On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is going to set up 10 Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women. The initiative called Establishment of Chairs in the Universities in the name of eminent women administrators, artists, scientists and social reformers is being launched with the assistance of University Grants Commission (UGC). The main objective is to inspire women to pursue higher education and to achieve excellence in their area of work. This initiative of highlighting and celebrating women achievers of the country will motivate young girls and women towards higher studies.

The chairs proposed by UGC and approved by the Ministry are as under:

The financial implications of the proposal is Rs. 50 lakh per Chair per year and the total expenditure for establishing ten Chairs will be approximately Rs. Rs. 5 crore per annum. The Chairs are to be established for a period of 5 years initially as per the guidelines.

Academic functions of the Chairs will be to engage in research and, in turn, contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area of the study, strengthen the role of university/academics in public policy making and to design and execute short-term capacity-building programmes for teachers in higher education focused towards the designated discipline of the Chair. The other academic functions will be to provide a forum for inter-university/ inter- collegiate Post Graduate and Research level dialogues, discussion meetings, seminars/summer & winter schools, publish articles/research papers/reports/books/ monograms and participate in teaching and Ph.D programme of the Department or School in which it is located.

The University will review the progress of the Chair annually and submit a final report on the activities and outcome of the Chair to the UGC after five years. However, the UGC may undertake the exercise of reviewing the Chair for its continuance, at any stage.

****

The Department of Biotechnology organized an International Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing the Future: New Skylines” on 23^rd  and 24^thJanuary, 2020 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The Summit was organizedwith the overall aim to boost the participation of women in STEM field for development of scientific career.

During the summit, different sessions of the summit included mechanisms of leadership building, empowering womenthrough networking, career opportunities and interactive exercises with scientists. The aim was toshowcase women in STEM successes as real-world examples of successful women scientists, doctors andengineers demonstrating the excitement of being in the STEM fields as well as the rewards associatedwith it.

Discussions and interactive sessions between aspiring young, mid-career and senior scientists inthe STEM field were held to understanding the future requirements of women’s employment and careerprogression. Keynote speakers were renowned women scientists in STEM from different countries, youngas well as established women scientists, science communicators and entrepreneurs from India.

Around 350 participants from different STEM field across the globe participated in the event includingscientists, socialists, entrepreneurs, researchers, teachers and students. Posters were presented by womenscientists and students.

The summit provided a good platform for young students and researchers to interact and networkwith leaders in the field, to develop ideas and generate a future action plan for making career in STEMfields.

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RCJ/NK

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Rood Transport & Highways and MSME along with General (Retd.) V. K. Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways  reviewed projects of all National Highway development, on 23 and 24 January 2020 at Manesar near Gurugram, Haryana. The review was done state wise. All senior officials of the Ministry, NHAI, State Governments, contractors, concessionaires, and consultants attended the review meeting. Every ongoing project was reviewed with a 360-degree view from all stakeholders. The meeting led to identification of issues and way forward with clear timelines for most of the delayed projects. The major reasons found were delay in land acquisition by State Governments, delay in regulatory clearances such as for quarrying etc. In addition, lack of coordination and communication between and within government agencies continues to delay decision making. About 740 National Highway Projects of 16 States were reviewed.

The Minister Shri Gadkari went into the minutest of detail of every project making sure a clear path forward emerged to speed up projects. Officials and contractors also committed to redoubling of efforts to ensure timely completion of projects.

The issue of timely approval of Extension of Time (EOT) and change of scope (COS) was particularly raised by the Contractors/ Concessionaire. As these timely approvals would help in facilitating lending by banks, an on-line tool called “GATI” has been launched and this will be closely monitored at the highest level. Shri Gadkari also instructed to start performance audit of officer and fix responsibility to delays.

The meeting concluded with all stakeholders committing to impart greater momentum to construction of highways by identifying issues holding up/delaying construction and completion of highways.

