Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Science & Technology transforming Indian Economy
The Indian economy has undergone a structural change over the last decade, with shares of agriculture, manufacturing and services in the gross domestic product (GDP) changing from 28.52%, 24.37% and 47.11% respectively in 1997-98 to 20.83%, 26.78% and 52.39% respectively in 2007-08. The share of merchandise trade in GDP increased from 20.28% to 38.61% over the same period and India’s share in world exports increased from 0.5% in 1990 to 1.1% in 2006.
Science and Technology has played an important role in bringing about this transformation in Indian economy, which is showing a shift from a predominantly agriculture based economy to manufacturing and services based economy and is now increasingly integrating with the world economy to become globally competitive, as demonstrated by its increasing share in world exports. Government S&T departments and agencies have undertaken or promoted research and development to provide innovative and contemporary technologies to industry and India’s recent growth has been driven by rapid expansion in export-oriented, skill intensive manufacturing and, especially, skill intensive services. India is increasingly becoming a top global innovation player in bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts and assembly, information technology (IT), software and IT-enabled services (ITES) and has already become the world’s fourth-largest economy on purchasing power parity (PPP) basis.
Eleventh Five Year Plan approach to S&T has emphasized the following:
• Setting up a national-level mechanism for evolving policies and providing direction to basic research;
• Enlarging the pool of scientific manpower, strengthening the S&T infrastructure and attracting & retaining young people to careers in science;
• Implementing selected National Flagship Programmes which have direct bearing on the technological competitiveness of the country in a mission mode;
• Establishing globally competitive research facilities and centres of excellence;
• Kindling an innovative spirit among scientists to translate R&D leads into scalable technologies;
• Developing new models of public private partnerships (PPPs) in higher education, particularly for research in universities and high technology areas;
• Identifying ways and means of catalyzing industry-academia collaborations; and
• Promoting strong linkages with advanced countries, including participation in mega international science initiatives.
The Eleventh Plan Outlay for S&T sector comprising of Department of Science and Technology, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research and Department of Biotechnology the three Departments under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Departments of Space and Atomic Energy has been raised to Rs.75,304 crore, which is approximately three times the Tenth Plan Outlay.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences (Independent charges), PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question by Smt. T. Ratna Bai in the Rajya Sabha today.
Science and Technology has played an important role in bringing about this transformation in Indian economy, which is showing a shift from a predominantly agriculture based economy to manufacturing and services based economy and is now increasingly integrating with the world economy to become globally competitive, as demonstrated by its increasing share in world exports. Government S&T departments and agencies have undertaken or promoted research and development to provide innovative and contemporary technologies to industry and India’s recent growth has been driven by rapid expansion in export-oriented, skill intensive manufacturing and, especially, skill intensive services. India is increasingly becoming a top global innovation player in bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts and assembly, information technology (IT), software and IT-enabled services (ITES) and has already become the world’s fourth-largest economy on purchasing power parity (PPP) basis.
Eleventh Five Year Plan approach to S&T has emphasized the following:
• Setting up a national-level mechanism for evolving policies and providing direction to basic research;
• Enlarging the pool of scientific manpower, strengthening the S&T infrastructure and attracting & retaining young people to careers in science;
• Implementing selected National Flagship Programmes which have direct bearing on the technological competitiveness of the country in a mission mode;
• Establishing globally competitive research facilities and centres of excellence;
• Kindling an innovative spirit among scientists to translate R&D leads into scalable technologies;
• Developing new models of public private partnerships (PPPs) in higher education, particularly for research in universities and high technology areas;
• Identifying ways and means of catalyzing industry-academia collaborations; and
• Promoting strong linkages with advanced countries, including participation in mega international science initiatives.
The Eleventh Plan Outlay for S&T sector comprising of Department of Science and Technology, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research and Department of Biotechnology the three Departments under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Departments of Space and Atomic Energy has been raised to Rs.75,304 crore, which is approximately three times the Tenth Plan Outlay.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences (Independent charges), PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question by Smt. T. Ratna Bai in the Rajya Sabha today.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Pensionary benefits only after 20 years of service: CAT
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Government employees can claim pension only if they have completed a minimum of 20 years of service, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held.
"The applicant, Mukesh, cannot claim pension, only for the reason that he had opted for the VRS. Qualifying service is essential for a government servant to claim pension as there is no relaxation permissible," the CAT, headed by Vice Chairman M Ramachandran, said.
The Tribunal passed the order on a plea of a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) employee who alleged that he had not been given the pensionary benefits after he opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) and sought directions for relief.
The CAT noted that the pension scheme was there as per the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and minimum incumbency of 20 years of service was required for a person to claim pension as a matter of right.
"The applicant, Mukesh, cannot claim pension, only for the reason that he had opted for the VRS. Qualifying service is essential for a government servant to claim pension as there is no relaxation permissible," the CAT, headed by Vice Chairman M Ramachandran, said.
The Tribunal passed the order on a plea of a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) employee who alleged that he had not been given the pensionary benefits after he opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) and sought directions for relief.
The CAT noted that the pension scheme was there as per the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and minimum incumbency of 20 years of service was required for a person to claim pension as a matter of right.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Homage to our CSIR feollow
I got the news first through a telephone call at 8.40 PM that day by one of my friends from CIMFR, Dhanbad, as the ZEE news was showing this incident as breaking news, later on CNEB started displaying the names of deceased employees. it was then that i could understand the gravity of the accident and was shell shocked to hear the name of Mr. K.B. Joshi
we should all get a lesson from this tragedy and work together for better safety measures in the future to avoid accidents of such magnitude*.This is just my humble tribute to the victims of this tragedy.
CENTRAL SECRETARIAT MANUAL OF e-OFFICE PROCEDURE DRAFT OF THE FIRST EDITION
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances releases first draft of "CENTRAL SECRETARIAT MANUAL OF e-OFFICE PROCEDURE". This manual takes care of the present scenario demanding simplified, responsive, effective and transparent working of government offices with the help of state of art cost effective technologies available in the market.
ANNUAL ESSAY PRIZE COMPETITION-2009 (IIPA)
NDIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
INDRAPRASTHA ESTATE, RING ROAD
NEW DELHI-110002
ANNUAL ESSAY PRIZE COMPETITION-2009
Entries are invited for the Annual Essay Prize Competion-2009. The value of the prize for the competition will be as under:
First Prize Rs. 5,000/-
Second Prize Rs. 3,000/-
Third Prize Rs. 2,000/-
Any competitor who has got a prize on one occasion will not, on any subsequent occasion, be eligible for an equivalent or lower prize. The joint authorship of essays shall not be allowed and any essay under joint authorship shall not be considered for competition.
The following subjects have been prescribed and it is open to competitors to choose any of them.
