The Legislative Department in the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs also issued a Notification enforcing the Constitution (79^th Amendment) Act, 1999 with effect from the afternoon of January 25,2000.

    The Constitution Amendment Bill was passed in October, 1999, the first Session of the 13^th Lok Sabha. Thereafter, it had been sent to the States for ratification by a majority of State Legislative Assemblies. Before the President gave his assent to the Act, almost all the State Assemblies had already ratified the Constitution Amendment to this effect.

'24'

    The Department of Posts is bringing out a special commemorative postage stamp on the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Republic of India. The stamp which is in the denomination of Rs.3/- will b e released by the Vice President, Shri Krishan Kant at a special ceremony in the Central Hall of the Parliament here on 27^th January 2000. The President of India, Shri K.R.Narayanan, the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri G.M.C.Balayogi, the Minister of Communications, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, the Minister of State for Communications, Shri Tapan Sikdar and other dignitaries will be present on the occasion.

    The stamp has been designed by eminent artist Shri Ranga, who has worked extensively on the theme of the life of Gandhiji and portrayed very evocatively, various aspects of the life of the Mahatma and Gandhian thought. Since India attained Independence a large number of countries across the world, have honoured Mahatma Gandhi, through issues of commemorative postage stamps, in honour of different aspects of Gandhian thought, and his leadership of the National Movement for Independence. A grateful and proud nation, on the 50^th anniversary of the Republic of India, pays homage to the man, universally acclaimed as the Father of the Nation through the issue of this special commemorative stamp.

    The first day cover design features Dr.B.R.Ambedkar who played a pivotal role in the drafting of the Constitution of India as chairman of the Drafting Committee and has been termed, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. The Department of Posts pays tribute to Dr.B.R.Ambedkar's achievements in framing and piloting the Indian constitution.

    India has been elected President of the Afro-Asian Rural Reconstruction Organisation (AARRO) for the triennium 2000- 2002. The Organisation has been renamed as Afro-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO). While addressing the gathering at the XIII General Session of AARRO here today, the outgoing President, represented by the Egyptian Ambassador in India, Mr. Gehad Madi, hoped that under the Presidency of India, the Organisation will scale new highs and continue to achieve its objectives.

    Speaking at the Conference, the Minister for Rural Devleopment, Shri Sundar Lal Patwa, said AARRO represents the collective will of Asia and Africa to pool their knowledge and expertise in operational areas of agriculture, technology and rural development for mutual benefit. Its activities should promote collective self-reliance, expanded technical and economic collaboration, human resource development and integrated rural development in the member countries. He suggested that a time-bound, aggressive and affirmative action should be adopted by AARRO to cover and strengthen its constituency. He said this could be achieved through effective marketing, sensitization and dissemination of the useful work being done by AARRO. He lamented that there is a tendency among some of us to disregard our ancient wisdom and knowledge and adopt practices not in consonance with temperament and genius of our people. He observed that the reach of the organisation is not complete or comprehensive. Several sovereign countries inAsia and Africa are still uncovered and suggested an aggressive and affirmative action by AARRO to cover and strengthen its constituency.

    In his opening address to the General Session of AARRO, the Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri G.M.C.Balayogi said planned rural development programmes and rural reconstruction with people’s participation are of utmost importance for us to achieve the desired socio-economic development and to alleviate poverty, ensure equity and distributive justice. In his address he said that during the past decades, African and Asian countries have mobilized and harnessed considerable resources to meet the requirements of their development strategies. Some have achieved progress rapidly, some have been less fortunate. He said that the inter-continental networks, supported by the political will of our respective leaders and a dynamic leadership of AARRO, would ensure the realization of AARRO’s noble objectives. He further said though Asia and Africa are two separate continents, they have a common goal of eliminating poverty. He emphasized exploring together the ways and means of pooling the strengths of the third world countries, rectifying the weakenss and reinforcing the commitment through a genuine international cooperation. He said if we can take advantage of the natural endowments and adopt appropriate technology and institutions, it should not be very difficult for us to improve our living conditions. He further added the rural research studies need to be planned in an integrated manner so that the evolved strategy can be more relevant to address the location of specific problems bringing about desired socio-economic changes. Shri Balayogi stressed the need for empowering disadvantaged, women, resource poor rural people in production process through improved access to facilities and services so that they extricate themselves from the shackles of poverty.

