe, will use indigenous natural uranium fuel from Jaduguda in Jharkhand. • Chairman and Managing Director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) S.K. Jain. *‘Reduce number of parliamentary panels’* • Recommending a reduction in the number of parliamentary committees, a research paper has called for induction of experts from academia and civil society into these forums in an advisory capacity. It has also called for frequent meetings of presiding officers of Parliament, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and chief whips of different parties to review the committee affairs. • by National Social Watch Coalition • Similarly it has called for making the committee sphere public.“Like Britain, the committee proceedings should be thrown open to the public, though the decision-making stage can be made in-camera,” it added. • It has also suggested that the parliamentary committees’ reports should be discussed at dedicated sittings with a non-voting proviso. • The research paper notes that there has been a geometric growth in the number of parliamentary committees over the years – from just 11 in 1953-54 to well over 100 now.

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*India, Finland sign three agreements *• India and Finland on Thursday signed three agreements to boost cooperation in science and technology. Both the countries also decided to set up a Joint Business Council and address climate change. • The agreements were signed during the India-Finland Technology Partnership Forum meeting Coordination problems in revamped coastal security • After 26/11, the country suddenly realised it has the sea on two sides. • The concept of coastal security was defined with the Navy being asked to assume overall responsibility. While the Navy is essentially meant to guard the territorial waters, in the new scenario it has an additional job of drawing and implementing a plan to secure the 7,500-km long coastline against ingress.

• At present there are some 13 agencies, controlled by different Ministries, engaged coastal security activity. The Navy’s suggestion to have a Maritime Security Advisor remains unfulfilled. • The Navy has to seek a response from the Coast Guard that is responsible for protection of up to 200 nautical miles from the shoreline, known as the Exclusive Economic Zone, while the coastal police have to manage the areas in and around the coast.

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*World Bank team inspects water projects in Rajasthan* • An eight-member team of the World Bank assessed the progress of the Water Sector Reform Project and Swajaldhara Project funded by the global financial institution during a visit to Kothun village near here earlier this week. The team interacted with the villagers to assess the success of the projects. • Led by World Bank country director for India Roberto Zagha, the team evinced a keen interest in monitoring the benefits of the Moti Sagar, Galwa and Masi dam schemes being operated under the projects and sought suggestions from the villagers for making improvements. • The projects, initiated in 2001, have solved the problem of water scarcity and purportedly led to happy results such as more girls going to school and the villagers living peacefully without any altercation over their share of water.

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*First secretariat of COMOSA to be set up in Noida *• The first secretariat of the Commonwealth Open Schooling Association (COMOSA) will be located at the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in neighbouring Noida. • COMOSA will support the efforts of open schooling institutions in development and promotion of innovative, relevant, equitable, gender-sensitive and cost-effective school education programmes. • It also aims at sustainable development in Commonwealth countries through the open and distance learning mode. To this end, it promotes building of networks and capacities, sharing resources, developing advocacy programmes and undertaking research and development.

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*Row over water treatment at tributary of Pampa* • The direct treatment of water in the Njunangar stream, a tributary of the Pampa, using ferrous chloride has kicked up a controversy. • Experts and environmentalists say the system will pose a health hazard as the downstream of the river has several drinking water schemes. The chemical used is from a private company in Aluva which produces it as a byproduct, or rather a waste material. It used to discharge the chemical into the Periyar and had to stop it following protests.

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*Five NGOs get Japanese assistance *• Chennai • Five NGOs engaged in social uplift work, including three from the State • provided financial aid under the Japanese government’s “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects” (GGP) scheme. • The beneficiary NGOs were the Community Action for Rural Development, Socio Economic Development Association and the Rural Development Organisation in Tamil Nadu and the Pragathi Charities and Integrated Rural Development Services in Andhra Pradesh.

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*Scrapping of the Silent Valley Project* • Many of you might not have been born when Silent Valley Project was a raging issu

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*We are really proud of our President *• It is really a matter of pride not just for the country's C-in-C but for the entire country. In the process she created history. Bravo President. By flying a Sukhoi at 74, you have sent us all a clear message.

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*National Law Day* • November 26 is celebrated as National Law Day because it was on this day in 1949 that the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution, which then came into effect on January 26, 1950.

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*Promote docket inclusion: K.G. Balakrishnan *• About 1.7 crore cases were disposed of in 2008 by 14,000 judges in the country • “About 1.8 crore fresh cases had been filed in courts in 2008, • “In all, Indian courts processed some 4.8 crore cases in 2008, which is one of the largest volume faced by any national judicial system.

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*From Father of the Nation to emperor* • Ben Kingsley, famous for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Mohandas Gandhi will star as Shah Jahan in Taj, 27 years after his award-winning performance in Gandhi. • Indian actor and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play Mumtaz Mahal in the $25-30 million production, the British actor’s production company, SBK Pictures, said in a statement sent on Wednesday.