In order to carry the momentum of the meeting forward, Sh. Gadkari decided that monitoring and review at the official level needs greater attention and focus. To deal with this issue he has directed all chief engineers in the Ministry and all members of NHAI to organise “Review Mondays” on the first and third Monday of every month. On these days no meetings other than for the purpose of review will be held by officials. Technology and video conferencing will be the means for review and monitoring. These days will be dedicated only for reviews to impart more focus on completing highway projects. Delay in completion of projects has a high probability of leading to claims by contractors and hence the focus on review and monitoring by officials of the ministry will lead to cost savings in addition to timely delivery of projects.

Interacting with media after the meeting today, the Minister informed  22 Greenfield Corridors  of length 7500 kms is being developed with a total capital cost of Rs. 3.00 lakh crore.  Work has  started on some while awarding all other projects are/ will be completed  expeditiously. These projects are being pursued vigorously and  are being implemented on priority. He added that besides reducing length and decongesting existing NHs, the projects will work as growth engines as they fast through the less developed backward / tribal areas.    The  development of way-side amenities  will  result in more opportunities for business and employment. The minister also added that  the  construction of National Highways in terms of kms per day have been increasing and this is targeted to reach the level of 40 kms per day.

The Minister also informed that the pilot project on convergence of National Highway works and conservation of water in Buldhana district in Maharashtra is running successfully. As many as 152 villages benefitted covering a population of 4,83,360 where 22800 wells were recharged and irrigation facilities increased in 1525 hectares. These details were shared with all the Stakeholders in the review meeting with an aim to implement the scheme in more areas.

He also informed that the progress of FASTags was also reviewed.  All 537 Toll Plazas are now ETC enabled and more than 1.37 cores FASTags have been issued.  My FASTag App has crossed 10 lakh down loads.

****

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Rood Transport & Highways and MSME along with General (Retd.) V. K. Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways  reviewed projects of all National Highway development, on 23 and 24 January 2020 at Manesar near Gurugram, Haryana. The review was done state wise. All senior officials of the Ministry, NHAI, State Governments, contractors, concessionaires, and consultants attended the review meeting. Every ongoing project was reviewed with a 360-degree view from all stakeholders. The meeting led to identification of issues and way forward with clear timelines for most of the delayed projects. The major reasons found were delay in land acquisition by State Governments, delay in regulatory clearances such as for quarrying etc. In addition, lack of coordination and communication between and within government agencies continues to delay decision making. About 740 National Highway Projects of 16 States were reviewed.

The Minister Shri Gadkari went into the minutest of detail of every project making sure a clear path forward emerged to speed up projects. Officials and contractors also committed to redoubling of efforts to ensure timely completion of projects.

The issue of timely approval of Extension of Time (EOT) and change of scope (COS) was particularly raised by the Contractors/ Concessionaire. As these timely approvals would help in facilitating lending by banks, an on-line tool called “GATI” has been launched and this will be closely monitored at the highest level. Shri Gadkari also instructed to start performance audit of officer and fix responsibility to delays.

The meeting concluded with all stakeholders committing to impart greater momentum to construction of highways by identifying issues holding up/delaying construction and completion of highways.

In order to carry the momentum of the meeting forward, Sh. Gadkari decided that monitoring and review at the official level needs greater attention and focus. To deal with this issue he has directed all chief engineers in the Ministry and all members of NHAI to organise “Review Mondays” on the first and third Monday of every month. On these days no meetings other than for the purpose of review will be held by officials. Technology and video conferencing will be the means for review and monitoring. These days will be dedicated only for reviews to impart more focus on completing highway projects. Delay in completion of projects has a high probability of leading to claims by contractors and hence the focus on review and monitoring by officials of the ministry will lead to cost savings in addition to timely delivery of projects.

Interacting with media after the meeting today, the Minister informed  22 Greenfield Corridors  of length 7500 kms is being developed with a total capital cost of Rs. 3.00 lakh crore.  Work has  started on some while awarding all other projects are/ will be completed  expeditiously. These projects are being pursued vigorously and  are being implemented on priority. He added that besides reducing length and decongesting existing NHs, the projects will work as growth engines as they fast through the less developed backward / tribal areas.    The  development of way-side amenities  will  result in more opportunities for business and employment. The minister also added that  the  construction of National Highways in terms of kms per day have been increasing and this is targeted to reach the level of 40 kms per day.