    Earlier addressing the Conference, the Secretary General of AARRO, Dr. Bahar Munip also said that women in development have been in the forefront of AARRO’s activities. The vote of thanks was proposed by the Vice-President of AARRO, the Zambian High Commissioner in India, Mr. S.K. Mubukwanu.

    The two-day General Session will finalize policy frame-work of the Organization for the future. The work programme of AARDO for the triennium 2000-2002 mainly covers human resource development, deputation of experts, research studies, development of cooperative alliance, collaboration with other international organization and publication and library services.

    The overall power generation in the country has shown a growth of 7.4 percent during April-December 1999 over the corresponding period last year. Thermal and nuclear generation showed remarkable growth of 9.7 and 9.6 per cent respectively. The All India PLF was 65.6 percent as against 62.1 percent target. The All India PLF was 62.6 percent during the corresponding period the previous year.

    Overall 355.2 billion units of electricity has been generated against a target of 345.4 billion units, thereby exceeding the target by 2.9 percent. The targeted overall geneation exceeded in all the regions except NER and western region. NR (107.3 percent ), WR (98.9 percent), SR (100.6 percent), ER (109.9 percent) and NER (92.6 percent). It was higher than previous year in all the regions. NR (105.1 percent), WR (105.3 percent), SR (112.3 percent), ER (109.9 percent) and NER (102.5 percent).

    During Dec.'99, the percentage generation achieved vis-à-vis programme of the target was 101.2 percent for thermal, 99.4 percent for nuclear and 100 percent for hydro.

    Two power stations of NTPC in central sector achieved PLF exceeding 90 percent viz. Singrauli STPS-92.7 percent and Dadri NCTPS-95.6 percent. In the State Sector, Rayalseema TPS of APSEB again achieved the highest PLF of 95.3 percent.

    During Dec.'99 Thermal generation has been higher than the target in the Northern and Eastern region. NR (104.5 percent), WR (98.5 percent), SR (93.3 percent), ER (121.8 percent) and NER (87.4 percent). Thermal generation in Dec.'99 has been higher than Dec.'98 in all the regions - NR (101.9 percent), WR (104.5 percent), SR(111.8 percent), ER (117.8 percent) and NER(123.6 percent).

‘5’

    Union Home Minister, Shri L.K. Advani has launched the Bi-lingual Website of the Department of Official Language (DOL), here today. A special souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of the Official Language was also released by the Home Minister on the occasion. Shri Advani complimented the Secretary and Officials of the DOL for getting prepared the Bilingual Website on Internet.

    In his address, the Home Minister called upon people to use Hindi with self-respect. He said that language is not only the medium of interaction but it is related with the self-respect and pride of the nation. He advised the countrymen to move ahead with our own language as it paves the way for stronger bonds of nationalism. He also reminded that during the freedom struggle it was Hindi which united all the Nationalist Leaders belonging to different parts of the country.

    Shri Advani stated that launching of this Bi-lingual Website of the DOL is the first step towards fulfilling the commitment of linking the official language with modern technology as said on the eve of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Official Language. He mentioned that the greatest invention of the 20^th Century is the Computer but more than the Computer, it is internet which has revolutionized the world of Information Technology.

    In his welcome address, Shri Ashok Kumar, Secretary, Department of Official Language mentioned that Website of the DOL is perhaps the first ever Bi-lingual Website of all the Ministries and Departments of the Union Government. He said the purpose of launching this Website is to bring transparency in the official work and lessen the gap between the Government and the people. The Secretary said that efforts will be made to increase the use of Hindi on Computers.

    The Home Secretary, Shri Kamal Pande and Special Secretary, Shri R.D. Kapoor were also present on the occasion.

    The Website is developed by the National Informatics Centre, R.K. computers system and the technical unit of the DOL by using Suvidose-2000 software. The Website gives information about the Department, its subordinate Departments and Administrative heirarchy. The Website is accessible on the address - dol.nic.in

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) considers that there is need for prompt measures being taken for providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the ‘super-cyclone’ and to ensure that their misery is not aggravated by any avoidable lapse in the measures taken for the relief and rehabilitation by any agency.

