Aadhar e-KYC : Fast, Secure & Cost Effective

The Unique Identification Authority of India, UIDAI has developed the e-KYC (Electronic – Know Your Customer) service, which promises to substantially improve customer services in the near future.  The new offering,  e-KYC allows an Aadhar number-holder to authorize UIDAI to release his personal details to any service provider to allow instant activation of services like bank account, mobile connection etc. 

Towards paperless transaction

Know Your Customer or KYC is a mandatory process that most financial institutions and mobile companies need to complete in regards to all their customers. Aadhar card is already a valid KYC instrument, still the KYC process takes much longer time and involves documentation.   The e-KYC service being offered by UIDAI will  enable to electronically verify identity and address proof of the residents, which will cut down time required on many things like getting a new mobile connection, opening a Bank account or a trading account etc.

“Not only will this service streamline the process of on-boarding new customers but it will also simplify the process of linking existing customer accounts to their respective Aadhaar numbers in an easy, yet secure manner. The eKYC service will extend the power and convenience of Aadhaar KYC to paperless transactions. Using the eKYC service, residents can authorise the UIDAI to release their KYC data to a service provider,” says UIDAI Chairperson Nandan Nilekani.

The authorization for release of personal data can either be done in person – through biometric authentication or it can be done online using OTP (One Time Password).  Upon successful authentication and consent of the resident, the UIDAI will provide the resident’s name, address, date of birth, gender, photograph, mobile number (if available), and email address (if available) to the service provider electronically.

As the service is paperless and fully electronic, document management can be eliminated. Also, the KYC data being consent based, it can only be provided upon authorisation by the resident through Aadhaar authentication, thus protecting resident’s privacy.

This process will eliminate the requirement of lengthy paperwork and facilitate quicker transactions. It is expected that the e-KYC will enhance customer convenience and greatly increase business efficiency across sectors. That apart, e-KYC  will also eliminate document forgery and reduces the risk of identity misuse.

Both end-points of the data transfer are secured through the use of encryption and digital signature as per the Information Technology Act, 2000 making e-KYC document legally equivalent to paper documents. In addition, the use of encryption and digital signature ensures that no unauthorized parties in the middle can tamper or steal the data. The Ministry of Finance, has already recognized e-KYC as a valid document for all financial services under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) Rules.

e-KYC is not only beneficial to consumers, but also to service providers because they do not have to store any kind of photo copies. Everything is centralized and stored digitally helping them save on paper costs. Since the entire data is machine readable, it is possible for the service provider to directly store it as the customer record in their database for purposes of service, audit, etc. without human intervention making the process low cost and error free. Additionally, e-KYC is instantaneous so service providers can start consumer service immediately, which will go a long way in enhancing customer satisfaction.

e-KYC impact on Aadhar enrolment

As per the latest figures put out by the UIDAI, 40.36 crore Aadhar cards have been generated and issued till the middle of August 2013. The progress has not been even across the country.  While Andhra Pradesh (6.74 crores) and Maharashtra (6.43 crores) lead in absolute numbers, the states of  Goa (88.7%) Delhi (87.5 %), Himachal Pradesh (86.4%)  Sikkim (85.9%) and  Kerala (81.94%) have achieved better coverage.

Though, the  process of issuing Aadhar cards began in September 2010, a large number of city dwellers are still fence sitters, not being able to see much of the perceived benefits accruing to them. The launch of e-KYC which promises to remove KYC hassles is expected to work as a motivator for large number of people to enrol for Aadhar in the near future. UIDAI Chairperson Nandan Nilekani expects to issue 60 crore Aadhar cards by 2014.  To facilitate issue of Aadhar cards, the UIDAI has announced setting up of permanent enrolment centres in various states.