The Minister also informed that the pilot project on convergence of National Highway works and conservation of water in Buldhana district in Maharashtra is running successfully. As many as 152 villages benefitted covering a population of 4,83,360 where 22800 wells were recharged and irrigation facilities increased in 1525 hectares. These details were shared with all the Stakeholders in the review meeting with an aim to implement the scheme in more areas.

He also informed that the progress of FASTags was also reviewed.  All 537 Toll Plazas are now ETC enabled and more than 1.37 cores FASTags have been issued.  My FASTag App has crossed 10 lakh down loads.

****

The Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice S.A. Bobde has said that the Tax Invasion is a Social Injustice to follow citizens and arbitrary or excessive tax is also results in injustice to tax payers. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 79th Foundation Day Celebrations and All India Members’ Conference of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), here today. The Justice, Supreme Court of India, Mr. Justice M.R. Shah, the President, ITAT, Mr. Justice P.P. Bhatt, the Solicitor General of India, Shri Tushar Mehta, the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, Shri Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, the Vice President, ITAT, Delhi Zone, Mr. Justice, P.P. Pannu and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Saying speedy justice is being one of the important aspects in the civilised world, Mr. Justice Bobde said that ITAT is playing an important role in dispute resolution in an effective manner. He further said that Tax Judiciary plays a very important role in resource mobilization of the country and a just and speedy dispute resolution is perceived as a tax incentive by the tax payer.

Mr. Justice Bobde said that giving importance to infrastructure is the need of the hour. Good infrastructure is a prerequisite for an institution is like healthy mind to the healthy body. You must upgrade your skills constantly, he added.

While saying use of technology in judicial functioning is another fascinating area, the Chief Justice of India said that Artificial Intelligence can play a significant role in judicial functioning and it is very helpful in docket management and decision making. But we should never allow artificial intelligence substitute the human intervention which is a necessary for a just decision making, he cautioned. Several countries are experimenting and implementing Artificial Intelligence in their respective justice delivery systems and the Artificial Intelligence is a new hope to drive our Public Institutions, he added.

The Solicitor General of India, Shri Tushar Mehta said that the Tribunal is governed by the rules of evidence; it’s a combination of Judicial Officers and Accounting Members. He further said that this combination of functioning has been able to evolve satisfactory solutions for problems arising in taxation. Early resolution of disputes shall ultimately in the interest of tax payers and for the country’s economy, he added.

The President, ITAT, Mr. Justice P.P. Bhatt, in his welcome address, said that we need to rededicate ourselves in serving the society in dispensation of justice in the field of direct taxes in the expected and appropriated manner. Our motto – Nispaksh, Sulabh and Satvar Nyay are not merely a set of words but they reflect values aspirations on which our organization work, he added.

The two-day event has several sessions of interaction in which eminent speakers will address and variety of subjects.

***

BN/BK

The process of applying for Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata Joint Entrance Test 2020 (JET 2020) is fully online. However, considering that internet services are still not fully operational in Kashmir, candidates from this region of the Union Territory have been given opportunity to apply offline for JET 2020 as well.

FTII and SRFTI, in coordination with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, have made it possible for the candidates ordinarily residing in the Kashmir region of the Union Territory of J&K, to apply for JET2020 by filling the application and depositing the fee offline.

Hard copies of application forms will be made available at the office of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Lalmandi, Srinagar, from January 24th onwards in a way that provides about a week’s window for the candidates to fill the Application Form and deposit the same along with the Demand Draft of the requisite fee at JKAACL’s Lal Mandi office during working hours, on or before the last date i.e. 31st January 2020.

In a first, candidates desirous of seeking admission to Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune both leading educational institutions in the art and craft of film making and television production, need to go through a multistage selection process from this year.

This year, SRFTI is conducting JET 2020 examination, which will be on Saturday, 15th February (afternoon) and Sunday, 16thFebruary, 2020 in two sessions (forenoon/afternoon).