    The Commission has directed the State Government to complete the enumeration of the casualties and to publish the list in each Gram Panchayat area and finalise it so as to ensure that the dead are correctly identified and the right to compensation and other assistance of the survivors is not in anyway compromised.

    The Directions include a food for work programme to secure the right of those below the poverty line to sustenance. For those who are old and incapable of physical work, special feeding centres be organised/continued.

    District-wise census must be done to get correct information of all widows and senior citizens who have become destitutes on account of the death of the earning members of their families. They should be covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme and the State Government should get additional sanction for these pensioners under the Government of India’s rural Development Department’s scheme. Those who cannot be covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme should be provided relief under the State Government’s own State Pension Scheme.

    The Orissa Government should undertake in the first phase and on an immediate basis the construction of at least 40 more shelters in the cyclone prone areas and complete the construction before 30^th of June 2000. The Government of Orissa may also assess the total number of shelters required in the disaster prone area and inform the Commission of a phased scheme for construction of such shelters.

    The State Government should arrange to have an enumeration of the children who have become orphans in the aftermath of the cyclone. A proposal for opening orphanages to provide relief for these people be sent by the State Government to the government of India.

    The State Government is directed to start the 12 sanctioned ICDS schemes. The State Government should also approach the Government of India for extending the coverage under ICDS to all the cyclone affected districts.

    The Commission further directs that the rehabilitation work undertaken must be based on Action Plan drawn up for each district and be given wide publicity. The financial implication thereof be clearly indicated in the Action Plan and a compendium of all the action plans should be published at the state level in the form of a white paper.

    The Commission has recommended long terms rehabilitation measures and departmental action by State Government against public servants for negligence and professional lapses.

‘5’

    The Government has decided to authorize the unrestricted display of the National Flag throughout the country, on 25^th and 27^th January, 2000. However, the display of the National Flag on Motor Cars on 25^th and 27^th January shall be strictly in accordance with the provisions of the flag code.

‘5’

Union Home Minister, Shri L.K. Advani will dedicate port Smundra to the nation tomorrow. Union Surface Transport Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation stone for the container terminal.

Located strategically in the Gulf of Kutchh on the Western Coast of India, Mundra port is India’s Natural Gateway to the West. It is the nearest deep water Indian port for the vast land locked and productive hinterland of Northern, Western and Central Indian States which contribute an estimated 38% of the country’s trade. It is also the closest Indian port to the international navigation route leading to the Middle-East European, African, Scandinavian countries and the Americas. It is proposed to be developed as modern direct berthing port handling all types of cargo in joint sector.

    A seven day Krishi Expo- 2000 and National Livestock & Poultry Show-2000 are being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from January 26 to February 1, 2000. Briefing the press Shri Bhaskar Barua, Secretary(Agriculture & Cooperation) said that this event being important is being organised in the very first month of new millennium. All the four departments of Ministry of Agriculture i.e Agriculture & Cooperation, Animal Husbandry & Dairy, Food Processing Industries, DARE & ICAR are participating in the Exhibitions. Besides, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka States, NAFED, Fertilizer, Seeds, Agriculture Extension, Plant Protection, Oil-seed and Agriculture Marketing organisations are also participating in Krishi Expo 2000. Various species of livestock and poultry will be on the show.

    Over 200 exhibitors from all over the country are participating in the Krishi Expo and the Livestock & Poultry Show. The display profile includes agricultural machinery, technologies, products, inputs, horticulture, kitchen gardens, poultry & livestock, and related technologies.

    A number of seminars on agriculture related topics will be held concurrently with the events. These topics include Food Safety and Hygiene, Agri-business for Exports, Implication of WTO, Regime on Indian Agriculture, Food Processing, Nutrition and Packaging. The Department of Animal Husbandry in the Ministry of Agriculture will also be organising seminars on January 30 and 31, 2000.

    A special feature of the Exhibitions will be the hosting of Kisan Gosthies/Workshops for the Farmers, Scientists and Researchers in various fields at the Lal Chowk during the currency of the fair. Another highlight of the events will be distribution of prizes to Government Farms in the categories, milk yield and equestrian sports.

