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100% digitisation of ration cards done, a major step towards leak-proof PDS in the country

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by in Current Affairs, Economics, Farmers, INDIA, NATIONAL NEWS, Prices

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Over 54 crore people benefiting with Rs 2/wheat and Rs3/kg rice after the implementation of Food Security Act in 27 States.

Record procurement of paddy made extending MSP benefit to more farmers

 The Government has achieved significant mile stones in the reforms of PDS. Almost 100 % (99.9%) ration cards have been digitised across the country. Over 42 % ration cards have been even linked with Aadhaar cards and Point of Sale Devices, to keep electronic record of allocation to the beneficiaries, have been installed in over 77,000 ration shops. These measures will help making PDS more transparent and leak proof. This was stated by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan while addressing media in Bhubaneswar yesterday.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by his Ministries during last 20 months, Shri Paswan said that number of states implementing National Food Security Act has now increased to 27, benefiting over 54 crore people with Rs 2/kg wheat and Rs3/kg rice. Now all the States 36 States/UTs have and online  redressal of PDS grievances and toll free number for beneficiaries. Online allocation of foodgrains is being made in 20 states.

Shri Paswan said huge paddy procurement has been made during on-going Kharif season ensuring reach of MSP operations to more farmers. 261.37 lakh tonnes paddy has been procured till February 11, 2016 while during last kharif season it was 215.49 lakh tonnes. Even in Odisha procurement till date is 16.07 Lakh tonnes while during last season it was 15.06 lakh tonnes.

Highlights of other initiatives of Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution are:

  • NFSA implementation likely in all the States/UTs by April this year. National Food Security Act (NFSA) which came into force in July, 2014, now being implementing in 27 States/UTs.  By April it is likely to be implemented in all remaining States/ UTs.
  • In order to check leakage and diversions and to facilitate Direct Cash Transfer of food subsidy to the beneficiaries has been launched in Chandigarh and Puducherry in September, 2015, Under the scheme, in lieu of foodgrains subsidy component is credited directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries who will be free to buy foodgrains from anywhere in the market.
  • The Central Government also decided to share 50% (75%  in the case of Hilly and difficult areas) of the cost of handling & transportation of foodgrains incurred by the states and the dealers’ margin so that it is not passed on to the beneficiaries and they get coarse grains Rs1/kg, wheat at Rs2/kg and rice at Rs 3/kg.
  • To ensure that beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act get entitled foodgrains positively, rules for payment of food security allowance to the beneficiary in the case of non-delivery of foodgrains have been notified.
  • In order to provide nutritional security to the economically vulnerable sections of society and to have better targeting of “other welfare schemes’ for poor, a Committee of Ministers set up under the chairmanship of Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has decided continuation of foodgrain allocation for Other Welfare Schemes and also has recommended for providing milk and eggs – pulses etc. under the schemes.

Improving foodgrain management

 Sustained efforts have resulted in significant reforms in TPDS. As a result so far-

 99.9 % ration cards digitized. 42% ration cards have been seeded with Aadhaar, Online allocation of foodgrains implemented in 20 states/UTs. 77,631 FPS automated by installing ‘Point of Sale’ device.Online grievance redressal implemented and Toll free help lines installed in all the 36 States/UTs  Transparency portal to display all operations of TPDS launched in 27 States/UTs

Relief to farmers

In order to give relief to the farmers affected by the unprecedented rains & hailstorms last year, Government relaxed Quality norms for the wheat procurement and also decided to reimburse amount of value cut on such relaxation to the States so that farmers get full Minimum Support Price (MSP). Such a farmer’s centric step has been taken for the first time by any Central Government.

 In a bid to increase reach of minimum support price (MSP) operations to more farmers and increase procurement of paddy, the procurement policy has been modified and private firms have been allowed to procure paddy from farmers in a cluster, identified by the respective state government in the states of Assam, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. These states lack necessary infrastructure and experience in large scale procurement operations and the Food Corporation of India (FCI), too, does not have a robust procurement mechanism which often forces farmers to go for distress sale. Private firms would deliver custom milled rice (CMR) at the FCI or state government-owned agency godowns.

  • For creation of 1.5 LMT Buffer Stock of Pulses, FCI started procurement pulses from farmers at market price or MSP whichever is higher. FCI has targeted the procurement of 20,000 MT of Arhar, 2,500 MT of Urad (Total 22,500 MT) during Kharif Marketing Season 2015-16. Similarly, target has been fixed for procurement of 40,000 MT Chana and 10,000 MT of Masur (Total 50,000 MT) during Rabi Marketing Season 2015-16.
  • The drop in international prices of imported oils was affecting the prices of domestically produced edible oils consequent upon which farmers’ interests were affected. Department of Food and Public Distribution had recommended an increase in the import duty. Accordingly, the import duty on Crude oils has been increased from existing 7.5% to 12.5% and the import duty on refined oils from existing 15% to 20%. on 17.09.2015

 Reforms in FCI

 To bring all operations of FCI Godowns online and to check reported leakage, “Depot Online” system initiated in 30 sensitive depots. Depot Online System will be rolled out in all the FCI-Owned Depots by May this year and in all other hired depots by year end.

  • The FCI has been asked to take up construction modern silos for storage of total 100 lakh MT capacity at different locations in the country under PPP mode which will help in maintaining the quality of foodgrains, minimize losses and ensure rapid bulk movement of foodgrains.
  • Time bound construction plan is:
  • 2015-16- completion of 5 LMT capacity,
  • 2016-17-completion of 15 LMT capacity,
  • 2017-18- completion of 30 LMT capacity
  • 2018-19- completion of 30 LMT capacity
  • 2019-20- completion of 20 LMT capacity
  • The Government of India approved sale of wheat and rice available in central pool above the stocking norms in the beginning the quarter of 2015-16 under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), 53.62 lakh MT of wheat and 0.84 lakh MT of Grade-A rice has been sold up to 9nd January 2016. Open Market Sale at reasonable rates is made to check inflation.
  • Despite last two years having been monsoon deficit years, due to robust procurement arrangement made by FCI, there is more than adequate foodgrain stock available with the Government under Central Pool. As on 1st January, 2016, there is 237.88 lakh MT of issuable wheat stock under Central Pool. Similarly, on 1st January, 2016 there is a stock of 126.89 lakh MT of rice under Central Pool, which is 50.79 lakh MT more than stocking norms. This excess quantity will help in meeting any contingencies arising due to monsoon deficit or natural calamities.
  • Government revised the buffer norms in January, 2015 for better management of foodgrain storage. During 2015-16 both storage and transit losses have been reduced to (-) 0.03% due to storage gain in wheat and 0.39% against MoU target of 0.15% and 0.42% respectively.
  • Storage capacity for central pool stocks of food grains increased to 796.08 lakh MT. New godowns having capacity of 10 lakh MT under Private Entrepreneur Guarantee Scheme (PEG) constructed in 20 States. Besides this storage capacity of 62,650 MT in North East under Plan Scheme and 1.78 lakh MT in 12 States added through CWC.
  • 610.50 lakh MT of foodgrains were allocated to States/UTs for distribution under TPDS and other Welfare Schemes during 2015-16 (upto 18.01.2016).
  • The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) also achieved all time high turnover of Rs. 1562 crore in 2014-15.
  • A transformation plan for the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) has been initiated to streamline the warehousing sector. The work on for creation of IT platform and rewriting of rules and procedures has been initiated.

 Steps taken to liquidate cane price arrears of farmers –

The Government took several measures to facilitate payment of cane price arrears by infusing liquidity into the sector.

 A scheme for extending soft loans to the extent of Rs. 6000 crore to the sugar industry was notified on 23.6.2015. Rs 4152crore have been disbursed under the scheme. The government also extended period by one year for achieving eligibility under the soft loan scheme and decided to bear the interest subvention cost to the extent of Rs. 600 crore for the extended period.

