Carrying Identity Card Mandatory for Reserved Train Tickets

In a major initiative to further facilitate the travel of bonafide and legitimate passengers and to reduce the scope for misuse of reserved ticketing system by unscrupulous elements/middlemen, the Ministry of Railways has decided to extend the condition of carrying original proof of identity during travel on reserved tickets issued through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) for all reserved classes including ‘Reserved Second Class (2S)’, ‘Sleeper Class (SL)’, ‘III Economy Class (3E)’ and ‘First Class (FC)’.  This change in policy will come into effect from 1st December 2012.

Further, the Ministry of Railways has also decided to expand the list of prescribed proofs of identity to include photo identity cards having serial numbers issued by public sector undertakings of State/Central Government, District Administrations, Municipal Administrations and Panchayat Administrations.

The expanded list of the prescribed proofs of identity for undertaking journey on Tatkal ticket and other reserved classes will now be as follows:

1.    Voter Photo identity card issued by Election Commission of India.
2.    Passport.
3.    PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department.
4.    Driving Licence issued by RTO.
5.    Photo identity card having serial number issued by Central/State Government which include the following:
(i)               Pension Pay Order s(PPO)
(ii)              Ration Card with photographs
(iii)             Senior Citizen cards
(iv)             Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards
(v)              ESI cards (with photograph) issued for taking treatment in ESI dispensaries.
(vi)             CGHS Cards (with photograph) issued to individual family members of Central Govt. employees.
6.    Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their students.
7.    Nationalized Bank Passbook with photographs.
8.    Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph.
9.    Unique Identification Card “Aadhaar”.
10.     Photo identity cards having serial number issued by Public Sector Undertakings of State/Central Government, District Administrations, Municipal bodies and Panchayat Administrations.

In this way,  the new provision to be effective from 1st December, 2012 will be as follows :-

“Any one of the passengers booked on a PNR for undertaking journey in any reserved class has to produce any one of the above mentioned prescribed proofs of identity in original during the journey failing which all the passengers booked on that ticket will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.  The existing provision of the Tatkal scheme where the passenger is required to show the same original proof of identity as indicated on the ticket shall continue.”

It may be mentioned that presently only the following categories of passengers travelling in reserved classes have to produce original proof of identity during the journey:-
Passengers travelling on e-tickets.
Passengers travelling on Tatkal tickets.
Passengers undertaking journey in AC classes on the tickets issued through the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) {except in III Economy -3E class}.

With the new provision, the condition of carrying one of the prescribed identity cards has now been extended additionally to other classes of travel namely - Reserved Second Class(2S), Sleeper Class(SL),  III Economy Class(3E) and First Class(FC).

The above change in the policy is aimed at facilitating the travel of bonafide and genuine passengers and simultaneously to check the scope for travel on transferred tickets.  It is also considered that the proposed change shall also be useful from the security point of view.

Sun sets on Analogue Cable TV Networks in 4 Metros

Analogue Cable Television signals were switched off by the Broadcasters and Multi System Operators (MSOs) at midnight of 31st October, 2012 in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Analogue Cable TV signals were allowed to continue in Chennai due to the interim stay granted by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras. 

A total of 64.31 lakh Set Top Boxes (STBs) have been installed in the 4 metro cities in the first phase of digitization during the span of about 10 months from November 2011 i.e from the date of notification .First phase of digitization covers 4 metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. As per 2011 Census figures, a total of 103.76 lakh households are there in 4 metro cities. At an average rate of 80% TV penetration as per the Census, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had estimated that about 82.59 lakh households will have TV sets. After deducting 28.14 lakh DTH connections , it was estimated that there would be 65.34 lakh Cable TV subscribers who would require Set Top Boxes. 

As per the data provided by the MSOs , the percentage of digitization in Delhi has gone up to 101%. In Mumbai it is 118% whereas in Kolkata it is 85% and in Chennai it stands at 63%. 

The ‘Blackout Advertisement’ carried out by the Ministry on all prominent Television channels created a massive public awareness about the digitization deadline. More than 200 channels carried the ‘blackout advertisement’ of the Ministry on the same day and time in a synchronized fashion which is a record of sorts. 

Ministry has been closely monitoring procurement and progress of installation of STBs by various MSOs regularly. Additionally, data was also collected from DTH operators on a daily basis. A Special Task Force was constituted to steer the entire process which consisted of various stakeholders. The Task Force met on fortnightly basis and held 20 meetings so far. 

