PIB Winter Session December 2013-Neha

8/12/2019 PIB Winter Session December 2013-Neha

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PIB: - WINTER SEASON OF PARLIAMENT 2013

5 December to 20 December (I am trying to cover maximum news but coverage wil l not be

descriptive otherwise it wi ll go long so you have to take this ini tiati ve by your self )

Drinking Water and Sanitation FacilitiesUniform drinking water quality monitoring protocol have been made available to the

States to improve performance of rural drinking water supply schemes.

Provision of incentives for the construction of Individual household latrines (IHHL)

extended to identify Above Poverty Line (APL) households (all SCs /STs, small and

marginal farmers, landless labourers with homestead, physically handicapped and

women-headed households.

Recasting the component of Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) under NBA

(BHARAT NIRMAN ABHIYAN) to a project mode approach in convergence with

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Promoting Organic Farming in the Country

The Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes like National

Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), and

Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on

Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

(RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural

Research (ICAR).

Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) scheme, assistance up to 25% and

33% of financial outlay is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for

establishment of bio pesticides/bio-fertilizers production units and agro waste compost

production units respectively.

Steps to Control Leaf Spot Disease in Banana

Sigatoka Leaf Spotdisease of banana has affected the banana plantations in Maharashtra,

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West

Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and Assam.

The National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli has developed effective

management technology for the control of leaf spot disease in banana by integrated

management practices. The disease can be controlled effectively by application of

fungicides and petroleum oil coupled with field sanitation and removal of affected leaves.

Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme

Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has launched Rural Wi reline Broadband

Schemefor providing broadband connectivity to rural and remote areas, USOF has

signed an Agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on January 20, 2009

under the Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme to provide wireline broadband connectivity


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to rural and broadband by leveraging the existing rural exchanges infrastructure and

copper wireline network.

Flow of Foreign Capital

The US Fed Indications in late May 2013 about the possible tapering of the quantitative

easing programme led to substantial outflow of FIIs from Emerging Market Economies(EMEs) including India. Further, EMEs currencies, particularly those with high CAD,

also witnessed sharp exchange rate depreciation.

In order to augment capital inflows, various measures have been taken in the recent

period, including liberalized FDI norms through review of limits and (or) routes for select

sectors viz., telecom, asset reconstruction companies, credit information companies,

petroleum and natural gas, courier services, commodity exchanges, infrastructure

companies in the securities market and power exchanges, offering a window for the

banks to swap the fresh FCNR(B) dollar funds with the Reserve Bank increase in the

overseas borrowing limit from 50 to 100 per cent of the unimpaired Tier I capital of

banks (with the option of swap with the Reserve Bank) permission to avail of ECB under

the approval route from their foreign equity holder company for general corporate

purposes.

Drugs Prohibited / Suspended in the Country

The Government has suspended the manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of

following drugs in 2013 as the use of these drugs was likely to involve risk to the human

health:

Dextropropoxyphene and formulations containing Dextropropoxyphene for human use.

Analgin and all formulations containing analgin for human use.

Fixed Dose Combination of Flupenthixol+Melitracen for human use.

Pioglitazone and all formulations containing Pioglitazone for human use.

Measles Special Immunization Activity

World Health Organization (WHO) on 24th

February, 2012 removed India from the list of

countries with active endemic wild poliovirus transmission.

The Government is also working to eliminate measles and control Rubella and

Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2020 in association with South-East Asia

Region.

Drugs & Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2013The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 has been amended on several occasions since its

enactment.

on the basis of the recommendations of theMashelkar Committee, the Act was amended

by the Drugs & Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 2008 to provide stringent penalties for

manufacture of spurious and adulterated drugs.

Certain offences were made cognizable and non-bailable.


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It also enabled setting up of special designated courts for speedy disposal of cases to dealwith the cases of offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. 16 States/UTs have

already set up these special Courts.

South-South Cooperation on Child Rights

The Government of India recently hosted the Second High Level Meeting (HLM) onSouth-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific in New Delhi from

23rd to 25th October 2013.

The meeting provided a forum to the development of networks for knowledge exchange,

promotion of peer learning, and coordination for cooperation on child rights in the

countries of Asia and the Pacific.

The deliberations during the HLM focused on three themes:

Urban setting as an opportunity for realizing all child rights; Adolescents: current rights

for future opportunities and Fulfilling Child Rights through Early Childhood

Development.

The Meeting also assessed the progress made in the area of child rights since the first

HLM held in Beijing in 2010.

The HLM concluded with the adoption of a New Delhi Declaration on South-South

Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific.

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

Pacific.

It provided overall and specific recommendations on the three themes of Adolescents,

Early Childhood Development and Urban Settings.

The overall recommendations included improving data collection methodologies and use

data for the purpose of advancing child rights; enhancing inter-country learning andexchange of best practices; and encouraging multi-country research studies on childrens

issues.

