Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad lays Foundation Stone of Super-Specialty and Emergency Blocks of Safdarjang Hospital as part of its Redevelopment project

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad laid the foundation stone of Super-Specialty and Emergency blocks of Safdarjang Hospital, here today.

The infrastructure upgradation of Safdarjang Hospital is planned with addition of 807 bedded Super-Specialty and 500-bed Emergency block with ICU beds to contribute towards augmentation of the medical, teaching and research services provided by Safdarjang hospital and allied medical college.

The Emergency block will have a proposed area for construction of 41450 sq m. with ground coverage of 3904 sq m. The construction cost proposed is Rs. 196.73 crores. Whereas the Super specialty block will have proposed area for construction of 111905 sq m. with ground coverage of 9104 sq m.

 The proposed cost is Rs. 444.70 crore. Both the projects are expected to be completed within the time period of one year. The Super specialty block will have various departments like neuro surgery, nephrology, urology, radiology, renal transplant vascular surgery, cardiothoracic, etc.

Speaking at the occasion Shri Azad said that this redevelopment project aims to provide high quality state-of-the-art tertiary medical services to patients coming from all over the country. He said that Government has created a huge infrastructure in the country in a decade. Six new AIIMS and 19 Super Specialty Medical Colleges have been established in the country.

 71 new Cancer Institutes including 50 tertiary Cancer institutes have been approved by the Cabinet last year. In Delhi itself, huge capacity expansion is going on with new Surgery, Mother & Child, OPD, Teaching and Hostel Blocks at the main campus at AIIMS; 300 bed state of art emergency centre at RML Hospital; and 1,100 beds and new OPD, IPD, Emergency and Hostel Blocks at Lady Hardinge Hospital, added the Health Minister.

The Health Minister emphasised that India creates human resource for the whole country. There are around 80,000 Indian doctors in USA and 75,000 in UK. But there is acute shortage of doctors and nurses in India. He stated that the Government has changed the MCI and Nursing Council rules to increase the human resource within the country. MBBS seats were increased by 55% and PG seats by 75%. 

In fact, doctors from USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand have been allowed by Indian Government to come and be faculty members in the country, Sh Azad said. He added that to enhance the human resources, the faculty members’ age limit has been increased from 58 to 70 years; the land requirement in setting up a medical college has been decreased so that human resource could be increased in the country.

 Subsequently teacher student ratio has increased in the country, the Minister noted. Shri Azad said that the Government has made new interventions in maternal and child health so that IMR and MMR targets according to MDGs for 2015 can be achieved. In the coming years the country is fully prepared to meet the challenges.

Shri Ajay Maken, the MP representing Delhi in Lok Sabha said that all the four premiere health institutes i.e. AIIMS, RML, Lady Hardinge and Safdarjung have shown tremendous development. During the time of Commonwealth Games in the country one of the best Sports Injury Centre was set up at the Safdarjung Hospital, he noted.

Shri Lov Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that Safdarjung Hospital provides standard services free of cost to the people. It serves 23 lakh patients in the OPD annually, and caters to 25 lakh laboratory procedures and to average daily emergency traffic of 800 patients. 

There are around average daily 74 deliveries in the hospital. He said that new Emergency and Super specialty blocks will be people centric with an improved coordination to provide the best medical facilities to the people.

Present at the occasion were Dr. Jagdish Prasad, DGHS, Dr. B D Athani, Special DG and Medical Superintendent, senior officers from the ministry, faculty members, doctors, staff and students of Safdarjung Hospital. 

PM's statement on the Telangana Bill and a special package for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh

Following is the text of Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s statement on the Telangana Bill and a special package for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh:

“Mr. Chairman Sir:

I have listened very carefully to the views expressed by the Leader of Opposition and all the other members who have spoken, especially those from Andhra Pradesh. 

The Home Minister has already mentioned the specific steps our Government will take to address the concerns of all regions of the state, particularly of Seemandhra.

I would like to make a few further announcements in this regard.