Top 10 states by absolute numbers :

Rank	State	Population (2011 Census)	AADHAARs Issued	% of Population
	INDIA	121,05,93,422	40,36,50,286	33.34%
1	Andhra Pradesh	8,46,65,533	6,74,56,581	79.67%
2	Maharashtra	11,23,72,972	6,43,15,705	57.23%
3	Madhya Pradesh	7,25,97,565	2,83,08,980	38.99%
4	Kerala	3,33,87,677	2,73,58,063	81.94%
5	Karnataka	6,11,30,704	2,68,96,649	44.00%
6	Rajasthan	6,86,21,012	2,62,89,295	38.31%
7	Tamil Nadu	7,21,38,958	2,52,25,569	34.97%
8	West Bengal	9,13,47,736	2,01,74,821	22.09%
9	Jharkhand	3,29,66,238	1,93,20,345	58.61%
10	Punjab	2,77,04,236	1,86,11,732	67.18%

POVERTY ESTIMATES FOR 2011-12

 

Union Government of India proposed plan to raise FDI Limit in Key Sectors

To promote India as an attractive destination for investment, the Union Finance Ministry on 18 June 2013 proposed sweeping changes in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regime. 

The committee that was headed by the Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram recommended to raise the Foreign Direct Investment limit to 49 percent from 26 percent at present in almost all sectors like multi-brand retail, defence and telecom through automatic route.

The committee also recommended the government to increase the cap of FDI to 74 percent in multi-brand retail trading and 49 percent in single-brand retail. 

About Arvind Mayaram Committee:

The Union Government in March 2013 constituted a four-member committee to give clear definitions to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) with an aim of removing the ambiguity from both types of foreign investments. The Committee was headed by the Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram and the high power committee constituted a DIPP Secretary, an RBI Deputy Governor and a SEBI Whole-time Member. The report pf the committee was submitted to the Union Ministry of Finance on 18 June 2013.

PMO forms executive panel on implementing the 8 missions of the NAPCC

A secretary level committee has been constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assist the PM’s council on climate change in implementing the 8 missions of the National Action Plan of Climate Change (NAPCC).
The absence of Inter-ministerial coordination has crippled the implementation of the missions resulting in the setting up of the executive panel on climate change to be headed by principal secretary to Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji.

What is the job of the panel:
The committee will regularly monitor the implementation of the eight missions, other climate change initiatives and advise the Prime Minister’s council on modifications in the objectives, strategies and structure of the missions.
The Prime Minister’s council on climate change was formed in 2007, in order to co-ordinate national action for assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

What is NAPCC and what are its 8 missions:

 NAPCC is a comprehensive action plan which outlines measures on climate change related adaptation and mitigation while simultaneously advancing development. The 8 Missions form the core of the Plan, representing multi-pronged, long termed and integrated strategies for achieving goals in the context of climate change. The Eight Missions are:

I. National Solar Mission
Objective:

• Make solar energy competitive with fossil-based energy options.
• Launch an R&D programme facilitating international co-operation to enable the creation of affordable, more convenient solar energy systems.
• Promote innovations for sustained, long-term storage and use of solar power.

II. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

• The Energy Conservation Act of 2001 provides a legal mandate for the implementation of energy efficiency measures through the mechanisms of The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in the designated agencies in the country.
• A number of schemes and programmes have been initiated which aim to save about 10,000 MW by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan in 2012.

III. National Mission on Sustainable Habitats
Objective:

• Make habitats sustainable through improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste and a modal shift to public transport.
• Promote energy efficiency as an integral component of urban planning and urban renewal through its initiatives.

IV. National Water Mission
Objective:

• Conserving water, minimizing wastage, and ensuring more equitable distribution and management of water resources.
• Optimizing water use efficiency by 20% by developing a framework of regulatory mechanisms.

V. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
Objective:

• Empowering local communities especially Panchayats to play a greater role in managing ecological resources.
• Reaffirm the measures mentioned in the National Environment Policy, 2006.

VI. National Mission for a Green India
Objective:

• To increase ecosystem services including carbon sinks.
• To increase forest and tree cover in India to 33% from current 23%.

VII. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
Objective:

• Make Indian agriculture more resilient to climate change by identifying new varieties of crops (example: thermally resistant crops) and alternative cropping patterns.
• Make suggestions for safeguarding farmers from climate change like introducing new credit and insurance mechanisms and greater access to information.

VIII. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change
Objective:

• Work with the global community in research and technology development by collaboration through different mechanisms. It also has its own research agenda supported by climate change related institutions and a Climate Research Fund.
• Encourage initiatives from the private sector for developing innovative technologies for mitigation and adaptation.

