PIB: - WINTER SEASON OF PARLIAMENT 2013

PIB: - WINTER SEASON OF PARLIAMENT 2013
5 December to 20 December (I am trying to cover maximum news but coverage will not be descriptive otherwise it will go long so you have to take this initiative by yourself)
Drinking Water and Sanitation Facilities

* Uniform drinking water quality monitoring protocol have been made available to the States to improve performance of rural drinking water supply schemes.

* Provision of incentives for the construction of Individual household latrines (IHHL) extended to identify Above Poverty Line (APL) households (all SCs /STs, small and marginal farmers, landless labourers with homestead, physically handicapped and women-headed households.

* Recasting the component of Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) under NBA (BHARAT NIRMAN ABHIYAN) to a project mode approach in convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Promoting Organic Farming in the Country

* The Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

* Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme, assistance up to 25% and 33% of financial outlay is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio pesticides/bio-fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively.
Steps to Control Leaf Spot Disease in Banana

* Sigatoka Leaf Spot disease of banana has affected the banana plantations in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and Assam.

* The National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli has developed effective management technology for the control of leaf spot disease in banana by integrated management practices. The disease can be controlled effectively by application of fungicides and petroleum oil coupled with field sanitation and removal of affected leaves.
Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme

* Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has launched Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme for providing broadband connectivity to rural and remote areas, USOF has signed an Agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on January 20, 2009 under the Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme to provide wireline broadband connectivity to rural and broadband by leveraging the existing rural exchanges infrastructure and copper wireline network.
Flow of Foreign Capital

* The US Fed Indications in late May 2013 about the possible tapering of the quantitative easing programme led to substantial outflow of FIIs from Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) including India. Further, EMEs currencies, particularly those with high CAD, also witnessed sharp exchange rate depreciation.

* In order to augment capital inflows, various measures have been taken in the recent period, including liberalized FDI norms through review of limits and (or) routes for select sectors viz., telecom, asset reconstruction companies, credit information companies, petroleum and natural gas, courier services, commodity exchanges, infrastructure companies in the securities market and power exchanges, offering a window for the banks to swap the fresh FCNR(B) dollar funds with the Reserve Bank increase in the overseas borrowing limit from 50 to 100 per cent of the unimpaired Tier I capital of banks (with the option of swap with the Reserve Bank) permission to avail of ECB under the approval route from their foreign equity holder company for general corporate purposes.
Drugs Prohibited / Suspended in the Country

* The Government has suspended the manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of following drugs in 2013 as the use of these drugs was likely to involve risk to the human health:

* Dextropropoxyphene and formulations containing Dextropropoxyphene for human use.

* Analgin and all formulations containing analgin for human use.

* Fixed Dose Combination of Flupenthixol+Melitracen for human use.

* Pioglitazone and all formulations containing Pioglitazone for human use.
Measles Special Immunization Activity

* World Health Organization (WHO) on 24th February, 2012 removed India from the list of countries with active endemic wild poliovirus transmission.

* The Government is also working to eliminate measles and control Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2020 in association with South-East Asia Region.
Drugs & Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2013

* The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 has been amended on several occasions since its enactment.

* on the basis of the recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee, the Act was amended by the Drugs & Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 2008 to provide stringent penalties for manufacture of spurious and adulterated drugs.

* Certain offences were made cognizable and non-bailable.

* It also enabled setting up of special designated courts for speedy disposal of cases to deal with the cases of offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. 16 States/UTs have already set up these special Courts.
South-South Cooperation on Child Rights

* The Government of India recently hosted the Second High Level Meeting (HLM) on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific in New Delhi from 23rd to 25th October 2013.

* The meeting provided a forum to the development of networks for knowledge exchange, promotion of peer learning, and coordination for cooperation on child rights in the countries of Asia and the Pacific.

* The deliberations during the HLM focused on three themes:

* Urban setting as an opportunity for realizing all child rights; Adolescents: current rights for future opportunities and Fulfilling Child Rights through Early Childhood Development.

* The Meeting also assessed the progress made in the area of child rights since the first HLM held in Beijing in 2010.