1. Domestic Violence in
2. Globalisation and Economic Recession: The Indian Context
3. The Importance of Agriculture in Sustainable Economic Growth in
Essay should be based on personal research or experience of the competitors and show evidence of original thinking and scholarship as well as a critical analysis of the subject. Broad generalizations should be avoided.
The essay should be in English or Hindi. The length of an essay should approximately be 5000 words and the competitors must indicate the total number of words of the essay contributed by them. Essays exceeding 5,500 words will not be accepted. The contestants must indicate the total number of words of the failing which it will not be accepted. All essays must be typed in double space on one side of the paper only and those entries which do not adhere to the stipulation can be rejected. It should be submitted in triplicate under a “nom-de-plume” or alias. The full name and address of the competitor should be given on a separate sheet and enclosed in a sealed envelope bearing the nom-de-plume on the outer cover with the following inscription.
“Annual Essay Prize Competiton-2009, Indian Institute of Public Administration,
All essays should be sent to the Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Indraprastha Estate,
Cash Withdrawal at Point-of-Sale
RBI/2009-10/105
DPSS.CO.PD.No. 147/02.14.003/ 2009-10
22nd July 2009
To
All System Providers (VISA / MasterCard / American Express),
All Scheduled Commercial banks
Dear Sir,
Cash Withdrawal at Point-of-Sale (POS)
Presently cash withdrawal facility using plastic cards is available only at Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). As on May 31, 2009, number of ATMs and POS terminals in the country stood at 44,857 and 4,70,237 respectively. The use of debit cards at Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals at different merchant establishments has been steadily increasing. As a further step towards enhancing the customer convenience in using the plastic money, it has been decided to permit cash withdrawals at POS terminals. To start with, this facility will be available for all debit cards issued in India, upto Rs.1000/- per day.
2. The conditions subject to which this facility is being extended is given in the Annex.
3. Banks may obtain the approval of their Board of Directors for offering this facility. The note put up to the Board should incorporate the product profile, risk perceived by the bank and the risk mitigation measures.
4. This circular is being issued in exercise of the powers conferred on the Reserve Bank under Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
Yours faithfully
(G.Padmanabhan)
Chief General Manager
Encl: as above
Annex
Conditions for 'cash withdrawal at Point of Sale (POS)
1. This facility is available only against debit cards issued in India.
2. The maximum amount that can be withdrawn at POS terminals is fixed at Rs.1000/- per day.
3. This facility may be made available at any merchant establishment designated by the bank after a process of due diligence.
4. The facility is available irrespective of whether the card holder makes a purchase or not.
5. In case the facility is being availed along with the purchase of merchandise, the receipt generated shall separately indicate the amount of cash withdrawn.
6. Banks offering this facility shall put in place a proper customer redressal mechanism. Complaints in this regard will fall within the ambit of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme.
7. Banks offering this facility shall on approval by their respective Boards obtain one time permission of Reserve Bank of India, Department of Banking Operations and Development under Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. (A copy of the Board note / approval may be enclosed.)
2. The maximum amount that can be withdrawn at POS terminals is fixed at Rs.1000/- per day.
3. This facility may be made available at any merchant establishment designated by the bank after a process of due diligence.
4. The facility is available irrespective of whether the card holder makes a purchase or not.
5. In case the facility is being availed along with the purchase of merchandise, the receipt generated shall separately indicate the amount of cash withdrawn.
6. Banks offering this facility shall put in place a proper customer redressal mechanism. Complaints in this regard will fall within the ambit of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme.
7. Banks offering this facility shall on approval by their respective Boards obtain one time permission of Reserve Bank of India, Department of Banking Operations and Development under Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. (A copy of the Board note / approval may be enclosed.)
I-T dept can’t tax research work
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court, in a recent order, came down heavily on the Income-Tax Department, which unilaterally injected an application for
exemption for scientific and industrial research, without seeking guidance of experts on the matter. Tax authorities do not have the jurisdiction to decide on the issues pertaining to scientific research, according to a division bench of the HC comprising FI Rebello and JH Bhatia.
The observation was made while deciding on an appeal filed by Mumbai-based Indian Planetary Society (IPS), which claims to carry out planetary research, astrophysics, solar physics etc. IPS moved the HC, after the I-T Department declined to approve the body even after being accorded the status of Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO), by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research of the ministry of science & technology.
The division bench pointed out that since the tax authorities do not have the required expertise to evaluate scientific research activities, it should have sought the advise of experts in the field before coming to a conclusion that a particular body has been genuinely carrying out the research activity. Any decision on such matters, taken without the guidance of experts in the filed, would be vitiated, the HC observed.
The tax authorities did not furnish any reasons for rejecting the application. It merely said IPS did not meet the requirements under Section 35 (1) (11) of the I-T Act, which deals with deductions for expenditure incurred on scientific and industrial research. The communication from CBDT to the IPS reads, “The basic requirement under Section 35 (1) (11) of the I-T Act undertaking adequate scientific research activity is not fulfilled.”
The division bench held that CBDT, which has the officers of the Income-Tax Department, is hardly an authority to decide whether an organisation is actually doing the scientific research or not. The HC pointed out that it is the central government which has the authority on such matters. The court also pointed out that recognition by the ministry of science and technology entails IPS to customs & excise deduction.
The HC further held that the authority to grant permission to such an organisation is of the Government of India and not CBDT. “Nothing has been shown before us to show that, CBDT under the business rules of the Government of India, has been allowed to discharge functions of the government under Section 35 (1) (11).”
Courtesy: Economic times
The observation was made while deciding on an appeal filed by Mumbai-based Indian Planetary Society (IPS), which claims to carry out planetary research, astrophysics, solar physics etc. IPS moved the HC, after the I-T Department declined to approve the body even after being accorded the status of Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO), by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research of the ministry of science & technology.
The division bench pointed out that since the tax authorities do not have the required expertise to evaluate scientific research activities, it should have sought the advise of experts in the field before coming to a conclusion that a particular body has been genuinely carrying out the research activity. Any decision on such matters, taken without the guidance of experts in the filed, would be vitiated, the HC observed.
The tax authorities did not furnish any reasons for rejecting the application. It merely said IPS did not meet the requirements under Section 35 (1) (11) of the I-T Act, which deals with deductions for expenditure incurred on scientific and industrial research. The communication from CBDT to the IPS reads, “The basic requirement under Section 35 (1) (11) of the I-T Act undertaking adequate scientific research activity is not fulfilled.”
The division bench held that CBDT, which has the officers of the Income-Tax Department, is hardly an authority to decide whether an organisation is actually doing the scientific research or not. The HC pointed out that it is the central government which has the authority on such matters. The court also pointed out that recognition by the ministry of science and technology entails IPS to customs & excise deduction.