  • Direct Subsidy to farmers, Government decided to pay a production linked subsidy of Rs 4.50 per quintal cane in 2015-16 season, to sugar mills to offset the cost of cane and facilitate timely payment of cane price dues of farmers for sugar season 2015-16. A notification in this regard issued on 2.12.2015. Funds released under the scheme shall be directly credited into farmers’ accounts.
  • The export incentive on raw sugar has been increased from Rs 3200/MT to Rs. 4000/MT. Funds have been allocated to support 14 lac MT (LMT) of raw sugar exports as against 7.5 LMT achieved last year. In September 2015 Government also announced quotas for mills and co-operatives for mandatory exports of four million tonne of sugar in 2015-16.
  • The Government has enhanced import duty on sugar from 25% to 40% to discourage imports. Also, to prevent leakages of sugar in the domestic markets, the export obligation period has been reduced from 18 months to 6 months under the Advanced Authorization Scheme.
  • Blending targets under Ethanol Blending Programme scaled up from 5% to 10%.
  • Remunerative prices for Ethanol supplied for blending have been substantially increased and excise duty on ethanol supplied for blending in the next sugar season has been waived. As a result, the supplies of ethanol for blending have increased from about 32 crore liters per year to 83 crore liters per annum. It is also noteworthy that the sugar industry is now active in the Ethanol Blending Program, by supplying 6.82 cr ltrs of ethanol to Oil Marketing Companies during the current sugar season (since October, 2015) as against mere 1.92 cr ltrs supplied during the corresponding period in the last season. Furthermore, the contracted quantity under EBP is at an unprecedented 120 cr ltrs in the current season which a historic high.
  • As a result of  these sustained efforts, the cane price arrears which were Rs. 21,000 crore in peak in April 2015 in sugar season of 2014-15 have came down to Rs. 2,700 crore as on 12.1.2016.

 New provisions to promote quality of consumer products and services

  • In order to ensure quality of products and services for common consumer, the Government introduced Bureau of Indian Standards Bill, 2015 in Parliament to replace 29 years- old BIS Act. The new Bill has been approved by the Lok Sabha. In the new Bill provisions have been made for simpler self-certification mechanism, mandatory hallmarking, and product recall and product liability for better compliance to standards.
  • To improve “ ease of doing business”, simplified conformity assessment schemes, including self- certification and market surveillance instead of inspectors visiting factories introduced, thereby ending the inspector raj on standards.
  • New provisions proposed will promote harmonious development of standardisation activities, enabling GoI to bring mandatory certifications regime for goods or service considered vital from viewpoint of health, safety, environment, and prevention of deceptive practices. Provision to prevent import of below par products, providingmandatory hallmarking of precious metal articles, increased scope of conformity assessment, and enhancement of penalties and implication are the important provisions in the Act. The new Bill has also made increased penal provisions for better and more effective compliance and compounding of offence for violations
  • New Bill provides for recall, including product liability of products not conforming to relevant Indian Standards
  • Registration for manufacturers of electronic products to safeguard consumer / industry against sub-standard imports provided.
  • Under the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, steps taken to formulate/upgrade standards on potable water, street food and garbage disposal.

Boost to consumer protection 

  • Consumer Protection Bill 2015 that seeks to simplify and strengthen consumer grievance redressal procedure introduced in the Parliament this year. Setting up of a Central Protection Authority which will have powers torecall products and initiate class suit against defaulting companies, including e-retailers proposed. E-filing and time bound admission of complaints in consumer courts is another important provision made in the Bill.

The Government adopted six points joint action plan for consumer awareness and protection. This will include:

(i) Jointly developing and implementing industry standard for grievance redressal
(ii) All Members of the Industry Associations to partner with the National Consumer Helpline and State Consumer Helplines

(iii) Launching of joint awareness campaigns

(iv) Earmarking of CSR funds for consumer welfare activities

(v) Developing a self-regulation code

(vi) Action against fake, sub-standard, counterfeit products

It would be launched on the World Consumer rights day on March 15 this year.

  • Joint campaign organised with Heath, Financial Services and other departments for greater consumer awareness.  During the year the Department of Consumer Affairs intensified its multimedia campaign under the banner of Jago Grahak Jago, with special emphasis on rural area.
  • An Inter-Ministerial Monitoring Committee constituted for key sectors that matters to consumers viz Agriculture, Food, Healthcare, Housing, Financial Services and Transport, to facilitate policy coherence and coordinated action on consumer.
  • To tackle the menace of misleading advertisement, a dedicated portal www.gama.gov launched. It enables consumers to register their grievances against misleading advertisements in six key sectors viz. food and agriculture, heath, education, real estate, transport and financial services. The complaints lodged are taken up with the relevant authorities or the sector regulators and the consumer is informed after the action taken.

 

  • To provide a host of consumer services under one roof, GrahakSuvidhaKendras launched in six locations: Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna and Delhi on March 18, 2015. Such centres will be set up in every State in a phased manner.  .

 

Measures to ensure availability of Essential food items at reasonable prices

In order to ensure availability of essential food items at reasonable prices the Government took flowing decisions recently:

  • Advance action plan drawn to ensure availability of Essential Commodities and weekly monitoring meeting of an inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Secretary Consumer Affairs.
  • Decision taken to procure 1.50 lakh MT of pulses for creating buffer stock. Decision to import of 10,000 MT pulses already taken.
  • MSP increased for kharif pulse by Rs 275 per qtl for Tur&Urad, and by Rs 250 per qtl for Moong.
  • Ban on export of all pulses, except Kabuli Chana; and Organic Pulses & lentils up to 10,000 MTs. Zero import duty on pulses extended upto Sept, 2016.
  • Zero import duty extended till 30th September 2016.
  • States/UTs empowered to impose stock limits, on Onions and Pulses to check hoarding and black marketing under EC Act, 1955.
  • Other edible oil in branded consumer pack of up to 5 kgs is permitted with MEP of USD 900 per MT w.e.f. 6.2.2015

ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేట్లు-ప్రపంచ పెట్టుబడిదారుల పాట్లు

11 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by in Current Affairs, Economics, INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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ఎం కోటేశ్వరరావు

    వడ్డీ రేట్ల తగ్గింపు గురించి మన దేశంలో ఇప్పటికీ పెద్ద చర్చే జరుగుతోంది. వడ్డీ రేట్లు తగ్గించండి మా తడాఖా ఏమిటో చూపుతామని పారిశ్రామిక, వాణిజ్య వేత్తలు విధాన నిర్ణేతలను సవాలు చేస్తుంటారు.అది నిజమా ? అయితే జపాన్‌తో సహా అనేక ధనిక దేశాలు అసలు వడ్డీ లేకుండా రుణాలు ఇస్తున్నప్పటికీ ఆ దేశాలు తీవ్ర ఆర్ధిక మాంద్యాన్ని ఎందుకు ఎదుర్కొంటున్నాయి. బ్యాంక్‌ ఆఫ్‌ జపాన్‌ ప్రతికూల వడ్డీరేటు విధానాన్ని ఎందుకు అమలులోకి తెచ్చింది? ఆ దేశాలలోని ధనికులు ముఖ్యంగా ద్రవ్య పెట్టుబడిదారులు బయటి దేశాలకు పెట్టుబడులు తరలించాలని ఎందుకు ఆలోచిస్తున్నారు? ఎక్కడకు తరలిస్తారు ?

    ఈనెల మొదటి వారంలో ప్రపంచ ధనిక దేశాలలో మూడవ స్ధానంలో వున్న జపాన్‌ సెంట్రల్‌ బ్యాంక్‌(మన రిజర్వు బ్యాంకు వంటిది) వడ్డీ రేేటును మైనస్‌ 0.1శాతానికి తగ్గించింది. అంటే ఒక పుల్లయ్య అనే ఒక బ్యాంకు జపాన్‌ రిజర్వు బ్యాంకులో డిపాజిట్‌ రూపంలో డబ్బు దాచుకుంటే జపాన్‌ ఎలాంటి వడ్డీ చెల్లించకపోగా డబ్బు దాచుకున్నందుకు పుల్లయ్య నుంచే వడ్డీ వసూలు చేస్తుంది. దీనినే ప్రతి కూల వడ్డీ అంటారు. ప్రస్తుతానికి అనేక దేశాలలో ఇది రిజర్వు బ్యాంకులు-వాణిజ్య బ్యాంకుల మధ్యలావాదేవీలకు పరిమితం అయినప్పటికీ రాబోయే రోజుల్లో మదుపుదార్ల నుంచి కూడా ఇలాంటి ఎదురు వడ్డీ వసూలు చేసినా ఆశ్చర్యం లేదనే వ్యాఖ్యలు వెల్లడవుతున్నాయి. ఇలాంటి పరిస్ధితి మన దేశంలో అర్ధం చేసుకోవటం కష్టం. అసలు ఇలాంటిది జరుగుతుందని అంటే నమ్మటం కూడా కష్టం. చైనాలో ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్ధ మందగిస్తున్న కారణంగా అంతర్గత ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్ధ బలహీనపడుతున్నదని అందువలన అవసరమైతే ప్రతి కూల వడ్డీ రేటును మరింతగా పెంచాల్సి వస్తుందని కూడా బ్యాంక్‌ ఆఫ్‌ జపాన్‌ హెచ్చరించింది. సరిగ్గా అంతకు ముందు ఎనిమిది రోజుల ముందు బ్యాంకు గవర్నర్‌ పార్లమెంట్‌కు నివేదిస్తూ ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు గురించి తీవ్రంగా పరిశీలించటం లేదని చెప్పిన పెద్ద మనిషి అందరినీ ఆశ్చర్య పరిచాడు.