WHO Recommendation on Health Sector

As per sample registration system (SRS) report 2010, Under-five mortality rate is 59 per 1000 live births which translates into 1.5 million deaths of the children below age of 5 years and Neo-natal mortality rate stands at 33 per 1000 live births which translates into 0.87 million neonatal deaths in the country.

India does not rank lowest in public health care spending. As per World Health Statistics 2012 of WHO, India ranks 17th among 194 member states in ascending order of General Govt. Expenditure on health as a percentage of total expenditure on health. Public expenditure on Core Health (both plan and non-plan and taking the Centre and States together) was about 1.04 per cent of the GDP during 2011–12.

There is no specific WHO recommendation in this regard. However, draft 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) document envisages increasing total public funding, plan and Non-Plan on core health from 1.04% of GDP in 2011-12 to 1.87% of GDP by the end of the 12th Plan. 

Increase in Diabetic Patients

According to diseases burden study on Non Communicable disease by ICMR in 2006, the prevalence of Diabetes was 62.47 cases per thousand. Under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) launched in 2010, screening of 1.29 crore persons has been done of which 9.67 lakh persons (7.48%) are suspected for diabetes. As per the programme, opportunistic screening of persons above the age of 30 years for diabetes & hypertension in various health care facilities viz. District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Sub-Centres is being undertaken in 100 Districts in 21 States. Each district in the programme is being supported with Rs.50,000/- per month for essential drugs and consumables for Diabetes and Hypertension. Diabetic patients are treated in the Government healthcare delivery system through Community Health Centres and District Hospitals besides Government Medical Colleges and Tertiary Health Care Institutions. NPCDCS, in addition to early diagnosis of persons and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management also promotes awareness generation for behaviour and life style changes. Drugs are also made available through other Central and State Government programmes/ schemes. Needy persons are also supported through Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) and Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant. Extension of the NPCDCS programme to cover all districts in the country in a phased manner is envisaged during the 12th Five Year Plan. Government of India is also giving support for strengthening /upgradation of Medical colleges/ District Hospital which includes services for non communicable diseases including diabetes. 

Data on Girl Child Sex Ratio

The Ministry has noted with concern the continuing decline in Child sex ratio as per Census 2011. Although the overall sex ratio has increased from 927 in 2001 to 940 in 2011, child sex ratio (0-6 years) has declined from 927 females per thousand males in 2001 to 914 females per 1000 males in 2011 as per Census 2011. The data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation also points to a decline in child sex ratio in the ( 0-6 yrs) group.

As per UNICEF’s Coverage Evaluation Survey-2009 (CES-2009), 39% of children between 12-24 months in the country are not fully vaccinated with all vaccines under Universal Immunization Programme.

Reasons for partial or no immunization include the following: (i) Did not feel need (ii) Not knowing about vaccine (iii) Not knowing where to go for immunization (iv) Time not convenient (v) Fear of side effects (vi) Do not have time (vii) Vaccine not available (viii) Place not convenient (ix) ANM absent (x) Long waiting time (xi) Place too far (xii) Service not available.

The Government of India has declared year 2012-13 as the year of intensification of Routine Immunization. Various steps have been taken under Immunization programme to increase coverage and these include need based Central funding and commodity assistance to States, support for logistics such as Alternate Vaccine Delivery (AVD), capacity building of service providers at all levels, strengthening reporting and management of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), Strengthen supportive supervision at all levels, involvement of ASHAs for social mobilization of children, carrying out immunization weeks in North Eastern States, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Intensified IEC/Behaviour change Communication, increasing community participation and strengthening the follow up of children through mother and child tracking system etc. 

Scheme for Providing free Sanitarypads in Rural areas

Use of sanitary napkins during monthly periods is poor in rural areas.  Links are clear between poor menstrual hygiene and urinary & reproductive tract infections.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age-group of 10 to 19 years in rural areas in 2010. The key objectives of the scheme are to increase awareness among adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene, to increase access to and use of quality sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in rural areas and to ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.

In the first phase, the scheme has been initiated as a pilot to cover 25% of the country’s adolescent girl population (aged 10 to 19 years), i.e., 1.5 crore girls in 152 districts across 20 States, with centralised supply by the Government of India in 107 districts and through Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the remaining 45 districts. Implementation has currently started in 107 districts, covered under central supply. Under the scheme, sanitary napkins are sold to adolescents girls at the rate of Rs. 6 per pack of six napkins, i.e. Re. 1/- per sanitary napkin by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) every month under NRHM’s brand, ‘Freedays’. 

