JAN 6 TO 10 ►☻Assam will follow “Chaibagaan time” January 6, 2014 12. The state of Assam decided to follow the ‘chaibagaan’ time instead of the Indian Standard Time (IST). The bagaan time will be helpful to save energy, reduce power consumption and increase productivity. IST is calculated on the basis of solar time in Allahabad in the northern-central state of Uttar Pradesh. States located to the west of this longitude have more daylight hours as compared to those in the east. Assam lies in the extreme east of the country and bordersBangladesh and Bhutan. This means that the sun sets as early as 16:31 (4:31 p.m.) IST in November and December. 13. Clocks in India are 5:30 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), making the country one of the few territories with a half-hour UTC offset. If the time zone change is implemented, Assam will be 6:30 hours ahead of UTC. 14. Note:The chaibagaan time or bagaan time – Introduced by British people over 150 years ago, was set one hour ahead of the Indian Standard Time (IST) for tea estates, collieries and oil industry of Assam. This Baggan time is more suitable for tea plantations. ►☻Moclic software – can predict weather January 6, 2014 Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) designed the software Monitoring Climate Change (Moclic) by which anyone is able to determine their community, state or country’s weather activity for the days and months ahead. Characteristics of Monitoring Climate Change (Moclic) software • It is possible to organize, store and operate geo-referenced data from climate elements. • Can calculate bio and agro-climatic indicators, such as humidity, aridity, rain erosion and rainfall concentration. • The new software feeds on data from weather stations of any state or country, with which what happens in a small ranch regarding temperature, can be known more accurately. Presently, the software we are using till date uses global information. • Allows an agronomist to obtain annual rainfall records and relate them to the crops production figures for explanation of a possible event. The software is very simple and can be used by decision making characters, as governors, breeders, physicians, farmers, students or anyone whose repercussions could have economic politic or social effects. ►☻CCEA clears the Central Sector Scheme, ILDP for 12th plan January 6, 2014 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the central sector scheme, Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) for overall development of the leather sector during the 12th Plan (2012-17). • Under this scheme, the six sub-schemes are also proposed with an outlay of Rs.990.36 crore. • These are – Integrated Development of Leather Sector (IDLS), Human Resource Development (HRD), Support to Artisan (STA), leather technology innovation and environmental issues, mega leather cluster and establishment of institutional institutes. Implementation of the ILDP would provide trained manpower to the industry and assistance to overcome the constraints of infrastructure in the industry. ►☻India’s power network integrated into one grid with joining of Southern region January 7, 2014 India’s power network has been integrated into one grid as South India has been linked with the national electricity grid. This completes the consolidation of theentire country into one network for distributing electricity to consumers.The integration was attained through the commissioning of the Raichur-Solapur 765 kilovolt (kV) single-circuit transmission line by state-owned Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd. With this, the Indian power system has become one of the largest operating synchronous grids in the world with about 232 GW (gigawatts) of installed power generation capacity. India has achieved its ‘ONE NATION’-ONE GRID’-ONE FREQUENCY’ objective. How would linking the southern-region with the national grid help? There is a problem of power shortage in the southern states of India. Power-starved states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were waiting for the line to be interconnected to enable them to transmit power purchased from surplus states in the north and eastern regions. As per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India’s highest power sector planning body, Puducherry, Karnataka and Kerala had a peak power shortage of 8.1%, 5.8% and 5.5% respectively in August 2013. However, with the linking of this region with thenational grid this problem can be tackled more efficiently as the surplus power from East and West grids could be diverted to power-deficient south. Besides, it will also improve transmission and facilitate better management of demand, ensuring the stability of the electricity grid. Where are the major grids in India? There are five regional grids in the country: 1. Northern 2. Southern 3. Eastern 4. North-eastern 5. Western “One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency”: The Indian Power system for planning and operational purposes is divided into above mentioned 5 regional grids. The integration of regional grids, and thereby establishment of National Grid, was ideated in early 90s. The integration of regional grids which started with asynchronous HVDC back-to-back inter-regional links facilitating limited exchange of regulated power was subsequently advanced to high capacity synchronous links between the regions. The early inter-regional links were planned for exchange of operational surpluses amongst the regions. However, later on when the planning philosophy had graduated from Regional self-sufficiency to National basis, the Inter-regional links were planned associated with the generation projects that had beneficiaries across the regional boundaries. By the end of XI plan the country has total inter-regional transmission capacity of about 28,000 MW which is likely to boost to about 65000 MW at the end of XII plan. How would National Grid help? The National Grid which enables synchronization of all regional grids will help in optimal utilization of scarce natural