Digital Cable TV system has a number of inherent advantages such as Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) which gives the information for the current programme as well as the programmes to come up. It also provides features like Movies-on-Demand and Games. A cable subscriber in digital system has facility to log in their complaints either on the Toll free number or in the Subscriber Complaint Redressal System on the web, wherein redressal of the complaint can be tracked. The consumer has a choice to select channel packages as per their choice or to select from a-la-carte list. The bill is generated by the system as per the channels chosen by the Cable subscriber. In addition to these special features the digital cable TV system provides superior picture and sound of digital quality and the consumer have a choice to select from a wide range of channels which was limited to only about 80-90 channels in an analogue system. The consumer can also subscribe to the HD channels. Digital Cable TV system will also enable the provision of Triple Play services on the same Cable TV network wherein in addition to the TV programmes, internet, radio, telephony etc., would also be available through the same cable line. 

Ministry has instructed all MSOs to certify that their analogue signals have been switched off completely. They have also been asked to set up canopies/kiosks in poorer colonies to ensure Set Top Boxes are made available to them at the determined price of Rs 799/-on the spot. MSOs have also been asked to ensure the consumer is not overcharged for the Set Top Boxes. MSOs have also been advised to advertise their complaint number so that nobody takes any undue advantage of the situation. 

The technical teams deployed by the Ministry in the field are constantly on the move to inspect the head ends of the MSOs in Delhi and Mumbai. It has been reported that analog signals have been switched off from all the head ends in Delhi and Mumbai while Kolkata has given mixed reports. 

Commexes turnover down 4.5% till October 15 in FY'13

The turnover of commodity bourses has declined 4.5 per cent to Rs 94.72 lakh crore till October 15 this fiscal due to sluggish investor participation in gold and silver futures, according to regulator FMC.

The exchanges had clocked a turnover of Rs 99.18 lakh crore in the year-ago period.

Except for bullion, there was substantial increase in the turnover of energy, metals and agricultural commodities during the period under the review, the Forward Markets Commission (FMC) said on its website. 

The business from energy items like crude oil rose by 42 per cent to Rs 20.79 lakh crore during the April-October 15 period of the 2012-13 fiscal, against Rs 14.61 lakh crore in the same period corresponding year.

While turnover from metals like copper increased 23 per cent to Rs 17.29 lakh crore from Rs 14.10 lakh crore, the business from farm items rose by 28 per cent to Rs 12.88 lakh crore from Rs 10.09 lakh crore in the period under the review, according to the FMC data.

However, turnover from bullion fell 28 per cent to Rs 43.75 lakh crore during the period, from Rs 60.36 lakh crore a year ago.

On falling business volumes, FMC Chairman Ramesh Abhishek had recently said that the regulator was "more concerned about quality of turnover not on quantity".

At present, the country has five national and 16 regional level commodity exchanges in the country. Recently, the FMC gave approval to the Universal Commodity Exchange to operate as a national bourse.

India's import of vegetable oils up by 18%

As per the latest data released by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), import of vegetable oils (edible & non-edible) during first eleven months of current oil year indicates 17.80% increase in import. Import during September 2012 is reported at 993,912 tonnes compared to 912,341 tonnes in September 2011, consisting of 976,417 tonnes of edible oils and 17,495 tonnes of non-edible oils i.e. up by 8.94%. The overall import of vegetable oils during November 2011 to September 2012 is reported at 9,156,457 tonnes compared to 7,773,184 tonnes i.e. up by 17.80%.

Surged in Import of Sunflower Oil:

During Nov., 2011 to Sept., 2012 import of sunflower oil is reported at 1,049,181 tonnes compared to 739,173 tonnes during the same period of last year. Sunflower oil is a major contributor in meeting demand for soft oil, as sunflower oil prices have been attractive compared to soybean oil. Currently the premium on sunflower oil over soybean oil is just US$ 11 per ton and also sunflower oil is preferred oil by housewives in India. Also, India has started importing canola oil and bought about 90,000 tonnes during last 8 months compared to 3,601 during same period of last year, mainly due to lesser local crushing of rapeseed due to disparity.

Stock Position at Port and in Pipelines:-

Current stock of edible oils as on 1st October, 2012 at various ports is estimated at 880,000 tonnes (CPO 510,000 tonnes, RBD Palmolein 110,000 tonnes, Degummed Soybean Oil 130,000 tonnes, Crude Sunflower Oil 115,000 tonnes and Canola Rape Oil 15,000 tonnes) and about 570,000 tonnes in pipelines. Total stock, both at port and in pipelines is decreased by 100,000 to 1,450,000 tonnes due to reduced local production and festival demand compared to last month.

Import of Non-edible oils during September 2012 is reported at 17,495 tonnes compared to 33,472 tonnes during the same period last year. The overall import of non-edible oil during Nov., 2011 to Sept., 2012 is reported at 193,104 tonnes compared to 279,524 tonnes during the same period of last year i.e. down by 31%. 

Prime Minister Emphasizes Balance between RTI & Right to Privacy

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday called for maintaining a “fine balance” between the Right to Information (RTI) and the right to privacy, the latter of “which stems out of the Fundamental Right to Life and liberty. The citizens’ right to know should definitely be circumscribed if disclosure of information encroaches upon someone’s personal privacy.”

Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address at the Annual Convention of Information Commissioners:

The Right to Information act has been in force in our country for seven years now. By all accounts it has contributed in very large measure to our efforts for ensuring greater probity, greater transparency and greater accountability in the work of public authorities. The greater public scrutiny of government action that it has enabled has been, I believe, good for our country. I congratulate all those who have been associated with the implementation of this very important piece of legislation, the Right to Information act in the past seven years.

In the last year itself close to 10 lakh people, in all parts of our country sought information from the Central government authorities under this legislation. Today, citizens everywhere feel empowered because of the Right to Information Act. It is a simple and uncomplicated legislation, easy to understand and use. And this I think is one of its major strengths.

It is a pointer to the success of the Right to Information that only about 4.5 percent of the applications that are filed before Central government authorities reach the Information Commissions for adjudication. It is estimated that out of the 20,000 appeals and complaints disposed of by the Central Information Commission every year on the average, only a couple of hundred cases a year have been challenged in our courts.

Notwithstanding its successes, I believe that the Right to Information is still evolving in our country. The potential for good, constructive use of this Right is perhaps far greater than what its current status would indicate. But this potential cannot be realized automatically. It would require concerted efforts towards removing the impediments that at present reduce its efficacy.

There are some obvious areas of concerns about the way the Right to Information Act is being used presently, and I had flagged a few of them when I addressed this Convention last year. There are concerns about frivolous and vexatious use of the Act in demanding information the disclosure of which cannot possibly serve any public purpose. Sometimes information covering a long time-span or a large number of cases is sought in an omnibus manner with the objective of discovering an inconsistency or mistake which can be criticized. Such queries besides serving little productive social purpose are also a drain on the resources of the public authorities, diverting precious man-hours that could be put to better use. Such requests for information have in fact come in for adverse criticism by the Supreme Court as well as the Central Information Commission.

Concerns have also been raised regarding possible infringement of personal privacy while providing information under the Right to Information Act. There is a fine balance required to be maintained between the Right to information and the right to privacy, which stems out of the Fundamental Right to Life and liberty. The citizens’ right to know should definitely be circumscribed if disclosure of information encroaches upon someone’s personal privacy. But where to draw the line is a complicated question. I am happy that this Convention will devote an exclusive session to "Privacy and Disclosure Issues", which I hope will result in useful, constructive recommendations. The issue of a separate legislation on privacy is under consideration of an expert group under Justice A. P. Shah.

There are other issues as well which need to be addressed. For example, how much information should entities set up in the Public Private Partnership be obliged to disclose under the Right to Information Act. Blanket extension of the Act to such bodies may discourage private enterprises to enter into partnerships with the public sector entity. A blanket exclusion on the other hand may harm the cause of accountability of public officials. I am sure that you will discuss such issues in this Convention with a view to finding a way forward.

I know that there has been some confusion about the implications of the recent Supreme Court order regarding the composition of the Central and State Information Commissions. As you might be aware, the government has decided to go in review before the Supreme Court in this matter.

The public authorities also have an important part to play in bringing about improvements in the implementation of the Right to Information Act. There are costs associated with providing access to information. It must be our endeavor to minimize these costs. Better training of employees, greater use of modern technology and proactive disclosure of the maximum possible amount of information are obvious solutions, not only for minimizing costs but also for making it easier for people to access information. In some places there may also be a need to change perceptions about the Right to Information- it should not be viewed as an irritant but something that is good for all of us collectively.

Rights, of course, cannot stand in isolation and must always be accompanied by reciprocal obligations. I had pointed out in my address to this Convention in 2008 that while asserting our rights we need to be equally conscious of our responsibilities and our commitments. I believe that all of us share a responsibility to promote more constructive and productive use of the Right to Information Act. This important legislation should not be only about criticizing, ridiculing, and running down public authorities. It should be more about promoting transparency and accountability, spreading information and awareness and empowering our citizen. I think that there is need for all of us to work towards building an environment where citizens see the government as a partner and not as an adversary.

The Right to Information Act is one of the many steps our government has taken for strengthening the institutional architecture for curbing corruption, enhancing transparency and accountability in public administration and improving delivery of services to the people. Other important legislations that are proposed include the Whistle blowers Protection Bill, the Time-bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of Grievances Bill and the Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, which are all currently under consideration of our Parliament. We have also put in place a National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy. Recently we have taken an initiative to facilitate direct cash transfer of government benefits to public accounts of beneficiaries. This would help in reducing leakages and wastage, and also make it easier for our citizens to avail of governmental assistance.

I believe that the Right to Information can be utilized for even better results to the benefit of our country and our people. It needs to be remembered that the ultimate goal of the legislation is to induce more efficiency in the work of our government and help it serve our people better. I hope you will utilize this Convention to find ways and means to achieve this objective more effectively. I wish you success in your deliberation.”