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Highlights of this Issue
Current Account Deficit at 2.4% of GDP in Q1 of 2017-18 (p. 2)
Current account deficit (CAD) in the first quarter (April- June) of 2017-18 increased to USD 14.3 billion (2.4% of GDP) from USD 0.4 billion (0.1 % of GDP) in the first quarter of 2016 -17.
Amendments to the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 approved (p. 2)
The amendments propose to increase the cap on payment of gratuity on retirement from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. This will bring persons covered under the Act at par with central government employees.
Ordinance promulgated to increase cap on GST cess levied on cars (p. 2)
The Ordinance increases the GST Compensation cess levied on cars from 15% to 25%. The GST Council had recommended this increase on grounds that the tax incidence on cars had reduced after the introduction of GST.
Cabinet approved scheme for Modernisation of Police Forces (p. 3)
The scheme aims to improve the capability and efficiency of central and state police forces by modernising them.
Financial outlay of Rs 25,060 crore has been approved under the scheme for 2017-18 to 2019-20.
High Level Forum on 5G wireless technology constituted (p. 3)
A High Level 5G India 2020 Forum has been constituted to evaluate and approve roadmaps and action plans for deployment of 5G wireless technology in the country.
National Nutrition Strategy, 2017 released by NITI Aayog (p. 3)
NITI Aayog has released the National Nutrition Strategy, 2017. The Strategy aims to reduce all forms of undernutrition by 2030, with a focus on the most vulnerable and critical age groups.
Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) launched (p. 5)
The scheme aims to achieve universal household electrification (in both rural and urban areas). Under the scheme, electricity connections will be provided to all households by December 2018.
New PPP policy to encourage private investment in affordable housing released (p. 5)
The policy aims to incentivise private investment in affordable housing. It proposes eight implementation models for affordable housing using PPP, six of those using government land, and two using private land.
Amendments to the Regional Connectivity Scheme released (p. 6)
The revised scheme specifies eligibility criteria for bidding, priority areas for operations, minimum performance specifications, and quarterly revision of airfare caps and caps on Viability Gap Funding.
Director General of Civil Aviation released rules for handling of unruly passengers (p. 6)
The rules provide: (i) the definition of unruly behaviour, (ii) the different categories of unruly behaviour and the corresponding flying ban to be imposed, and (iii) the manner of creating a no-fly list.
Draft Policy on Sediment Management released (p. 7)
The draft Policy looks at the effect of sand mining and construction of dams and barrages on river sedimentation. It recommends principles that should be adopted for sediment management in a scientific manner.
Draft Offshore Areas Mineral Amendment Bill, 2017 released (p. 8)
The draft Bill creates a new category of mining license, i.e., the exploration licence-cum-production lease. It also seeks to establish an Offshore Area Mining Fund.
Macroeconomic Development
Roopal Suhag (roopal@prsindia.org)
Current Account Deficit at 2.4% of GDP in Q1 of 2017-18
India’s current account deficit (CAD) in the first quarter (April- June) of 2017-18 increased to USD 14.3 billion (2.4% of GDP) from USD 0.4 billion (0.1 % of GDP) in the first quarter of 2016 -17.[1] CAD in the previous quarter, i.e., fourth quarter (January- March) of 2016-17 was USD 3.4 billion (0.6% of GDP).
The year-on-year increase of the CAD was largely on account of a higher trade deficit (difference between the country’s imports and exports) of USD 41.2 billion compared to USD 23.8 billion. The capital account was USD 25.4 billion (USD 7.2 billion) on higher foreign direct investments and net portfolio flow. Foreign exchange reserves increased to USD 11.4 billion, compared with an increase of USD 7.0 billion in the first quarter of 2016-17 and USD 7.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016-17. Table 1 shows the balance of payments in the first quarter of 2017-18.
Table 1: Balance of Payments in Q1 of 2017-18 (USD billion)
Q1 2016-17 |
Q4 2016-17 |
Q1 2017-18 |
|
Current Account |
-0.4 |
-3.4 |
-14.3 |
Capital Account |
7.2 |
10.4 |
25.4 |
Errors and Omissions |
0.2 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
Change in reserves |
7.0 |
7.3 |
11.4 |
Sources: Reserve Bank of India; PRS.