     జపాన్‌లో ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు ప్రకటన చేయగానే అమెరికా స్టాక్‌మార్కెట్‌లో సూచీలు పెరిగాయి. జపాన్‌ ఈ చర్య తీసుకున్నదంటే నాల్గవ ఆర్ధిక త్రైమాసికంలో దాదాపు స్ధంభనలో అమెరికా ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్ధ కొనసాగుతున్న పూర్వరంగంలో మార్చి నెల వరకు తమ దేశ ఫెడరల్‌ రిజర్వు వడ్డీ రేట్లను పెంచ (మార్చ)బోదని స్పెక్యులేటర్లు అంచనాకు వచ్చారు.అంతే కాదు ఐరోపా యూనియన్‌లో కూడా వడ్డీ రేటును తగ్గించారు. ప్రపంచంలో ఇటు వంటి స్ధితి ఏర్పడటం గతంలో ఎన్నడూ సంభవించలేదని, 2008లో ప్రారంభమైన ఆర్ధిక మాంద్యం మరింత తీవ్రం అవుతున్నదనటానికి ఇదొక సూచిక అని కొందరు హెచ్చరిస్తున్నారు. ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు నిర్ణయం జపాన్‌లో అంత తేలికగా జరగలేదు. బ్యాంకు బోర్టులోని తొమ్మిది మంది డైరెక్టర్లలో విబేధాలు రావటంతో ఓటింగ్‌ జరిగి 5-4 ఓట్లతో తగ్గింపు నిర్ణయం తీసుకున్నారు. అంటే ఈ చర్య ఫలితాలను ఇవ్వదనే అభిప్రాయం కూడా బలంగా వున్నదన్నది స్పష్టం. ఇప్పటికే జపాన్‌ వంటి ధనిక దేశాల ప్రభుత్వాలు ద్రవ్య పెట్టుబడిదారుల దగ్గర ఎక్కువ వడ్డీలకు అప్పులు తీసుకొని కార్పొరేట్‌ కంపెనీలకు దాదాపు వుచితంగా రుణాలు ఇస్తున్నాయి. అయినా ఫలితం వుండటం లేదు ఎగుమతులు పెద్దగా పెరగటం లేదు. ఈ స్ధితిలో ప్రపంచంలోనే అధిక మొత్తంలో వున్న ప్రభుత్వ అప్పును తగ్గించాలంటే బ్యాంకుల వడ్డీ రేట్లతో పాటు ప్రభుత్వ బాండ్ల వడ్డీ రేట్లను తగ్గించి నిరుత్సాహపరచాలని కొందరు సాంప్రదాయ ఆర్ధిక వేత్తలు ప్రతిపాదిస్తున్నారు.

      జపాన్‌లో కొత్త నిబంధనల ప్రకారం ఏదైనా వాణిజ్య బ్యాంకు అక్కడి సెంట్రల్‌ బ్యాంకులో డిపాజిట్‌ చేయాలంటే 0.1శాతం ఎదురు వడ్డీ చెల్లించాలి. ఇది గతంలో చేసిన డిపాజిట్లకు కూడా వర్తిస్తుంది. అంటే ఏమిటి మీరు మీ డిపాజిట్లను వెనక్కు తీసుకోండి అని చెప్పటమే. ఎందుకయ్యా ఇలాంటి చర్య తీసుకున్నారంటే అంతర్గతంగా మా పరిస్ధితి బానే వుంది, చమురు మార్కెట్లో ధరలు తగ్గటం, చైనా ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్ధ మందగించటంతో ఈ చర్య తీసుకున్నామని బ్యాంక్‌ ఆఫ్‌ జపాన్‌ చెబుతోంది. నిజానికి జపాన్‌ పరిస్ధితి దిగజారుతోంది. పారిశ్రామిక వుత్పత్తి అంచనాలు దిగజారుతున్నాయి, ఏడాది క్రితంతో పోల్చితే 0.3శాతం ధరలు తగ్గుతాయని అంచనా వేస్తే 0.2శాతం జనవరిలో పెరిగాయి. ఇదే ఏడాది క్రితంతో పోల్చితే గృహస్తులు చేసే ఖర్చు 2.2 శాతం తగ్గుతుందని మార్కెట్‌ అంచనా వేస్తే డిసెంబరులో 4.4శాతం తగ్గింది. వరుసగా నాలుగు నెలల నుంచి తగ్గుతూనే వుంది. ఒకవైపు ఈ చర్య తీసుకున్నప్పటికీ మరోవైపు బ్యాంక్‌ ఆఫ్‌ జపాన్‌ కార్పొరేట్లను ఆదుకొనేందుకు ఆస్తుల కొనుగోలు కార్యక్రమంలో ఎలాంటి మార్పు లేదని ప్రకటించింది. ఈ చర్య స్పెక్యులేషన్‌ పెరుగుదలకు దారితీస్తుంది.

       ఐరోపాలో కూడా సెంట్రల్‌ బ్యాంకులు వడ్డీ రేట్లను తగ్గిస్తున్నాయి. దీంతో కారుచౌకగా డబ్బు దొరకనుందని అమెరికా మార్కెట్‌ పండుగ చేసుకోంటోంది. డిసెంబరు నెలలో 0.25 వడ్డీ రేటు పెంచినందుకు అమెరికా ఫెడరల్‌ రిజర్వు చర్యను అనేక మంది తప్పు పడుతున్నారు.అయితే ఎదురు వడ్డీ రేటు విధానం వలన కలిగే లాభాల కంటే జరిగే నష్టమే ఎక్కువని అనేక మంది ఆందోళన వ్యక్తం చేస్తున్నారు. ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు విధానాన్ని ప్రవేశ పెట్టటానికి అన్ని దేశాలకూ కారణాలు ఒకటిగానే వుంటున్నాయి. ద్రవ్యోల్బణం తగ్గింపు ప్రధాన అంశం. విదేశాల నుంచి పెట్టుబడులు ప్రవేశించకుండా చూసేందుకు స్విడ్జర్లాండ్‌ ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు పద్దతిని ఎంచుకుంది.దీని వలన స్విస్‌ కరెన్సీ విలువ పడిపోతుంది. కరెన్సీ విలువ పడిపోతే ఎగుమతిదారులు సంతోషిస్తారు, దిగుమతి ఖర్చు పెరగటంతో దిగుమతిదారులు విచారిస్తారు.(ఈ కారణంతోనే మన రూపాయి విలువ పతనమౌతున్నా ప్రభుత్వం ప్రేక్షకపాత్ర వహిస్తోందన్నది దిగుమతి దార్ల విమర్శ అయితే , ఎగుమతులను పెంచేందుకు ప్రభుత్వమే విలువ తగ్గింపు చర్యలకు పాల్పడుతోందని ఎగుమతిదార్ల సంతోషం). అయితే ఈ సాధారణ సూత్రం అన్ని సందర్బాలలో అన్ని దేశాలకూ వర్తించదని అనేక అనుభవాలు వెల్లడించాయి. మన దేశమే అందుకు వుదాహరణ. మనరూపాయివిలువ పతనంతో పాటు మన ఎగుమతులూ పతనమౌతున్నాయి. తన ఎగుమతులు ఖరీదైనవిగా మారినప్పటికీ అమెరికా తన డాలరు విలువ తగ్గకుండా చూస్తోంది. అయితే ఇతర ధనిక దేశాలన్నీ ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు విధానాలను అమలు జరిపితే అమెరికాపై కూడా ఆ వత్తిడి పెరుగుతుంది. ఒక ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్ధను గాడిలో పెట్టేందుకు చేసిన అన్ని ప్రయత్నాలూ విఫలమైన తరువాతే తెగింపుతో ప్రతికూల వడ్డీ రేటు విధానాన్ని అమలు జరుపుతారన్నది ఒక అభిప్రాయం. ఈ పద్దతి వర్తమాన తరాలకు కొత్తగా కనిపించినా గతంలో మరో రూపంలో ఈ ప్రతిపాదన వచ్చింది. జర్మన్‌ ఆర్ధిక వేత్త సిల్వియో గీసెల్‌(1862-1930) కరెన్సీ నోట్లు విలువను కోల్పోయినపుడు పోస్టాఫీసుల్లో వాటి విలువ ఎంతో ప్రతినెలా నోట్లపై ముద్ర వేయించాలని ప్రతిపాదించాడు. అందుకు గాను కొంత చార్జీ వసూలు చేయాలని పేర్కొన్నాడు. దాన్నే స్టాంపడ్‌ మనీ అన్నారు.అయితే ఇది ఆచరణలో సాధ్యం కానప్పటికీ అది మంచి సూచనే అని ఆర్ధికవేత్త జాన్‌మేనార్డ్‌ కీన్స్‌ తనపుస్తకంలో ప్రస్తావించారు.