The specific recommendations included improving access and quality of lower secondary

education and vocational training for children and adolescents; reviewing and enhancing

national and regional coordination of early childhood development policies, programmes

and service components and; enhancing services to children living in urban areas,

particularly the most marginalized and excluded children.

National Institute for Women Affairs

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

However, at present the National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW) under the

National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) is working towards ensuring

the operationalization of the Mission at National, State and District levels.


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Discussions with Bangladesh Regarding Hydro-Electric Projects in

Manipur/Meghalaya

Discussions are being held between India and Bangladesh regarding the construction of

Hydro Power Projects in Meghalaya and Manipur. Bangladesh had raised its concern

regarding the Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric (Multipurpose) Project (1500 MW) in Manipur

and Mawphu (85MW) and Myntdu (84 MW) dam in Meghalaya.

Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) Signed Between

India and Government of UAE to Boost Investment Flows Between the two

Countries.

Weather Forecast

Government has launched the National Monsoon Mission to build state-of-the-art

coupled ocean-atmospheric climate model framework for a) improved prediction of

monsoon rainfall on extended range to seasonal time scale (16 days to one season) and b)improved prediction of temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events on short to

medium range time scale (up to 15 days).

Most Recommendations of the Damodaran Committee Taken Into Account in the

Companies Act, 2013

Entry of Foreign Universities to set up their Campuses in India

The Government has prepared the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Establishment

and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Educational Institutions) Rules, 2013.Under the proposed Rules, Foreign Educational Institutions (FEIs) can set up campuses

in India once the FEIs have been notified as Foreign Education Provider (FEPs) by the

UGC, subject to fulfillment of certain eligibility conditions.

New National Textile Policy

Government has constituted an Expert Committee to review the National Textile Policy

2000 and formulate the National Textile Policy 2013.

The existing National Textile Policy 2000 was framed about 13 years ago and since

then the industry has undergone various changes on the domestic and international fronts.

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

In the international trade scenario, while the export quota regime has been removed in

2004, recent trends in the global textile industry offer an enormous opportunity to Indian

industry to enhance its share in world trade with a supportive policy framework.

Hence, the Government aims to formulate a new improved Textile Policy to address

concerns of adequate skilled work force, labour reforms, attracting investments in the


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Textile Sector, as well as providing a future road map for the textile and clothing

industry.

Setting up of Heavy Water Reactors in the Country

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

Start of work on eight new Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) each of 700 MWcapacity is envisaged in the XII Five Year Plan, in the states of Haryana, Madhya

Pradesh, Rajasthan& Karnataka.

Promoting Organic Farming in the Country

The Government is promoting organic farming in the country through schemes like

National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM),

Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi

Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council

of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Schemes for Farmers Skill Development and Training

A number of ongoing schemes have an inbuilt component of skill development and

training in agriculture sector.

Continuous efforts are being made to improve the coverage and quality of these

programmes through regular reviews, monitoring and formulation of new strategies.

The details of Schemes providing skill development and training for the farmers are

given below:

Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

i. Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms:a newinstitutional arrangement for technology dissemination in the form of

Agricultural technology management Agency(ATMA) at district level. The

activities taken up under the scheme includes capacity building of extensionfunctionaries and farmers, front line demonstration, exposure visits, kisan

melas, farmers group mobilization, farm schools and farmers-scientist

interaction. Through these activities, latest agriculture technologies aredisseminated to farmers of the country.

ii. National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Amongst different interventions,under NFSM, Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are being implemented on a large

scale to provide first-hand information to the farmers in their fields and equipthem with necessary skills to enable them to adopt the improved cropproduction technologies for higher productivity Plant Protection Scheme &

also under Cotton/Jute Technology Missions.

iii. National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Human Resource Developmentthrough training and demonstration is an integral component of the NHM.Under this Mission, training programmes for the farmers are conducted at


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district level, State level and outside the State on emerging issues of

Horticulture.

iv. Horticulture Mission for North Eastern and Himalayan States(HMNEH): The HMNEH scheme, being run in North Eastern andHimalayan States, has also got component of transfer of technology through

training/exposure visit of farmers.

v. Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities forProduction and Distribution of Quality Seeds: Skill development throughtraining and demonstration is provided for farmers and seed growers on

techniques to be adopted for hybrid rice seed production.

vi. Promotion and strengthening of Agriculture Mechanization throughTraining, Testing and Demonstration: Information & latest technologies in

the field of Agriculture Mechanization are being disseminated to farmers andrural unemployed youth through training programmes and demonstrations.

vii. Post-Harvest Technology and Management: Assistant is provided to theState governments and other implementing agencies in organising

demonstration & trainings on post-harvest technology.

viii. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM):Trainings are conducted for farmers for skill development in the area of

adopting new technologies related to new varieties, pest management/control

and adoption of new package of practices including new implements.