Finance
Vatsal Khullar (vatsal@prsindia.org)
Ordinance promulgated to increase the cap on GST cess levied on cars
The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Ordinance, 2017 was promulgated on September 2, 2017.[2] It amends the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017. The Act allows the central government to levy a GST Compensation cess on items such as pan masala, coal, aerated drinks, and tobacco, subject to certain caps. Amount received by levying the cess is used to compensate states for any loss in revenue collection due to the implementation of GST.
The Ordinance amends the Act to increase the cap on the cess levied on cars from 15% to 25%. The GST Council had recommended this increase in cap on the grounds that following the introduction of GST, the total incidence of tax on cars had come down.[3]
A summary of the ordinance is available here.
Prime Minister constitutes economic advisory council
The Prime Minister constituted an Economic Advisory Council to the PM.[4] The Council will be chaired by Dr. Bibek Debroy (Member, NITI Aayog). Members of the Council will be Dr. Surjit Bhalla, Dr. Rathin Roy, Dr. Ashima Goyal, and Mr. Ratan Watal.
The terms of reference of the Council are: (i) analyse issues referred to it by the PM and advise him on them, (ii) advise the PM on macroeconomic issues, and (iii) attend to any task as desired by the PM.
NITI Aayog constitutes a Task Force on Employment and Exports
The NITI Aayog constituted a Task Force on Employment and Exports.[5] Currently, a majority of workers in India are employed in low-productivity and low-wage jobs. There is a need for a sustained expansion of the organised sector to address unemployment in the country.4
The Task Force will be chaired by Dr. Rajiv Kumar (Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog). Members of the Task Force will include representatives from the central government and private institutions.
Terms of reference of the Task Force include: (i) proposing a plan to generate employment by boosting exports, (ii) recommending sector-specific interventions, (iii) identifying macro-economic factors constraining exports, and (iv) suggesting ways to improve the availability of trade related data.
The Task Force will submit its report by November 2017.
Labour
Vatsal Khullar (vatsal@prsindia.org)
Cabinet approves amendments to the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.[6] The Act regulates the payment of gratuity to workers after retirement. It applies to establishments employing more than 10 people.6
Currently, the Act specifies a cap of Rs 10 lakh on the amount of gratuity that may be paid to a worker. This cap is proposed to be increased to Rs 20 lakh. This will be applicable to employees working in the private sector and public sector undertakings. The Seventh Central Pay Commission raised the cap on gratuity payable to central government employees to Rs 20 lakh.
Home Affairs
Vinayak Krishnan (vinayak@prsindia.org)
Cabinet approves scheme for Modernisation of Police Forces
The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the implementation of umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces from 2017-18 to 2019-20.[7] The financial outlay for the scheme over the three year period will be Rs 25,060 crore, of which, Rs 18,636 crore (74%) will come from the central government and Rs 6,424 crore will come from state governments.
Note that earlier, following the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission to devolve 42% of central taxes to states, it was decided that modernisation of police scheme would be delinked from central support in the Union Budget 2015-16.[8] This has now been reversed.
The scheme includes central budget outlay of Rs 10,132 crore for internal security related expenditure in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, north-eastern states and states affected by left-wing extremism. Also, central special assistance for 35 worst left-wing extremism affected districts has been introduced, with an outlay of Rs 3,000 crore.
Telecom
Sai Priya Kodidala (saipriya@prsindia.org)
High Level forum on 5G wireless technology constituted
A High Level 5G India 2020 Forum has been constituted to evaluate and approve roadmaps and action plans for deployment of 5G wireless technology in India.[9] The Forum seeks to create a competitive ecosystem for development and manufacturing of the 5G wireless technology. This will target 50% of the Indian market and 10% of the global market. This is to be done in the next five to seven years.
The Forum comprises: (i) secretaries of three ministries (Telecom, Electronics and Information Technology, and Science and Technology); (ii) two experts; (iii) industry representatives; (iv) professors from four Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institute of Science; and (v) stakeholders from industry associations.
Health
Nivedita Rao (nivedita@prsindia.org)
National Nutrition Strategy, 2017 released by NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog has released the National Nutrition Strategy, 2017.[10] Over the years, various government initiatives have been launched which seek to improve the nutrition status in the country. These include the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Janani Suraksha Yojana, among others. The Strategy notes that despite improvements over the years, concerns regarding malnutrition have persisted. Key features include:
Read a PRS blog on the Strategy here.