* The HLM concluded with the adoption of a New Delhi Declaration on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific.

* The New Delhi Declaration provided an overview on status of children in Asia and the Pacific.

* It provided overall and specific recommendations on the three themes of Adolescents, Early Childhood Development and Urban Settings.

* The overall recommendations included improving data collection methodologies and use data for the purpose of advancing child rights; enhancing inter-country learning and exchange of best practices; and encouraging multi-country research studies on childrens issues.

* The specific recommendations included improving access and quality of lower secondary education and vocational training for children and adolescents; reviewing and enhancing national and regional coordination of early childhood development policies, programmes and service components and; enhancing services to children living in urban areas, particularly the most marginalized and excluded children.
National Institute for Women Affairs

* There is a proposal to set up a National Institute for Women Affairs (NIWA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

* However, at present the National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW) under the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) is working towards ensuring the operationalization of the Mission at National, State and District levels.
Discussions with Bangladesh Regarding Hydro-Electric Projects in Manipur/Meghalaya

* Discussions are being held between India and Bangladesh regarding the construction of Hydro Power Projects in Meghalaya and Manipur. Bangladesh had raised its concern regarding the Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric (Multipurpose) Project (1500 MW) in Manipur and Mawphu (85MW) and Myntdu (84 MW) dam in Meghalaya.

* Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) Signed Between India and Government of UAE to Boost Investment Flows Between the two Countries.

Weather Forecast

* Government has launched the National Monsoon Mission to build state-of-the-art coupled ocean-atmospheric climate model framework for a) improved prediction of monsoon rainfall on extended range to seasonal time scale (16 days to one season) and b) improved prediction of temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events on short to medium range time scale (up to 15 days).

* Most Recommendations of the Damodaran Committee Taken Into Account in the Companies Act, 2013

Entry of Foreign Universities to set up their Campuses in India

* The Government has prepared the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Establishment and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Educational Institutions) Rules, 2013.

* Under the proposed Rules, Foreign Educational Institutions (FEIs) can set up campuses in India once the FEIs have been notified as Foreign Education Provider (FEPs) by the UGC, subject to fulfillment of certain eligibility conditions.
New National Textile Policy

* Government has constituted an Expert Committee to review the National Textile Policy 2000 and formulate the National Textile Policy 2013.

* The existing National Textile Policy 2000 was framed about 13 years ago and since then the industry has undergone various changes on the domestic and international fronts.

* The domestic textile industry has seen large scale modernization and technological up-gradation in the last decade and faces new challenges.

* In the international trade scenario, while the export quota regime has been removed in 2004, recent trends in the global textile industry offer an enormous opportunity to Indian industry to enhance its share in world trade with a supportive policy framework.

* Hence, the Government aims to formulate a new improved Textile Policy to address concerns of adequate skilled work force, labour reforms, attracting investments in the Textile Sector, as well as providing a future road map for the textile and clothing industry.
Setting up of Heavy Water Reactors in the Country

* The Government propose to build heavy water reactors in the country;

* Start of work on eight new Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) each of 700 MW capacity is envisaged in the XII Five Year Plan, in the states of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan& Karnataka.
Promoting Organic Farming in the Country

* The Government is promoting organic farming in the country through schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Schemes for Farmers Skill Development and Training

* A number of ongoing schemes have an inbuilt component of skill development and training in agriculture sector.

* Continuous efforts are being made to improve the coverage and quality of these programmes through regular reviews, monitoring and formulation of new strategies.
The details of Schemes providing skill development and training for the farmers are given below:
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

1. Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms: a new institutional arrangement for technology dissemination in the form of Agricultural technology management Agency(ATMA) at district level. The activities taken up under the scheme includes capacity building of extension functionaries and farmers, front line demonstration, exposure visits, kisan melas, farmers group mobilization, farm schools and farmers-scientist interaction. Through these activities, latest agriculture technologies are disseminated to farmers of the country.

1. National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Amongst different interventions, under NFSM, Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are being implemented on a large scale to provide first-hand information to the farmers in their fields and equip them with necessary skills to enable them to adopt the improved crop production technologies for higher productivity Plant Protection Scheme & also under Cotton/Jute Technology Missions.