resources by transfer of Power from Resource centric regions to Load centric regions. Besides, this shall pave way for setting up a vibrant Electricity market facilitating trading of power across regions. One Nation One Grid shall synchronously connect all the regional grids and there will be one national frequency. Furthermore, the integrated national grid will also help towards interconnecting countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) that consists of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistanand the Maldives. The SAARC grid ideates meeting electricity requirement in the region. India already has power grid links with Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh, and plans to develop power transmission links with Myanmar and Sri Lanka. How did the evolution of National Grid take place? The chronological sequence of events that took place towards the evolution of National Grid is as follows: • Grid management on regional basis started in 60s. • Initially, State grids were inter-connected to form regional grid and India was demarcated into 5 regions namely Northern, Eastern, Western, North Eastern and Southern region. • In October 1991 North Eastern and Eastern grids were connected. • In March 2003 WR and ER-NER were interconnected . • August 2006 North and East grids were interconnected thereby 4 regional grids Northern, Eastern, Western and North Eastern grids are synchronously connected forming central grid operating at one frequency. • On December 31, 2013, Southern Region was connected to Central Grid in Synchronous mode with the commissioning of 765kV Raichur-Solapur Transmission line thereby achieving ‘ONE NATION’-ONE GRID’-ONE FREQUENCY’. • ‘Mother of PIL’: Pushpa Kapila Hingorani passed away • January 7, 2014 • Pushpa Kapila Hingorani (86), a lawyer who is known by the title ‘Mother of PIL’ for being the first women to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on behalf of voiceless under-trial prisoners in Bihar around more than three decades ago, has passed away. • What were the key contributions of Kapila Hingorani? • During her 60-year long career as a lawer, Kapila Hingorani fought more than 100 cases in the Supreme Court voicing concern through PILs for the poor, downtrodden and help-less people before the judiciary. She took the initiative of filing a PIL in 1979 to fight a lawsuit regarding the condition of the prisoners detained in the Bihar jail, whose cases were pending in the court. The main thing about this petition was that it was not filed by any single prisoner, rather it was filed by various prisoners of the Bihar jail. The case was admitted in the Supreme Court before the bench headed by Justice P. N. Bhagwati. This petition was filed by the name of the prisoner, Husnara Khatoon, hence the petition came to be known as Husnara Khatoon Vs State of Bihar. In this suit, the Supreme Court upheld that the prisoners should get benefit of free legal aid and fast hearing.Because of this case 40,000 prisoners, whose suits were pending in the court, were released from the jail. Thereafter many cases like this were registered in the apex court. Public Interest Litigation (PIL): • A PIL means litigation for the protection of the public interest. Understanding the Right to Constitutional Remedies: • Article 32 of the Constitution of India is known as “Right to Constitutional Remedies”. Article 32 (1) says that “The right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred by this Part is guaranteed”. Why PIL? • In ordinary cases the aggrieved person/ party has the right to seek redress under Article 32. Prior 1980s only the aggrieved party could approach the courts for justice. The Indian legal system which was more or less with colonial nature saw the state of deprivation of civil and political rights particularly during the emergency era. After the emergency got ended in 1977, the 2 judges of the Supreme Court Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer and P. N. Bhagwati recognized the possibility of providing access to justice to the poor and to reach out to the people. Hence Public Interest Litigation was devised an innovative way wherein a person or a civil society group could approach the supreme court seeking legal remedies in cases where public interest is at stake. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyerand Justice P. N. Bhagwati were the first judges to accept PIL. In S. P. Gupta v. Union of India, 1981 case, Justice P. N. Bhagwati articulated the concept of PIL. • Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar was the first such PIL case filed by advocate Kapila Hingorani and focused on the inhuman conditions of the prisons. The case led to release of more than 40, 000 under trial prisoners. • Concept of PIL: • In S. P. Gupta v. Union of India, 1981 case, Justice P. N. Bhagwati provisioned that if an injury is caused to a person or class of person or a legal right of the person/class of person is violated, and such person or class of person by reasons of poverty, helplessness or disability or social/economical disadvantageous position cannot approach the court, then a member of the public can maintain an application for an appropriate direction / order/ writ in the High Court under article 226 and in case any breach of the fundamental rights the person or class of person can seek judicial redress in Supreme court under article 32. • Please note that Article 226 is Power of High Courts to issue certain writs. • Can PIL be filed for personal gains? • In Ashok Kumar Pandey v. State of West Bengal case it was maintained that one can approach the court to wipe out violation of fundamental rights and genuine infraction of statutory provisions, but not for personal gain or private profit or political motive or any oblique consideration. • Remedial nature of PIL: • The PIL has remedial nature and indirectly incorporates the principles enshrined in the part IV (Fundamental Duties) of the Constitution of India into part III (Fundamental Rights) of the