The Competition Master

Anonymous hackers access Greek ministry website

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Hackers associated with the activist group Anonymous posted a protest against Greece's EU and IMF-inspired austerity policies on the website of the country's Justice Ministry, a ministry spokeswoman said.  
 The site was taken offline until it was secure, she said.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Hackers involved with the loosely organised group Anonymous have been linked to attacks around the world aimed at punishing governments for policies they dislike or at showing that corporations' data security efforts are inadequate.  
 </li>
<li> The hackers said they were protesting against the near-bankrupt country's bailout by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund which has been associated with unpopular austerity policies.  
 </li>
<li> "You have joined the IMF against your people's acquiescence... democracy was given birth in your country but you have killed it," said a two-minute video in English which said it was from Anonymous and was posted on the ministry website.  
 </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Near-bankrupt Greece is currently locked in last-ditch talks with its creditors to stave off a chaotic default that might spill over to other eurozone countries. 
 </li>
</ul></div>

Anonymous hackers access Greek ministry website

Hackers associated with the activist group Anonymous posted a protest against Greece's EU and IMF-inspired austerity policies on the ...

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RBI launches industrial outlook survey for Jan-March 2012

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it has launched its Industrial Outlook Survey for the January-March, 2012, period. 
 </li>
<li> The survey gives an insight into the perception of non-financial public and private limited companies engaged in manufacturing activities about their performance and future prospects, a press release issued here stated. 
 </li>
<li> The assessment of the business sentiment in the present quarter and expectations for the ensuing quarter are based on qualitative responses to 20 major parameters. 
 </li>
<li> These include overall business and financial situations, demand indicators, price and employment expectations and profit margins, among other parameters. 
 </li>
<li> The survey is intended to provide useful forward-looking inputs for policymakers, analysts and businesses, it said. 
 </li>
<li> The RBI has been conducting the Industrial Outlook Survey on a quarterly basis since 1998. The latest will be the 57th round of the survey. 
 </li>
<li> It has entrusted the task of conducting the survey for the current quarter to the Centre for Research Planning and Action (CERPA). 
 </li>
<li> The CERPA would get in touch with several manufacturing companies during this quarter for seeking their valuable feedback so that it can be included in the survey, it added. 
 </li>
<li> However, those manufacturing companies that are not approached by CERPA can also participate in the survey by downloading the survey schedule from the RBI's official website.    </li>
<li> CERPA, which was established in 1972, conducts social science research, providing consultancy services on developmental issues to help planners and policymakers and also conducts charitable services for the disadvantaged and poor sections of the country, it said. 
 </li>
</ul></div>

RBI launches industrial outlook survey for Jan-March 2012

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it has launched its Industrial Outlook Survey for the January-March, 2012, period. The survey...

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Govt may freeze power capacity to be supplied with coal in 12th Plan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> The Coal Ministry is likely to fix a cap on the power capacity beyond which it would not supply coal during the 12th Plan (2012-17) due to scarcity of the fossil fuel. 
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<li> The ministry feels there is a need for freezing the capacity of power projects to be supplied coal by Coal India (CIL) during the upcoming Plan period. The matter is likely to come up for discussion in a meeting of the Standing Linkage Committee to be held in second week of feb. 
 </li>
<li> The development comes in the wake of the Committee of Secretaries constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently deciding that CIL would be penalised it if does not supply fuel at an 80 pecent "trigger" level. 
 </li>
<li> Earlier, the Planning Commission had asked CIL to sign pacts (Fuel Supply Agreements) with power firms to ensure sufficient supply of dry fuel even if the coal miner has to import it. 
 </li>
<li> A Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) is a document that contains provisions for incentives for meeting commitments and penalties in case of failure. 
 </li>
<li> Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had earlier emphasised on the need to ensure adequate availability of coal in the current fiscal as well as during the 12th Plan (2012-17). He had stated that CIL is at present not willing to sign FSAs assuring a high enough percentage of coal will be delivered. 
 </li>
<li> The Planning Commission had earlier said it is likely fix a target for about 1,00,000 MW of capacity addition in the power sector in the 12th Plan (2012-17). 
 </li>
<li> The demand-supply gap for coal, which stood at 84 million tonnes (MT) last fiscal, is likely to touch 142 MT in the current financial year. 
 </li>
<li> CIL, which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production, has scaled down its production target for the current fiscal to 440 MT from 452 MT. 
 </li>
<li>The public sector firm missed its production target last fiscal and produced 431.325 MT of coal against the revised target of 440.20 MT.</li>
</ul></div>