Cabinet approves increase of cost framework for provision of supplementary nutrition
The Union Cabinet approved an increase in the cost for the provision of supplementary nutrition in Anganwadis and through the scheme for Adolescent Girls.[11] This scheme focusses on improving the health and nutritional status of adolescent girls (11-18 years) under all Integrated Child Development Services projects.
The increase in the cost for the provision of supplementary nutrition is meant to keep pace with changes in such costs on an annual basis. Some examples of the cost revision include: (i) Rs eight per day for children (6-72 months) as opposed to Rs six earlier, and (ii) Rs 9.50 for pregnant and lactating mothers as opposed to Rs seven earlier.
For the period between 2017-18 to 2019-20, the revision of such costs is anticipated to lead to an additional expenditure of Rs 9,900 crore for Anganwadi services, and Rs 2,267 crore for the scheme for Adolescent Girls.
Cabinet approves introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017
The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017.[12] As per the Dentists Act, 1948, the register of dentists is maintained in two parts, Part A and Part B.[13] Persons possessing recognised dental qualifications are registered in Part A and persons not possessing such qualifications are registered in Part B.
Part B includes citizens of India: (i) who have been practicing as dentists as the principal means of livelihood for a period of not less than 2 years (before the application of registration), and (ii) have passed (within a period of 10 years after such registration) an examination recognised for this purpose by the central government.
Under the 1948 Act, it is required to have the representation of dentists registered in Part B as central government nominees in the Dental Council of India. Further, election of four members from Part B to the State Dental Councils and two members from Part B to Joint State Dental Councils is also required. The Bill removes the provisions which mandates their representation.
Draft Patient Safety Implementation Framework released
The draft Patient Safety Implementation Framework was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.[14] The draft Framework identifies some challenges in patient safety including: (i) unsafe injections, (ii) biological waste management, (iii) medication and medical device safety, and (iv) high rates of health care associated infections. Further, it notes that the existing laws and policies on the quality of care are largely fragmented. Key provisions of the draft Framework are as follows:
Energy
Sanat Kanwar (sanat@prsindia.org)
Ministry of Power launches Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana
The Ministry of Power launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya).[15],[16] It seeks to ensure universal household electrification (in both rural and urban areas) by December 2018 by providing last mile connectivity. Note that currently about four crore households are un-electrified, of which one crore are covered under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. The scheme is expected to cover the remaining three crore households. Key features of the scheme include:
Urban Development
Sanat Kanwar (sanat@prsindia.org)
New PPP policy to encourage private investments in affordable housing
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs released a new public private partnership (PPP) policy to encourage private investments in affordable housing.[17] It seeks to distribute risk among the government, developers, and financial institutions to leverage under-utilised land to meet the targets for affordable housing. It proposes eight implementation models for affordable housing using PPP, six of those using government lands, and two using private land. These are:
Civil Aviation
Prachee Mishra (prachee@prsindia.org)
Amendments to the Regional Connectivity Scheme released
The Ministry of Civil Aviation released a revised version of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).[19] The Ministry had released the earlier scheme, also known as Udan, in October 2016.[20] The scheme seeks to facilitate regional air connectivity by making it affordable through concessions by central and state governments and airport operators, and viability gap funding to airlines. The revisions were brought in after the initial rounds of bidding by different air carriers under the scheme. Key revisions in the scheme include:
DGCA releases rules for handling of unruly passengers
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released rules for handling of unruly passengers.[22] These rules have been released under the provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Key provisions of the rules include:
Water resources
Roopal Suhag (roopal@prsindia.org)
Standing Committee submits report on the Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017
The Standing Committee on Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (Chair: Mr. Hukum Singh) submitted its report on The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017.[23] The Bill seeks to amends the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. The key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:
A PRS summary of the report is available here.
Draft Policy on Sediment Management released
The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation released the draft Policy on Sediment Management.[24] The draft Policy looks at the effect of sand mining and construction of dams and barrages on river sedimentation and recommends principles that should be adopted for sediment management. The salient features of the Policy include:
Mining
Prachee Mishra (prachee@prsindia.org)
Draft Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2017 released
The Ministry of Mines released the draft Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2017.[25] The draft Bill seeks to amend the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002. The Act provides for the development and regulation of mineral resources in territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, and other maritime zones of India. Key features of the draft Bill include:
Agriculture
Sai Priya Kodidala (saipriya@prsindia.org)
1st advance estimates of production of major Kharif crops (2017-18) released
The first advance estimates of production of Kharif foodgrains and commercial crops were released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.[26] Overall, a decrease in the production of foodgrains and commercial crops (except sugarcane) was noted in Kharif 2017-18 as compared to the season’s 4th advance estimates (latest) in the previous year.