    ప్రతి కూల వడ్డీ రేట్లు బ్యాంకుల లాభదాయకతను దెబ్బతీస్తాయని, ఆర్ధిక అస్థిరతకు దారితీస్తాయని కొందరు హెచ్చరిస్తున్నారు. ప్రస్తుతం అమలులో వున్న చర వడ్డీ రేట్ల ఒప్పందాలపై ప్రభావం చూపుతాయని చెబుతున్నారు. పెట్టుబడిదారీ ప్రపంచంలో పెరుగుతున్న సమస్యలకు, వాటిని పరిష్కరించటంలో వైఫల్యానికి ఈ పరిణామం దర్పణం.

Global Crude oil price of Indian Basket was US$ 31.66 per bbl on 04.02.2016

06 Saturday Feb 2016

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The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 31.66 per barrel (bbl) on 04.02.2016. This was higher than the price of US$ 30.16 per bbl on previous publishing day of 03.02.2016.

In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket increased to Rs 2147.13 per bbl on 04.02.2016 as compared to Rs 2056.24 per bbl on 03.02.2016. Rupee closed stronger at Rs 67.81 per US$ on 04.02.2016 as against Rs 68.18 per US$ on 03.02.2016. The table below gives details in this regard:

 

Particulars     Unit Price on February 04, 2016 (Previous trading day i.e. 03.02.2016) Pricing Fortnight for 01.02.2016

(14 Jan to 27 Jan, 2016)
Crude Oil (Indian Basket) ($/bbl)               31.66             (30.16)   26.05
(Rs/bbl           2147.13         (2056.24) 1763.06
Exchange Rate   (Rs/$)               67.81             (68.18)     67.68

 

U.S. Futures Daily Cotton Market – 4th February, 2016

05 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by in CHINA, Current Affairs, Economics, Farmers, INDIA, INTERNATIONAL NEWS, NATIONAL NEWS, Prices, USA

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Contract Open * High Low Close * Settle Change
Mar ’16 61.89 61.89 59.99 60.28 60.23 -1.71
May ’16 62.34 62.37 60.42 60.77 60.70 -1.71
  Jul ’16 62.79 62.80 60.98 61.36 61.27 -1.50
Oct ’16 0 0 0 0 60.91 -1.41
Dec ’16 62.50 62.55 60.90 61.33 61.26 -1.36
� Open and Close prices reflect the first and last trade in the market and do not correlate to any opening or        closing period �
Cotlook ‘A’ Index 68.70 (-0.25)

 

**MARKET OUTLOOK**

India & International Market Highlights:

• Widespread whitefly damage to cotton crops in Pakistan could result in production levels falling to an 18-year low in 2015/16.

• Viscose prices have continued bottoming out in China after a small number of leading producers had previously agreed to lower their production.

North Zone:

Cotton traded steady tone across major spot markets of north India on Thursday. Prices were down Rs 05-10 per maund.  In Punjab, ready delivery cotton traded at Rs 3535-3540 a maund. In Haryana, it offered at Rs 3,510-3,520 while in Rajasthan, ready delivery new cotton quoted at Rs 3,470-3,530 a maund.

Central Zone:

Cotton spot prices steday tone across west India market on Thursday. Gujarat Sankar-6 cotton traded at  Rs 33700-34200 per candy. while B-Grade Cotton traded flat at Rs 33200-33500 per candy. V 797 cotton offered at Rs 22500-23500 a candy. While in Maharashtra, mech-1 good grade quoted at Rs 33700-34200 a candy.

South Zone:

Cotton spot price was steady tone across the major trading centers of south India.  

US Cotton Futures :

Cotton futures tumble: February 05, 2016 – Cotton futures fell on Wednesday despite a sharply weaker dollar and strength elsewhere in the commodity complex as investors hesitated to increase long positions ahead of the looming index fund roll, when large funds move positions forward from the front-month. “They don’t have a long time to build up a significant long,” said Louis Rose, independent cotton trader and consultant with Risk Analytics in Memphis, Tennessee. March cotton on ICE Futures US settled down 0.36 cent, or 0.58 percent, at 61.94 cents per lb. It traded within a range of 61.77 and 62.59 cents a lb. Total futures market volume fell by 4,576 to 43,027 lots. Data showed total open interest gained 2,126 to 197,632 contracts in the previous session. Certificated cotton stocks deliverable as of February 2 totalled 26,614 480-lb bales, down from 27,784 in the previous session. The dollar index was down 1.70 percent. The Thomson Reuters CoreCommodity CRB Index, which tracks 19 commodities, was up 2.50 percent. Copyright Reuters, 2016

Pakistan :

Cotton prices increase: February 05, 2016 — Karachi : Prices moved higher at the local cotton market on Thursday amid short supplies of high grade lint variety, brokers said.  The official spot rate held steady at Rs5,400 per maund. The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) reported traders purchased 2,800 bales at Rs4,450 to Rs5,675 per maund as compared to Rs4,800 to Rs5,650/maund during previous trade. By and large, prices remained firm at the overnight level, but till the close of the trading session, some quality lint was quoted at higher prices.  “There is dearth of stocks lying with spinners and they see prices to remain on higher side in anticipation of shortfall in cotton production during the current season,” said a broker at Karachi Cotton Association. “The short supply prospects of cotton triggered buying at the market,” the broker said.  Many traders expect the cotton market to witness a steady trade on account of ease in demand for the cotton yarn by the spinners who are under capacity.

China :

Chinese industrial park in Ahmedabad to go functional by end of 2017: 2016-02-03 : The first Chinese general Industrial park with focus on textiles will be functional by the end of 2017 near Ahmedabad. The infrastructure for the park will be ready by 2017-end and some of the companies will begin setting up their units by the same time, said the country head of China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME) in India, Kamlesh Bhadani. An MoU for setting up this project was signed between China Development Bank and Gujarat government during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015. The state government has set up a high-power committee under the chairmanship of the additional chief secretary of industries for this project. A group of senior officials of CASME and China Development Bank, including Bhadani and vice-managing director of China Development Bank Xiao Ming Zhen, had met the state chief minister last month. Zhen had said that work on the $1 billion industrial park will begin soon. The ground breaking of the project is likely to be held in the next few months. Bhadani said that they are looking at two land pockets — one in Sanand and other on Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway. It is going to be a general park and its developer will be CASME. Once the Chinese New Year celebrations are over, they will be conducting road shows and other campaigns to create awareness about this industrial park among the Chinese firms. The work on project will be expedited from March. Bhadani, speaking about the focus on textile sector in this park said that many of the Chinese textile firms will prefer to have a local partner as they will be coming from different environment. There is hardly any value addition in India to the raw material which is exported to China. The Chinese textile companies will do manufacturing here in Gujarat and export the finished product to China, as there is a huge market for this in China Some of companies interested in the project have already visited Ahmedabad and few more will be coming soon. These firms would like to do due diligence before investing here. Besides bringing in investment, this park will also provide employment on a large scale.

Win or lose, the campaign is an opening for movements fighting inequality

05 Friday Feb 2016

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THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOMINATION RACE

Why the Bernie Sanders insurgency matters

Bernie Sanders’ achievement in Iowa, a virtual tie with Hillary Clinton, was one of the most remarkable electoral results in recent memory. Just as noteworthy as Sanders’ rise in the polls — he closed a 50-point gap in Iowa in just over six months — is the way his campaign’s themes and issues have resonated with a mass audience.

The core messages of the Sanders campaign, once scoffed at or derided when they were expressed by Occupy Wall Street, have become common sense for millions of people.

This is especially true among young people. Sanders won a staggering 84 per cent of Democrats under 30 in Iowa.

For some time now, mainstream political commentators have been throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Sanders to dissuade primary voters from taking his campaign seriously. These pundits, presenting themselves as hard-headed realists while wagging their fingers, try to explain away Sanders’ growing public appeal. They are unwilling, and seemingly unable, to look fairly at what the campaign is proposing and how that might relate to people’s lives.

In other words, the pundits’ job is to distract from the things that really matter: the series of concrete ways that people’s lives could be be improved. Sanders’ meteoric rise, whatever else has helped bring it about, is a response to real inequality, stagnant incomes and bleak prospects for many Americans.