The HC further held that the authority to grant permission to such an organisation is of the Government of India and not CBDT. “Nothing has been shown before us to show that, CBDT under the business rules of the Government of India, has been allowed to discharge functions of the government under Section 35 (1) (11).”
Courtesy: Economic times
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
India Heads High on Neem Patent Saga - Patent Analytics Report
A new study by Dolcera has confirmed that India has indeed lived up to the competitive neem research and development efforts from the West.
A new study by Dolcera has confirmed that India has indeed lived up to the competitive neem research and development efforts from the West. Neem is considered India’s heritage and an integral part of India’s culture. Neem has traditionally been used as an ingredient in Indian cuisine, as a medicinal treatment for several allergies and diseases, and in religious ceremoniesacross the country. Time and again, there has been a hue and cry to prevent other countries from patenting the age-old Indian knowledge of neem.
Dolcera’s study has answers to key questions, including:
• Are Indians holding a legal upper hand on neem usage?
• What are the neem patenting trends in India and the US?
The study also reveals that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, played a key role in India as well as in the US to remain one of the top patent owners in terms of number of patent filings on applications of neem. However, the complete picture is a little more complicated. Though CSIR is the top patent owner, individuals (41.84%) and private sector (31.63%) hold the majority of neem patents in India. Government institutes (which include CSIR, the Defense Research and Development Organization, and others) hold 26.53% of patents on India’s traditional asset.
While Indians have used neem for medicinal purposes in wound healing, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and skin care, US companies appear more interested in the areas of biodiesel production, fertilizers, dental formulations, food packaging, pharmaceutical compositions, etc.
Courtesy : LIVE-PR
A new study by Dolcera has confirmed that India has indeed lived up to the competitive neem research and development efforts from the West. Neem is considered India’s heritage and an integral part of India’s culture. Neem has traditionally been used as an ingredient in Indian cuisine, as a medicinal treatment for several allergies and diseases, and in religious ceremoniesacross the country. Time and again, there has been a hue and cry to prevent other countries from patenting the age-old Indian knowledge of neem.
Dolcera’s study has answers to key questions, including:
• Are Indians holding a legal upper hand on neem usage?
• What are the neem patenting trends in India and the US?
The study also reveals that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, played a key role in India as well as in the US to remain one of the top patent owners in terms of number of patent filings on applications of neem. However, the complete picture is a little more complicated. Though CSIR is the top patent owner, individuals (41.84%) and private sector (31.63%) hold the majority of neem patents in India. Government institutes (which include CSIR, the Defense Research and Development Organization, and others) hold 26.53% of patents on India’s traditional asset.
While Indians have used neem for medicinal purposes in wound healing, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and skin care, US companies appear more interested in the areas of biodiesel production, fertilizers, dental formulations, food packaging, pharmaceutical compositions, etc.
Courtesy : LIVE-PR
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Union Audit Reports Scientific Departments (Compliance Audit - Report No. 16 of 2008-09) 2007-2008
Total report here
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Banks face fines for ATM errors
MUMBAI: Banks will now have to pay account holders a compensation of Rs 100 per day for every day of delay in reversing in failed transactions.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed stringent penalties on banks who fail to reverse a transaction where cash is not dispensed by the ATM but the customer’s account gets debited within 12 days.
In a circular issued on Friday, RBI has said banks must re-credit such customers’ accounts within 12 working days from the date of receipt of the complaint.
The circular is in response to complaints from customers who had to put up with delays in getting back money erroneously debited during failed ATM transactions. Besides imposing the stiff penalty, the central bank also made it clear that this amount needs to be credited to the customer’s account automatically on the day of the re-credit without the customer having to make a claim.
In case the delay is because of a third-party bank ATM through which the customer has transacted, the card-issuing bank must still pay the penalty to the customer. However, it will recover this amount from the bank that owns the ATM.
Similarly, if a non-bank network operator is the reason behind the delay, the bank will make the payment and recover the penalty from the operator.
Furthermore, the RBI has instructed banks to extend the scope of concurrent audit to cover cases of such delays. Banks are now also required to place a quarterly review of ATM transactions to its board of directors, indicating the quantum of penalties paid, reasons for the same, and the remedial action taken to prevent the recurrence of such cases. A copy will have to be forwarded to the central bank.
This apart, the Reserve Bank made a critical note of different banks setting different cutoff limits for permitting cash withdrawals from/for other bank customers.
Courtesy: Economic times
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed stringent penalties on banks who fail to reverse a transaction where cash is not dispensed by the ATM but the customer’s account gets debited within 12 days.
In a circular issued on Friday, RBI has said banks must re-credit such customers’ accounts within 12 working days from the date of receipt of the complaint.
The circular is in response to complaints from customers who had to put up with delays in getting back money erroneously debited during failed ATM transactions. Besides imposing the stiff penalty, the central bank also made it clear that this amount needs to be credited to the customer’s account automatically on the day of the re-credit without the customer having to make a claim.
In case the delay is because of a third-party bank ATM through which the customer has transacted, the card-issuing bank must still pay the penalty to the customer. However, it will recover this amount from the bank that owns the ATM.
Similarly, if a non-bank network operator is the reason behind the delay, the bank will make the payment and recover the penalty from the operator.
Furthermore, the RBI has instructed banks to extend the scope of concurrent audit to cover cases of such delays. Banks are now also required to place a quarterly review of ATM transactions to its board of directors, indicating the quantum of penalties paid, reasons for the same, and the remedial action taken to prevent the recurrence of such cases. A copy will have to be forwarded to the central bank.
This apart, the Reserve Bank made a critical note of different banks setting different cutoff limits for permitting cash withdrawals from/for other bank customers.
Courtesy: Economic times
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Review of CGHS
The performance of the CGHS is regularly reviewed by the Government. The Committee of Secretaries has also been regularly reviewing the functioning of the CGHS since December, 2008, and has been giving directions to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for making it beneficiary friendly. Some of the recent initiatives are listed below:
(1) Extension of CGHS: CGHS today covers 24 cities, apart from Delhi. Dehradun, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar and Jammu are the cities where CGHS was extended during the last four years. (2) Computerization: To keep pace with the modern times, a massive computerisation work has been taken up under CGHS in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre. Computerization of the CGHS will result in lesser waiting period for beneficiaries at the dispensaries; on-line placement of indents on local chemists; availability of patient profiles;
availability of medicines / drugs usage pattern, which will enable the CGHS to prepare a realistic list of formulary drugs; reduction in use of paper; removal of jurisdictional restriction (as regards the dispensary) for the beneficiaries, etc.
(3) Introduction of Plastic Cards: As part of the computerisation process, it has been decided to issue plastic cards individually to each beneficiary of the CGHS. This will enable beneficiaries to avail CGHS facility in any city should they happen to be in that city either on official work or on leave. Inter-city treatment will be possible after all cities are computerised and networked.