Department of Agricultural Research and Education

ix. Krishi Vigyan Kendras:The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) has created a network of 634 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in thecountry aiming at assessment, refinement and demonstration of

technology/products. As part of this process, the KVKs also organize anumber of training programmes to update the knowledge and skills of farmers.

Technologies Evolved for Preparation of Enriched Manures From Organic Wastes

The Government through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility

(NPMSHF) and National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is promoting use of

composts/manures in the country. Farmers are being educated on this aspect through

training and demonstrations.

Relaxation of Norms for SezsThe amendments to the SEZs Rules, 2006 include reduced minimum area requirements

for establishing SEZs, reforms in vacancy norms for land for SEZs, sectoral broad-

banding and graded scale for minimum land criteria in order to allow greater flexibility

and to facilitate optimal utilization of SEZ land, clarification of norms for transfer of

assets by SEZ Units upon their exit etc.


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4th Korea - India Finance Ministerial Working Level Meeting Held; Both Sides Recognize

the Necessity for Strengthening Economic Cooperation Between the two Countries to

Overcome Global Crisis.

In his opening remarks Dr Mayaram, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs said

that India and Korea have strong bilateral relations in field of Finance, Science and

Technology and Cultural exchange among others.

National rural drinking water programme

Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) Ministry of Drinking Water &

Sanitation provides technical and financial assistance to the States to provide safe and adequate

drinking water to the rural population.

The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has prepared a Strategic Plan for coverage

of rural households with Piped Water. Under the Plan the following timelines have beenlaid out:

By 2017,

Ensure that at least 50% of rural households are provided with piped water supply; atleast 35% of rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; less

than 20% use public taps and less than 45% use handpumps or other safe and adequate

private water sources. All services meet set standards in terms of quality and number of

hours of supply every day.

By 2022,Ensure that at least 90% of rural households are provided with piped water supply; at

least 80% of rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; lessthan 10% use public taps and less than 10% use handpumps or other safe and adequate

private water sources.

National Project on Biogas

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formulated the following Schemes

for exploring the potential of bio-energy-

Biomass Power and Biomass Cogeneration in Sugar Mills

Biogas Power Generation Programme (BPGP)Biomass Gasifier Programme

Waste to Energy Programme

National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)Biomass Cogeneration Non-bagasse

MNRE provides Central Financial Assistance for setting up bioenergy plants, training

and awareness raising. Besides, fiscal incentives such as custom and excise duties

concession, accelerated depreciation, income tax holiday and preferential tariff are also

provided for grid connected bioenergy power generation projects.


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PMs address at the release of postage stamp in honour of Sardar Beant Singh

Sardar Beant Singhji is best remembered for providing strong and determined leadership

to the State of Punjab in very troubled times.

North East Rural Livelihood Project

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

As the objective of NERLP is to improve livelihoods of the poor, especially that of

women and the disadvantaged people in the project area, identification of Districts for the

project was done by the State Governments based on social and economic backwardness.

There is no plan to extend NERLP to other Districts except to the newly carved districts

out of the existing 8 districts. As the project has commenced its work recently, it is too

early to assess the impact of the project in increasing the per capita income of the Self

Help Groups.

National Crop Insurance Programme being Implemented from Current Rabi Season

A new central sector scheme, National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP) has

been introduced by merging Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme

(MNAIS), Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and Coconut PalmInsurance Scheme (CPIS) throughout the country from Rabi 2013-14.

NCIP has been introduced to provide financial support to the farmers for losses in

their crop yield, to help in maintaining flow of agricultural credit, to encouragefarmers to adopt progressive farming practices and higher technology in

Agriculture and thereby, to help in maintaining production, employment &

economic growth.

Plastic Parks

Odisa ,aasam, m.p. tamilnadu

New Greenfield Airports Approved

Maharashtra, Karanataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim,

Pudducherry,Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai International

Airports have been identified for development as international hubs.


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Government Contemplates to Make Raipur Airport InternationalEnsuring Environmental Sustainability Included in the List of Activities for

CSR Policies

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

India and the Government of Republic of Macedonia Signed an Agreement

for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion

with Respect to Taxes on Income

Steps By Government To Reduce Infant Mortality Rate

Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK), a programme for training health

care providers on essential newborn care and resuscitation.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) has been launched on 1st June, 2011,which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to

absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The

initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transportfrom home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back

home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing

public health institutions for treatment.Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), an introduction of child health

screening for 4Ds i.e. defects at birth, deficiencies, diseases, development delays

and their management among the children 0-18 years of age.