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*Vallur Thermal Power Project’s first unit likely to go on stream in 2010-11 *• The first unit of the Vallur Thermal Power Project is expected to go on stream in 2010-2011, according to an official. • The NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Ltd (NTECL), a joint venture of the NTPC and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), is setting up the project near Chennai. The partners have equal share in the project, which will have three units of 500 MW each.

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*Agni-II night trial ends in failure* • The first night trial of the nuclear weapon capable Agni-II on Monday failed, with the missile not achieving the mission objectives. • The 2,000 km range Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) fired from a mobile platform at 7.55 p.m. from the Wheeler Island, off the Orissa Coast, tumbled into the sea after the first stage. The operation was carried out by the personnel of the Strategic Forces Command of the Army.

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*Vinita Kamte writes a book in search of truth behind her husband’s death *• For Vinita Kamte, wife of 26/11 martyr Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, • She has chronicled her findings in a book titled To The Last Bullet, co-authored by senior journalist Vinita Deshmukh.

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*Special pay for police in Maoist-infested areas* • The West Bengal government will pay a special allowance to police personnel who operate in Maoist-infested areas, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said on Tuesday.

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*Taslima hopeful of returning to Kolkata *• Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen has said from Paris that although she cannot see herself return to her homeland in the near future, she is still hopeful of returning to Kolkata – her “second homeland.”

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*Wildlife Protection Act to be amended to curb tiger poaching *• To prevent incidents of poaching and poisoning and to save the remaining population of tigers, the Ministry of Environment and Forests proposes to bring in amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. • the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) (Coimbatore)here, forest and environment minister said that of the 37 tiger reserves, nine were in good condition, 12 satisfactory and 16 in a precarious condition. As on date, the country had 1,200 to 1,400 tigers. • To control poaching, a Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, with field offices, had been set up.

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*Sikh to become first non-white BNP member* • A retired Sikh schoolteacher, with extreme views on Islam, is set to

become the first non-white member of the far-right British National Party (BNP) which is in the process of changing its “white-only” membership policy following a court order. • Rajinder Singh (78), who moved to Britain from Punjab in 1967, said he would be “honoured” to join BNP hailing it as the only party which had the “guts” to attack Muslims publicly. However, he hastened to add that he didn’t “hate” Muslims because Sikhism preached “love for all”. India Trade Promotion Organisation Chairman and Managing Director Subas Pani.

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*Stop illegal mining activities in A.P. *• The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court has recommended to the court that illegal mining be stopped in six mines. • alleged illegal mining in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act China can play a role in resolution of Kashmir issue, says Mirwaiz • The Mirwaiz hailed Tuesday’s joint statement of the United States and China that made a reference to India and Pakistan. It said the two countries could work together to promote peace and stability in South Asia. • The Hurriyat chairman sought the joint role of the U.S., China and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in pushing for a resolution of the Kashmir issue.

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*Tendulkar first to reach 30,000 international runs* • Sachin Tendulkar conquered yet another peak when he became the first batsman to complete 30,000 runs in international cricket. • The maestro reached the landmark when he clipped left-arm-paceman Chanaka Welegedara to square-leg for his 35th run after lunch on the fifth day. • This is his 160th Test; ahead of the match, the 36-year-old Tendulkar had made 12,773 runs in 159 Tests at 54.58. The master batsman has 17,178 runs at 44.50 from 436 ODIs and 10 runs from his lone Twenty20 International for India. • The legendary cricketer, who completed 20 years in international cricket, is the highest run-maker in both Tests and ODIs. And no batsman has notched up more hundreds than his 43 in Tests and 45 in the ODIs.

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*Constitution Bench to hear dam case afresh *• A five-Judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will hear afresh from January 19, 2010 Tamil Nadu’s suit questioning an enactment made by Kerala that seeks to prevent raising of the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam beyond 136 ft as against 142 ft allowed by the Supreme Court in February 2006.

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*Mirwaiz scraps Hurriyat posts, assumes full control* • Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is heading a faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has dissolved all its positions and administrative structure, taking complete “administrative control.”The development came at an extraordinary meeting of the Hurriyat executive council, which was supposed to deliberate on New Delhi’s offer of quiet dialogue. • Apparently irked by the anti-dialogue statements issued by some members, the Mirwaiz said these created confusion in the minds of the people.

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*Take IFFI to Cannes scale: Ambika *• The inauguration of the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) provided a platform for Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni to pitch for greater global recognition of the event. • Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said: “It is the sixth edition of the film festival here. We want to tell the world that Goa has a film culture. The number of films being produced or shot in Goa has increased significantly. Our aim is to make IFFI one of the best international festivals.”

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*Journalist Rajkhowa passes away* • Veteran journalist Naresh Chandra Rajkhowa, who broke the news about the Dalai Lama’s flight from Tibet through Tawang in March 1959 and his seeking

asylum in India, passed away at his Chandmari residence here on Monday. • Mr. Rajkhowa was also the first Indian journalist to have interviewed the Tibetan religious leader. The Dalai Lama’s request letter for asylum had reached Mr. Rajkhowa by mistake in Shillong, where he was based as the correspondent of the The Assam Tribune, a local English daily published from Guwahati.