    The farmers of neighbouring States are being brought to expose them to the latest developments and see that they are benefited by producing better yield.

    The exhibitions are being organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation in co-operation with Ministry of Agriculture in line with the Government’s thrust on rural development in general and in farming and associated sectors in particular.

    Speaking on the occasion, ITPO Chairman and Managing Director Yogesh Chandra said the fair would now be an annual affair which is now being organised after a gap of ten years.

    The twin Exhibitions inauguration ceremony will be held at 5 PM on January 25, 2000. Entry to the Exhibitions is free. The Exhibitions are open from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM.

'42'

PHARMA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT CHARTS OUT ROADMAP TO TRANSFORM INDIA INTO A KNOWLEDGE POWER

    The Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Suresh Prabhu briefed the press here today, on the Pharmaceutical Research & Development Committee (PRDC) Report, which was submitted to the Government on December 1, 1999.

    The PRDC was set up under the chairmanship of the Director-General of the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, to study and identify the measures needed to strengthen the R&D base of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Members of the Committee included the late Dr. Parvinder Singh, Dr. Anji Reddy, Dr. Rakesh Mohan, Dr. Amit Mitra and Dr. Mira Shiva amongst others.

    The pharmaceutical industry is today self-reliant in several areas. The low levels of profitability combined with comparatively small size of the companies was largely responsible for the low investment in R&D, which has been largely concentrated on process development for known drugs. The coming century will pose several challenges to the industry, not the least of all will be the new Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime.

    The Committee enunciated a vision for Indian pharma R&D as: "To provide intellectual capital to make available safe, cost-effective, contemporary, quality therapeutics to the people of India to help reduce percentage of mortality and morbidity and to emerge as a significant player in the global market place." The report suggests a roadmap to achieve the standards of production, export and investment in pharma R & D in consonance with this vision.

    Priority areas for Indian pharma R&D have been identified. India’s excellent expertise in developing new and innovative processes for known molecules needs to be exploited in a greater measure. Priority needs to be given for initiation of new drug development for diseases of relevance to the Indian population, while at the same time seizing opportunities to become a global player by introducing globally competitive products based on new molecules and new delivery systems.

    To achieve such objectives, the existing human resources in conventional methods of drug discovery need refurbishing alongside acquisition of newer tools of drug discovery. Identification of such tools, estimation of the new human resource requirement, the levels of required investment and the centres where such investment could be made have been specified in the report.

    Citing the unique opportunity for India to become a leading centre for clinical trials, the Committee has called for basic changes in the legislation allowing import of animals, contract research, and a legal status for institutional animal ethics committee. Furthermore, establishment and operationalisation of a Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) monitoring authority has been recommended.

    Recognising the crucial role played by the Indian systems of medicine in the health care needs of the population, the Committee has recommended major and specific initiatives to strengthen and modernise the existing infrastructure. Proper scientific documentation of our traditional knowledge base in the internationally accepted format and media has been suggested as a priority.

    A higher level of innovation and IPR management coupled with strategic manufacturing and aggressive marketing will largely determine Indian the pharma industry’s future. Specific measures for strengthening the IPR system with action points for the Government, judiciary and the legal system, industry, S & T and educational system have been suggested. Some suggestions for enacting a TRIPs compatible IPR legislation, which protects the interest of the consumers and allows a platform for the growth of the pharma industry, have been made.

    In the backdrop of a strong trend towards globalisation of regulatory and scientific requirement pertaining to safety, efficacy and quality issue, the Committee has recommended a professionally managed and efficient regulatory mechanism under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Specific measures have been suggested to facilitate creation of a new structure for CDSCO.

    Recognising that the significant areas of healthcare of relevance and value to the Indian populace will not be addressed by the companies in the developed world, the Committee has recommended the establishment of the Drug Development Promotion Foundation, which will promote such R & D. This foundation is proposed to be autonomous and independent of the government.

    The Committee has suggested several fiscal and non-fiscal measures for the funding of R & D. The major ones being: - effective venture capital financing environment by removing roadblocks, mandatory collection of one percent of MRP of all formulations sold in the country for attracting R & D in high cost-low return areas (the fund is proposed to be called "Pharmaceutical R & D Support Fund).