(4) Accreditation of labs with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) :
With a view to providing better quality treatment to CGHS beneficiaries, it was decided that only those private hospitals and diagnostic centres would be empanelled under the CGHS, as have been cleared by the Quality Council of India after it carried out inspection of the facilities available at these hospitals and diagnostic centres. It has also been decided that all the laboratories on the panel of CGHS have to get certificate issued by the NABL under the Quality Council of India.
(5) Medical Audit of Hospital Bills is an important exercise to assess the quality of services offered and expenditure incurred. In order to be sure that the bills raised by private empanelled hospitals are genuine and that the beneficiaries were required to undergo only that treatment as was required and that the hospital has not forced the beneficiary to undergo unnecessary tests / treatment at the hospital. The job of medical audit of Hospital bills has been outsourced to TPAs.
(6) Holding of Claims Adalats: Complaints were received in the CGHS and in the Ministry that old cases of reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by pensioners were pending for settlement for long time. It was decided that claims adalats be held in each Zonal office of CGHS, Delhi, under the chairmanship of the Additional Directors of the respective zones. Claims adalats were held annually, in each zone (East, Central, South and North Zones) in Delhi, during 2007 and 2008 and over 95% of the claims were settled in those adalats.
(7) Local Advisory Committees: Local Advisory Committee meetings are held in each CGHS dispensary on second Saturday of the month, which is attended by Area Welfare Officer appointed by the Chief Welfare Officer, Department of Personnel & Training, representatives from pensioners’ association, local chemist to resolve problems at dispensary level.
(8) Decentralisation and delegation of powers: Ministries / Departments have been delegated powers to handle all cases of reimbursement claims if no relaxation of rules was involved. Earlier they had powers to handle requests upto Rupees two lakhs and beyond that amount, the cases were referred to CGHS.
(9) Insulin: Orders have been issued to permit issue of Analogue (Insulin Vial/Cartridge) to CGHS beneficiaries and the extra cost would be borne by the CGHS. The beneficiaries would have to purchase the pen for utilization the analogue insulin.
(10) Outsourcing of cleaning process of dispensaries: As there were shortage of Class IV Staff in a large number of dispensaries in Delhi, it was decided to relocate Class IV staff from a few deficient dispensaries to other deficient dispensaries. To overcome the vacuum so created in some dispensaries, it was decided to outsource cleaning work for mechanised cleaning. The agency has been handling this work for the last five months, and the work done by them has been appreciated by all.
(11) Rate contract for purchase of drugs: It has been decided to run a pilot project under which dispensaries in Delhi will be permitted to place indents directly on the manufacturers on rate contract basis. If the proposal proves to be a success, then it may be extended to cover the entire CGHS. The benefit of this arrangement is that dispensaries / CGHS do not have to carry huge inventory of medicines and indents can be placed on a monthly basis depending on the need.
The Sixth Central Pay Commission recommended the introduction of health insurance scheme for Central Government employees and pensioners. It had recommended that for existing employees and pensioners, the scheme should be available on the voluntary basis, subject to their paying prescribed contribution. It has also recommended that the health insurance scheme should be compulsory for new Government employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the scheme. Similarly, it had recommended that new retirees, after the introduction of the insurance would be covered under the scheme.
An expression of interest has been floated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare inviting suggestions from insurance companies providing health insurance and health consultants on the structure, feasibility and viability of such a scheme.
This information was given by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
(1) Extension of CGHS: CGHS today covers 24 cities, apart from Delhi. Dehradun, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar and Jammu are the cities where CGHS was extended during the last four years. (2) Computerization: To keep pace with the modern times, a massive computerisation work has been taken up under CGHS in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre. Computerization of the CGHS will result in lesser waiting period for beneficiaries at the dispensaries; on-line placement of indents on local chemists; availability of patient profiles;
availability of medicines / drugs usage pattern, which will enable the CGHS to prepare a realistic list of formulary drugs; reduction in use of paper; removal of jurisdictional restriction (as regards the dispensary) for the beneficiaries, etc.(3) Introduction of Plastic Cards: As part of the computerisation process, it has been decided to issue plastic cards individually to each beneficiary of the CGHS. This will enable beneficiaries to avail CGHS facility in any city should they happen to be in that city either on official work or on leave. Inter-city treatment will be possible after all cities are computerised and networked.
(4) Accreditation of labs with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) :
With a view to providing better quality treatment to CGHS beneficiaries, it was decided that only those private hospitals and diagnostic centres would be empanelled under the CGHS, as have been cleared by the Quality Council of India after it carried out inspection of the facilities available at these hospitals and diagnostic centres. It has also been decided that all the laboratories on the panel of CGHS have to get certificate issued by the NABL under the Quality Council of India.
(5) Medical Audit of Hospital Bills is an important exercise to assess the quality of services offered and expenditure incurred. In order to be sure that the bills raised by private empanelled hospitals are genuine and that the beneficiaries were required to undergo only that treatment as was required and that the hospital has not forced the beneficiary to undergo unnecessary tests / treatment at the hospital. The job of medical audit of Hospital bills has been outsourced to TPAs.
(6) Holding of Claims Adalats: Complaints were received in the CGHS and in the Ministry that old cases of reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by pensioners were pending for settlement for long time. It was decided that claims adalats be held in each Zonal office of CGHS, Delhi, under the chairmanship of the Additional Directors of the respective zones. Claims adalats were held annually, in each zone (East, Central, South and North Zones) in Delhi, during 2007 and 2008 and over 95% of the claims were settled in those adalats.
(7) Local Advisory Committees: Local Advisory Committee meetings are held in each CGHS dispensary on second Saturday of the month, which is attended by Area Welfare Officer appointed by the Chief Welfare Officer, Department of Personnel & Training, representatives from pensioners’ association, local chemist to resolve problems at dispensary level.
(8) Decentralisation and delegation of powers: Ministries / Departments have been delegated powers to handle all cases of reimbursement claims if no relaxation of rules was involved. Earlier they had powers to handle requests upto Rupees two lakhs and beyond that amount, the cases were referred to CGHS.
(9) Insulin: Orders have been issued to permit issue of Analogue (Insulin Vial/Cartridge) to CGHS beneficiaries and the extra cost would be borne by the CGHS. The beneficiaries would have to purchase the pen for utilization the analogue insulin.
(10) Outsourcing of cleaning process of dispensaries: As there were shortage of Class IV Staff in a large number of dispensaries in Delhi, it was decided to relocate Class IV staff from a few deficient dispensaries to other deficient dispensaries. To overcome the vacuum so created in some dispensaries, it was decided to outsource cleaning work for mechanised cleaning. The agency has been handling this work for the last five months, and the work done by them has been appreciated by all.