Drop in Child Sex Ratio

As per Census 2011, the child sex ratio (0-6 years) has declined from 927 females per thousand males in 2001 to 914 females per 1000 males in 2011.

The State/UT Government have the key responsibility to effectively implement the PC & PNDT Act. Government of India on its part, is committed to strengthen effective implementation of the PC & PNDT Act to address the declining child sex ratio in the country and has been providing technical, financial and IEC support to the States. Further Government has been regularly monitoring the progress of implementation of the Act.

As an outcome of increased efforts by the Government, Quarterly Progress Reports are now reflecting an improved compliance of the provisions of the Act by States/ UTs. So far, a total of 556 cases have been registered against violation of the PC & PNDT Act in last two years as against only 739 cases between 1995 and 2010. There are 111 convictions secured so far and medical license of 33 convicted doctors have been suspended by respective State Medical Councils.

The measures include the following:

1. Regular meetings of Central Supervisory Board and other statutory bodies under the PC & PNDT Act

2. Scaling up of inspections of ultrasound facilities by the by National and State Inspection Committees and action against violations of the Act

3. Comprehensive awareness generation activities through print and electronic media, community mobilization by Non Governmental Organizations, involvement of religious leaders, women achievers etc in the campaign against discrimination of the girl child.

4. The Government is rendering financial support to the States and UTs for Information, Education and Communication campaigns and for strengthening structure for the implementation of the Act under the National Rural Health Mission.

5. Sex Ratio to ascertain the causes, plan appropriate Behaviour Change Communication campaigns and effectively implementation provision of the PC & PNDT Act.

Government of India accords high priority to the issue of missing children on account of sex determination and will continue to implement a multi-pronged strategy to curb female foeticide in the country. The steps include awareness generation and legislative measures as well as programmes for socio-economic empowerment of women. The Government will continue to take necessary steps for effective implementation of the PC & PNDT Act with the co-operation of the states. 

Poland to host next round of UN climate talks

Poland will host the next round of UN climate talks in 2013.

The decision to hold the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Warsaw, capital of Poland, in 2013 was adopted by negotiators from over 190 countries here in the capital of Qatar, Doha, at the 18th session of the COP.

Poland was chosen on the basis of geographical rotation as next year marks the turn of East European countries to host the annual UN event.

Poland, which relies on carbon-intensive coal for nearly all its power needs, has already voiced concern that greater action on climate will harm its economy.

At the latest UN climate conference in Doha, negotiators extended the Kyoto Protocol, the only internationally binding treaty on cutting emissions of greenhouse gases, to the end of 2020.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialised countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Bangalore better than Delhi, Mumbai in quality of living: Survey

Bangalore ranks better than New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata amongst Indian cities in overall global quality of living index, according to a Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey.

Mercer conducts this survey annually to help multinational companies and other organisations compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments. According to the global consulting firm, its Quality of Living index list covers 221 cities, ranked against New York as the base city.

Global ranking by infrastructure

This year’s ranking separately identifies the cities with the best infrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone and mail services, public transportation, traffic congestion and the range of international flights from local airports, a statement said.

Singapore is at the top of this index, followed by Frankfurt and Munich. Copenhagen (4) and Dusseldorf (5) fill the next two slots, while Hong Kong and London share sixth place. Port-au-Prince (221) ranks at the bottom of the list.

Indian cities

Bangalore’s overall quality of living rank went up from 141 in 2011 to 139 in 2012 and is highest amongst other Indian cities. While New Delhi ranks (143), Mumbai (146), Chennai (150), and Kolkata (151) in overall Quality of living.

Bangalore’s rise in its quality of living ranking can be attributed to positive ratings for international schools which are suitable for expatriates, the survey says.

Mumbai ranks highest on city infrastructure category (134) amongst Indian cities followed by Kolkata (141), New Delhi (153), Chennai (168), and Bangalore (170).

Vienna retains top slot

In a statement issued here, Mercer said, Vienna retains the top spot as the city with the world’s best quality of living. Zurich and Auckland follow in the second and third place, respectively. Munich is in the fourth place, followed by Vancouver, which ranks fifth.

