Indus Valley Civilization

Extent of the civilization

Extent of the IVC

• Centered along the Indus
• Extended into Ghaggar-Hakra and Ganga-Yamuna river valleys
• Encompassed almost entire Pakistan, western India, southeastern Afghanistan and eastern Iran
• Isolated colonies as far away as Turkmenistan
  
• Coastal sites: Sutkagan Dor (Baluchistan), Lothal (Gujarat)
• Easternmost site: Alamgirpur (near Delhi)
• Island site: Dholavira
• Over 500 sites found in the Ghaggar-Hakra river bed, around 100 along the Indus
• First discovery (accidental): village called Brahminabad between Karachi and Lahore (1856)
• First excavated site: Harappa, by Sir J.H. Marshall (1921-22)
• Latest discovery: Sep 2009, rock engravings indicating Indus Valley culture found in Edakkal caves in Wayanad district of Kerala
  

Periodisation

Date Range	Phase	Major sites	Important attributes
7000 – 3300 BC	Mehrgarh	Mehrgarh	Cultivation of wheat and barley Proto-dentistry
3300 – 2600 BC	Early Harappan	Balakot Amri Hakra Kot Diji	Arts and crafts
2600 – 1900 BC	Mature Harappan	Harappa Mohenjo-Daro Kalibangan Dholavira Lothal Rupar	Cultivation of peas, sesame seeds, dates, cotton Domestication of animals Large urban centres with urban planning Dockyards, granaries, warehouses System of weights and measures in the ratio 4:2:1 Stringed musical instruments Bullock carts Maritime trade with Mesopotamia Burial of the dead
1900-1300 BC	Late Harappan	Harappa	Cremation of the dead Rice becomes main crop Expansion to the east Breakdown of trade Possibly identified with Vedic period

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya karyakram

The initiative is to provide comprehensive healthcare and improve the quality of life of children(0-18) through early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays including disability.

Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS)

“Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme“(RGESS),exclusively for the first time retail investors in Securities Market. This Scheme would give tax benefits to new investors who invest up to Rs. 50,000 and whose annual income is below Rs. 10 lakh.

The Scheme not only encourages the flow of savings and improves the depth of domestic capital markets, but also aims to promote an ‘equity culture’ in India. This is also expected to widen the retail investor base in the Indian securities markets.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PML Act) was enacted in 2002 and enforced in 2005 to prevent money laundering and to provide for attachment, seizure and confiscation of proceeds of crime obtained or derived, directly or indirectly from money laundering and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Salient Features of Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2012

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2011 was introduced in order to amend the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970/1980. The said Bill has been passed by both the Houses of Parliament during its just concluded Winter Session.

This Bill would strengthen the regulatory powers of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and to further develop the banking sector in India. It will also enable the nationalized banks to raise capital by issue of preference shares or rights issue or issue of bonus shares. It would also enable them to increase or decrease the authorized capital with approval from the Government and RBI without being limited by the ceiling of a maximum of Rs. 3000 crore.

Beside above, the Bill would pave the way for new bank licenses by RBI resulting in opening of new banks and branches. This would not only help in achieving the goal of financial inclusion by providing more banking facilities but would also provide extra employment opportunities to the people at large in the banking sector.

The salient features of the Bill are as follows:

• To enable banking companies to issue preference shares subject to regulatory guidelines by the RBI;

• To increase the cap on restrictions on voting rights;

• To create a Depositor Education and Awareness Fund by utilizing the inoperative deposit accounts;

• To provide prior approval of RBI for acquisition of 5% or more of shares or voting rights in a banking company by any person and empowering RBI to impose such conditions as it deems fit in this regard;

• To empower RBI to collect information and inspect associate enterprises of banking companies;

• To empower RBI to supersede the Board of Directors of banking company and appointment of administrator till alternate arrangements are made;

• To provide for primary cooperative societies to carry on the business of banking only after obtaining a license from RBI;

• To provide for special audit of cooperative banks at instance of RBI by extending applicability of Section 30 to them; and

• To enable the nationalized banks to raise capital through “bonus” and “rights” issue and also enable them to increase or decrease the authorized capital with approval from the Government and RBI without being limited by the ceiling of a maximum of Rs. 3000 crore under the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970/1980.

Certain additional official amendments have been proposed on the basis of recommendations of the Standing Committee of Finance which gave its report on the Bill on the 13th December, 2011 and has recommended enactment of the Bill, subject to the following modifications:

i) Voting rights in banks may be restricted up to 26%.

ii) The Depositors’ Education and Awareness Fund may be used for the purpose of promoting depositors’ interests.