(11) Rate contract for purchase of drugs: It has been decided to run a pilot project under which dispensaries in Delhi will be permitted to place indents directly on the manufacturers on rate contract basis. If the proposal proves to be a success, then it may be extended to cover the entire CGHS. The benefit of this arrangement is that dispensaries / CGHS do not have to carry huge inventory of medicines and indents can be placed on a monthly basis depending on the need.
The Sixth Central Pay Commission recommended the introduction of health insurance scheme for Central Government employees and pensioners. It had recommended that for existing employees and pensioners, the scheme should be available on the voluntary basis, subject to their paying prescribed contribution. It has also recommended that the health insurance scheme should be compulsory for new Government employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the scheme. Similarly, it had recommended that new retirees, after the introduction of the insurance would be covered under the scheme.
An expression of interest has been floated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare inviting suggestions from insurance companies providing health insurance and health consultants on the structure, feasibility and viability of such a scheme.
This information was given by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Scientist develop solar powered rickshaw
Kolkata (PTI): Weary rickshaw pullers will no longer have to toil to pedal the vehicle as scientists of CSIR's Central Mechanical and Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have developed a solar electric rickshaw.
Named Soleckshaw, the solar electric rickshaw is a pollution-free, safe and economical solution to the woes of around 50 lakh rickshaw pullers in the country.
"The goal was to develop an optimally-designed, pedal-operated and motor-assisted, zero-carbon emission, urban transport vehicle," Tech Review quotes Samir K Brahmachari, Director General of CSIR as saying.
The new pedicab with a seating capacity for two to three passengers and a payload of 150-200 kgs, excluding the driver, will run at a speed of 15 km per hour. It can be driven for as much as 40 kms.
The new rickshaw is motor-assisted and therefore is likely to be driven easily both in the plains and the hills.
"One of the main aims of Soleckshaw is to reduce the effort required to pull a rickshaw. The 36V motor has been used to 'assist' the driver in pedaling. Even though it may not relieve him of pedaling, it will definitely make the task almost effortless for him," says Project Advisor Gopal Sinha.
While the driver's seat is adjustable and a suspension system ensures smooth ride, all the three wheels have brakes.
The new pedicab comes with features such as a head light, a tail lamp, and indicators. A lower foot board provides easy access for children, senior citizens and the disabled.
Courtesy: The Hindu
Courtesy: The Hindu
Safety rider to disabled posts
New Delhi, July 11: A person can be denied promotion if he has a disability that makes him unfit to carry out his job in a higher post or poses a safety risk, the Supreme Court has ruled.
The court, however, made it clear that a disability in itself cannot bar a person from promotion, as laid down by the disabilities act of 1995.
However, the court added that the act was not intended to jeopardise the safety of the public, the disabled employee himself or his co-employees, or the safety of the employers’ equipment or assets. Nor was the law aimed at accepting reduced standards of safety and efficiency merely because an employee suffered from a disability.
“If promotion is denied on the ground it will affect safety, security and performance, then it is not denial of promotion merely on the ground of disability but is denial by reason of the disability plus something more, i.e. (an) adverse effect upon (the) employee’s performance of (the) higher duties or functions attached to the promotional post,” a two-judge bench said on Thursday.
The court was ruling on a railway ministry appeal against a high court decision asking it to promote a colour-blind person to a higher grade.
Devender Kumar Pant was appointed lab assistant in the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in 1972. He was promoted to junior research assistant in 1977 and senior research assistant in 1983.
In 1997, the ministry promoted him to chief research assistant on condition he get a medical certificate stating he was not colour blind. Pant moved the Lucknow bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal, asking it to quash the part of the order requiring him to produce the certificate, and other orders asking him to appear before medical officers.
The tribunal dismissed his case in May 2005, ruling that the ministry order was in keeping with job requirements and was in his own interest and that of other employees. It held that unless Pant obtained the fitness certificate, he would not be meeting the medical standards for the post.
Allahabad High Court, however, upheld Pant’s appeal, ruling that promotion could not be denied merely on the ground of disability unless the employer was exempted from certain provisions of the 1995 act by a notification. No such notification exempted the RDSO.
The Supreme Court, upholding the ministry appeal, also noted that the law often treated people with different disabilities differently.
For example, a provision of the act reserves jobs for people with blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, locomotor disability or cerebral palsy, but not for those with mental retardation or illness.
The court also said that colour blindness could not be construed as a disability under the 1995 Act, since it did not amount to blindness or low vision. So, it was doubtful whether a colour-blind person could claim benefits under the act.
Courtesy: The Telegraph
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Health Insurance for Government Employees
The Sixth Central Pay Commission recommended the introduction of health insurance scheme for Central Government Employees and pensioners. It had recommended that for existing employees and pensioners, the scheme should be available on a voluntary basis subject to their paying prescribed contribution. It had also recommended that the health scheme should be compulsory for new Government employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the Scheme. Similarly, it had recommended that new retirees after the introduction of the insurance scheme would be covered under the scheme.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has floated an Expression of Interest from Insurance companies providing health insurance and health insurance Consultants for implementation of the proposed Central Government Employees and Pensioners Health Insurance Scheme (CGEPHIS) for Central Government employees and pensioners on an all India basis.
This information was given by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
see my earlier post for detail here
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has floated an Expression of Interest from Insurance companies providing health insurance and health insurance Consultants for implementation of the proposed Central Government Employees and Pensioners Health Insurance Scheme (CGEPHIS) for Central Government employees and pensioners on an all India basis.
This information was given by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
see my earlier post for detail here
Streptokinase, A Life Saving Drug, Developed in collaboration with CSIR launched for Indian Market
Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences (IC), PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, today announced the launch of Streptokinase, a life saver, for marketing in India. Streptokinase is an effective and inexpensive clot dissolving drug used in the treatment of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism and belongs to the category of fibrinolytics/clot busters which work by activating plasminogen to produce plasmin which in turn helps in dissolving the clot.
The technology for this life-saver drug was developed at the Chandigarh based Institute of Microbial Technology, a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). Chennai based Pharma major Shasun Chemicals and Drugs is making a foray into Biotherapeutics by launching Streptokinase in the Indian Market.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Prithviraj Chavan termed the launch as classic example of what public funded R&D can do. Lauding the efforts of the scientists he said that laboratories and markets must work in an environment of mutual respect to benefit the society. The Minister also expressed hope that CSIR will rededicate itself to make a difference to the life of common man.
Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR and Mr N. Govindarajan, CEO & MD, Shasun Chemicals & Drugs Ltd. were among those present during the launch.