Constitution. • National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) • In 1979, the apex court for the first time talked of the necessity of free legal aid to poor persons to make the justice system mount a meaningful protection of their rights. Eight years after the judgment of Hussainara Khatoon Vs State of Biharcase, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to weaker sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes ►☻Research: “Canine Distemper Virus” killing endangered tigers, red pandas and lions January 8, 2014 As per researchers at Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, the infection caused by the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is killing endangered tigers, red pandas and lions in the country. The disease has been detected in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Patna Zoo and many areas of West Bengal and Darjeeling. What is Canine Distemper Virus(CDV)? Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) is a disease causing virus common in domestic dogs and ferrets, although it can infect wild animals as well. How does Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) affects animals? CDV impacts different systems of the body including nervous and respiratory system in these animals. It shatters the immunity system and causes various secondary bacterial infections. As this disease damages the brain of the animal, it severely affects their decision making power. Due to this, the animals go beyond their natural habitat and enter human settlements. It renders them easy prey for poachers. How does the infection of Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) occur? Activities of direct contact like licking are the major source of CDV transmission among tigers, lions and red pandas. Besides this, eating dogs infected with the virus, drinking water from same source are some other modes of transmission of infection. Can Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) be checked? Yes. If all the dogs in the buffer zone of forest are vaccinated, it can stop the spread of disease. ►☻Presidential assent to Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013 January 8, 2014 President of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013. This approval renders the Bill to turn into an Act. The Bill provides for setting up an anti-graft watchdog that will bring within its ambit even the office of the Prime Minister with certain safeguards. As per the Bill, an institution of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayuktas in the states will be established within 1 year from the date of its coming into effect. Key features of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013: Provision of an institution of Lokpal at the centre level and Lokayuktas at the states levels. • A Lokpal consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of 8 members, of which 50% should be of judicial members. • 50% of the total members of the Lokpal should be from SC/ST/OBCs, minorities and women. For the appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Lokpal, there will be a selection panel which will include the Prime Minister,Lok Sabha Speaker, Lok Sabha’s leader of opposition, the Chief Justice of India or the Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice. Then the President of India will nominate the eminent Jurist on the basis of the suggestions of the first four members of the selection panel. • Prime Minister within the ambit of the Lokpal • All categories of the public servants will be under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal • Any/all entities receiving donations from a foreign source more than Rs. 10 lakh will be covered under this act in terms of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). • Honest and upright public servants will be given protection. • Lokpal will have the right to supervise and direct any investigation agency including the CBI on the cases, which will be referred to them from the Lokpal itself. • The high power committee headed by the Prime Minister of India will recommend the Director of the CBI. • The Director of Prosecution, CBI will be recommended by theCentral Vigilance Commission. • Transfer/s of the officer/s of CBI, who are investigating the cases referred by the Lokpal will need prior approval from the Lokpal. • Property gained by corrupt means is liable to be attached and confiscated even if the prosecution of the case remains pending. • Time-bound preliminary enquiry and trial. Besides, special courts may be set up towards the end of the legal proceedings. • States must set up Lokayukta institution through enactment of a law by the State Legislature within 365 days from the date on which the Act comes into effect. ►☻“CRISIL Inclusix”- Financial Inclusion Index rises 2.7 % in 2012 January 8, 2014 The Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) stated that financial inclusion gained momentum in India with a significant rise in new savings accounts, increase in agriculture credit accounts and expansion of bank branches in deeper geographies. India’s overall CRISIL Inclusix score has risen by 2.7% in financial year 2012 (the highest annual increase since 2009) Key points of CRISIL Inclusix, the financial inclusion index: • Based on data (March 31, 2012) provided by the Reserve Bank of India. The index measures financial inclusion up to the level of each of the 638 districts in India. • Agricultural credit accounts increased by 11.1%, which is the most since fiscal 2009. • The number of bank branches in the bottom 100 districts increased by 6%, faster than the all-India growth of 5.6%. • New deposit accounts in three regions – north, south and east, contributed 42% to the rise in CRISIL Inclusix. • The overall Inclusix score remained relatively low at 42.8 on a scale of 100, the score reflects under-penetration of formal banking in the country. • Just one in two Indians has a bank savings account and one in seven approach to bank credit. There are wide disparities in access to financial services, too. While India’s six largest