Düsseldorf dropped one spot to rank sixth followed by Frankfurt in seventh, Geneva in eighth, Copenhagen in ninth, and Bern and Sydney tied for the 10th place.

Asia-Pacific cities

Qualifying the Asia-Pacific cities, the survey says that Australian and New Zealand cities rank higher on the index with Sydney (11), Wellington (13), Melbourne (18) and Perth (21) following Auckland (3).

At the bottom

Globally, the cities with the lowest quality of living are Khartoum, Sudan (217); N’Djamena, Chad (218); Port-au-Prince, Haiti (219); and Bangui, Central African Republic (220). Baghdad, Iraq (221) ranks last.

Region-wise

Honolulu (28) is the city in the United States with the highest quality of living, followed by San Francisco (29) and Boston (35). Chicago is at 42 and Washington, DC ranks 43. New York, the base city, ranks 44.

In terms of city infrastructure, Vancouver (9) tops the ranking for the region with Atlanta and Montreal following at 13. In the United States, Dallas ranked 15, followed by Washington, DC (22), Chicago (28) and New York (30).

Europe has 15 cities among the world’s top 25 cities for quality of living. Vienna retains the highest-ranking for both the region and globally. With six cities in the top 10, European cities also fare well in the city infrastructure ranking.

Infant/Child Mortality Rate

The number of infant/child mortality cases is not reported at the national level. The Infant Mortality Rate has shown consistent 3 point annual decline since 2008. As per SRS report of Registrar General of India, IMR has declined from 53 per 1000 live births in 2008 to 44 per 1000 live births in 2011.

Under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), flagship programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the following interventions are implemented to reduce neonatal and child mortality rates in the country:

1) Promotion of Institutional Delivery through Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Promoting Institutional delivery to ensure skilled birth attendance is key to reducing both maternal and neo-natal mortality. JSY incentivizes pregnant women to opt for institutional delivery and provides for cash assistance. JSSK entitles all pregnant women to absolutely free and zero expense delivery including caesarean section operation in Government health facilities and provides for free to and fro transport, food, drugs and diagnostics. Similar entitlements have also been put in place for sick neonates.

2) Strengthening Facility based newborn care: Newborn care corners (NBCC) are being set up at all health facilities where deliveries take place to provide essential newborn care at birth to all new born babies; Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) at District Hospitals and New Born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at FRUs are being set up for the care of sick newborn. As on date 399 SNCUs, 1542 NBSUs and 11508 NBCCs are functional across the country.

3) Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC): Home based newborn care through ASHA has recently been initiated to improve new born care practices at the community level and for early detection and referral of sick new born babies. The schedule of home visits by ASHA consists of at least 6 visits in case of institutional deliveries, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 & 42nd days and one additional visit within 24 hours of delivery in case of home deliveries. Additional visits will be made for babies who are pre-term, low birth weight or ill.

4) Capacity building of health care providers: Various trainings are being conducted under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to build and upgrade the skills of doctors, nurses and ANM for early diagnosis and case management of common ailments of children and care of newborn at time of birth. These trainings include Integrated Management of Neo-natal and Childhood Illness (IMINCI) and Navjaat Shishu Surakshta Karyakaram (NSSK). A total of 5.5 lakh health care workers have been trained in IMNCI in 471districts and 88,428 health workers trained in NSSK so far.

5) Management of Malnutrition: Emphasis is being laid on reduction of malnutrition which is an important underlying cause of child mortality. 647 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres have been established for management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). Iron and Folic Acid is also provided to children for prevention of anaemia. Recently, weekly Iron and Folic Acid is proposed to be initiated for adolescent population. As breastfeeding reduces infant mortality, exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are being promoted in convergence with Ministry of Woman and Child Development.

6) Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are also being organized for imparting nutritional counseling to mothers and to improve child care practices.

7) Universal Immunization Program (UIP): Vaccination against seven diseases is provided to all children under UIP. Government of India supports the vaccine program by supply of vaccines and syringes, cold chain equipments and provision of operational costs. UIP targets to immunize 2.7 crore infants against seven vaccine preventable diseases every year. 21 states with more than 80% coverage have incorporated second dose of Measles in their immunization program. Pentavalent vaccine has been introduced in two states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and proposed to be scaled up in six more states. Year 2012-13 has been declared as ‘Year of intensification of Routine Immunization’. India has achieved a historic milestone by remaining polio free for one full year now. WHO has taken India off the list of polio endemic countries.