The technology for the synthesis of this therapeutic protein was developed at Institute of Microbial technology (IMTech) by Dr. Girish Sahni, Director IMTech and his team, including Drs. Deb Sahoo and Kanak Dikshit. IMTech is a premier institute working on the frontiers of Science and Technology under the auspices of the Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR), Government of India. Once developed, the technology was licensed to Shasun Chemicals and Drugs (Shasun) in the year 2002 and Shasun had undertaken enormous amounts of work to effect the transition of this technology from the labs in IMTech to the commercial market place. IMTech, through their guidance on the nuances of the technology, played a pivotal role in the commercialization of this technology. This development represents and endorses the importance of Public-Private-Partnerships to produce affordable medicines.
Over the last decade, treatment mechanism for patients with AMI (Acute Myocardial Infarction) has been by intravenous thrombolysis using Streptokinase. This mode of treatment makes it highly critical for the medicine to be of absolutely best purity. The Streptokinase developed being a recombinant protein does not have any traces of Streptolysin or Streptodornase (which are usually harmful) associated with natural streptokinase. Further studies in the lab have also demonstrated that Shasun’s Streptokinase has one of the best fibrinolytic activities amongst the products currently available in the market.
This medicine will provide immense benefit to the Indian population by reducing mortality among patients, increasing lifespan among the younger generation (young patients with fewer clots can be treated and they are safe for ~ 10 years) and in case of early thrombolytic treatment will avoid surgery and the huge expenses involved in surgical intervention. The medicine is highly affordable and eliminates the need for tPA which is highly expensive.
IMTech, it may be recalled, had also licensed an improved, new clot-specific thrombolytic to Nostrum Inc., USA and Symmetrix Biotech, India recently. This drug is undergoing regulatory testing and is expected to be commercialized in the year 2011.
The technology for this life-saver drug was developed at the Chandigarh based Institute of Microbial Technology, a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). Chennai based Pharma major Shasun Chemicals and Drugs is making a foray into Biotherapeutics by launching Streptokinase in the Indian Market.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Prithviraj Chavan termed the launch as classic example of what public funded R&D can do. Lauding the efforts of the scientists he said that laboratories and markets must work in an environment of mutual respect to benefit the society. The Minister also expressed hope that CSIR will rededicate itself to make a difference to the life of common man.
Prof. Samir. K. Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR and Mr N. Govindarajan, CEO & MD, Shasun Chemicals & Drugs Ltd. were among those present during the launch.
The technology for the synthesis of this therapeutic protein was developed at Institute of Microbial technology (IMTech) by Dr. Girish Sahni, Director IMTech and his team, including Drs. Deb Sahoo and Kanak Dikshit. IMTech is a premier institute working on the frontiers of Science and Technology under the auspices of the Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR), Government of India. Once developed, the technology was licensed to Shasun Chemicals and Drugs (Shasun) in the year 2002 and Shasun had undertaken enormous amounts of work to effect the transition of this technology from the labs in IMTech to the commercial market place. IMTech, through their guidance on the nuances of the technology, played a pivotal role in the commercialization of this technology. This development represents and endorses the importance of Public-Private-Partnerships to produce affordable medicines.
Over the last decade, treatment mechanism for patients with AMI (Acute Myocardial Infarction) has been by intravenous thrombolysis using Streptokinase. This mode of treatment makes it highly critical for the medicine to be of absolutely best purity. The Streptokinase developed being a recombinant protein does not have any traces of Streptolysin or Streptodornase (which are usually harmful) associated with natural streptokinase. Further studies in the lab have also demonstrated that Shasun’s Streptokinase has one of the best fibrinolytic activities amongst the products currently available in the market.
This medicine will provide immense benefit to the Indian population by reducing mortality among patients, increasing lifespan among the younger generation (young patients with fewer clots can be treated and they are safe for ~ 10 years) and in case of early thrombolytic treatment will avoid surgery and the huge expenses involved in surgical intervention. The medicine is highly affordable and eliminates the need for tPA which is highly expensive.
IMTech, it may be recalled, had also licensed an improved, new clot-specific thrombolytic to Nostrum Inc., USA and Symmetrix Biotech, India recently. This drug is undergoing regulatory testing and is expected to be commercialized in the year 2011.
Battle for multi-billion dollar e-governance projects hots up
Leslie D'Monte in New Delhi
The battle over standards for the multi-billion dollar e-governance projects is once again hotting up.
IT majors like IBM, Sun Microsystems and Red Hat have shot letters to industry bodies -- Nasscom (for software) and MAIT (for hardware) -- and the department of information technology, protesting over the inclusion of clauses which allow for 'multiple standards' and 'royalty on software' versus a 'single' standard and 'free' software.
At the second meeting of the apex body on standards for e-governance held on June 17 this year, all the members approved Unicode 5.1.0 as a standard for e-governance applications for all 22 Indian languages (except Kashmiri).
They also approved the Open Type Font as a mandatory standard for e-governance applications.
With regard to metadata (name, age, sex, etc. for land records and the like) and data standards, too, there was a consensus.
However, it was on the draft policy on 'Open Standards' that the differences emerged. While Nasscom presented that 'multiple' standards should be allowed, secretary DIT, R Chandrasekhar, himself pointed out that 'complete interoperability could possibly be achieved through single standard.' However, he added that the '. . .possibility of ensuring the same through multiple standards can also be considered in consultation with Industry.'
Nasscom and MAIT were to get back with industry feedback on this subject by July 7-8 which they did.
But players like IBM and Sun are not happy. Insisting that they do not subscribe to Nasscom's views on the subject, they have put on record that they were not consulted by the software body before it presented its view to the government.
"Sun Microsystems believes the Draft Policy on e-Governance Standards, ver 2.0 is an extremely well drafted policy evolved by the government and the policy will help save valuable tax payer's money from being wasted and in creating sustainable e-governance assets...Specifically, we believe that adopting multiple standards in any way will greatly damage the critical e-governance infrastructure of the country and would also increase its vulnerability.
"We also believe that adopting standards that are not Royalty free will compromise the technological sovereignty of the nation....Sun Microsystems was not consulted by Nasscom before presenting its view on the Draft Policy on e-Governance standards," stated Jaijit Bhattacharya, country director, Government Strategy (Asia South and India), Sun Microsystems India, in a letter addressed to Nasscom President Som Mittal.
Ashish Gautam, country leader (open standards), IBM India, confirmed the same and said: "We have written to the DIT, expressing our concern on these suggestions."
Venkatesh Hariharan, corporate affairs director, Red Hat, too, asserted that his company was not consulted, adding: "...We do not support the recommendations of Nasscom...since standards should belong to humanity and not be controlled or owned by anyone.
"In the physical world, we do not pay for using standards like weights and measures. . .In order to protect India's digital sovereignty, we must ensure that national data is stored in formats that are open and free of all encumbrances like royalties, patent claims etc. The government is the custodian of data that belongs to the citizens of India. It must therefore ensure that this data is not stored in formats that are owned and controlled by anyone."
Vinnie Mehta, executive director, MAIT, when contacted, said: "We are in the process of consulting our members, and will soon come up with a well thought-out stance." The e-governance apex committee is expected to meet shortly.