cities have 10% of India’s bank branches, the bottom 50 districts have merely 2% of bank branches. Note: To speed up inclusion, financial services need to flow beyond the south and the large cities. The policy makers will have to incentivise expansion of banking services in the districts that have low CRISIL Inclusix scores through an increase in branch network and partnerships with other players. ►☻CAG can audit Telecom firms’ accounts: Delhi HC January 8, 2014 As per the ruling of the Delhi High Court, the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) can audit the accounts of mobile companies on a condition that the audit has to be only an audit relating to the receipts (revenues) and nothing else. The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and Cellular operators had argued in its plea to the court that that under Article 149 of the Constitution, CAG is empowered only to audit the accounts of the Union and of the State governments and such authorities or bodies as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament. They also argued that if a constitutional provision (Article 149) imposed restrictions on the power of a constitutional authority, no law made by Parliament could widen that power. What is the issue? The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and Cellular petitioners had moved the Court following issuance of three letters to all telecom service providers; one by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the other two by the Director General of Audit, Post & Telecommunications requiring all the telecom firms to produce their books of accounts and other documents having a bearing on the verification of the revenue to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 2006-07 onwards. What did the Delhi HC say? Dismissing the writ petitions, the court held that the accounts of the licensees (telecom companies), pertaining to the revenue receipts can be said to be the accounts of the Central Government and thus subject to a revenue audit as per Section 16 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971. However, it directed that the CAG’s audit has to be only an audit pertaining to the receipts and no more and that the CAG would not confuse himself with his extensive all encompassing power under Section 14(2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971 which includes inquiries into aspects like faithfulness, wisdom and economy in expenditures. What does Article 149 of the Constitution of India say? Article 149 is about Duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It says, the Comptroller and Auditor General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor General of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts of the Dominion of India and of the Provinces respectively. ►☻Addressing judges lord, lordship, your honour not mandatory: Apex Court January 8, 2014 The Supreme Court observed that addressing judges “my lord”, “your lordship” or “your honour” in courts is not mandatory. The judge expects to be called only in a respectful and dignified manner. The court was hearing a petition filed advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari demanding abolishing the use of such terms and ordering the courts that the judges should not be addressed in such a traditional manner. As per the petition, addressing judges as “my lord or your lordship” in courts is a relic of colonial era and a sign of slavery. The court refused to accept the plea and said that it is for the lawyer to choose how he addresses the judge and the judge does not take exception if he/she is called ‘Sir’. However, the court declined to order the courts to abolish the use of the conventional terms. ►☻Janet Yellen becomes the first wome chief of Federal Reserve Bank of US January 8, 2014 Janet Yellen (67) has been confirmed as the new chief of the Federal Reserve Bank of the US. With this, she has become the first woman to head the world’s most powerful central bank. Yellen who was earlier nominated by President Barack Obama was elected with the 56-26 vote in the US senate voting. Yellen will replace current chairman Ben Bernanke, who steps down on January 31, 2014 after 8 years in this service, during which the pair tackled the country’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression►☻CAG can audit Telecom firms’ accounts: Delhi HC January 8, 2014 As per the ruling of the Delhi High Court, the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) can audit the accounts of mobile companies on a condition that the audit has to be only an audit relating to the receipts (revenues) and nothing else. The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and Cellular operators had argued in its plea to the court that that under Article 149 of the Constitution, CAG is empowered only to audit the accounts of the Union and of the State governments and such authorities or bodies as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament. They also argued that if a constitutional provision (Article 149) imposed restrictions on the power of a constitutional authority, no law made by Parliament could widen that power. What is the issue? The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and Cellular petitioners had moved the Court following issuance of three letters to all telecom service providers; one by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the other two by the Director General of Audit, Post & Telecommunications requiring all the telecom firms to produce their books of accounts and other documents having a bearing on the verification of the revenue to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 2006-07 onwards. What did the Delhi HC say? Dismissing the writ petitions, the court held that the accounts of the licensees (telecom companies), pertaining to the revenue receipts can be said to be the accounts of the Central Government and thus subject to a revenue audit as per Section 16 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971. However, it directed that the CAG’s