For an example of myopic punditry, take a look at how Canadian writer Stephen Marche described a Sanders rally in Iowa late last year:

“Sanders’s exasperation was the principal fact to be communicated, more than any political content. Trump was about winning again. Sanders was about having lost. The vagueness of American politics is what astonished the outsider. It’s all about feelings and God and bullshit. Sanders actually uttered the following sentence out loud: ‘What we’re saying is when millions of people come together to restore their government we can do extraordinary things.’ Nobody asked what he meant. Nobody asked for numbers. They applauded. Better to take it in the spirit in which it’s given, like a Catskills resort comedian.”

You have to work pretty hard to so completely miss the content of a Bernie Sanders stump speech. The same core issues are there every time. And yes, policy proposals, granted ones presented in broad brushstrokes, are clearly enumerated. Even his triumphant speech in Iowa late Monday night relentlessly went through the issues, one by one. Each of these key points highlights ways in which real inequality manifests, and points (albeit in some cases not far enough) toward reform and remedies that will benefit real people. On all these issues, Sanders is offering more than the corporate money supported Clinton.

If the pundits and ideologues weren’t sowing so much confusion, it wouldn’t even be necessary to point this out.

$15 minimum wage

While some cities in the United States have recently raised their minimum wage, with some even planning to get to $15 within a few years, the inflation-adjusted minimum wage across most of the country is lower today than it was in the 1970s. Consider that. Four decades of economic advance have left the lowest paid worse off. Minimum wage workers today may have iPhones, but too many are barely making ends meet for themselves and their families.

Of course, simply raising the minimum wage won’t be enough.

Sanders’ call for a nationwide $15 minimum wage is an integral part of his message that inequality is not natural but the result of policy choices and power. Raising the minimum wage is not only about restoring something ephemeral like dignity, but also about slowly swinging the pendulum of power back towards workers.

Of course, simply raising the minimum wage won’t be enough. Less than 10 per cent of U.S. workers are members of a union today. Reinvigorating the labour movement in a way that brings power back to the grassroots will have to happen for more substantive change. Bernie’s push for a $15 minimum wage across the United States and his focus on the need for greater participation and democracy could help push this more transformative change forward.

Universal health care

At the surface, the U.S. health care system is marked by a huge contradiction: the country manages to both spend the most on health care among developed countries and do very poorly on a raft of health measures.

Bernie Sanders’ championing of universal public health care exposes the simple cause of this disparity: the network of private health insurers, private health providers, pharmaceutical companies and army of consultants who all profit from the unequal and rationed delivery of what should be a human right.

Universal health care would immediately impact the lives of millions of people. The drama of not having coverage or having the wrong kind of coverage or not having enough to pay for a deductible or even just the small dramas of navigating the maze of forms, payments and providers — all of these would be alleviated with the social democratic cure of a universal public service.

When the media reduces Sanders’ program to economic inequality, it glosses over the many social and other inequities that are deeply intertwined with economic inequality. Poor health, for example, is a highly racialized issue. Just look at the enormous gaps in life expectancy and other measures.

Health and economics aren’t separate, and one can’t be reduced to the other, but a system where income and wealth go disproportionately to the 1 per cent while tens of millions don’t have access to health care at all and untold millions have inadequate care only reproduces and deepens deep divisions.

Free public college

Maybe it’s not such a mystery why young people overwhelmingly prefer Sanders to Hillary Clinton.

It might have something to do with his key campaign proposal of abolishing tuition fees at all four-year public universities and colleges in the United States. In fact he’s already put the idea forward, introducing legislation in the Senate for new federal spending on postsecondary education, to be supplemented by state-level funds.

When faced with accusations that free college is unrealistic, Sanders blasts back by listing all the European countries where free tuition has already been introduced. He also calls for relief of student debt, which has become a nationwide crisis. (Even 40-something Republican presidential contender Marco Rubio talks about how he only recently paid off his student loans.)

Students, and the many young workers who can’t afford to be students, would appear to be perfectly rational political actors in flocking to Sanders.

Progressive taxes

Sanders’ pledges to expand and universalize services are matched by his willingness to talk about paying for them. If inequality has grown and public services have deteriorated, it is because money has been flowing upwards and sticking rather than being redistributed.

Delivering a full range of universal services will require more people to pay more in taxes.

New income and wealth do go disproportionately to the top 1 per cent and less of the population, as Sanders doesn’t shy from repeating. Any social democratic program will need to reverse this flow. Sanders has proposed higher income taxes on the wealthy, closing loopholes for investment income and taxes on Wall Street speculation to this end.

The senator from Vermont has broken the consensus on the anti-tax, pocketbook rhetoric that has dominated politics in the United States and elsewhere — rhetoric that is the home turf of everyone from Hillary Clinton to Ted Cruz. Delivering a full range of universal services will require more people to pay more in taxes and a redirection of resources away from waste such as the military and corporate subsidies.

A truly different economy will require far more democratic participation. Talking about the wealthy paying more, saying that it is “too late for establishment economics” and inching towards greater contributions from most for social(ized) goals, Sanders has opened an important debate.

Taking climate change seriously

It’s one of the most repeated applause lines of Sanders speeches: Climate change is real, humans are causing it, and we have a moral responsibility to act to mitigate it.

Sanders has one the support of many prominent activist campaigners including 350.org’s Bill McKibben.

This statement is maddeningly obvious, but it’s a direct response to the ongoing climate denialism of the Republicans, a party that is one of the last bastions of this retrograde nonsense on the planet.

But as an early champion of climate issues, however, Sanders has one the support of many prominent activist campaigners including 350.org’s Bill McKibben. What’s more, his general rhetoric is matched by leadership in opposing specific fossil fuel megaprojects. Whereas Clinton waited years to take a position against the Keystone XL tar sands proposal, Sanders took a strong stand against it early on, helping push the Obama administration to their eventual rejection of the pipeline.

Political revolution

These measures, and other needed measures that go beyond the limits of Sanders’ campaign, require deep political transformation. Contrary to the typical rhetoric of presidential candidates, Sanders has made this reality central to his campaign.

His campaign is not a manicured, media-driven effort to sell a progressive product.

Sanders’ call for “political revolution” is the glue that holds his program together and differentiates him from other upstart Democrats of the last decades. His campaign is not a manicured, media-driven effort to sell a progressive product. He seems to genuinely understand and want to inspire grassroots political mobilization. He will not turn decades of economic degradation into engagement for a truly democratic economy over the course of a presidential campaign, but it is hard to say that his campaign cannot bear fruit for the U.S. left.

Two moments stood out from Bernie’s speech in Iowa Monday night. The first was his finger pointed at the camera early on, calling out the media for willfully misrepresenting his campaign. Then there were his closing remarks, which echoed the common theme of political revolution, imploring those interested in his campaign to join actively.

These simple messages are the stuff to build off on in his campaign: we have to take on powerful interests and we have to do it actively.

Far from being just a lament for what has been lost, Sanders’ campaign has stoked new hopes and energized new political constituencies. Millions of people can see that there is, as the campaign slogan says, “a future to believe in.” But this future won’t be delivered by one politician; this future can only be fought for and won by millions.

This article first appeared in ricochet.media

U.S. Futures Daily Cotton Market – 2nd February, 2016

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Economics, Farmers, INDIA, INTERNATIONAL NEWS, NATIONAL NEWS, Prices, USA

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Contract Open * High Low Close * Settle Change
Mar ’16 61.61 62.50 61.49 62.13 62.30 +0.51
May ’16 61.95 62.78 61.92 62.47 62.65 +0.45
  Jul ’16 62.17 62.95 62.14 62.75 62.88 +0.49
Oct ’16 0 0 0 0 62.34 +0.73
Dec ’16 61.61 62.45 61.61 62.34 62.41 +0.57
� Open and Close prices reflect the first and last trade in the market and do not correlate to any opening or        closing period �
Cotlook ‘A’ Index 68.45 (+0.50)

Required Carded CVC Ne 40/1 (80/20) & Ne 40/1 Cotton / Bamboo Melange (60/40) for Direct Exports

WE CAN PROVIDE COTTON LINTER FROM INDIA TO CHINA. Please Contact : rahul.mrtextiles@gmail.com

**MARKET OUTLOOK**

India & International Market Highlights:

• India`s Cotton exports are expected to rise by 21.27% to 70 lakh bales during the 2015-16 season, mostly due to rise in demand from Pakistan.

• The decline of the Chinese currency renminbi has raised import prices of yarn above domestic price levels.

North Zone:

Cotton traded steady tone across major spot markets of north India on Wednesday.  In Punjab, ready delivery cotton traded at Rs 3545-3550 a maund. In Haryana, it offered at Rs 3,530-3,540 while in Rajasthan, ready delivery new cotton quoted at Rs 3,490-3,550 a maund.

