|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Open Forum
|
NARCOTIC DRUGS SALE THROUGH INTERNET,16 March 2007 |
|
|
|
Spotlight
New Delhi, 16 March 2007
NARCOTIC DRUGS SALE THROUGH INTERNET
NEW DELHI, March 17 (INFA): Illicit sale of pharmaceuticals
containing controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance through the
internet and by mail is continuing unabated, according to International
Narcotics Control Board.
Many pharmaceutical preparations containing controlled
substances continue to be sold by illegally operating Internet pharmacies and
distributed to customers by mail. The Board notes with appreciation that
smuggling by mail is increasingly recognized by national authorities as a
method of drug trafficking and constitutes a major problem for law enforcement
authorities.
In 2005, 80 individual consignments of psychotropic
substances that had been smuggled by mail were seized in Australia, New
Zealand and Thailand.
Most of those cases (32 seizures made in Thailand)
involved diazepam. In 2006, four consignments of Phenobarbital smuggled by mail
from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
were seized in Belgium.
Three consignments of ATS were seized in New Zealand.
In view of the global nature of the use of the mail for
illicit drug trafficking, concerted action by the international community is
urgently required. In particular, there is a need to establish a mechanism that
will ensure the sharing of experiences and the rapid exchange of information on
specific cases, as well as the standardization of data collected.
The Board notes with appreciation that each of the
responding Governments has nominated a focal point to be contacted in cases
involving suspected illegal sales by Internet pharmacies.
Forty per cent of the responding Governments reported having
in place legislations for dealing with illegal Internet pharmacies.
While six Governments reported that the purchase of
controlled drugs through Internet pharmacies was allowed under their national
legislation, 87 per cent of all the responding Governments confirmed that their
national legislations included licensing/registration conditions that required
Internet service providers to close down illegally operating Internet sites.
Nine of the responding Governments reported that the use of
the mail for importing and exporting controlled drugs was allowed, provided
that the transactions had been duly authorized by the competent authorities.
However, 56 per cent of the responding Governments
considered that their national legislative provisions did not provide adequate
sanctions against the diversion and illegal sales of controlled drugs by
Internet pharmacies, and only 9 per cent reported having in place a mechanism
for voluntary cooperation between the competent authorities and manufacturers
and wholesalers.---INFA
|
|
|
MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES, 10 March 2007 |
|
|
|
Spotlight
New Delhi, 10 March 2007
MICRO AND SMALL
ENTERPRISES
NEW DELHI, March 11 (INFA): The micro and
small enterprises (MSEs) contribute around 39 per cent of the country’s
manufacturing output and 34 per cent of its exports. It provides employment to
around 29.5 million people in the rural and urban areas of the country.
The process of
economic liberalization and market reforms, while exposing the Indian MSEs to
increasing levels of domestic and global competition, has also opened up
attractive possibilities of access to larger markets and of stronger and deeper
linkages of MSEs with larger enterprises.
Improved manufacturing techniques and management process can be sourced and adopted with greater ease.
A robust and vibrant MSE segment can derive the benefits of
these new opportunities, provided appropriate enabling policies are put in
place and measures for capacity building in public- private mode are also
initiated.
In this environment of competition and rapid technological
changes, the segment can then achieve higher sustained growth by enhancing its
technological capabilities, improving its product and service quality to global
standards and seeking ways of innovation.
The Government has taken several initiatives and measures
during the year to enable MSEs enhance their competitive strength, address the challenges of competition and avail of the
benefits of the global market. They include: Enactment of the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) Act, 2006.
Amendment to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956 introducing several new features to
facilitate professionalism in the
operations of the Commission as well
as field-level formal and structured consultations with all segments of
stakeholders. The new Commission has
been constituted.
A package of Promotion of Micro & Small Enterprises has
been approved recently to address
most of the concerns in the areas such as credit, cluster-based development,
infrastructure, technology, and marketing. Capability building of NSME Associations and support to women entrepreneurs are
the other important features of this package.
An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) under the chairmanship
of the External Affairs Minister has been set up to lay down a comprehensive policy
for cluster-development and oversee its implementation.
Under the Credit Guarantee Scheme, life insurance cover for
chief promoters of units provided guarantee cover by the Credit Guarantee Fund
Trust for Small Industries (CGTSI) has been introduced. Further, the one-time
guarantee fee under the scheme has been reduced from 2.5 per cent to 1.5 per
cent with effect from April 1, 2006.
After due consultation with the stakeholders, 180 items
reserved for exclusive manufacturer in micro & small enterprises have been
de-reserved on May 16, 2006 and 87 such items have been dereserved on January
22, 2007.
|
|
|
HYDRO-POWER POTENTIAL IN J&K,10 March 2007 |
|
|
|
Spotlight
New Delhi, 10 March 2007
HYDRO-POWER
POTENTIAL IN J&K
NEW DELHI, March 10 (INFA): Jammu and Kashmir has a potential of about
7,500 Megawatt hydro-power generation.
The State Government has initiated a single window clearance
policy for setting up new power plants and renovation of the existing ones.
Dock
Several projects are planned and are at various stages of
development. These include 390 MW Dulhasti and 450 MW Baglihar project, 280 MW
Uri-II and 600 MW Sawalkot projects are also at various states of
consideration.
The State Finance Corporation provides economic assistance for setting up new units to boost economic
development in the State. It also provides term finance for modernization,
renovation or diversification of the existing projects. ---INFA
SUGAR IN DIETARY
MANAGEMENT
NEW DELHI, March 10 (INFA): Fat is the most
energy dense nutrient and has the weakest effect on satiety. However, eating
carbohydrates, including sugar, triggers signals that promote satiety and
decrease hunger.
Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners do not provide
the same restraint over intake as sugar. At least 55% of food energy should be
derived from a wide variety of carbohydrate sources for all ages except for
children under two years.
Replacing fat in the diet with carbohydrates (starch and
sugar), and increasing physical activity levels, can assist
in initial weight loss and help to
maintain a healthy body weight.
The evidence suggests that a high-fat, high-energy diet,
combined with inactive sedentary lifestyles, are the two principle factors
increasing the risk of obesity.
A combination of high-carbohydrate diets and regular physical
activity can assist in the
maintenance of an ideal body weight. ---INFA
TREASURE HUNTERS
HYDERABAD, March 10 (INFA): The second
century B.C. Buddhist site at dhuliktta near Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh has,
of late, turned into a haven for treasure hunters. Ignoring security for
ancient monuments, a bench of treasure hunters recently attempted to dig the site
for hidden treasure.
Last month, some unknown persons dug a portion of the Stupa
in January last. It may be added a maha Stupa decorated with sculptured
limestone panels lies at the site.
Following the discovery Andhra Pradesh planned to transform the
site into a tourist hub, in collaboration with the ASI. ---INFA
|
|
|
ASSAM STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST ULFA TERROR,7 March 2007 |
|
|
|
Spotlight
New Delhi, 7 March 2007
ASSAM STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST ULFA TERROR
NEW DELHI, March 8 (INFA): A large number of
students from Assam have arrived
in the Union Capital to protest against the atrocities of the United Liberation
Front of Asom (ULFA) across the
State.
The students sat in a demonstration at New Delhi’s Parliament Street on Monday, demanding
the Centre’s intervention to stop violence by the underground and protect the lives
of the innocent people.
Of late there have been a series of senseless killings of a large number of innocent people in
some parts of the State of Assam. Nearly one hundred persons have been killed
and many have suffered injuries.
The killings have been done in a cold blooded and brutal
manner of the people who earned a daily living by selling their labour for a
variety of small tasks. Many of them are from others parts of the country,
including Bihar, to contribute and also to
benefit from the local economy.
The State Government is providing Rs.3 lakh as assistance to the kin of those killed. The Centre has
promised give an additional Rs.2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief
Fund.
Free medical treatment is being provided to those injured
and financial assistance of
Rs.50,000 Rs.10,000 each is being provided to those who have grievous injuries
and minor injuries respectively. Over 35 relief camps are in operation.
On the security front, an additional 30 Companies of Central
paramilitary forces have been provided to help the State Government in its
security measures.
An Army Brigade Headquarters has been shifted into Upper Assam
from outside the State. Counter-Insurgency operations, patrolling and combing
have been intensified.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is now chairing meetings of the
Unified Command to monitor and supervise security measures. The security
agencies are trying to create a sense of security among all people, including
Hindi speaking people.
Meanwhile, delegations from all shades of political opinion
have met the Prime Minister and have asked for establishment of peace in Assam.
Surveys are repeatedly showing that there is absolutely no
support in Assam for acts of
violence and terror.
India is a democratic and multi-cultural
country. Many groups and entities in the
country have found solutions of their problems to their satisfaction through
the process of dialogue.
The same holds true for Assam. Violence and terror can never win hearts.
However, when it came to direct talks with ULFA, things came to a standstill.
Instead of making headway, a mindless
cycle of violence was restarted.
Openness of the
State for talks and dialogues should not be mistaken for a sign of weakness.---INFA
|
|
|
ANDHRA REVIVES DEVELOPMENT BOARDS,5 March 2007 |
|
|
|
Spotlight
New Delhi, 5 March 2007
ANDHRA REVIVES
DEVELOPMENT BOARDS
NEW DELHI, March 6 (INFA): The Andhra Pradesh
Government has decided to revive the Regional Development Boards for its three
regions---Telangana, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra.
The decision has been taken in a bid to address the concerns of political parties over uneven
development of backward areas, especially Telangana which has already stepped
up its demand for a separate Statehood.
One of the main reasons for the prolonged Statehood demand
is the continuous neglect of the region.
In his address to
the assembly, the State’s Governor,
Rameshwar Thakur had admitted that “in spite of all the care that the successive Governments have taken to ensure balance
between various regions, there still exists a feeling among sections of people
that some regions have remained less
developed than other regions..”
It was the previous Telugu Desam Government, headed by N.T.
Rama Rao that abolished the regional development boards in 1983. In view of the
decisions of the present Congress
Government on the revival of the development boards, political circles are
optimistic that regional development will receive a fillip thus bringing
contentment and all-round happiness
among the Telugus. Three cheers to the Congress
and its Chief Minister.---INFA
THE BILLION TREE
CAMPAIGN
NEW DELHI, February 6 (INFA): The United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is launching a major worldwide tree
planting campaign. Under the Plant for the Planet: The Billion Tree Campaign,
people, communities, organizations and governments will be encouraged to enter
tree planting pledges on a website with the objective of planting at least one
billion trees worldwide during 2007.
In addition to focusing on tree planting and the issue of deforestation, the Campaign will play a
broader symbolic purpose, highlighting issues
such as climate change, air quality, integrated water resource management,
biodiversity conservation etc.
The UNEP will work with civil society organizations, the
private sector and governments in al regions of the world to build on the successful model of the Plant for the Planet campaign.
Recognizing that there are many such tree planting schemes
round the world, UNEP proposes to federate these efforts in the context of the
existing UNEP Plant for the Planet campaign, by launching a major worldwide
Plant for the Planet: The Billion Tree Campaign.---INFA
|
|
| | << Start < Previous 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 Next > End >>
| | Results 5743 - 5751 of 6263 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Archives 