audit has to be only an audit pertaining to the receipts and no more and that the CAG would not confuse himself with his extensive all encompassing power under Section 14(2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971 which includes inquiries into aspects like faithfulness, wisdom and economy in expenditures. What does Article 149 of the Constitution of India say? Article 149 is about Duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It says, the Comptroller and Auditor General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor General of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts of the Dominion of India and of the Provinces respectively. ►☻Addressing judges lord, lordship, your honour not mandatory: Apex Court January 8, 2014 The Supreme Court observed that addressing judges “my lord”, “your lordship” or “your honour” in courts is not mandatory. The judge expects to be called only in a respectful and dignified manner. The court was hearing a petition filed advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari demanding abolishing the use of such terms and ordering the courts that the judges should not be addressed in such a traditional manner. As per the petition, addressing judges as “my lord or your lordship” in courts is a relic of colonial era and a sign of slavery. The court refused to accept the plea and said that it is for the lawyer to choose how he addresses the judge and the judge does not take exception if he/she is called ‘Sir’. However, the court declined to order the courts to abolish the use of the conventional terms. ►☻Janet Yellen becomes the first wome chief of Federal Reserve Bank of US January 8, 2014 Janet Yellen (67) has been confirmed as the new chief of the Federal Reserve Bank of the US. With this, she has become the first woman to head the world’s most powerful central bank. Yellen who was earlier nominated by President Barack Obama was elected with the 56-26 vote in the US senate voting. • Yellen will replace current chairman Ben Bernanke, who steps down on January 31, 2014 after 8 years in this service, during which the pair tackled the country’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression ►☻India’s quest to get Basmati registered as Geographical Indicator faces hurdle as Madhya Pradesh wants its inclusion January 9, 2014 India’s fight to safeguard the typical identity of basmati rice name, fought in part through a registering for a geographical indication protection by state-run export registration agency APEDA, is facing obstacle in Madhya Pradesh. What is the issue of registration of Basmati rice as Geographical Indicator? India wants to give Basmati rice the tag of Geographical Indicator (GI) and get it registered in country’s Geographical Indications Registry (GIR). Initially, APEDA’s geographical indication application, filed five years back, sought to cover justPunjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. However, recently GIR allowed a plea by Madhya Pradesh (MP) for its basmati producers to be covered under the GI tag. Five representatives of basmati producers in Madhya Pradesh had also made the request. Who have filed the petition for inclusion of basmati producers in MP to be included under the GI tag? Those who have filed the plea include the Madhya Pradesh government, the Madhya Kshetra Basmati Growers Association, Narmada Cereals, Daawat Foods, SSA International, and Madhya Kshetra Basmati Exporters Association. They want APEDA’s application to include Madhya Pradesh, mainly areas such as Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Sheopur, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur, and Narshinghpur. Why they are demanding this? As per the applicants, MP produced about 4.5 lakh tonne of basmati (about 4 lakh tonne of which was exported) in 2009. There are concerns that the non-inclusion of their state will affect the lives of farmers. The litigants want to protect the interest of the producers of basmati in the state. What is the opinion of experts on this issue? Some experts believe that accepting the demand of MP is not good as it would set wrong precedent and other states may follow it asking for their inclusion too. What is the role of Geographical Indications Registry (GIR)? GIR is responsible for the administration of laws relating to Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country. • Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs. • They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003. What is a Geographical Indication? • It is an indication • It originates from a definite geographical territory. • It is used to identify agricultural, natural or manufactured goods • The manufactured goods should be produced or processed or prepared in that territory. • It should have a special quality or reputation or other characteristics Benefits of Geographical Indication • It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India • Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others • It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications which in turn boost exports. • It promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory. Who can apply for the registration of a geographical indication? • Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can apply: • The applicant must represent the interest of the producers • The application should be in writing in the prescribed form • The application should be addressed to the Registrar of Geographical • Indications alongwith prescribed fee. Registered proprietor • Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can be a registered proprietor. • Their name should be entered in the Register of Geographical Indication as registered proprietor for the Geographical Indication applied for. Authorised user • A producer of goods can apply for registration as an authorised user • It must be in respect of a registered geographical indication • He should apply in writing in the prescribed form along with prescribed fee • An authorised user has the exclusive rights to the use