Production of foodgrains is expected to be 134.7 million tonnes in Kharif 2017-18. This is 2.8% less than the 4th advance estimates of Kharif in 2016-17. This is contributed by a decrease of 2.4% in cereals and 7.5% in pulses.
Production of oilseeds is expected to fall by 7.7% in Kharif 2017-18, as compared to the 4th advance estimates of the season in 2016-17. Oilseeds include soyabean, and groundnut.
Production of cotton is estimated to fall by 2.5% while production of sugarcane is estimated to increase by 10.1%.
Table 2: First advance estimates of production of major Kharif crops in 2017-18 (in million tonnes)
Crop |
2016-17 4th advance estimates |
2017-18 1st advance estimates |
% change over final estimate |
Foodgrains |
138.5 |
134.7 |
-2.78% |
Cereals |
129.1 |
126.0 |
-2.43% |
Rice |
96.4 |
94.5 |
-1.98% |
Coarse Cereals |
32.7 |
31.5 |
-3.73% |
Pulses |
9.4 |
8.7 |
-7.54% |
Tur |
4.8 |
4.0 |
-16.53% |
Oilseeds |
22.4 |
20.7 |
-7.69% |
Soyabean |
13.8 |
12.2 |
-11.47% |
Groundnut |
6.2 |
6.2 |
-0.13% |
Cotton* |
33.1 |
32.3 |
-2.50% |
Sugarcane |
306.7 |
337.7 |
10.11% |
*Million bales of 170 kgs each
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; PRS.
Cabinet approves implementation of Diary Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the implementation of the Diary Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund scheme.[27] An announcement regarding the same was made during the Union Budget 2017-18.[28] The scheme seeks to build an efficient milk procurement system through: (i) chilling infrastructure, (ii) electronic milk adulteration testing equipment, and (iii) creation, modernisation and expansion of dairy processing infrastructure. Key features of the scheme include:
Standing Committee submits report on implementation of scheme for Integrated Cold Chain
The Standing Committee on Agriculture (Chair: Mr. Hukmdev Narayan Yadav) submitted a report on the ‘Implementation of Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure’.[29] The scheme was launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. It aims to provide for cold chains, value addition, and infrastructure facilities for preservation to reduce post-harvest losses. Cold chain infrastructure includes processing units, cold storages, and refrigerated vans. Key observations and recommendations include:
A PRS summary of the report is available here.
Personnel and Public Grievances
Vinayak Krishnan (vinayak@prsindia.org)
Creamy Layer raised for Other Backward Classes
The Department of Personnel and Training has raised the income limit for determining the creamy layer amongst Other Backward Classes (OBCs), from Rs six lakh to Rs eight lakh per annum.[30] This decision will come into effect from September 1, 2017. The creamy layer is the level of income, above which persons from OBCs are not entitled to reservations in central government jobs.
Previously, this level of income has been revised thrice: (i) from Rs one lakh per annum in 1993 to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum in 2004, (ii) to Rs 4.5 lakh per annum in 2008, and (iii) to Rs six lakh per annum in 2013.
Youth Affairs and Sports
Nivedita Rao (nivedita@prsindia.org)
Cabinet approves a revamped version of the Khelo India Programme
The Union Cabinet approved the revamping of the Khelo India programme.[31] The programme aims to: (i) identify and nurture sporting talent, (ii) encourage mass participation of youth in annual sports competitions, and (iii) creation of sports infrastructure.[32]
The programme is estimated to cost Rs 1,756 crore for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. The revamped Khelo India Programme aims to focus on additional aspects, including: (i) infrastructure, (ii) community sports, (iii) talent identification, and (iv) coaching for excellence. Key features of the revamped programme are as follows:
Industry
Sai Priya Kodidala (saipriya@prsindia.org)
Inclusion of fully electric buses under the FAME Scheme
Certain changes have been made under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India) scheme. The scheme was launched in April 2015 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.[33] The scheme provides incentives in the form of a reduced purchase price for buyers of hybrid and electric vehicles.[34] Such vehicles should have been manufactured in India, and meet certain technical criteria as mentioned in the scheme guidelines. Recent changes made under the scheme include:33,[35]
Information Technology
Sai Priya Kodidala (saipriya@prsindia.org)
Comments invited on draft public procurement order 2017 notifying cyber security products
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released a draft Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017 which notifies cyber security products.[36] These products protect computing devices, infrastructure, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorised access. The draft Order provides for preference of domestic suppliers for the procurement of such products by government entities. These entities can include ministries, departments, autonomous bodies and government companies. Key features of the draft Order include:
Comments on the draft Order are invited till October 11, 2017.