Further, pursuant to the discussion with Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), RBI and Industry Associations, the following additional amendments are proposed:

a) to exempt guarantee agreements of banks from the purview of the section 28 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 to bring finality to redemption of such guarantees;

b) to allow select Directors on the Board of RBI a fixed maximum tenure of eight years with terms of not more than two terms of four years each either continuously or intermittently in consonance with the directions of the ACC;

c) to exempt conversion of branches of foreign banks to wholly owned subsidiary entities of foreign banks and transfer of shareholding of banks to the Holding Company structure pursuant to guidelines of RBI from payment of stamp duty; and

d) to ensure that unnecessary inspections are avoided and to encourage regulatory coordination, a condition has been added such that the inspection of the associate enterprise of a banking company would be conducted by RBI jointly with the sector regulator.

Rights of Tribals and other forest dwellers recognised under the forest right act

Backgrounder

In order to provide the land and forest rights to the tribals and other forest dwellers, the Government has enacted the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, notified for operation with effect from 31.12.2007. The Act will undo the historical injustice done to tribals and Forest dwellers living there for last three generations, before13th December 2005, by providing them following rights-

RIGHTS RECOGNIZED BY THE ACT 

Ø       Right to hold and live in the forestland under the individual or common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation for livelihood by a member or members of a forest dwelling Scheduled Tribe or other traditional forest dwellers.

Ø       Community rights such as nistar, by whatever name called, including those used in erstwhile Princely States, zamindari or such intermediary regimes.

Ø       Right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries.

Ø       Other community rights of uses or entitlements such as fish and other products of water bodies, grazing (both settled or transhumant) and traditional seasonal resource access of nomadic or pastoralist communities.

Ø       Rights including community tenures of habitat and habitation for primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities.

Ø       Rights in or over disputed lands under any nomenclature in any State where claims are disputed.

Ø       Rights for conversion of pattas or leases or grants issued by any local authority or any State Government on forestlands to titles.

Ø       Rights of settlement and conversion of all forest villages, old habitation, unsurveyed villages and other villages in forests, whether recorded, notified or not into revenue villages.

Ø       Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resources which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.

Ø       Rights which are recognized under any State law or laws of any Autonomous district Council or Autonomous Regional Council or which are accepted as rights of tribals under any traditional or customary law of the concerned tribe of any State.

Ø       Right of access to biodiversity and community right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity.

Ø       Any other traditional right customarily enjoyed by the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers, as the case may be, but excluding the traditional right of hunting or trapping or extracting a part of the body of any species of wild animal.

Ø       Right to in situ rehabilitation including alternative land in cases where the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers have been illegally evicted or displaced from forest land of any description without receiving their legal entitlement to rehabilitation prior to the 13^th day of December, 2005.

Amendments to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Act, 1976

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the proposed amendments in the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Act, 1976 to enhance authorized and issued capital to strengthen their capital base. The term of the non official directors appointed by the Central Government is proposed to be fixed not exceeding two years.

The proposed amendments will ensure financial stability of RRBs which will enable them to play a greater role in financial inclusion and meet the credit requirements of rural areas and the Boards of RRBs will be strengthened.

Background

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were established under Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (the RRB Act) to create an alternative channel to the `cooperative credit structure and to ensure sufficient institutional credit for the rural and agriculture sector. RRBs are jointly owned by the Government of India, the concerned State government and sponsor banks, with the issued capital shared in the proportion of 50 percent, 15 percent and 35 percent, respectively. As per provisions of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 the authorized capital of each RRB is Rs. 5 crore and the issued capital is a maximum Rs. 1 crore.

Official Amendments to Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011

Salient features of amendments to lokpal and lokayuktas bill 2011 approved by the cabinet on January  31, 2013 are  as below:-

Ø            Collegium for Selection of Lokpal:  The Bill provides for selection of Members of Lokpal by a Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, Speaker (Lok Sabha), Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha), Cheif Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI and an eminent jurist nominated by the President.  The Select Committee has recommended that the fifth member of the Selection Committee (i.e., eminent jurist) may be nominated by the President on the basis of recommendation of the first four members of the Selection Committee. Government has accepted this recommendation.

Ø            Jurisdiction over bodies receiving donations from public:  The Select Committee has recommended exclusion of bodies and institutions receiving donations from the public from the purview of Lokpal.  Government has decided to exempt only such bodies or authorities established, constituted or appointed by or under any Central or State or Provincial Act providing for administration of public religious or charitable trusts or endowments or societies for religious or charitable purposes registered under the societies Registration Act.  Other non governmental bodies receiving donation from the public would thus remain within the purview of  Lokpal.

Ø            Power to order investigation straight away:  Select Committee has recommended that the Lokpal should be given power to order an investigation straightaway (without first ordering a preliminary inquiry) in case Lokpal finds that a prima facie case exists.  Government has accepted this recommendation subject to the modification that the Lokpal should, before coming to a conclusion that there exists a prima facie case for entrusting the matter for investigation, call for the explanation of the public servant and then decide whether there exists a prima facie case for ordering investigation.