Central Zone:

Cotton spot prices steday tone across west India market on Wednesday. Gujarat Sankar-6 cotton traded at  Rs 33700-34200 per candy. while B-Grade Cotton traded flat at Rs 33200-33500 per candy. V 797 cotton offered at Rs 22500-23500 a candy. While in Maharashtra, mech-1 good grade quoted at Rs 33700-34200 a candy.

South Zone:

Cotton spot price was steady tone across the major trading centers of south India.  

US Cotton Futures :

Cotton futures post biggest gains in two weeks: February 03, 2016 – Cotton futures surged on Monday to their highest single-session gains in two weeks, lifted by a weaker dollar and end-user buying at low price levels and bucking a rout across most commodities. Still, prices remained within the same tight range they have been trading in for months. “They’re not chasing it higher,” said Chris Kramedjian, a risk management consultant with INTL FCStone in Nashville, Tennessee, noting that physical buying evaporated at the upper end of the day’s range. “We’re still in the middle of the range.” March cotton on ICE Futures US settled up 0.66 cent, or 1.1 percent, at 61.79 cents per lb. It traded within a range of 60.85 and 62.00 cents a lb. Total futures market volume rose by 1,696 to 38,571 lots. Data showed total open interest gained 2,648 to 198,357 contracts in the previous session. Certificated cotton stocks deliverable as of January 29 totalled 27,784 480-lb bales, down from 28,706 in the previous session. The dollar index was down 0.59 percent. The Thomson Reuters CoreCommodity CRB Index, which tracks 19 commodities, was down 1.96 percent. Speculators cut their net long position to 18,555 lots from 22,806 lots in the latest week. The Relative Strength Index in the most-active contract rose to 46.363. Copyright Reuters, 2016

Pakistan :

Slow off-take on cotton market: February 2nd, 2016 – KARACHI: Much of the trading activity remained around low quality cotton on Monday as the availability of quality lint is becoming difficult with each passing day. Floor brokers said that out of 1.1 million bales held by ginners, only 30 per cent of stocks are of quality lint. On an average 1.2m bales are consumed per month by the spinning industry under normal circumstances, but current depressed demand on the cotton yarn market is keeping cotton off-take slow, they added. With around seven months for the arrival of cotton next crop (2016-17) there should have been frenzied buying from spinners. The spinning industry continues to import cotton from Indian and only last week around one million bales were imported, brokers added. According to market sources, most deals finalised between spinners and ginners were in lower quality cotton priced at Rs5,550 to R5s,650 per maund. The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) cut its spot rates by Rs50 per maund to Rs5,400. Major deals on ready counter were: 3,700 bales from Sanghar (Rs4,550 to Rs4,725 per maund), 400 bales from Shahdadpur (Rs4,750), 600 bales from Burewala (Rs4,850), 400 bales from Fort Abbas (Rs5,350), 400 bales from Multan (Rs5,400), 400 bales from Layyah (Rs5,500), 600 bales from Mianwali (Rs5,500 to Rs5,550), 600 bales from Yazman Mandi (Rs5,650), 1,000 bales from Rahimyar Khan (Rs5,650).

China :

China to lose, to Vietnam, top rank among cotton importers: 2nd Feb 2016 – China, which last season lost to India the title of the world’s top cotton producer, is to give up top rank in imports too, the International Cotton Advisory Committee said, citing the enhanced competitiveness of polyester. The committee deepened to 40%, from 34%, its forecast for the top in Chinese cotton imports in 2015-16, taking the estimate from 1.2m tonnes to 1.08m tonnes (5.0m bales). Imports at that level – besides coming in below expectations of commentators such as the US Department of Agriculture, which forecasts them at 5.5m bales — would be the lowest in 13 years. And they would, on ICAC projections, demote China to equal second, with Bangladesh, on cotton imports, behind Vietnam, which is expected to buy 1.1m tonnes this season. “Cotton imports by Vietnam in the first four months of 2015-16,” which began in August, “totalled 327,000 tonnes, while those by China totalled 247,000 tonnes,” the committee noted.
Cotton vs polyester: The ICAC highlighted the role in Vietnam’s rise as a cotton importer, with volumes seen soaring 17% this season, its low labour costs. “Consumption in both Vietnam and Bangladesh is increasing steadily, due to lower production costs, but both produce very little cotton, and instead must rely on imports to meet demand,” the committee said. However, it also flagged the enhanced competitiveness of polyester, of which China produces 72% of global supplies, making this fibre a particularly acute rival to cotton for the country’s mills. Polyester’s discount to cotton has “continued to widen”, the ICAC said, reporting that values of the artificial fibre had averaged 48 cents a pound in the first half of 2015-16. Cotton prices, as measured by the Cotlook A index, averaged 70 cents a pound. “The ongoing drop in polyester prices cuts into cotton’s market share, particularly in China where polyester has been favoured over cotton in recent seasons,” the committee said, cutting by 200,000 tonnes to 7.1m tonnes its estimate for Chinese cotton consumption in 2015-16.
New season forecasts: The comments came as the ICAC left little changed its forecast for world cotton inventories at the close of this season, pegging the figure at 20.5m tonnes, a drop of some 1.6m tonnes year on year. And, in its first estimates for 2016-17, it forecast a further drop in inventories, albeit at a far slower rate, of some 1m tonnes, against expectations of improved production and flat consumption. Inventories, at 19.5m tonnes, would at the close of 2016-17 fall below 20m tonnes for the first time in four years, but remain high by historical standards, equivalent to 80.7% of annual consumption. The ICAC gave no explanation for its forecasts, which saw world production improving to 23.1m tonnes, but remaining behind world consumption, at 24.1m tonnes. Courtesy – by Agrimoney.com

Health Ministry issues guidelines on Zika Virus Disease

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Current Affairs, Health, International, INTERNATIONAL NEWS, Science

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,India issued guidelines on the Zika virus disease, here today. The text of the guidelines is as follows.

Background

Zika virus disease is an emerging viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This is the same mosquito that is known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya.  Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947.

World Health Organization has reported 22 countries and territories in Americas1 from where local transmission of Zika virus has been reported. Microcephaly in the newborn and other neurological syndromes (Guillain Barre Syndrome) have been found temporally associated with Zika virus infection. However, there are a number of genetic and other causes for microcephaly and neurological syndromes like Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Zika virus disease has the potential for further international spread given the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector, a lack of immunity among population in newly affected areas and the high volume of international travel. As of now, the disease has not been reported in India. However, the mosquito that transmits Zika virus, namely Aedes aegypti , that also transmits dengue virus,  is widely prevalent in India.

A majority of those infected with Zika virus disease either remain asymptomatic (up to 80%) or show mild symptoms of fever, rash, conjunctivitis, body ache, joint pains. Zika virus infection should be suspected in patients reporting with acute onset of fever, maculo-papular rash and arthralgia, among those individuals who travelled to areas with ongoing transmission during the two weeks preceding the onset of illness.

Based on the available information of previous outbreaks, severe forms of disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and fatalities are rare. There is no vaccine or drug available to prevent/ treat Zika virus disease at present.

World Health Organization has declared Zika virus disease to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 1stFebruary, 2016.

[1] Zika virus disease has been reported so far in the following countries; Brazil, Barbados, Bolivia, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Equador, El Salvador, French Guyana. Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, St Martin, Suriname, Virgin Island  and Venezuela. It may be noted   that this list is likely to change with time. Hence, updated information should be checked periodically.

In the light of the current disease trend, and its possible association with adverse pregnancy outcomes, the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advises on the following:

  1. Enhanced Surveillance

1.1.      Community based Surveillance

 

  • Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) through its community and hospital based data gathering mechanism would track clustering of acute febrile illness   and seek  primary case, if any,  among those who travelled to areas with ongoing transmission in the 2 weeks preceding the onset of illness.
  • IDSP would also advise its State and District level units to look for clustering of cases of microcephaly among newborns and reporting of Gullian Barre Syndrome.
  • The Maternal and Child Health Division (under NHM) would also advise its field units to look for clustering of cases of microcephaly among new borns.

1.2       International Airports/ Ports

  • All the International Airports / Ports will display billboards/ signage providing information to travelers on Zika virus disease and to report to Custom authorities if they are returning from affected countries and suffering from febrile illness.
  • The Airport / Port Health Organization (APHO / PHO) would have quarantine / isolation facility in identified Airports.
  • Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation  will be asked to instruct all international airlines to follow the recommended aircraft disinsection guidelines
  • The APHOs shall circulate guidelines for aircraft disinsection (as per International Health Regulations) to all the international airlines and monitor appropriate vector control measures with the assistance from NVBDCP in airport premises and in the defined perimeter.