For other details of courses and examination check the following links:-

JET website:   https://applyadmission.net/jet2020

FTII website:    http://ftii.ac.in/

SRFTI website: http://srfti.ac.in/

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GK

In continuation of Union Government’s outreach initiative, Union Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘ Nishank’ today inaugurated NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement), a two day orientation workshop for the teachers of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at SKICC, Srinagar. Besides, a number of completed projects and initiatives were e-launched by the minister on the occasion.

Shri Pokhriyal said that NISHTHA is a benchmark programme that will raise the standards of education throughout the country. It will prove to be helpful in inculcating creativity among children and stimulate their imagination as well as physical and mental wellbeing. The programme devised in Urdu language for J&K will bring in a positive change in the region, he said.

NISHTHA has already been launched in 20 states of the country and around 21000 e-resource persons have been trained so far. The main objective of the initiative is to help overall development of students as better citizens. The art modules included in the programme instill cooperation and spirit of unity with responsibility.

The minister appreciated the efforts of NCERT for providing all possible support to a programme of such magnitude. The programme will provide training to 37,000 government teachers. This is the largest teacher training exercise of such kind that will be carried out in a cascading manner.

The minister e-inaugurated about 45 projects including setting up of degree colleges, upgradation of infrastructure, construction of hostel and other facilities among others. These include 25 smart schools equipped with state of the art learning and teaching facilities in Srinagar.

Shri Pokhriyal said that the initiatives announced today as part of the current outreach programme of the government will greatly help in improving the overall education scenario in J&K. He said that the government is committed towards taking education to the last mile. Elaborating further, the minister said that our aim is to reach out to the Gram Sabha level ensuring that no child remains deprived of education.

Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Advanced Instrumentation and Sheikh ul Alam Chair at Centre for Sheikh ul Alam Studies at the University of Kashmir were also e-inaugrated by the minister. Besides, Engineering College at Safapora, Degree College at Zakoora, two hostels at NIT Srinagar, Transit Campus of IIM at Srinagar were also e-inaugrated.

Terming teachers as builders of the nation, the minister expressed his contentment for being part of the gathering. He appreciated the role of teachers of Jammu & Kashmir who work tirelessly despite challenges and said that there is a need to provide them all possible support so that the nation is on course. He informed the gathering that 208 teachers’ hostels will be constructed at 26 places for which Rs 26 crores have already been sanctioned. The government is looking into the regularization of services of 35000 teachers as well.

Shri Pokhriyal said that the Prime Minister has a vision for the youth of Kashmir and desires to see them at the top. Going by the trend, we are seeing the results in that direction, he commented. Lauding the efforts of the Education department, the minister expressed satisfaction over the functioning and progress made towards realization of core objectives.  He also expressed satisfaction over the achievements of University of Kashmir, National Institute of Technology, IIM, Central Universities and other academic institutions.

The President of India is pleased to approve the conferment of the following Correctional Service Medals on Prison Personnel on the occasion of Republic Day, 2020.

Distinguished Service

Meritorious Service

*****

As on 24th January, 20,844 passengers from 96 flights have been screened for Novel Coronovirus symptoms. Today, 4082 passengers were screened in 19 flights.

No nCoV case has been detected in the country so far. However, three persons have been put under observation.

Travel advisory has been extended to 12 more airports in addition to the current seven.

National Institute of Virology, Pune is fully geared up to test samples of nCoV. Ten other laboratories under Indian Council of Medical Research’s Viral Research and Diagnostics Laboratories network are also equipped to test such samples, if a need arises.