    A National Rural Road Development Committee has been constituted by the Ministry of Rural Development. The first meeting of the committee was held here today. Addressing the meeting, the Minister of Rural Development, Shri Sundarlal Patwa said the first and foremost step of rural development should be to accord top priority to means of communication. He said our endeavour is to ensure hundred per cent connectivity in the next four years. He lamented that the question of rural roads has not been given enough importance as yet in terms of overall rural development. He urged the members of the meeting to dedicate themselves to this programme for changing the face of 21^st Century rural India.

    While welcoming the members, the Secretary, Rural Development, Dr. P.L. Sanjeev Reddy said it is disturbing to note that 53 per cent of our villages still remain without any roads. He said these forces a multiplier effect on income of individuals and that of the nation. Dr. Reddy pointed out that the NRRDC has been constituted consequent to the President's Address to the Parliament on 29.10.99 where he mentioned that a programme for rural connectivity through construction of all weather roads to connect all villages will soon be started. The Ministry of Rural Development has been chosen as the nodal ministry to implement this programme. Dr. Reddy informed that 50 per cent of the diesel cess amounting to Rs. 2500 crores per annum has been notionally earmarked for this programme.

    At the day long meeting of the Committee, Chairman Shri Nitin Gadkari, Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Council and former PWD Minister of Maharashtra Government, gave a presentation on projects of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Shri Gadkari pointed out that MSRDC has achieved great success in Maharashtra by operating on private - professional management principles and making use of the varied technologies including information technology for building up an inventory of various parameters in road construction. Shri Gadkari promised that the NRRDC shall submit its detailed report within three months to the Minister of Rural Development.

    The meeting deliberated on the terms of reference of the Committee. These include:

1. Identification of unconnected villages in India
2. Deciding road length for the total rural road connectivity
3. Specification of roads according to the soil conditions.
4. Volume of funds needed for the project and contribution from States and Central Government
5. Funds from foreign and other sources
6. Possibility of raising the funds through bonds
7. Suggestion of Implementing Agency/Agencies
8. Structure of Corporation
9. Suggestion to implement the project in a time-bound manner, its modalities, process of tendering etc.

    The National Rural Road Development Committee will comprise the following:

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Leader of Opposition, Chairman

Maharashtra Legislative Council

Secretary, Rural Development, Government Member

Of India

Shri S.R. Tambe, Retd Secretary, PWD, Member

Government of Maharashtra

Shri Dhananjay Mungle, Membai Member

Director General, National Highways Member

Authority of India

Director General, Border Roads Organisation Member

Managing Director, NABARD Member

Director, Central Road Research Member

Institute, Gurgaon

Principal Secretary, Rural Development, Member

Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh

Principal Secretary, Rural Development, Member

Govt. of Madhya Pradesh

Principal Secretary, Rural Development Member

Govt. of Tamil Nadu

Principal Secretary, Rural Development Member

Govt. of West Bengal

Adviser (Rural Development), Member

Planning Commission

Addl. Secretary & Financial Adviser Member

Min. of Rural Development

Jt. Secretary, Rural Development Member

(Incharge of Rural Roads), Govt. of India

    Among others who attended the meeting include : Shri R.C. Panda, Shri Badal Das, Lt General R.J. Mordecai, Shri D. Dasgupta, Smt. Rohini Nayyar, Shri S.B. Sharma, Shri P.K. Sikdar, Shri Dhananjai Mungale, Shri C.S. Rao, Shri R. Dutta and Mrs. Sudha Pillai.

    The Prime Minister has decided that the Indian delegation to the Annual Meeting 2000 of the World Economic Forum at Davos will be led by Shri Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister.

    Shri N.K. Singh, Secretary to Prime Minister and Shri P.G. Mankad, Finance Secretary would be the other members of the delegation.

    The Finance Minister would, during the course of the Davos meeting, hold wide ranging discussions with the World Economic leaders and also participate in business interaction with "Group on India" as well as speak at the Summit entitled "India - New Beginnings on Economic Reforms". He would also have a meeting with the President of the World Bank, where both the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are also likely to participate.