Govt may freeze power capacity to be supplied with coal in 12th Plan

The Coal Ministry is likely to fix a cap on the power capacity beyond which it would not supply coal during the 12th Plan (2012-17) due t...

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Jharkhand's new industrial policy to focus on SMEs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Giving emphasis on development of small and medium-scale industries as well as skill development, Jharkhand's new industrial policy, would be a growth-oriented policy, said a senior official. 
 </li>
<li> "The policy will lay emphasis on sectors such as food processing, automobile, textiles and Information technology," A P Singh, secretary (industry) of government of Jharkhand, said adding that the policy is ready and in the cabinet for approval. 
 </li>
<li> In the town for a CII programme, the official said these economy-driven industries require less land and generate more employment. 
 </li>
<li> The new policy has provision to grant special incentives with a sole motive to ensure fast industrial growth in the mineral-rich Jharkhand. 
 </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Hailing the steps initiated by the state government to achieve all round development, Singh said, "We have plans to set up 50 more Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in the state". 
 </li>
<li> Besides, the new policy will encourage private entrepreneurs to develop industrial estates in Jharkhand, 40 percent of which will be to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs). 
 </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Referring to the industrial scenario in the state, Singh said they have proposals for project worth Rs 75,000 crores including the cement sector. 
 </li>
</ul></div>

Jharkhand's new industrial policy to focus on SMEs

Giving emphasis on development of small and medium-scale industries as well as skill development, Jharkhand's new industrial policy, ...

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UN declares Somali famine over for now

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> An exceptional harvest after good rains and food deliveries by aid agencies have ended famine in Somalia for now but food stocks could run out again in May, the United Nations said on Friday. 
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<li> The famine, which was declared in July, killed tens of thousands in south and central Somalia, much of which is controlled by Islamist militants. More than 2.3 million Somalis, almost a third of the population, are still in need of aid.  
 </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> Crisis not over </div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Bowden called al Shabaab's expulsion of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from its territories a "critical concern".  
 </li>
<li> The militants this week banned the agency, one of few international aid groups delivering food aid to areas under rebel control, accusing it of distributing out-of-date food.  
 </li>
<li> Al Shabaab denied a hunger crisis persisted, accused relief groups of misleading Somalis and said it would not lift a ban imposed on more than a dozen aid agencies.  
 </li>
<li> The UN said the latest harvest in Somalia was double the average of the past 17 years, and this had lowered food prices, though mortality rates in southern Somalia were still among the highest in the world.  
 </li>
<li> In many parts of the south, acute malnutrition rates remain about 20 percent and access to treatment is severely restricted.  
 </li>
<li> The UN said the current harvest offered respite but would provide just 10 to 20 percent of this year's food needs. It warned food stocks could run out in May, ahead of the main August harvest.  
 </li>
<li> "We have less than 100 days to avoid another famine," said Jose Graziano da Silva, director general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.  
 </li>
<li> "The crisis is not over. It can only be resolved with a combination of rains and continued, coordinated, long-term actions that build up the resilience of the population and link relief with development." 
 </li>
</ul></div>

UN declares Somali famine over for now

An exceptional harvest after good rains and food deliveries by aid agencies have ended famine in Somalia for now but food stocks could ru...

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RAPID GK SERIES 42

RAPID GK SERIES 42

1. The first President of India who died while in office 2. The First Post Office which Opened in India is 3. The Administrative Capital o...