8) Mother and Child Tracking System: A name based Mother and Child Tracking System has been put in place which is web based to enable tracking of all pregnant women and newborns so as to monitor and ensure that complete services are provided to them. States are encouraged to send SMS alerts to beneficiaries reminding them of the dates on which services are due and generate beneficiary-wise due list of services with due dates for ANMs on a weekly basis.  

BSE joins UN's Sustainable Stock Exchanges global initiative

The Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd (BSE) announced that it has joined the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative.

The SSE initiative was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi in 2009 at UN headquarters in New York City.

The BSE has been the first amongst global peers to join five other leading exchanges that have publicly committed to promoting sustainable investment practices.

Other exchanges include the Brazilian stock exchange BM & FBOVESPA, Egyptian Exchange (EGX), Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and NASDAQ OMX made a commitment towards improving sustainability at the Sustainable Stock Exchanges 2012 global dialogue in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year.

BSE is also credited with launching the first-ever live Carbon Index BSE-GREENEX in India, earlier in 2012. The index measures the performances of companies in terms of carbon emissions.

"BSE is committed to working with investors, companies and regulators in playing a transformative role towards enhancing sustainability in Indian capital markets.

The initiative aims at exploring how exchanges can work together with stakeholders to enhance corporate transparency and performance on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) issues besides encouraging responsible long-term approaches to investment.

15 Greenfield airports to come up in next few years

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on October 8  announced that 10 to 15 Greenfield airports would be built in the next few years to improve aviation infrastructure. The new airports at Chennai and Kolkata would be commissioned soon.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 49 Conference of Director General of Civil Aviation of Asia-Pacific region here, Mr. Singh said the government had drawn up a plan to modernise around 50 non-metro airports in the next two years.

Rural Business Hubs

The Rural Business Hubs (RBH) is a steady influx of rural people to urban areas in search of employment and economic opportunity.  Also, there is a wide gap between rural and urban areas in terms of public services like health and education, in the quality of life and levels of income.  This gap is perceived to be widening.  The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment, 1992, has mandated Panchayats as Institutions of Self Government, to plan and implement programmes of economic development and social justice.  Government of India has recognized thatPanchayati Raj is the medium to transform rural India 700 million opportunities.  There is also a felt need to ensure that the benefits of rapid economic growth, unleashed through the reforms of the last two decades, need to flow to all sections of society, particularly to rural India. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has adopted the goal of "Haat to Hypermarket" as the overarching objective of the Rural Business Hubs (RBH), initiative aimed at moving from more livelihood support to promoting rural prosperity, increasing rural non-farm incomes and augmenting rural employment. 

The budget allocation for the RBH scheme introduced during the Eleventh Five Year Plan w.e.f. 2007, has been fairly small, as a result of which the scheme has been restricted to the BRGF districts and districts of the North Eastern States. The implementation of the scheme has not taken off as anticipated and due to the lack of response by various partners, it has been decided to taper off the scheme during the 12th Plan. RBH projects have been sanctioned for various products including metal work, carpets, embroidery, biofuels, horticultural products etc. However, as the scheme is not being continued in 12th Five Year Plan, no further steps are proposed to be taken for creating awareness or training people in the production of these items.

           Details of total employment generated by the Rural Business Hubs that have been set up are not maintained by the Ministry of PanchayatiRaj. However, the number of beneficiaries of various RBH projects is given State-wise as below: 

Sl.No.	State	Number of Beneficiaries
1	Andhra Pradesh	500
2	Arunachal Pradesh	300
3	Assam	2220
4	Bihar	54
5	Chhattisgarh	4046
6	Haryana	100
7	Himachal Pradesh	500
8	Jharkhand	1030
9	Karnataka	200
10	Kerala	340
11	Madhya Pradesh	N.A.
12	Maharashtra	5487
13	Manipur	1065
14	Meghalaya	300
15	Orissa	120
16	Rajasthan	4050
17	Tamil Nadu	1140
18	Tripura	554
19	Uttar Pradesh	1116
20	Uttarakhand	2500
21	West Bengal	5860
	Total	31482

Note: N.A. = Not available