The other measures taken by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare are:

• A travel advisory was issued on 17th January and put up on Ministry’s website and also on the Twitter handle for wider circulation.
• Secretary (HFW) has written to the States/UTs to review their preparedness, identify gaps and strengthen core capacities in the area of surveillance, laboratory support infection prevention & control, logistics, risk communication and in particular, hospital preparedness in terms of isolation and ventilator management of critically ill patients of SARI.
• Thermal screening is being done at the International airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin. MoCA has asked airlines to follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines for managing and notifying anybody reporting illness on flights originating from China and disembarking in India. MoCA has instructed for in-flight announcements for India bound flights.
• Port and Airport Health Organizations have been sensitized. The Airport Health Organizations at the airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochinhave put up signages at prominent locations informing the public about self-reporting of illness. Immigration officers manning the counters have been sensitized at these airports. MoHFW has written to State Governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka to review and strengthen preparedness measures at designated airports for provision of isolation and critical care facilities, linkages with VRDL network laboratories and adherence to infection prevention and control guidelines.
• Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has issued advisory to all States/UTs for SARI surveillance to pick up any travel related case reported in the community and follow up contacts of suspect/confirmed cases.
• Adequate stock of Personal Protection Equipment is being maintained by Medical Stores Organization.
• Rapid response teams of the States/UTs have been trained in management of MERS-CoV outbreak (a similarly placed virus, reported from Middle East) in the year 2014. More recently these Rapid Response Teams of all States/UTs, APHO/PHOs and Regional Directors of this Ministry have also been trained (in Nov.-Dec., 2019) on management of high risk pathogens in context of Ebola virus disease outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Ministry of External Affairs disseminating travel advisory (in local languages) to Indian Embassies in China and adjoining countries for wider circulation and passenger information. In view of significant population of Indian students in China, MEA is providing details of such students.
• Ministry of Home Affairs to share details of travelers from China who have been issued e-Visa since 31st December, 2019.

The situation is being closely monitored by the top officials of the Ministry in close coordination with other concerned Ministries & Departments and States/UTs.

****

Taking forward the mission of the Government against black money, particularly undisclosed foreign assets, the Income Tax Department conducted searches on 19th January, 2020, on a group which has been on their radar for having substantial undisclosed foreign assets. The operation covered 13 premises in NCR.

The group is a leading member of the hospitality industry, running a hotel abroad and a chain of luxury hotels under a prominent brand name, situated at various locations in India.

The search operation has so far resulted in seizure of unaccounted assets valued at Rs. 24.93 crore(cash of Rs. 71.5 lakh, jewellery worth Rs.23 crore and expensive watches valued at Rs.1.2 crore).

Evidence seized during the search reveals that a large amount of black money was stashed abroad by the group, through the mechanism of Trusts, formed in early 1990s in tax havens.

Such foreign holdings of the main persons have remained hidden for decades beneath complex multi layered structures, located in different countries, ensuring secrecy. Search action further revealed that one of the close relatives of the promoter family was intentionally introduced as a front to ostensibly escape the provisions of domestic tax laws.

The investigation has successfully lifted the veil, leading to detection of  undisclosed foreign assets of more than Rs. 1000 crore, apart from domestic tax evasion of more than Rs. 35crore which may,inter alia, lead to consequences under the Black Money Act, 2015,as also,action under the Income-tax Act, 1961 respectively. Foreign assets include investment in a Hotel in UK, immovable properties in UK and UAE and deposits with foreign banks. Further investigations are in progress.

*****

The Income Tax Department mounted a search on a group operating leading educational institutions having a large number of schools and colleges in Chennai and Madurai region. The search was conducted at the office of the Trust, residences of the trustees and key employees of the group. The charitable trusts are running a medical college and hospital, Engineering colleges and schools across Tamil Nadu. Search and survey operations were carried out at 64 places across the State.

During the search, evidences were unearthed of fee collected under various nomenclatures from students of Engineering colleges; schools run by the group which were received in cash and not accounted for;and cash receipts not accounted for in the hospital account. Loans and interest were seen repaid in cash which were earlier taken in cash for the purpose of unaccounted investments. These receipts were utilised for the purchase of properties by paying on-money.

The search has resulted in the seizure of around Rs.2 crore of unaccounted cash. Out of the unaccounted income detected so far, the group has admitted an amount of Rs. 532 crore as their undisclosed income. The searches are temporarily concluded and further investigations are under progress.

The Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra and the World Bank today signed a loan agreement ofUSD 210 million to support small holder farmers participate in competitive agriculture value chains, facilitate agri-business investments, increase market access and productivity in focus commodities, and build resilience of crops to recurrent floods or droughts in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

The USD210 million Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project, will help build capacity of the nodal departments and institutions; increase private sector investments in agricultural value chains; remove constraints for producers and entrepreneurs in accessing emerging domestic and export markets; build the capacity of the state to respond to commodity-price fluctuations by providing access to timely information on markets and production trends; and enhance adoption of climate resilient production techniques in the state.

“Foreseeing the future risks of climate change, the Government of India is implementing several programs under its National Action Plan on Climate Change. In agriculture it promotes the use of less water and adoption of climate-smart practices and technologies,” said Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. “This project in Maharashtra is a significant step towards transforming the state’s rural economy through sustainable agriculture practices and empowerment of farmers by connecting them directly to the markets,” he added.

The loan agreement was signed by Shri Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and by Mr JunaidKamal Ahmad, Country Director (India), World Bank on behalf of the World Bank.

Whereas, the project agreement was signed byShri Eknath Dawale, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtraand by Mr JunaidKamal Ahmad, Country Director (India), World Bank on behalf of the World Bank.

The project will be implemented in all 36 districts of Maharashtra. Over one million farming households will directly benefit from the project. At least 43 percent of farmers and farm-workers participating in project activities are expected to be women. Specific focus will be given to women-led enterprises and the participation of women in the decision-making processes of farmer producer organizations.

“The Government of Maharashtra aims to double agriculture exports from the state and transform the sector into a stable source of sustainable growth and economic development,” said Mr Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director (India), World Bank. “This project will serve as the nucleus to fulfill the state’s much larger vision of an agriculture-based rural transformation.”

Such an agricultural transformation is already under way in Maharashtra with an upsurge in the production of high value crops such as fruits and vegetables, pulses, and maize and soybean for animal feed. The state has emerged as one of the country’s largest producer and exporter of fruits, vegetables, pulses, cotton, and soybean. Whereas the area under cultivation for cereals such as rice and wheat has been declining since 2000.

Many of these changes have led to several positive developments for Maharashtra where production is labour intensive (example, in horticulture and floriculture), is climate-resilient (pulse-based cropping systems increases resilience, e.g. pigeon pea intercropping leads to higher soil carbon sequestration than monocrop system) and responds to domestic and global market needs.

However a combination of increasing production and downturn in the commodity prices are affecting farmers’ profitability. Commodities like cotton, soybean, sugar, (covering 44 per cent of the cropped area in Maharashtra), are strongly influenced by global price movements. Broad shifts in the global prices of such commodities affect farmers who then find it difficult to cover the cost of production in many cases.

The focus of the project on enhancing the capacity of the state to effectively manage and deliver agricultural technical support and services, increasing credit linkages to formal financing institutions, improving Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards and investing in business development services will help small holder farmers become more competitive and increase their links to organized domestic and export markets.

“With a substantial urban population, relatively high per capita incomes, and highest industrialization levels, Maharashtra is well-placed for an agriculture-sector transformation. This project will strengthen the capacity of small holder farmers to cope with fluctuations in the commodity market and enhance their incomes. The International Finance Corporation, the World Bank’s private sector arm will also be actively engaged in project design and implementation,” saidShri Manivannan Pathy, Senior Agricultural Specialist and Shri Adarsh Kumar, Senior Agribusiness Specialist and World Bank’s Team Leaders for the project.

The USD 210 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a 6-year grace period and a maturity period of 13.5 years.

The display of various indigenously-developed military systems and technologies by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will bring alive the spirit of self-reliance and national pride at the forthcoming DefExpo 2020. The 11^th edition of the biennial expo will be held at Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow from February 5-9, 2020.

The participation of DRDO at the expo is marked with the live demonstration of Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun MK IA, Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), Counter Mine Flail, 15m Advanced Composite Modular Bridging System (ACMBS) and modular bridge.