2. National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Human Resource Development through training and demonstration is an integral component of the NHM. Under this Mission, training programmes for the farmers are conducted at district level, State level and outside the State on emerging issues of Horticulture.

3. Horticulture Mission for North Eastern and Himalayan States (HMNEH): The HMNEH scheme, being run in North Eastern and Himalayan States, has also got component of transfer of technology through training/exposure visit of farmers.


1. Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds: Skill development through training and demonstration is provided for farmers and seed growers on techniques to be adopted for hybrid rice seed production.

1. Promotion and strengthening of Agriculture Mechanization through Training, Testing and Demonstration: Information & latest technologies in the field of Agriculture Mechanization are being disseminated to farmers and rural unemployed youth through training programmes and demonstrations.

2. Post-Harvest Technology and Management: Assistant is provided to the State governments and other implementing agencies in organising demonstration & trainings on post-harvest technology.

3. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM): Trainings are conducted for farmers for skill development in the area of adopting new technologies related to new varieties, pest management/control and adoption of new package of practices including new implements.
Department of Agricultural Research and Education

1. Krishi Vigyan Kendras: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has created a network of 634 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country aiming at assessment, refinement and demonstration of technology/products. As part of this process, the KVKs also organize a number of training programmes to update the knowledge and skills of farmers.
Technologies Evolved for Preparation of Enriched Manures From Organic Wastes

* The Government through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is promoting use of composts/manures in the country. Farmers are being educated on this aspect through training and demonstrations.
Relaxation of Norms for Sezs

* The amendments to the SEZs Rules, 2006 include reduced minimum area requirements for establishing SEZs, reforms in vacancy norms for land for SEZs, sectoral broad-banding and graded scale for minimum land criteria in order to allow greater flexibility and to facilitate optimal utilization of SEZ land, clarification of norms for transfer of assets by SEZ Units upon their exit etc.

* The amendments also provide that while there will be no minimum land area requirement for setting up IT/ITES SEZs such IT/ITES SEZs will have to conform with a minimum built up area requirement which is graded as per category of cities based on their IT density.
Tsunami Warning System

* The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) was established and made fully functional since 2007 and is now rendering operational services as a Regional Tsunami Watch Provider (RTWP) for whole of the Indian Ocean Region by the Earth System Science Organization - Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Sciences (ESSO-INCOIS) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences located in Hyderabad.
National Resource Centre for Women

* The Government of India has set up a National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW) under National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW).

* The NRCW comprises of gender experts from various thematic domains like health and nutrition, gender budgeting and gender mainstreaming, gender rights and gender based violence, economic empowerment and poverty alleviation, communication and advocacy etc.
'Earn While you Learn' Programme

* The Ministry of Tourism is implementing a Scheme titled Earn While You Learn with a view to inculcate appropriate tourism travel traits and knowledge amongst trainees to enable them to work as student volunteers.

* The salient features of the Scheme are:

* College-going students pursuing graduation courses or graduates in the age group of 18 to 25 years will be eligible for the training programme.

* The candidates are selected by following a transparent procedure.

* The duration of each programme is 21 working days.

* The course content is finalized by the Ministry of Tourism/implementing Institutes in consultation with stakeholders.
Setting up of Equal Opportunity Commission


* A High Level Committee under the chairpersonship of Justice (Retd.) Rajindar Sachar had, inter alia, made recommendation for setting up of an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) to address the grievances of deprived groups.

* Government had set up an Expert Group to examine and determine, inter alia, the structure and functions of an EOC.

* Based on the Expert Group Report, recommendations of Group of Ministers constituted for this purpose and comments/ inputs received from various stakeholders, a draft Equal Opportunity Commission Bill for setting up of EOC is under consideration of the Government.
4th Korea - India Finance Ministerial Working Level Meeting Held; Both Sides Recognize the Necessity for Strengthening Economic Cooperation Between the two Countries to Overcome Global Crisis.