The draft 'Open Standards' policy for e-governance has been in the works for the last two years and several public consultations have been held on this subject. The two recommendations -- one of royalty under 'reasonable and Non Discriminatory' terms and multiple standards -- if accepted, will lead to multiple, proprietary standards, argue these companies.
Egovernment data like land records, etc., these companies point out, remain relevant for hundreds of years. If this data is stored in proprietary formats, it will prove expensive for the country in the long-term, and unnecessarily end up gobbling tax payers' money (if royalty has to be paid).
Incidentally, there has never been a more intense global industry debate over 'open standards'. On the one hand is Microsoft's Office Open XML file format backed by Apple, Novell, Wipro [Get Quote], Infosys [Get Quote], TCS [Get Quote], and Nasscom. On the other is the Open Document Format, supported by the likes of IBM, Sun Microsystems, Red Hat, Google, the Department of Information Technology, National Informatics Centre, CDAC, IIT-Mumbai and IIM-Ahmedabad.
India recently maintained its earlier stance of 'No' to the software major's OOXML (which has been accepted by the International Organisation for Standardisation as an international standard).
ODF proponents oppose OOXML on the grounds that 'multiple standards' are not good, while Microsoft argues that OOXML -- a recognised standard by ECMA International too -- is a response to evolving technology formats in line with continual evolving technology systems.
The debate appears to be a proxy for product competition in the marketplace, argue opponents. It is significant, in part, because it will influence the future success of Microsoft Office -- one of Microsoft's largest and most profitable product families.
Governments are wary of holding digital data in proprietary formats, which could make them hostage to a software vendor.
States such as Delhi, Kerala and others from the North-East are heavy adopters of ODF file formats which are open and free (excluding maintenance and support).
Courtesy: Rediff
Thursday, July 9, 2009
CAG’s compliance Audit Report on Information Technology Applications in PSUs
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s (C&AG) Audit Report No. CA 23 of 2009-10 – Information Technology Applications in Public Sector Undertakings (Compliance Audit) was tabled in the Parliament today i.e., 9th July, 2009.
Report No. CA 23 of 2009-10 contains results of Information Technology Audit of different IT applications used in various areas of activity in nine Public Sector undertakings (PSUs) under five Ministries.
Some common deficiencies noted in audit were incorrect mapping of business rules, the business continuity plans, disaster recovery plans and IT security policy were either not in place and where formulated were deficient, weaknesses in input controls and validation checks did not ensure completeness, reliability and integrity of data.
The Information Technology Audit of various software programmes revealed the following weaknesses/deficiencies:
The Frequent Flyer Programme of National Aviation Company of India Limited is a customer loyalty reward programme. The IT audit revealed deficient input controls resulting in issuance of award tickets even when adequate mileage points were not available at credit of members. The system had deficient information security controls due to which confidentiality, integrity and availability of information could be compromised.
Coal India Limited (CIL) decided to implement computer network project ‘CoalNet’ for data sharing between the Ministry of Coal, CIL and its subsidiaries. The CoalNet project was not implemented completely in any of the subsidiary companies even after seven years due to non standardisation of the business process. Absence of standard back up procedure made the data unsafe against disasters. Lack of adequate training on CoalNet and non-availability of user manuals also indicated the absence of business continuity plan. The implementation of CoalNet remained unsatisfactory despite an investment of Rs.39.58 crore.
Bharat Electronics Limited introduced SAP in October 2006 in Bangalore Complex and subsequently in other units. Acquisition and implementation of SAP, utilisation of Production Planning and Material Management modules of SAP at Bangalore Complex were reviewed. The savings projected by implementation of SAP towards inventory carrying cost, cost of goods sold and reduction in sundry debtors by the Company did not materialise. Failure to design the required controls in the system, inappropriate customisation etc., during data migration resulted in non-utilisation of the SAP system to its full potential and as a result the integrity and accuracy of the data could not be ensured. Consequently the Company still depended on the legacy system and resorted to manual interventions.
Biecco Lawrie Limited undertook computerisation without formulating an IT policy and developed several modules. The deficiencies in system design like non-integration of different modules with finance modules and non-enforcement of data integrity resulted in manual intervention at each stage which rendered the system vulnerable to the risk of incorrect generation of data. In view of such deficiencies, the Company could not achieve the complete benefits of computerisation.
A review of RAMCO e-Application system in Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited revealed control weaknesses such as users IDs were not linked with employee ID and employee wise entry details (IN entries) did not match with exit details (OUT entries) which defeated the primary objective of access control. Non-integration of the RAMCO e Applications system among various units resulted in manual intervention and led to risk of data entry errors. Non-provision of maintaining history of changes in the system resulted in lack of audit trails.
GAIL (India) Ltd. switched over to SAP ERP system in August 2005. Review of the Financial Accounting module and e-Security issues for the period August 2005 to September 2008 revealed lacking input controls, validation checks and supervisory controls leading to unreliable database. Inadequate customisation of system led to incomplete or incorrect data. Non-rationalised user roles and authorisations to critical combinations and sensitive transactions posed the risk of misuse and manipulation.
Audit reviewed the implementation and customisation of Material Management module of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The review revealed deficiencies in the input controls and validation checks which ran the risk of unreliable data entering into the system. Some features of the system were not adequately customised.
Human Resource module of the SAP system of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited was not customised for manpower planning activities, determination of staffing needs, selection of personnel for various postings based on pre-defined criteria. Lack of input controls in the system also resulted in feeding of erroneous and incomplete data affecting integrity of data maintained.
Bokaro Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited computerised the Invoicing System which comprised of a ‘File Server System’ using Oracle9i developed in house. It was seen that there were multiple data entries of the same source data which delayed the preparation of invoices. There were inadequate physical access controls, as well as environment controls which rendered the System and data unsafe against un-authorised access, as well as fire hazards.
Report No. CA 23 of 2009-10 contains results of Information Technology Audit of different IT applications used in various areas of activity in nine Public Sector undertakings (PSUs) under five Ministries.
Some common deficiencies noted in audit were incorrect mapping of business rules, the business continuity plans, disaster recovery plans and IT security policy were either not in place and where formulated were deficient, weaknesses in input controls and validation checks did not ensure completeness, reliability and integrity of data.
The Information Technology Audit of various software programmes revealed the following weaknesses/deficiencies:
The Frequent Flyer Programme of National Aviation Company of India Limited is a customer loyalty reward programme. The IT audit revealed deficient input controls resulting in issuance of award tickets even when adequate mileage points were not available at credit of members. The system had deficient information security controls due to which confidentiality, integrity and availability of information could be compromised.