External Affairs
Vinayak Krishnan (vinayak@prsindia.org)
Prime Minister attends BRICS Summit and visits Myanmar
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi visited China and Myanmar.[37] Details of these visits are as follows:
China: The Prime Minister attended the ninth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit in China. The leaders adopted the Xiamen Declaration, which committed to further cooperation between the five nations in the areas of: (i) economic development, (ii) geopolitical stability, and (iii) cultural exchange.[38]
Myanmar: India and Myanmar signed 11 agreements in various sectors, including: (i) maritime security cooperation, (ii) sharing of naval information, (iii) establishing a coastal surveillance system, (iv) enhancement of IT-skills, and (v) in the field of elections between the Election Commission of India and the Union Election Commission of Myanmar.[39]
Heads of state of Belarus and Japan visit India
The President of Belarus and the Prime Minister of Japan visited India.[40],[41] Key agreements signed with the countries are:
Belarus: Belarus and India signed 10 agreements in several sectors including: (i) agricultural research, (ii) oil and gas, and (iii) scientific and technical cooperation.[42]
Japan: Japan and India signed 15 agreements in several sectors, including: (i) disaster risk management, (ii) facilitating Japanese investment in India, (iii) enhancing connectivity and promoting development in the north-east region of India, (iv) Japanese language education in India, and (v) promoting collaboration in research.[43]
[1] “Developments in India’s Balance of Payments during the first quarter of 2017-18”, Reserve Bank of India, Press Release, September 15, 2017, https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/PressRelease/PDFs/PR752E9EECC64C9804717AF9929068F2E9ECB.PDF.
[2] The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Ordinance, 2017, http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/Ordinances/The%20Goods%20and%20Services%20Tax%20Compensation%20to%20States%20Ordinance%202017.pdf.
[3] ‘Cabinet approves promulgation of the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Ordinance, 2017’, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet, August 30, 2017.
[4] Prime Minister Constitutes Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), Press Information Bureau, NITI Aayog, September 25, 2017.
[5] Task Force on Employment and Exports and its Terms of Reference, Press Information Bureau, NITI Aayog, September 6, 2017.
[6] Cabinet approves introduction of the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Parliament, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet, September 12, 2017.
[7]“Cabinet approves umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces”, Press Information Bureau, September 27, 2017.
[8]“Major Programmes Under Central Assistance for State Plans”, Union Budget, 2015-16 http://indiabudget.nic.in/budget2015-2016/ub2015-16/bag/bag8.pdf.
[9] “India Joins Race in 5G Ecosystem, Constitutes High Level Forum on 5G India 2020”, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Communications, September 26, 2017.
[10] National Nutrition Strategy, 2017, NITI Aayog, September 2017, http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/Nutrition_Strategy_Booklet.pdf
[11] “Cabinet approves increase of cost norms for Supplementary Nutrition provided in Anganwadis and in the Scheme for Adolescent Girls”, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, September 20, 2017.
[12] “Cabinet approves introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017”, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet, September 20, 2017.
[13] The Dentists Act, 1948.
[14] Draft Patient Safety Implementation Framework , Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, September 25, 2017, http://mohfw.nic.in/newshighlights/draft-patients-safety-implementation-framework.
[15] “PM launches Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana “Saubhagya””, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Power, September 25, 2017.
[16] “FAQs on Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana “Saubhagya””, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Power, September 27, 2017.
[17] “Public Private Partnership Models for Affordable Housing”, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, September, 2017
,http://moud.gov.in/pdf/59c3b2c016515PPP%20Models%20for%20Affordable%20Ho....
[18] “Centre announces new PPP Policy to promote private investments in affordable housing”, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, September 21, 2017.
[19] “Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS or the Scheme) Version 2.0”, Ministry of Civil Aviation, September 2017, http://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Regional%20Connectivity%20Scheme_Version%202%200_0.pdf.