The DRDO will exhibit more than 500 products from all technology clusters in the five-day mega expo in line with the theme of the event “Digital Transformation of Defence”. DRDO will showcase over 23 products in the India Pavilion at DefExpo, which has been set up to showcase the combined strength of DRDO, public and private sector in defence manufacturing.

The 15^th Finance Commission headed by Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh alongwith its Members and senior officials met today with  Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pramod Sawant alongwith his Cabinet colleagues and senior State Government officials.

The Commission observed that:

• Goa has a population of 1.459 million, making it India’s fourth smallest State in terms of Population (after Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh). The population has a growth rate of 8.23% per decade.
• There are 394 people for each square kilometer of land which is higher than national average 382 per km². Goa is the state with highest proportion of urban population with 62.17% of the population living in urban areas.
• Estimates put the migrant, or non-Goan, population at 20% of the population, with a State Government study projecting that by 2021 the migrant community will outnumber the native population.
• Goa has the highest GDP per capita among all Indian states, two and a half times that of the country. In 2018-19, per capita NSDP of the State was Rs. 4,67,998 against per capita income of Rs. 1,26,406 for India.
• It was ranked the best-placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.
•  Goa is also one of the few states in India to achieve 100 percent rural electrification.
• In 2018-19, the share of primary, secondary and tertiary sector in GSVA (current prices 2011) of the State was 9.6, 46.3 and 34.3%, respectively.
• The State’s share in inter-se devolution had risen from 0.26 during 2010-15 (as recommended by FC-XIII) to 0.37 during 2015-20 (as recommended by FC-XIV).

The Commission was appreciative of the fact that:

• In 2017-18, the Own Tax Revenue to GSDP of the State was 6.7%, which is sixth highest among all States. Also, the NTR as the percent to GSDP is 4.3 and ORR as a percent to GSDP is 11 which is highest among all the States.
• The annual growth rate as a percent to GSDP has been on the higher side when compared to GDP growth rate from 2014-15 onwards.
• State Government has witnessed revenue surplus to GSDP in all the years since 2011-12 till 2018-19 except for the years 2012-13 and 2013 -14.
• The Per Capita Tax Revenue is 7.34 as a % to the PCI for 2017-18.
• The social indicators including literacy rate, decennial growth rate, Total Fertility Rate (TFR), IMR, Birth Rate, Death Rate are well above the national average.
• The debt-GSDP ratio of the State was 26.32% in 2017-18, which is well above the average of the all States i.e 25.51 %. The State is ranked at 12^th among all the States for the year 2017-18.
• Solid waste management and sewage treatment related issues.
• Tourism development.

The Finance Commission was concerned about:

• In the recent past, Goa has been facing the problem of slower own tax revenue growth. The slowdown in the economy is affecting the revenue potential of the State.  The nominal GSDP growth in Goa has fallen to 8.5 percent in 2015-16 from an average of 12 percent in the last decade.

•  The State Government may need to make progress towards increasing capital expenditure, eliminating AT&D losses in the power sector, and improving the quality of such expenditure in generating future income streams.

• The State Government has been irregular in constitution of State Finance Commission and not implemented recommendations of any two SFCs so far constituted in spite of having 190 Village Panchayats and 14 ULBs.

• All the functions mentioned under Eleventh and Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution have not yet been fully devolved to the local bodies.

The Commission desired to know about the natural disaster preparedness of the State.  The Commission also sought information on how the State dealt with the huge tourist arrival (both domestic & international) in Goa each year.

Earlier the Commission had held a meeting with the representatives of the Political Parties of the State of Goa including BJP, INC, AAP, MGP, GFP and CPI.  Cutting across party lines, all parties had put forth issues and problems facing Goa currently.

The State Government gave a detailed presentation of the current fiscal situation of Goa and its requirements for funds.  The State has submitted a demand for grant of Rs.6333.32 crores in addition to the overall tax devolution.

The Commission has assured to look into all matters and issues, specifically solid waste management, tourism development, etc. before making its recommendations to the Union Government.

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