1.3       Rapid Response Teams

  • Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) shall be activated at Central and State surveillance units. Each team would comprise an epidemiologist / public health specialist, microbiologist and a medical / paediatric specialist and other experts (entomologist  etc) to travel at short notice  to investigate suspected outbreak.
  • National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi would be the nodal agency for investigation of outbreak in any part of the country.

1.4       Laboratory Diagnosis

  • NCDC, Delhi and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have the capacity to provide laboratory diagnosis of Zika virus disease in acute febrile stage. These two institutions would be the apex laboratories to support the outbreak investigation and for confirmation of laboratory diagnosis.  Ten additional laboratories  would be strengthened by ICMR to expand the scope of laboratory diagnosis.
  • RT- PCR test would remain the standard test. As of now there is no commercially available test for Zika virus disease. Serological tests are not recommended.
  1. Risk Communication
  • The States/ UT Administrations would create increased awareness among clinicians including obstetricians, paediatricians and neurologists about Zika virus disease and its possible link with adverse pregnancy outcome (foetal loss, microcephaly etc). There should be enhanced vigilance to take note of travel history to the affected countries in the preceding two weeks.
  • The public needs to be reassured that there is no cause for undue concern. The Central/ State Government shall take all necessary steps to address the challenge of this infection working closely with technical institutions, professionals and global health partners.
  1. Vector Control
  • There would be enhanced integrated vector management. The measures undertaken for control of dengue/ dengue hemorrhagic fever will be further augmented. The guidelines for the integrated vector control will stress on vector surveillance (both for adult and larvae), vector management through environmental modification/ manipulation; personal protection, biological and chemical control at household, community and institutional levels. Details are at Annexure-I.
  • States where dengue transmission is going on currently due to conducive weather conditions (Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc) should ensure extra vigil.
  1. Travel Advisory
  • Non-essential travel to the affected countries to be deferred/ cancelled2.
  • Pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant should defer/ cancel their travel to the affected areas.
  • All travelers to the affected countries/ areas should strictly follow individual protective measures, especially during day time, to prevent mosquito bites (use of mosquito repellant cream, electronic mosquito repellants, use of bed nets, and dress that appropriately covers most of the body parts).
  • Persons with co-morbid conditions (diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory illness, Immune disorders etc) should seek advice from the nearest health facility, prior to travel to an affected country.
  • Travelers having febrile illness within two weeks of return from an affected country should report to the nearest health facility.
  • Pregnant women who have travelled to areas with Zika virus transmission should mention about their travel during ante-natal visits in order to be assessed and monitored appropriately.
  1. Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Ministry of Health &FW / State Health Departments would work closely with Non-Governmental organizations such as Indian / State Medical Associations, Professional bodies etc to sensitize clinicians both in Government and private sector about Zika virus disease.

2  Based on available evidence, World Health Organization  is not recommending any  travel or trade restrictions.

  1.         Co-ordination with International Agencies
  • National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi, the Focal Point for International Health Regulations (IHR), would seek/ share information with the IHR focal points of the affected countries and be in constant touch with World Health Organization for updates on the evolving epidemic.
  1.         Research
  • Indian Council of Medical Research would identify the research priorities and take appropriate action.
  1.         Monitoring
  • The situation would be monitored by the Joint Monitoring group under Director General of Health Services on regular basis. The guidelines will be updated from time to time as the emerging situation demands.

****

MV/SK

 

 

ముష్టి తగ్గింపుకే అల్ప సంతోషమా ?

02 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by in BJP, Current Affairs, Economics, INDIA, NATIONAL NEWS, Prices

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ఎం కోటేశ్వరరావు

మూడు పైసలు అంటే ఎంత అంకుల్‌ అని అడిగాడు మా పక్కింటి ఎలిమెంటరీ స్కూలు పిల్లవాడు. వాడికి ఎలా చెప్పాలో తెలియలేదు. ఎందుకంటే నాణెం లేదు కదా ! అందుకని చిరాకు వేసి నరేంద్రమోడీ బొమ్మ చూపించాను అంత అని. డీజిల్‌ ధరలు మూడు పైసలు, పెట్రోలు ధరలు కొన్ని ప్రాంతాలలో నాలుగు పైసలు, కొన్ని చోట్ల ఐదు పైసలు తగ్గించినట్లు ప్రభుత్వం వుదారంగా ప్రకటించిన సందర్బంగా మూడు పైసలు అంటే నరేంద్రమోడీ గొప్ప అనుకున్నాడో లేక మరో విధంగా అనుకున్నాడో తెలియదు. పాక్‌ ప్రధాని నవాజ్‌ షరీఫ్‌ లీటరు పెట్రోలు ధర ఐదు రూపాయలు తగ్గించాడు, మన ఘనమైన నరేంద్రమోడీ ముష్టి తగ్గింపు గురించి మాట్లాడుకోవటం సిగ్గు చేటు. అసలు దేశంలో ఏం జరుగుతోంది?

తాజాగా కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వం పెట్రోలుపై లీటరుకు ఒక రూపాయి, డీజిల్‌పై రూపాయిన్నర ఎక్పైజ్‌ సుంకాన్ని పెంచింది.ఈ పెంపుదల మనపై ఏడాదికి దాదాపు 20వేల కోట్ల రూపాయల భారం మోపుతున్నది.ఇదే సమయంలో కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వం సోమవారం నాడు చేసిన ఒక ప్రకటనలో 2013-14 సంవత్సరాలలో వాస్తవ ధరకంటే పెట్రోలియం వుత్పత్తుల అమ్మకం తరుగు రు.1,39,869 కోట్ల నుంచి రు.72,314 కోట్లకు (మరో మాటలో చెప్పాలంటే ప్రభుత్వం ఇస్తున్న సబ్సిడీ మొత్తం ఇది) తగ్గిపోయాయి. మరో రెండు నెలల్లో ముగియనున్న ఆర్ధిక సంవత్సరంలో ఈ మొత్తం ఇంకా గణనీయంగా తగ్గనుంది.ప్రపంచ మార్కెట్లో చమురు ధరలు ఎంతగా తగ్గాయంటే పేదలకు ఇస్తున్న సబ్సిడీ కిరోసిన్‌పై జనవరి నెలలో ఒక లీటరుకు ప్రభుత్వానికి రు.9.16పైసలు పడితే ఈనెల నుంచి రు.5.11కు తగ్గనుంది.ఇదే విధంగా ఎల్‌పిజి ిబ్సిడీ కూడా గణనీయంగా తగ్గిపోయింది.

నరేంద్రమోడీ ప్రధాని బాధ్యతలు స్వీకరించిన గత 20నెలల్లో చమురు ధరలు, రూపాయి విలువలు, పెట్రోలు ధరలలో వచ్చిన మార్పులు ఎలా వున్నాయో చూడండి.(పీపా ఖరీదు డాలర్లలో, మిగిలిన ధరలు రూపాయలలో, డీ.మా( డీలర్ల మార్జిన్‌) ఢిల్లీ మార్కెట్‌ ధరలివి. వ్యాట్‌ రేట్లలో అంతకంటే ఎక్కువ వుంటే రేట్లు పెరుగుతాయి, తక్కువ వుంటే తగ్గుతాయి.

తేదీ             పీపాధర    రిఫైనరీ  ధర డీలరు ధర రూపాయి విలువ కేంద్ర పన్ను రాష్ట్ర పన్ను డీ.మా మొత్తం

07.06.14  120.21    45.22     48.11              58.81  9.48   11.92   2.00    71.51

16.12.14   76.70     30.48     35.74              61.95  13.34  10.22   2.03    61.33

01.02.16   45.11      19.69     23.51              67.68  21.48   12.75  2.25    60.00

దీన్ని బట్టి మనకు ఏం అర్ధం అవుతోంది? పెట్రోలు లీటరు ధర దాదాపుగా 60 రూపాయలుగా ఖరారు చేసినట్లు కనిపిస్తోంది. రాబోయే రోజుల్లో ఇంకా తగ్గితే ఆ మేరకు పన్నులు పెంచి అక్కడే వుండేట్లు చేస్తారు. లేదూ పెరిగితే ధరలు పెరిగితే వినియోగదారులపై మోపే విధానం అనుసరిస్తున్నాం అని చెబుతున్నాం కదా అని రేటు పెంచుతారు. దేశంలో ఏం జరిగినా మనకెందుకులే, మనమేం చేస్తాంలే అనే నిర్లిప్తత ప్రదర్శించే ధోరణి ఇటీవలి కాలంలో పెరిగి పోయింది. దీన్ని అవకాశంగా తీసుకొని పాలకులు భారాలు పెంచుతున్నారు.అవి చివరికి సామాన్యులపైకే నెట్టబడుతున్నాయి.