Ø            Opportunity of Hearing to public servant:  The Select Committee has recommended that the seeking of comments from the public servant during the preliminary inquiry by the investigating agency should not be mandatory  [clause 20 (2)].  Committee has also recommended that the opportunity of hearing by Lokpal before ordering investigation may be dispensed with [clause 20 (3)].  The affording of an opportunity to the public servant and to the government/competent authority at the preliminary inquiry stage and before ordering formal investigation would help clear doubts in several cases and would substantially reduce the number of cases going for regular investigation.  Therefore,  Government has decided not to accept this recommendation of the Select Committee and move an official amendement for the purpose.

Ø            Power to order prosecution of public servants:  The Select Committee has recommended that the power to grant sanction for prosecution of public servants could be shifted to the Lokpal in place of the Government.  The Select Committee has also recommended that Lokpal may be required to seek comments of the competent authority and the public servant before taking such decision.  Government has decided to accept this recommendation of the Select Committee.

Ø            Strengthening of CBI:  The Select Committee has recommended a number of amendments in the Bill for strengthening the CBI.  These include-

(i)           The setting up of a Directorate of prosecution headed by a Director of Prosecution under the overall control of Director, CBI;

(ii)         The appointment of the Director of Prosecution on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission;

(iii)      Maintenance of a panel of advocates by CBI, other than the Government Advocates, with the consent of the Lokpal for handling Lokpal referred cases;

(iv)      Provision of adequate funds to CBI for investigating cases referred by Lokpal;

(v)         Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of Lokpal.

Government has decided to accept all these recommendations except the last one, i.e., seeking approval of  Lokpal for transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by the Lokpal , which is proposed not to be accepted as it would affect the smooth functioning of the CBI.

Other salient features of the Bill

Ø     Powers of supervision over CBI : The Bill confers powers of superintendence on the Lokpal over the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) in respect of matters referred by the Lokpal for inquiry/investigation.

Ø     Appointment of Director, CBI:  A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the Director, CBI.

Ø     Attachment/confiscation of ill-gotten property:  The Bill contains provisions for attachment/confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.

Ø     Enhancement of punishments under Prevention of Corruption Act:  The Bill proposes to enhance punishments under Prevention of Corruption Act:

(a)  Maximum punishment from 7 years to 10 years

(b) Minimum punishment from 6 months to 2 years.

Centrally Sponsored Health Schemes/Programmes

The details of important Centrally Sponsored Health Schemes/Programmes of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare presently in operation in the country are as follows:

1.National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) - The National Rural Health Mission(NRHM) is a Centrally sponsored programme of this Ministry.  The NRHM launched in April, 2005 (for seven years i.e. 2005 to March 2012) seeks to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care to the rural population, especially the vulnerable sections, with special focus on 18 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and North-Eastern states.  The mission proposes to facilitate increased access and utilization of quality health services.  This has been carried out by increasing the spending on health and improving the health care services at the community level.  The mission undertakes several architectural corrections of the health system to enable and promote policies that strengthen public health management and service delivery within the country. It also envisages revitalizing the local health traditions and attempts to mainstream AYUSH into the public health system by effectively integrating health concerns through decentralized management at local levels.  The mission also addresses issues on sanitation and hygiene nutrition, safe drinking water, gender, social concerns, and inter-state as well inter-district disparities in health care provision.

Objectives of NRHM - The main objectives of NRHM are as follows:

      i)      Reduction in Child and maternal mortality

      ii)     Universal access to public services like food and nutrition, sanitation and hygiene and also access to public health care services with emphasis on services addressing women and children health and universal immunization.

      iii)   Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including locally      endemic diseases.

      iv)  Access to integrated complete primary health care.

      v)   Population stabilization, gender and demographic balance.

      vi)  Regenerate local health traditions & mainstream AYUSH.

     vii)  Promotion of healthy life styles.

2.Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme(RNTCP) - The programme is being implemented in the entire country among the urban as well as rural areas to address the problem of Tuberculosis, based on WHO recommended strategy of Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Chemotherapy,.

     Under the programme, diagnosis and treatment facilities including anti TB drugs are provided free of cost to all TB patients. For quality diagnosis, designated microscopy centers have been established for every one lac population in the general areas and for every 50,000 population in the tribal, hilly and difficult areas. More than 13000 microscopy centers have been established in the country. Drugs are provided under direct observation and the patients are monitored so that they complete their treatment. 

3. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) - Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a nationwide, centrally sponsored scheme being implemented with the objectives of reduction in infant and maternal mortality by improving coverage of institutional delivery among pregnant women. Under the scheme, cash assistance is provided to pregnant women for giving birth in a health facility.

4.   Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) - Under National Rural Health Mission, the Government of India has launched Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) on 1st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section.  The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home.  Similar entitlements have been put up in place for all sick newborns accessing public health institutions for treatment till 30 days after birth.     