First, for purposes of Central assistance, Special Category Status will be extended to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts, including the four districts of Rayalaseema and the three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years. This will put the state`s finances on a firmer footing.

Second, the Bill already stipulates that the Central Government shall take appropriate fiscal measures, including offer of tax incentives to the successor states in order to promote industrialization and economic growth in both the states. These incentives will be along the lines extended to some other states.

Third, the Bill already provides for a special development package for the backward regions of the successor state of Andhra Pradesh, in particular for the districts of Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. This development package will be on the lines of the K-B-K (Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi) Special Plan in Odisha and the Bundelkhand special package in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Fourth, I would like to reassure Honourable Members that if any further amendments are needed to facilitate smooth and full Rehabilitation & Resettlement(R&R) for the Polavaram project, they will be given effect to at the earliest. Our government will execute the Polavaram project--let there be no doubt about it.

Fifth, the appointed day for the formation of the new State will be so fixed in relation to the notified date so as to enable preparatory work relating to personnel , finance and distribution of assets and liabilities to be completed satisfactorily.

Sixth, the resource gap that may arise in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh in the very first year, especially during the period between the appointed day and the acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations by the Government of India, will be compensated in the Regular Union Budget for 2014-15.

Sir, I hope these additional announcements will demonstrate our steadfast commitment to not just the creation of Telangana but also to the continued prosperity and welfare of Seemandhra.” 

MoS for HRD Dr. Shashi Tharoor Launches Maulana Azad Taleem-E-Balighan

Minister of State for HRD, Dr Shashi Tharoor launched ‘Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Balighan’ under Sakshar Bharat at New Delhi. It will be a target focused approach to impart functional literacy, HUNAR (comprising up scaling of basic education and vocational skill training) and continuing education activities to cover around one crore non-literate Muslim adults. 

Launching the scheme Dr Shashi Tharoor said that our effort should aim at enhancing adult education in our country with special focus on groups that have remained untouched by the enabling promise of education.

Giving example of his home town Kerala where there is no gap on the basis of either gender or community he said that Kerala model of education should be emulated by the entire country. He further added that literacy alone is a source not just to read and write but also for empowerment and bringing about gender equality and improved livelihoods. 

Literacy, as a human right, a development indicator, and a catalyst of equality, is at the forefront of national and international social policy today. The MoS said that low literacy level among women is alarming. There is a need to empower them, with all manner of socio-economic opportunities and especially with education.

MoS Dr Tharoor suggested that in order to reap the demographic dividend community leaders should participate in this movement of educating the Muslim minorities. 

A well integrated system of education, based on the principles of quality and equality of access to all citizens, can provide this dividend, he added. He further said that this scheme has aptly been named after Maulana Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India who had a universal vision on education and a secular humanist outlook.

National Literacy Mission Authority has designed a target focused approach to enhance literacy among Muslim adults under the name of Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Balighan.

 It will provide opportunities for up scaling basic education to around 2.5 lakh adults and impart livelihood skill training covering around 3 lakh beneficiaries and provide opportunities of continuing education to the community. 410 Sakshar Bharat Districts will be covered with a financial outlay of Rs 600 crores during the current Plan Period.

Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi from Jaipur said that there should be schools on the pattern of Central schools in the minority dominated districts of India. Shri R. Bhattacharya, Secretary, School Education and Literacy, was also present on the occasion. 

Training to Women Engaged in Agriculture Sector

The Schemes of the Government of India under which training is imparted to the women farmers to acquaint them with the knowledge required for adoption of agricultural technology including the use of farm equipments include:

1. Support to States Extension Programme for Extension Reforms: This Scheme is being implemented in 630 districts of 28 States and 3 UTs of the country. The latest agricultural technologies are imparted to farmers including women farmers through exposure visits, demonstration, Kisan Melas, mobilization of farmers groups and setting up of farm schools. 30% of beneficiaries the Scheme have to be women farmers. In order to ensure participation of women farmers as well as beneficiaries from north eastern and hilly states, the beneficiary contribution has been reducedfrom 10% to 5% for selected beneficiary oriented activities. 