* In his opening remarks Dr Mayaram, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs said that India and Korea have strong bilateral relations in field of Finance, Science and Technology and Cultural exchange among others.
National rural drinking water programme
Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation provides technical and financial assistance to the States to provide safe and adequate drinking water to the rural population.

* The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has prepared a Strategic Plan for coverage of rural households with Piped Water. Under the Plan the following timelines have been laid out:
By 2017,

* Ensure that at least 50% of rural households are provided with piped water supply; at least 35% of rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; less than 20% use public taps and less than 45% use handpumps or other safe and adequate private water sources. All services meet set standards in terms of quality and number of hours of supply every day.
By 2022,

* Ensure that at least 90% of rural households are provided with piped water supply; at least 80% of rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; less than 10% use public taps and less than 10% use handpumps or other safe and adequate private water sources.
National Project on Biogas
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formulated the following Schemes for exploring the potential of bio-energy-

* Biomass Power and Biomass Cogeneration in Sugar Mills

* Biogas Power Generation Programme (BPGP)

* Biomass Gasifier Programme

* Waste to Energy Programme

* National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)

* Biomass Cogeneration Non-bagasse

* MNRE provides Central Financial Assistance for setting up bioenergy plants, training and awareness raising. Besides, fiscal incentives such as custom and excise duties concession, accelerated depreciation, income tax holiday and preferential tariff are also provided for grid connected bioenergy power generation projects.
PMs address at the release of postage stamp in honour of Sardar Beant Singh

* Sardar Beant Singhji is best remembered for providing strong and determined leadership to the State of Punjab in very troubled times.
North East Rural Livelihood Project

* North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) is being implemented in four North Eastern States of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

* As the objective of NERLP is to improve livelihoods of the poor, especially that of women and the disadvantaged people in the project area, identification of Districts for the project was done by the State Governments based on social and economic backwardness.

* There is no plan to extend NERLP to other Districts except to the newly carved districts out of the existing 8 districts. As the project has commenced its work recently, it is too early to assess the impact of the project in increasing the per capita income of the Self Help Groups.
National Crop Insurance Programme being Implemented from Current Rabi Season


* A new central sector scheme, National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP) has been introduced by merging Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) throughout the country from Rabi 2013-14.

* NCIP has been introduced to provide financial support to the farmers for losses in their crop yield, to help in maintaining flow of agricultural credit, to encourage farmers to adopt progressive farming practices and higher technology in Agriculture and thereby, to help in maintaining production, employment & economic growth.
Plastic Parks

* Odisa ,aasam, m.p. tamilnadu

New Greenfield Airports Approved

* Maharashtra, Karanataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Pudducherry,Uttar Pradesh.

* Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai International Airports have been identified for development as international hubs.

* Government Contemplates to Make Raipur Airport International

* Ensuring Environmental Sustainability Included in the List of Activities for CSR Policies

* First Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) in Indian Waters From 19-22 Dec

* India and the Government of Republic of Macedonia Signed an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income

Steps By Government To Reduce Infant Mortality Rate

* Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK), a programme for training health care providers on essential newborn care and resuscitation.

* Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) has been launched on 1st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment.

* Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), an introduction of child health screening for 4Ds i.e. defects at birth, deficiencies, diseases, development delays and their management among the children 0-18 years of age.

National Programme For Health Care of the Elderly
Following facilities are being provided under the Programme:

* Geriatric OPD, 30 bedded Geriatric ward for in-patient care, etc at Regional Geriatric Centres. The Regional Geriatric Centres will also undertake PG Courses in Geriatric for developing Human Resource.

* Geriatric OPD and 10 bed Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals.

* Bi-weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community Health Centres (CHCs)

* Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre (PHCs).

* Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-centres.

Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad Launches Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization (RDB) Thalassemia Diagnostic Kit

* Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization (RDB) Kit for thalassemia is developed by scientists of National Institute of Immunohaematolgoy (NIIH) and the Indian Council for Medical research (ICMR) and is now being domestically manufactured by IMGENEX Ltd.

* The role of the molecular kit is to meet the need for affordable and sensitive tests for diagnosis of affected children and for prenatal diagnosis in the first trimester itself.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011
Some of the important features in the Bill are as below:-

* Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta at the level of the States.