Petroleum under-recoveries Come down to Rs 72,314 crore

02 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Current Affairs, Economics, INDIA, NATIONAL NEWS, Prices

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The under-recoveries for 2014-15 have been Rs 72,314 crore. The figure was Rs 1,39,869 crore for 2013-14.

Under-recoveries for the month of February 2016 will be Rs 5.11 per litre in case of PDS Kerosene

The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has reviewed international prices of crude oil and petroleum products for the month of January 2016. In the case of PDS Kerosene, the under-recoveries for the month of February 2016 will be Rs 5.11 per litre (Rs 9.16  per litre in last month). The cash transfer to customer under DBTL will be Rs 155.78, out of which Rs. 108.12 will be Cash Compensation on Domestic LPG by Govt. to consumers & Rs 47.66 will be the Cash compensation on Domestic LPG by OMCs towards ‘Uncompensated Costs’ to consumers.

Product-wise Under-recoveries of Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs):

Product Unit Under / (Over) recovery (eff. 1st Feb 16) Cash transfer to customer under DBTL (eff. 1st Feb 16)
PDS Kerosene* (Rs./Litre) 5.11 –
Cash Compensation on Domestic LPG by Govt. to consumers** (Rs./Cylinder) – 108.12
Cash Compensation on Domestic LPG by OMCs towards ‘Uncompensated Costs’ to consumers** (Rs./Cylinder) – 47.66

*Inclusive of the quantum of erstwhile Fiscal Subsidy Scheme 2002 i.e. Rs 0.82/Litre.

** Cash Subsidy is for Delhi market.

 

సున్నతీ నుంచి కూడా లాభాలు పిండవచ్చు !!

31 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Economics, INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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సత్య

     అగ్గిపుల్ల , సబ్బుబిళ్ల ,తలుపు గొళ్లెం, హారతి పళ్లెం కాదేదీ కవిత కనర్హం అని మహాకవి శ్రీశ్రీ చెప్పాడు.అలాగే పెట్టుబడిదారీ వ్యవస్ధలో ప్రతిదాన్నీ లాభాల సంపాదనకు వినియోగించటం ఎలాగో చూస్తున్నాం. వాటిలో ఒకటి సున్నతి. సుంతి లేదా సున్నతి ప్రాంతాలను బట్టి తెలుగులో ఏ పేరుతో పిలిచినా బాల్యంలో పురుషాంగం మొదటి భాగంలో వుండే చర్మాన్ని తొలగించే ప్రక్రియ ఇది. ముస్లింలలో దీనిని విధిగా ఒక పండుగగా కూడా చేసుకుంటారు. దీనిపై తరతరాలుగా పేరుకు పోయిన నమ్మకాలు లేదా మూఢనమ్మకాలు ఎలా వున్నప్పటికీ ప్రపంచ ఆరోగ్య సంస్ధ పరిశీలనలో కొంత మంచి కూడా వుంటుందని తేలింది. ముఖ్యంగా పురుషులు పురుషులతో సంభోగించే వుదంతాలలో ఎయిడ్స్‌ వచ్చే అవకాశాలు తక్కువగా వున్నాయని చెబుతున్నారు. అయితే దీనితో ఎయిడ్స్‌ను పూర్తిగా నిరోధించలేమని కూడా ప్రపంచ ఆరోగ్య సంస్ధ పేర్కొన్నది. అందువలన దీని మంచి చెడుల గురించి ఇక్కడ చర్చించబోవటం లేదు.మొరటు పద్దతులను వినియోగిస్తే ఒక్కొక్కసారి ప్రాణాలకే ముప్పు వచ్చిన వుదంతాలు కూడా వున్నాయి. ప్రపంచ ఆరోగ్య సంస్ధ లేదా బిల్‌ అండ్‌ మిలిందా గేట్స్‌ ఫౌండేషన్‌ వారు ఇటీవలి కాలంలో సుంతీ గురించి ఎక్కువగా ప్రచారం లేదా ప్రోత్సహించటాన్ని అనేక మంది అనుమానిస్తున్నారు. సుంతీ చేస్తే పురుషాంగం శుభ్రంగా వుంటుందని, దానికి వచ్చే క్యాన్సర్‌లను నివారించవచ్చని, ఎయిడ్స్‌ వచ్చే అవకాశాలు కూడా తక్కువే అని ప్రచారం చేస్తున్నారు.

     1980 దశకం నుంచి అమెరికాలో సుంతీ గురించి ప్రచారం ఎక్కువగా జరుగుతోంది. తీరా దీనివెనుక వున్న కధేమిటంటే సుంతీ సమయంలో తొలగించిన చర్మాన్ని విపరీత లాభాలకు అమ్ముకుంటున్నారని తేలింది. ఆ చర్మాన్ని బయోమెడికల్‌, ఇన్సులిన్‌ తయారీ, సౌందర్యసాధనాల కంపెనీలు ఆపరేషన్ల ద్వారా ఆ చర్మాన్ని అమర్చటం, వయస్సు కనపడకుండా చేసే సౌందర్య సాధనాలలో వినియోగించటం, కణాలను కలిపి వుంచటం వంటి అనేక ప్రక్రియలకు వినియోగిస్తున్నారు. ఒక బాలుడి నుంచి సేకరించే చర్మంతో కొలెగాన్స్‌, ఫైబర్ల తయారు చేసేందుకు వుపయోపగడే కణాలు విలువ లక్ష డాలర్లు.

      అమెరికాలో ఏడాదికి 175 కోట్ల డాలర్ల నిఖర లాభాలు (మన రూపాయల్లో లక్షా 19వేల కోట్ల రూపాయలు) సుంతీ ద్వారా వస్తున్నట్లు అంచనా. ఒకరి అనుమతి అవసరం లేదు పెట్టుబడిలేని వ్యాపారం. ఒక్కొక్క సుంతీ చేస్తే వైద్యుడికి 167డాలర్లు వస్తాయట(2010 ధరల్లో) వారానికి ఐదు చేస్తారనుకుంటే నెలకు 3,340 డాలర్లు అంటే ఇప్పటి లెక్క రెండు లక్షల 27వేల రూపాయలు వస్తాయి. రాత్రీ పగలు పనిచేస్తూ మనకు కనిపించే డాక్టర్లకు ఇంకెంత మొత్తం వస్తుందో కదా ! సుంతీ చేయించుకొనే వారిలో ముస్లింలతో పాటు యూదులు కూడా వున్నారు.

    సుంతీ చర్మ వ్యాపారంలో జార్జి సోరస్‌ వంటి పెద్ద తలకాయలు వున్నాయి. వారంతా గేట్స్‌ ఫౌండేషన్‌కు, అమెరికా ఏనుగు, గాడిద రాజకీయ పార్టీలకు దండిగా విరాళాలు కూడా ఇస్తారని వేరే చెప్పనవసరం లేదు. సుంతీ చేయించుకున్నవారికి ఎయిడ్స్‌ వ్యాధి సోకే అవకాశాలు తక్కువ అని ప్రపంచ ఆరోగ్య సంస్ధ పూర్తి సాధికారతతో చెప్పలేదు. పాక్షిక పరిశోధనలతోనే దానిని ప్రచారం చేస్తున్నారనేది ఒక విమర్శ.ఈ ప్రచారంలో ఆఫ్రికా ఖండంలో సుంతీ చేయించుకోవటాలు విపరీతంగా పెరిగాయి. పిల్లలు కాదు పెద్దలు చేయించుకోవటం మొదలు పెట్టారు. వారు కండోమ్‌లను వినియోగించకుండానే తమతో శృంగారంలో పాల్గొనమని వత్తిడి తెస్తున్నారని జింబాబ్వేకు చెందిన సెక్స్‌ వర్కర్లు వాపోయారు. వుగాండాలో తేలిన విషయం ఏమంటే 61శాతం ఎయిడ్స్‌ పెరుగుదల మహిళల్లో కనిపించిందట. సుంతీతో ఎయిడ్స్‌ నివారణ అనే అమెరికా సాయంతో 2011-13మధ్య ఆఫ్రికాలో 47లక్షల సుంతీలు చేయించుకున్నారట.అమెరికాలో 1982కు ముందు సుంతీ చేయించుకుంటే ప్రభుత్వం నిధులు ఇచ్చేది కాదు, తరువాత క్రమంగా ఒక్కొక్క రాష్ట్రం ఆ సౌకర్యాన్ని కల్సిస్తూ వస్తోంది. ఆది వున్న సుంతీలు పెరుగుతుండగా లేని చోట్ల తగ్గిపోతున్నట్లు తేలింది.