2. Under the Central Sector Schemes, Promotion and Strengthening of Agricultural Mechanization through Training, Testing and Demonstrations and Post Harvest Technology & Management, training is provided to the farmers including Women Farmers through State Government and Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes.

3. Cooperative Education & Training and Assistance to National Cooperative Development Corporation for Development of Cooperative Programme: National Cooperative Union of India is running four exclusive women’s development projects located at Shimoga (Karnataka), Berhampur (Orissa),Imphal (Manipur) and Bhopal (MP). Under these projects, women are organized into Self Help Groups to help them to develop thrift habits. Women are also provided training to equip them to undertake income-generating activities with the help of their own resources or by borrowing from cooperatives and also marketing the produce in local market and by organizing fair and exhibitions.

4. National Horticulture Mission: Women are organized into Self Help Groups and farm inputs     and technological & extension supports are provided to make women self-reliant.

5.  National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Under Crop Diversification programme farmer’s training is organized for all categories of farmers including women for adopting scientific crop production technologies.  As per NFSM guidelines, at least 30% of the funds is to be earmarked for women beneficiaries/farmers.

6.  Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds: The objective of the Scheme is to develop and strengthen the existing infrastructure for production and distribution of certified/quality seed to farmers including women farmers. Implementing Agencies/States have been requested to allocate sufficient funds and also ensure participation of women in Seed Village Programme.  For effective transfer of seed technology, training programmes for the farmers including women farmers are organized on field to upgrade the quality of farmer saved seeds.

 7. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA): Women living in the watershed area are mobilized into Self Help Groups and Users Groups of Women.  The Guidelines have been revised in favour of women so as to ensure all the perspectives and interests of women are adequately reflected in the watershed action. Plan.                                                                                           

8.  Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) organizes training programmes for farmers and farm women on various aspects of agriculture including farm equipments/ implements/ tools and machinery. During the current year, 1917 such training programmes were conducted with the participation of 14298 women farmers.

9. The Ministry of Women & Child Development launched a Central Sector scheme named Support to Training & Employment Programme for Women (STEP) in the year 1986-87 with an objective of extending training for up-gradation of skills and sustainable employment for women through a variety of action oriented projects which employ women in large numbers. The scheme was revised in the year 2009-10 and covers 10 traditional sectors of employment besides the option of supporting the locally appropriate sectors. Agriculture is also a selected sector in this scheme.

10. The Department of Rural development is implementing a programme MahilaKisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojna (MKSP), which was announced in the budget of 2010-11 as a sub - component of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to meet the specific needs of women farmers and achieve socio-economic and technical empowerment of the rural women farmers, predominantly small and marginal farmers. 

The primary objective of the MKSP is to empower women in agriculture by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity, as also create and sustain agriculture based livelihoods of rural women. Projects are conceived in such a manner that the skill base of the women in agriculture is enhanced to enable them to pursue their livelihoods on a sustainable basis. Under MKSP sustainable agriculture, 58 projects from 14 States have been sanctioned which will benefit 24.5 lakhs Mahila Kisans during the period.

This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Dr. Charan Das Mahant in a written reply to Lok Sabhaquestions.

Indian Power Stations 2014’ inaugurated in New Delhi today

Indian Power Stations 2014, the Conference on Power Plants was inaugurated in New Delhi today by Shri P.K. Sinha, Secretary, Union Ministry of Power. The theme of the conference is ‘Powering Tomorrow Strategize Today’.

 The Conference is organized by NTPC as an annual event to commemorate the start of power generation from the first 200 MW unit from NTPC-Singrauli in 1982. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sinha expressed his satisfaction on the growth of Power sector in the current year and stressed on the use of latest technologies and new initiatives for improving the performance of the sector. 

The Secretary added that the Indian Power Sector is on the threshold of adding large capacity which shall reduce the demands/supply considerably. 

In her address Smt. Neerja Mathur, Chairperson CEA complemented NTPC for organizing this conference for knowledge and experience sharing. She stressed on the need for efficiency, sustainability and energy conservation in the power sector. 