* The Lokpal will consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial members.

* Fifty per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from amongst SC/ST/OBCs, Minorities and Women.

* The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection Committee consisting of:-

* Prime Minister;

* Speaker of Lok Sabha;

* Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha;

* Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI;

* Eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India on the basis of recommendations of the first four members of the Selection Committee.

* Prime Minister has been brought under the purview of the Lokpal.

* Lokpals jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants.

* All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs per year are brought under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.

* Provides adequate protection for honest and upright Public Servants.

* Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by Lokpal.

* A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the Director,CBI.

* Directorate of Prosecution headed by a Director of Prosecution under the overall control of Director;

* The appointment of the Director of Prosecution, CBI on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission;

* Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of Lokpal;

* The Bill also incorporates provisions for attachment and confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.

* The Bill lays down clear time lines for Preliminary enquiry & investigation and trial and
towards this end, the Bill provides for setting up of Special Courts.

* A mandate for setting up of the institution of Lokayukta through enactment of a law by the State Legislature within a period of 365 days from the date of commencement of the Act.



* Statement of Finance Minister on Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement Between the Reserve Bank of India and Bank of Japan to Enhance Facility of Currency Swap From US $15 Billion To US $ 50 Billion


* Smt Sushma Singh takes over as Chief Information Commissioner
* Sub-Committee on Promotion of Urdu Language and Enhancement of Compatibility Amongst Minorities Through Knowledge of Englishrecommended the setting up of a monitoring committee of experts to ensure the implementation of programmes related to promotion of Urdu in the light of the recommendations of the Sub-Committee and other proposals that might come up as an offshoot of these recommendations.
* Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) Signed Between India And San Marino.
* India and Venezuela Sign Programme on Cultural Exchange.
* CCEA approves Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane areas under Coal Mining Lease allotted to Coal India Limited.
* Inclusion of Jat community in the Central List of OBCs for the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Bihar.Programme for bovine breeding and dairy development
* The Scheme will have two components (a) National Programme for Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and (b) National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). NPBB will focus amongst other things on extension of the Field Artificial Insemination (Al) Net work, monitoring of Al programme, development and conservation of indigenous breeds and establishment of breeders' associations and societies to encourage conservation and development of recognized indigenous breeds.

Election Commission Heads and Representatives From Eight Countries (Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria and Senegal, south Sudan) Witness Assembly Elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi Countries Seek ECI Support in Capacity Building and Election TechnologyPolicy for Corporate Governance On account of increasing importance of businesses to the economics and complexities of operating in an inter-dependent world necessitated this Ministry to constitute a Committee to formulate a Policy document on Corporate Governance under the Chairmanship of Shri Adi Godrej on 07.03.2012. The Committee has since submitted its report to the Central Government.i) Faster incorporation / registration of companies through fully electronic MCA-21 Registry provided;ii) Companies allowed to maintain records and hold meetings through e- governance mode;iii) Companies empowered to function in a manner which is self-regulated with disclosures/transparency rather than Government/regulatory approval based regime;iv) Concepts of One Person Company and Small Company recognized to allow new entrepreneurs to take advantage of corporate form of business;v) Faster mergers and acquisitions including short form of merger and cross border mergers allowed;vi) Time bound approvals through National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT); vii) Summary liquidation process for a class of companies provided.New National Competition PolicyThe Bill seeks to regulate public procurement by all Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), autonomous and statutory bodies controlled by the Central Government and other procuring entities with the objectives of ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in the procurement process, fair and equitable treatment of bidders, promoting competition, enhancing efficiency and economy, maintaining integrity and public confidence in the public procurement process.National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Being Launched in Twelfth Plan The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is being launched during the Twelfth Five Year Plan. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) seeks to transform Indian agriculture into a climate resilient production system through suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in domains of both crops and animal husbandry. NMSA as a programmatic intervention focuses on promotion of location specific integrated/composite farming systems; resource conservation technologies; comprehensive soil health management; efficient on-farm water management and mainstreaming rainfed technologies.Neha Shrivastava