PM addresses the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in New Delhi. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s inaugural address:

“It is indeed a matter of great honour for India to host once again the prestigious Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries for the third time. I extend a warm welcome to each one of the distinguished participants. I am very happy that this Conference will carry forward the multifaceted high-level engagement that is now part of the established Commonwealth tradition. India is also looking forward to welcoming thousands of sportsmen and women later this year when we celebrate the great sporting traditions of the Commonwealth countries during the Commonwealth Games.

This Conference gives us an occasion to reflect on one of the fundamental values of the Commonwealth - that of adherence to democratic principles. The past few decades have undoubtedly seen the triumph of the will of the people. Democracy is taking roots in every corner of the world. Why this has come to be was perhaps most appropriately summed up by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He said and I quote, “Democracy is good; I say this because other systems are worse“.

Democracy, in precept and practice, will never wear the mantle of perfection. Consensus building does takes time. But in the end, the decisions that emerge from such processes are durable. They have the support of the majority and they take into account the legitimate concerns of the minority. India’s own tryst with democracy drew its inspiration from our freedom struggle. And so, at a time when most developing countries opted for authoritarian models of government, India chose to be a multi-party democracy. This journey has not always been smooth. There have been stresses and strains. This is inevitable in a diverse and plural society that India is. Despite these often noisy political contestations, India has remained as a functioning multi-party democracy. Democracy has strengthened our polity and our institutions. Full Text

Envoys of three nations present credentials to President of India

Three envoys presented their credentials to the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The envoys who presented their credentials were: - His Excellency Mr. Petar Jovanovski, the Ambassador of Macedonia, His Excellency Mr. Rukma Shumshere J.B. Rana, the Ambassador of Nepal and His Excellency, Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, In her interaction with the envoys, the President said there was need for greater exchange of information and coordination to fight unrest in the world. She said the world must work incessantly for peace and this requires toleranceThe President referred to Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence which has been universally recognized. The President also mentioned the need for compassion while dealing with human sufferings, and in this context said Mother Teresa born in Skopje in Macedonia and an Indian citizen, did selfless work. The credential presentation ceremony was attended by the senior members of the missions, senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

PM greets the nation on the eve of New Year

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has greeted the nation on the eve of the New Year. In a message, Dr. Singh said that as we welcome the dawn of a new decade we should build upon the achievements of the past in striving for the realization of our dreams. May the year 2010 see the fulfillment of the aspirations of our countrymen and ensure peace, prosperity and happiness all around, the Prime Minister added.

Govt sets up panel of state ministers for industrial growth
New Delhi, Source: Business Standard

In an effort to achieve the target of attracting $50 billion (nearly Rs 2,34,100 crore) foreign capital inflows into the country by 2012, the government today constituted a high-level committee of state industry ministers that would seek to create proper road maps for states and their industrial development.

This comes in the wake of a meeting held between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and states trade ministers last month. The committee would comprise industry ministers from Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana. The main responsibility of the committee would be to formulate a states-specific investment promotion programme. Besides, it would also create a single window mechanism for faster clearance of licence requirement and establishment.

The committee would also prepare guidelines for the creation of an industrial land bank consisting of available waste and fallow lands, while leaving aside productive agricultural land as far as possible. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had said that both the Centre and states should together aim at making the country investor friendly. He has set the target of achieving $50 billion foreign direct investment annually by 2012 and $100 billion by 2017. With respect to the development of special economic zones (SEZs), he had asked the states to issue notifications for exemption of state and other local taxes. He also said that the government must take adequate steps to provide proper connectivity and infrastructure such as water and drainage connection for the SEZs.

Six SEZ proposals get govt nod
New Delhi, Source: The Ecconomic Times

The government on Tuesday approved six proposals for setting up of SEZs, including gems and jewellery SEZ by Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. The Board of Approval (BoA) in commerce ministry also gave in-principle approval to two proposals, including that of Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd for copper SEZ in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, a statement said. In total, 10 new SEZ proposals were considered by the BoA. The BoA gave its nod to two proposals of Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. The Corporation had requested for an IT SEZ and gems and jewellery SEZ at Baprola in New Delhi. Lanco Solar Pvt Ltd got approval for solar tax-free enclave, which would be set up in Cuttak, Orissa. The government approves the IT/ITeS tax-free zone of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd at Kozhikode, Kerala.

Lord Mandelson starts visit to India

Rt Hon Lord Mandelson, First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, arrived in India on a six-day visit starting from December 18-23. “The UK and India are natural business partners. There are huge opportunities for UK firms in India and Indian firms are strong investors in the UK. In Europe, we have the biggest industries for life sciences, and financial services and our stengths lie in design, innovation and technologies. The UK and India are moving together up the value chain,” Lord Mandelson said. In Bengaluru, Lord Mandelson will launch the IISc-UK lecture series 2010 at the Indian Institute for Science (IISc) and meet business leaders. In New Delhi, he will meet top Indian government ministers and officials to discuss business opportunities in energy, low carbon technologies, education and manufacturing sectors.

BSNL launches WiMAX service

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), on Sunday announced the nationwide launch of wireless broadband services using worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology starting with Ajmer in Rajasthan. The total cost of the project is Rs 225 crore. BSNL has already planned to spend approximately Rs 1,200 crore for rural WiMAX. This technology will offer broadband speed of 7 Mbps at a distance of 15 km with mobility in wireless broadband. BSNL is offering this service at a starting tariff of Rs 140 per month in rural areas. WiMAX technology is the latest 4th generation wireless broadband service working in 2.5 Ghz band.

“While we are launching services today, with more than 200 base stations in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, these services in 1,000 block headquarters will be launched across the nation very soon,” the company said in an email statement. This will provide high speed wireless broadband connectivity to 11,500 common service centres in respective blocks. Through this technology, BSNL has planned to cover the remaining block headquarters for connecting 50,000 common service centres in the next phase.

Lata Mangeshkar, referred to as the 'Nightingale of India’ has been honoured with the Insignia of 'Officier de la Legion d'Honneur' (Officer of the Legion of Honour), France's highest civilian award. Jerome Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India, said, "France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world. Bestowing the insignia of Officer of the Legion of Honour on Lata Mangeshkar, is a recognition of her incomparable singing career, and to a personality who has stayed at the top range in her field for over 60 years." The Officer of the Legion of Honour had earlier been bestowed on Indian director Satyajit Ray who had also been awarded the Oscar. Indian superstar, Amitabh Bachchan, had also been honoured with the award. The award was conferred on the 80-year-old singer during an official ceremony in Mumbai hosted by Jerome Bonnafont.