of geographical indication in relation to goods in respect of which it is registered. Who is a producer in relation to a Geographical Indication? • The persons dealing with three categories of goods are covered under the term Producer: • Agricultural Goods includes the production, processing, trading or dealing • Natural Goods includes exploiting, trading or dealing • Handicrafts or Industrial goods includes making, manufacturing, trading or dealing. How long the registration of Geographical Indication is valid? The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years. Can a Geographical Indication be renewed? It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each. What is the effect if a Geographical Indication if it is not renewed? If a registered geographical indication is not renewed it is liable to be removed from the register. Infringement of the registered Geographical Indication In following conditions, the GI is deemed to be infringed: • When an unauthorised user uses a geographical indication that indicates or suggests that such goods originate in a geographical area other than the true place of origin of such goods in a manner which mislead the public as to the geographical origin of such goods. • When the use of geographical indication result in an unfair competition including passing off in respect of registered geographical indication. • When the use of another geographical indication results in false representation to the public that goods originate in a territory in respect of which a registered geographical indication relates. Infringement action The registered proprietor or authorised users of a registered geographical indication can initiate an infringement action. Can a registered geographical indication be assigned, transmitted, etc.? No. A geographical indication is a public property belonging to the producers of the concerned goods. It shall not be the subject matter of assignment, transmission, licensing, pledge, mortgage or such other agreement. However, when an authorised user dies, his right devolves on his successor in title. Can a registered geographical indication or a registered authorised user be removed from the register? Yes. The Appellate Board or the Registrar of Geographical Indications has the power to remove the geographical indication or an authorised user from the register. Further, on application by an aggrieved person action can be taken. How a geographical indication is different from a trade mark? A trade mark is a sign which is used in the course of trade and it distinguishes goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Whereas a geographical indication is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory. Some facts about Basmati rice: • Basmati: Name derived from Sanskrit words meaning ‘the one containing aroma.’ • India claims that it has been producing it from centuries. • India is the world’s top exporter of basmati rice; exports in 2012-13 accounted for 34 lakh tonne, worth over $3 billion (about. Rs 18,700) in today’s exchange rate. • Past Controversy: Absence of GI tag is hindering India’s basmati export to boost. Lack of legal protection for basmati, the aromatic long-grain rice commonplace in Indian kitchens, has also proved controversial. For instance, in 1997 US firm RiceTec was granted a patent on ‘basmati rice grains and lines.’ India contested the decision, and RiceTec had to eventually give up four claims and withdraw 11 out of a total of 20 claims. Subsequently, it was granted patents for rice strains that weren’t related to Indian varieties. So far, APEDA has spent over. Rs 7.6 crore on various world-wide lawsuits on basmati. There were still over 200 pending litigations in 50 jurisdictions in various countries ►☻India joined ‘Cryo Club’ with successful launch of GSLV-D5; 6th spacefarer to develop a cryogenic engine January 11, 2014 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heavy-duty rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-D5 (GSLV-D5) from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh and placed communication satellite GSAT-14 into orbit. • GSAT-14 is India’s 23rd geostationary satellites built by ISRO. It has a life span of 12 years. The 1,982 kg satellite carries six extended C-band and Ku-band transponders (receivers and transmitters of signals), and two Ka-band becons. The satellite will be used for telemedicine and tele-education services. • The mission cost India Rs. 365 crore – Rs. 220 crore for the rocket and Rs. 145 crore for the satellite. About ISRO’s indigenous cryogenic engine GSLV-D5 rocket • Powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, injected into orbit atelecommunication satellite, GSAT-14. • It is the first successful flight of the indigenous cryogenic engine. • The GSLV is a three-stage engine rocket. The first stage is fired with solid fuel, the second with liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine. • A cryogenic engine is more efficient as it provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant burnt. Cryogenic fuels are extremely clean as they give out only water while burning. • A cryogenic engine uses liquid oxygen at -253oC and liquid hydrogen at -183 oC and can develop the thrust needed in the final state of the rocket to put satellites, weighing two tonnes or more, into a geosynchronous orbit. • It is essential to master this technology for any space power as launching heavier satellites requires cryogenic engines even in the lower stages of the rocket. • After this launch, India joined the “Cryo Club” and became the sixth spacefarer after US, Russia, the European Space Agency,China and Japan to develop a cryogenic engine — a necessity for interplanetary probes and manned space missions. Note: GSAT is a telecommunication satellite which will be used for tele-education, tele- medicine, village resource centre, disaster management and part of public broadcasting services. Like ·
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 07:29:16 +0000
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