National Programme For Health Care of the Elderly

Following facilities are being provided under the Programme:

Geriatric OPD, 30 bedded Geriatric ward for in-patient care, etc at Regional

Geriatric Centres. The Regional Geriatric Centres will also undertake PG Courses

in Geriatric for developing Human Resource.

Geriatric OPD and 10 bed Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals.

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

Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre (PHCs).

Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-centres.

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

Diagnostic Kit

Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization (RDB) Kit for thalassemia is developed by scientists ofNational Institute of Immunohaematolgoy (NIIH) and the Indian Council for Medical

research (ICMR) and is now being domestically manufactured by IMGENEX Ltd.


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

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011

Some of the important features in the Bill are as below:-

Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta at the level of the States.The Lokpal will consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members, of which

fifty percent shall be judicial members.

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

The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection

Committee consisting of:- Prime Minister; Speaker of Lok Sabha; Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha; Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI; Eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India on the basis of

recommendations of the first four members of the Selection Committee.

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

Lokpals jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants.All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign

Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs per year are brought under

the jurisdiction of Lokpal.

Provides adequate protection for honest and upright Public Servants.Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency

including CBI for cases referred to them by Lokpal.

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

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

of Director;The appointment of the Director of Prosecution, CBI on the recommendation of the

Central Vigilance Commission;

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

The Bill also incorporates provisions for attachment and confiscation of property

acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.

The Bill lays down clear time lines for Preliminary enquiry & investigation and trial and

towards this end, the Bill provides for setting up of Special Courts.A mandate for setting up of the institution of Lokayukta through enactment of a law by

the State Legislature within a period of 365 days from the date of commencement of the

Act.


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Statement of Finance Minister on Bilateral Currency Swap ArrangementBetween the Reserve Bank of India and Bank of Japan to Enhance

Facility of Currency Swap From US $15 Billion To US $ 50 Billion

Smt Sushma Singh takes over as Chief Information Commissioner

Sub-Committee on Promotion of Urdu Language and Enhancement of

Compatibility Amongst Minorities Through Knowledge of Englishrecommended the setting up of a monitoring committee of experts to ensure the

implementation of programmes related to promotion of Urdu in the light of the

recommendations of the Sub-Committee and other proposals that might come up as an

offshoot of these recommendations.

Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) Signed Between India AndSan Marino.

India and Venezuela Sign Programme on Cultural Exchange.

CCEA approves Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane areas

under Coal Mining Lease allotted to Coal India Limited.

Inclusion of Jat community in the Central List of OBCs for the States of

Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Uttar

Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Bihar.

Programme for bovine breeding and dairy developmentThe Scheme will have two components (a) National Programme for Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and

(b) National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). NPBB will focus amongst other things

on extension of the Field Artificial Insemination (Al) Net work, monitoring of Al programme,

development and conservation of indigenous breeds and establishment of breeders'

associations and societies to encourage conservation and development of recognized

indigenous breeds.

Election Commission Heads and Representatives From Eight Countries (Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria and

Senegal, south Sudan) Witness Assembly Elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi Countries

Seek ECI Support in Capacity Building and Election Technology

Policy for Corporate Governance


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On account of increasing importance of businesses to the economics and complexities of

operating in an inter-dependent world necessitated this Ministry to constitute a Committee to

formulate a Policy document on Corporate Governance under the Chairmanship of Shri Adi Godrej on

07.03.2012. The Committee has since submitted its report to the Central Government.

i) Faster incorporation / registration of companies through fully electronic MCA-21Registry provided;

ii) Companies allowed to maintain records and hold meetings through e- governance mode;

iii) Companies empowered to function in a manner which is self-regulated with

disclosures/transparency rather than Government/regulatory approval based regime;

iv) Concepts of One Person Company and Small Company recognized to allow new

entrepreneurs to take advantage of corporate form of business;

v) Faster mergers and acquisitions including short form of merger and cross bordermergers allowed;

vi) Time bound approvals through National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT);

vii) Summary liquidation process for a class of companies provided.

New National Competition Policy

The Bill seeks to regulate public procurement by all Ministries/Departments of the Central Government,

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), autonomous and statutory bodies controlled by the Central

Government and other procuring entities with the objectives of ensuring transparency, accountability

and probity in the procurement process, fair and equitable treatment of bidders, promoting

competition, enhancing efficiency and economy, maintaining integrity and public confidence in the

public procurement process.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Being Launched in Twelfth Plan

The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is being launched during the Twelfth Five Year Plan.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) seeks to transform Indian agriculture into a climate

resilient production system through suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in domains of both

crops and animal husbandry. NMSA as a programmatic intervention focuses on promotion of locationspecific integrated/composite farming systems; resource conservation technologies; comprehensive soil

health management; efficient on-farm water management and mainstreaming rainfed technologies.

Neha Shrivastava


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PIB Winter Session December 2013-Neha

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