5. Routine Immunization Programme and Pulse Polio Immunization Programme - Routine Immunization Programme and Pulse Polio Immunization Programme are under operation in the country. 

6. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) - National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is a new initiative in the 11^th Five Year Plan. The NPCDCS aims at reducing the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke which are major factors  reducing potentially productive years of human life, resulting in huge economic loss.  The NPCDCS has been approved at a total outlay of Rs.1230.90 crore for the remaining period of the 11^th Five Year Plan. This includes Rs.499.38 crore for DCS component of NPCDCS and Rs.731.52 core for Cancer Control Programme.  The expenditure will be met on cost sharing basis with the participating States at ratio of 80:20.   The programme has been initiated in 100 Districts of 21 States during 2010-11 & 2011-12. The objective of the programme include prevention and control of diabetes at various levels viz. Sub-centres, Community Health Centre (CHC), District Hospital etc. through screening of all persons above 30 years of age and all pregnant women for diabetes and hypertension, awareness generation on healthy life style and management of non-communicable diseases by strengthening / establishing Cardiac Care Units, Day-care cancer facilities at District Hospitals and specialised clinics (Non Communicable Diseases Clinic) at District Hospitals and Community Health Centres.          

7.National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) - National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) is one of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes  in operation in the country for control of blindness. 

8. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) - Under National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), the objective is to provide treatment and care to the mentally ill patients in the country. Following provisions have been made under National Mental Health Programme:

      i)      Strengthening of State run Mental Hospitals.

      ii)     Upgrdation of Psychiatric Wings of Govt. Medical Colleges/ General Hospitals

      iii)    District Mental Health Programme.

      iv)    Manpower Development Schemes

9.National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP)- The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has been launched in 42 Districts of 21 States in order to implement the various provisions made under Tobacco Control Act (COTPA), 2003 and to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.  The programme broadly envisages-

      i)      Public awareness/mass media campaigns for awareness building & for behavioral change.

      ii)     Establishment of tobacco product testing laboratories, to build regulatory capacity, as required under COTPA, 2003.

      iii)    Mainstream Research & Training – on alternate crops and livelihoods with other nodal Ministries.

      iv)    Monitoring and Evaluation including surveillance e.g. Adult Tobacco Survey.

      v)     Dedicated tobacco control cells for effective implementation and monitoring of Anti Tobacco Initiatives.

      vi)    Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers etc.

      vii)   Setting up tobacco cessation centres.

10.National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) - The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an ongoing centrally sponsored scheme which is implemented in all the states/UTs for prevention and control of six vector borne diseases, namely Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-Azar and Lymphatic Filariasis. The Govt. of India provides technical support as well as cash and commodity assistance as per the approved pattern. 

11.National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)

12.Capacity building for Trauma Care - Under the Centrally sponsored Scheme-Assistance for capacity building for Trauma Care, funds have been released to 117 Government Hospitals situated along the Golden Quadrilateral, North-South and East-West Corridors of the national highways in 16 States, as per laid down norms of level of Trauma Center, in phases, towards construction, equipments, manpower, communication and Legal Service, after signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the respective state Governments.

13.Upgradation of facilities in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Medical Colleges -

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for “Upgradation of facilities in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Medical Colleges”, funds have been released to 18 Medical Colleges under Central/State Governments after signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the respective State Governments.

14.Reproductive and Child Health programme (RCH) - Reproductive and Child Health programme is a comprehensive sector wide flagship programme, which is being implemented under Government of India’s (GoI) National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), to achieve the targets for reduction of maternal and infant mortality and total fertility rates.

15.National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) - The National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) has been initiated in 100 identified districts of 21 States during the 11^th Plan period (2010-12) in order to provide comprehensive health care facilities to the elderly people of the country.  Eight selected Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Institutions) in different regions of the country have also been identified. 

16.Strengthening and Upgradation of State Government medical colleges  - The Medical Education Division is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening and upgradation of State Government medical colleges by way of a one-time grant of Rs.1350 crores with funding pattern of 75% by Central Government and 25% by State Government for starting new Post Graduate disciplines and increasing PG seats.

17.National AIDS Control Programme -Department of AIDS Control is implementing National AIDS Control Programme-IV as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme/programme is implemented in all States/UTs.

18.Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries - A Centrally sponsored Scheme for Development of AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries is under implementation. The Department of AYUSH is providing funds to all States/UTs Government under the following components:

      i)      Establishment  of OPD at PHC’s

      ii)     Establishment of IPD at CHC’s

      iii)    Establishment of AYUSH wings at DH’s

      iv)    Upgradation of AYUSH Hospital and Dispensaries

      v)     Establishment of PMU

     vi)    Essential drugs to AYUSH Hospital & Dispensaries