Coal India Limited (CIL) decided to implement computer network project ‘CoalNet’ for data sharing between the Ministry of Coal, CIL and its subsidiaries. The CoalNet project was not implemented completely in any of the subsidiary companies even after seven years due to non standardisation of the business process. Absence of standard back up procedure made the data unsafe against disasters. Lack of adequate training on CoalNet and non-availability of user manuals also indicated the absence of business continuity plan. The implementation of CoalNet remained unsatisfactory despite an investment of Rs.39.58 crore.
Bharat Electronics Limited introduced SAP in October 2006 in Bangalore Complex and subsequently in other units. Acquisition and implementation of SAP, utilisation of Production Planning and Material Management modules of SAP at Bangalore Complex were reviewed. The savings projected by implementation of SAP towards inventory carrying cost, cost of goods sold and reduction in sundry debtors by the Company did not materialise. Failure to design the required controls in the system, inappropriate customisation etc., during data migration resulted in non-utilisation of the SAP system to its full potential and as a result the integrity and accuracy of the data could not be ensured. Consequently the Company still depended on the legacy system and resorted to manual interventions.
Biecco Lawrie Limited undertook computerisation without formulating an IT policy and developed several modules. The deficiencies in system design like non-integration of different modules with finance modules and non-enforcement of data integrity resulted in manual intervention at each stage which rendered the system vulnerable to the risk of incorrect generation of data. In view of such deficiencies, the Company could not achieve the complete benefits of computerisation.
A review of RAMCO e-Application system in Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited revealed control weaknesses such as users IDs were not linked with employee ID and employee wise entry details (IN entries) did not match with exit details (OUT entries) which defeated the primary objective of access control. Non-integration of the RAMCO e Applications system among various units resulted in manual intervention and led to risk of data entry errors. Non-provision of maintaining history of changes in the system resulted in lack of audit trails.
GAIL (India) Ltd. switched over to SAP ERP system in August 2005. Review of the Financial Accounting module and e-Security issues for the period August 2005 to September 2008 revealed lacking input controls, validation checks and supervisory controls leading to unreliable database. Inadequate customisation of system led to incomplete or incorrect data. Non-rationalised user roles and authorisations to critical combinations and sensitive transactions posed the risk of misuse and manipulation.
Audit reviewed the implementation and customisation of Material Management module of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The review revealed deficiencies in the input controls and validation checks which ran the risk of unreliable data entering into the system. Some features of the system were not adequately customised.
Human Resource module of the SAP system of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited was not customised for manpower planning activities, determination of staffing needs, selection of personnel for various postings based on pre-defined criteria. Lack of input controls in the system also resulted in feeding of erroneous and incomplete data affecting integrity of data maintained.
Bokaro Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited computerised the Invoicing System which comprised of a ‘File Server System’ using Oracle9i developed in house. It was seen that there were multiple data entries of the same source data which delayed the preparation of invoices. There were inadequate physical access controls, as well as environment controls which rendered the System and data unsafe against un-authorised access, as well as fire hazards.
Representation of women members on Selection Committees/Boards Mandatory
Government has initiated steps to ensure better representation of women members on various Committees/ Boards concerned with the selection to posts in Central Government and also to monitor the trend in recruitment of women. Accordingly, DoPT has written to the secretaries of all Ministries/Departments of GoI, UPSC and SSC to instruct all appointing authorities to scrupulously observe the following guidelines:-
(i) The composition of selection Committees should be representative. It should be mandatory to have one woman member in the Selection Boards/ Committees for making recruitment to• ten (10) or more vacancies and lady candidates are expected to be available for the service / Post.
(ii) Where the number of vacancies against which selection is to be made is less than 10, no efforts should be spared in finding a lady officer for inclusion in such Committees / Boards.
(iii) In the event of such an officer not being available in the Ministry / Department itself, there is no objection to nominating lady officer from any other office at the same station.
(iv) Wide Publicity should be given to all appointments in Government, Advertisements should be issued in the language (s) spoken by large number of people of the State/UTs, apart from English and Hindi.
Earlier, the Govt had issued such guidelines for various Committees/Boards concerned with selection to Group C&D posts only.
Further, for Group'C' level Posts, having only basic qualifying requirements, information about vacancies for recruitment should also be disseminated through schools and colleges in that area, in addition to normal channels.
With a view to monitoring the trend in recruitment of women, all Ministries/ Departments are requested to submit a consolidated report including attached/ subordinate offices on the total number of posts and employees group- wise and gender wise as on 31.03.2009 latest by 31.08.2009. The consolidated annual position as on 31st March of every year may also be furnished thereafter by 30th May of that year.
(i) The composition of selection Committees should be representative. It should be mandatory to have one woman member in the Selection Boards/ Committees for making recruitment to• ten (10) or more vacancies and lady candidates are expected to be available for the service / Post.
(ii) Where the number of vacancies against which selection is to be made is less than 10, no efforts should be spared in finding a lady officer for inclusion in such Committees / Boards.
(iii) In the event of such an officer not being available in the Ministry / Department itself, there is no objection to nominating lady officer from any other office at the same station.
(iv) Wide Publicity should be given to all appointments in Government, Advertisements should be issued in the language (s) spoken by large number of people of the State/UTs, apart from English and Hindi.
Earlier, the Govt had issued such guidelines for various Committees/Boards concerned with selection to Group C&D posts only.
Further, for Group'C' level Posts, having only basic qualifying requirements, information about vacancies for recruitment should also be disseminated through schools and colleges in that area, in addition to normal channels.
With a view to monitoring the trend in recruitment of women, all Ministries/ Departments are requested to submit a consolidated report including attached/ subordinate offices on the total number of posts and employees group- wise and gender wise as on 31.03.2009 latest by 31.08.2009. The consolidated annual position as on 31st March of every year may also be furnished thereafter by 30th May of that year.
All Central Ministries/Departments asked to redress public grievances within two months
The total number of cases of public grievance received in the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat and Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances is 109620, 101995, 124052 and 52933 during the years 2006,2007, 2008 and 2009 (upto 30.6.2009) respectively.
Out of the above figures 28489, 29591, 37879 and 18267 were respectively forwarded during these years to various Ministries and Departments for appropriate action. Directions have already been issued to all Ministries/Departments to redress grievances of the citizens within a period of two months. Redress of grievance is primarily the responsibility of the concerned Ministries/Departments/organizations. However, overall status is reviewed periodically. With the introduction of a Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), citizen can view the status of his complaint on the web.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Out of the above figures 28489, 29591, 37879 and 18267 were respectively forwarded during these years to various Ministries and Departments for appropriate action. Directions have already been issued to all Ministries/Departments to redress grievances of the citizens within a period of two months. Redress of grievance is primarily the responsibility of the concerned Ministries/Departments/organizations. However, overall status is reviewed periodically. With the introduction of a Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), citizen can view the status of his complaint on the web.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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