[20] “Regional Connectivity Scheme - Udan”, Ministry of Civil Aviation, October 2016, http://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final%20Regional%20Connectivity%20Scheme%20%28RCS%29.pdf.
[21] “Encouraging Response to Civil Aviation Ministry’s Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)”, Pres Information Bureau, Ministry of Civil Aviation, January 18, 2017.
[22] “Handling of unruly passengers”, Director General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, September 8, 2017, http://www.dgca.nic.in/cars/D3M-M6.pdf.
[23] Report No. 19, Standing Committee on Water Resources: ‘The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017’, Lok Sabha, August 10, 2017, http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Water%20Resources/16_Water_Resources_19.pdf.
[24] Draft Policy on Sediment Management, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, July 2017, http://www.wrmin.nic.in/writereaddata/Draft_Policy_on_Sediment_Mgmt-June2017.pdf.
[25] The draft Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2017, Ministry of Mines, September 1, 2017, http://www.mines.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/NOTICE636398647946390664.pdf.
[26] “1th advance estimates of foodgrains, oilseeds and other commercial crops”, Press Release, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, September 22, 2017, http://eands.dacnet.nic.in/Advance_Estimate/1stAdvance_Estimate_Eng2017-18.pdf.
[27] “Cabinet approves implementation of the scheme “Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development”, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, September 12, 2017.
[28] Budget Speech 2017-18, Union Budget 2017-18, Ministry of Finance, February 1, 2017, http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2017-18/bs/bs.pdf.
[29] Report No 45, Standing Committee on Agriculture: ‘Implementation of Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure’, Lok Sabha, August 30, 2017, http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Agriculture/16_Agriculture_45.pdf.
[30] “Revision of income criteria to exclude socially advanced persons/sections (Creamy Layer) from the purview of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)”, Department of Personnel and Training, September 13, 2017, http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02adm/36033_1_2013-Estt-Res-13092017.pdf.
[31] “Cabinet approves Revamped Khelo India Programme”, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet, September 20, 2017.
[32] Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Khelo%20India%20Scheme%20Dated%2022.04.2016_0.pdf.
[33] Notification, September, 2017, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, http://dhi.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/notification-fame-india.PDF.
[34] Office Memorandum, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises, March 26, 2015, http://dhi.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/OM_FAME_India.PDF.
[35] Notification, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises, September 12, 2017, http://dhi.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/inclusion%20of%20e%20bus%20in%20fame%20india%20scheme_1.PDF.
[36] “Comments/Suggestions invited on Draft Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017- Notifying Cyber Security Products”, Press Release, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, http://meity.gov.in/commentssuggestions-invited-draft-public-procurement-preference-make-india-order-2017-notifying.
[37] Visit of Prime Minister to China and Myanmar (September 3-7, 2017), Ministry of External Affairs, August 29, 2017, http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/28896/Visit+of+Prime+Minister+to+China+and+Myanmar+September+37+2017.
[38] BRICS Leaders Xiamen Declaration, Xiamen, China (September 04, 2017), Ministry of External Affairs, September 4, 2017, http://www.mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/28912_XiamenDeclaratoin.pdf.
[39] List of MOUs/Agreements signed during State visit of Prime Minister to Myanmar, Ministry of External Affairs, September 6, 2017, http://www.mea.gov.in/outoging-visit-detail.htm?28921/List+of+MoUsAgreements+signed+during+State+visit+of+Prime+Minister+to+Myanmar.
[40] Visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus (11-12 September 2017), Ministry of External Affairs, September 12, 2017, http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/28934/Visit+of+the+President+of+the+Republic+of+Belarus+1112+September+2017.
[41] Visit of Prime Minister of Japan to India (September 13-14, 2017), Ministry of External Affairs, September 11, 2017, http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/28933/Visit+of+Prime+Minister+of+Japan+to+India+September+1314+2017.
[42] List of MOUs/Agreements signed during State visit of President of Belarus to India (September 12, 2017), Ministry of External Affairs, September 12, 2017, http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/28939/List+of+MoUsAgreements+signed+during+State+visit+of+President+of+Belarus+to+India+September+12+2017.
[43] “List of MOUs/Agreements signed during the Prime Minister of Japan to India (September 14, 2017), Bilateral/Multilateral Documents, Ministry of External Affairs, http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/28949/List+of+MoUsAgreements+signed+during+the+visit+of+Prime+Minister+of+Japan+to+India+September+14+2017.
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