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Govt discontinues weekly Wholesale Price Index release

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5864" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The government today announced discontinuation of release of weekly primary and food inflation data based on the Wholesale Price Index. It, however, will continue releasing the monthly headline or overall inflation data, which also contains the break-up for all segments including food, non-food, and fuel and manufactured items. The headline inflation figures for January are scheduled to be released on February 14. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Besides, the government will also come out with a retail inflation data based on the all-India Consumer Price Index, CPI, from this month. The first nationwide CPI numbers, for the month of January, will come out on 21st of next month. </li>
</ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The government has last month decided to do away with the practice of releasing the weekly primary and food inflation data as the figures were not portraying the holistic picture of the price situation.</li>
</ul></div></div>

Govt discontinues weekly Wholesale Price Index release

The government today announced discontinuation of release of weekly primary and food inflation da...

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The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011–Main Features

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 27, 2011 by the Minister of HRD and Information Technology.  The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Information Technology on January 5, 2012, which is scheduled to submit its report in three months.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Bill provides that the central government, the state government and public authorities shall deliver all public services through electronic modes, except those that cannot be delivered electronically.  The government may also notify other services which will not be delivered electronically.  Services that can be delivered through electronic means include the receipt of forms and applications, the issue of licenses and permits, and receipt and payment of money, among others.  Public authorities are required to deliver services through electronic means within five years of the enactment of the Bill, which may be extended by a further three years.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Bill provides that every public authority should publish the list of public services to be delivered electronically within 180 days of its enactment.  This list should be reviewed every January and the following notified: (a) the date by which each service will be made available electronically and (b) the manner and quality of delivery of such services. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Every public authority is required to notify a Grievance Redressal Mechanism.  Aggrieved persons can file complaints against an authority for failing to provide public services electronically or for deficiencies in the delivery of services.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Bill establishes three-member commissions at the central and state levels.  The central selection committee tasked to appoint the members will consist of the cabinet secretary, a secretary and an expert.  The state selection committee will consist of the chief secretary, a principal secretary and an expert.  The Bill bars judicial review of appointment of members.</li>
</ul></div>

The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011–Main Features

The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 27, 2011 by the Minister of HRD and Information...

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India, Japan and China pact to share data on efficient use of Navy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5866" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">India, Japan and China have entered into a pact to share data to achieve most efficient use of Naval Forces present in the Indian Ocean Region.  </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The initiative is known as Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE). Talking to reporters in New Delhi Wednesday, Naval spokesperson Admiral Monty Khanna said that initiative began functioning from first of last month.  </li>
</ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">It is reported that China, India, and Japan have also agreed to carry out more effective coordination by establishing a convoy coordination working group as part of the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction Mechanism.</li>
</ul></div><a href="http://www.tippani.in/blog/xbusiness.php?submit=showComments&id=5866"> </a></div>

India, Japan and China pact to share data on efficient use of Navy

India, Japan and China have entered into a pact to share data to achieve most efficient use of Na...

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Climate conservation with sustainable growth would be focus of 12th five Year Plan, says PM

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today on Feb 2 said that climate conservation along with sustainable growth will be the focus of the 12th 5-yr plan. A National Action Plan is already in place and progressing satisfactorily.  </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Addressing Delhi-Sustainable Summit in New Delhi today, he called for global cohesion to tackle the problem of climate change. Dr Singh said that cooperation must be based on the foundation of the right to development and the need for an equitable distribution of burden sharing. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Prime Minister said that the problem of global warming needs to be solved in a way that it addresses the concerns of development of the growing economies. He added, India, which is in the frontline of climate vulnerability, has a vital stake in the evolution of a successful response to climate change. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>He stated that India's forest cover had increased by nearly 5 per cent between 1997 and 2007. Dr Singh said that the Green India Mission which aim to increase the forest and tree cover by five million hectares and improve forest cover on another 5 million hectares. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Dr Singh presented sustainable Development Leadership Award for 2012 to President of Finland Ms. Tarja Halonen.</li>
</ul></div>

Climate conservation with sustainable growth would be focus of 12th five Year Plan, says PM

The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today on Feb 2 said that climate conservation along with sustainable growth will be the focus of the ...

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