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Arup Roy Choudhury, CMD, said that NTPC was formed to accelerate power generation in the country and will continue to augument Government of India`s plan through capacity addition and creating benchmarks in generation.

 He spoke of tremendous scope for growth of power sector in view of the low per capita consumption of electricity in the country compared to the world average. 

Business Excellence Awards for Best Performance were presented on the occasion to NTPC- Ramagundam and runner up shield to NTPC-Unchahar by Secretary, Ministry of Power and Chairperson, CEA. Shri Sinha also released the Best Practices Manual for Super Critical units brought out by NTPC and US AID on the occasion along with two compendiums on technical papers of power plant operations. 

NTPC the largest power utility in the country has been playing a major role in meeting the power needs of the country and contributing to its economic and social development. 

With an installed capacity of 42464 MW through 17 coal based, 7 gas based, 3 solar renewable and 7 Joint Venture power stations, NTPC contributes 28 percent of electricity in the country, with about 19 percent of India`s installed capacity. 

Review of Policy on Meat Export

The Supreme Court in their judgment in the case of Civil Appeal No.3968 of 1994 of Akhil Bharat Krishi Sangh Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh and others dated 29.3.2006 had asked the Central Government to review the meat export policy. 

Accordingly, the matter was reviewed in the Department of Commerce in consultation with the Department of Legal Affairs, Department of Animal Husbandry.

Dairying & Fisheries, Department of Environment & Forests and Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion in the light of the Directive Principals of State Policy, existing Foreign Trade Policy for meat exports, Livestock wealth of India, Meat production vs. export of meat and Milk production in India. 

The views of Akhil Bharat Krishi Goseva Sangh, the petitioner, were also heard. After detailed consultation the Government decided that the existing meat export policy needed no change and a speaking Order No. 3/8/2006-EP(Agri-III) dated 3rd May, 2007 was issued in compliance of order of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. 

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries had launched the scheme for Setting up/Modernization of Abattoirs during 2008-09. This is a comprehensive scheme, which includes establishment of modern abattoirs and modernization of existing abattoirs. 

The scheme envisages a grant of 50% in general areas and 75% in difficult areas for cost of Plant and Machinery (P&M) and Technical Civil Work (TCW) and other eligible items subject to a maximum of Rs.15.00 crore per abattoir. 

As regard the hygiene standards, the Govt. of India has laid down standards for export of meat which include standards for abattoir, processing plants.

 Registration of abattoirs and meat processing plants is done by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

During inspection, focus is on hygiene and sanitary conditions maintained by the plant, ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, infrastructure, staff hygiene, laboratory facilities, record maintenance, etc. 

All the Export Oriented Units have a mandatory requirement of HACCP certification and ISO standards to instil confidence in the consumer about quality and safety of meat. 

The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan in Rajya Sabha today. 

Systematic Research Projects

The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) have undertaken research projects / studies of all the communities of People of India including Scheduled Tribes. 

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, details of the Major Research Projects / Studies undertaken by the AnSI covering all the State & Union Territories are:

1.      People of India,

2.      Tribes in contemporary India,

3.      All India Bio Anthropological Survey,

4.      All India Anthropometric Survey

5.      Nutritional Survey of India,

6.      Genetic Structure of Indian Population,

7.      Study of Ancient Human Skeletal Remains,

8.      Documentation & Dissemination ( Library, Museum, Research Publications, Visual Anthropology

 )

9.      DNA Polymorphism of the Contemporary Indian Populations,

10.  Man & Environment- Biosphere Study / Social Impact Assessment,

11.  Physical Growth & Development of Children of NE India: A Public Health Issue

12.  Community Genetics & Health: Bio-cultural Adaption,

                (a) Community Genetics at High Risk Zones for Thalassaemia, Sickle Cell Anemia and G6PD 

                 Deficiency,

(a)    Community Health and Lifestyle Diabetes, Obesity & Hypertension.

13.  Bio-cultural Diversity, Environment and Sustainable Development (Village Study)