| 11. OTHER INITIATIVES 11.1 Internal security initiatives: The overall internal security situation remains under control. To strengthen internal security, the Government has taken multiple initiatives, which include enhancing capabilities of the State Police forces through the Police Modernisation Scheme, Security Related Expenditure scheme, strengthening of the borders of the country by way of fencing, flood-lighting and deployment of electronic surveillance gadgets, and introducing the Coastal Security Scheme, Operation Swan and the Metropolitan and Desert Policing components of the police modernisation scheme. The Government, realising the need for unique policing requirements of mega cities and desert areas, has formulated dedicated mega city policing and desert policing schemes. The Government has emphasised the need for a well coordinated and efficient intelligence machinery at the Centre and in States. States have been asked to revamp their Special Branches by providing them additional manpower, filling up vacancies and posting competent officers with a fixed tenure, while assuring them financial and technical help for training and equipment. The Government intends to significantly improve the present police-population ratio. It has approved rising of 79 battalions to strengthen internal security. The Central Industrial Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force have been restructured for improved effectiveness, strike-capability, and command and control structure. Close to 20,000 posts have been added to these two Forces for meeting the needs of internal security. 22 Battalions have been added to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police for better rotation and more diversified exposure. Modernisation of the Central Paramilitary Forces has been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,185 crore for equipping them with modern arms, ammunition, equipment and vehicles. The Government proposes to introduce a bill for a new Police Act for the union territories. POTA has been repealed, while ensuring adequate safeguards against terrorism. 11.2 Science and technology: A vision for development of an empowered science and technology base in the country by the year 2015 has been prepared. Steps are being initiated to attract talent, rejuvenate university research, enable women scientists to re-enter careers in science, strengthen technology business incubation processes, promote excellence in research, engage private sector in research and development, create greater science awareness and develop scientific temper among our people. The UPA Government intends to increase financial allocation for science and technology from less than 1% of GDP to 2% of GDP. The Science and Engineering Research Board has been set up to channel increased funding for during the Eleventh Plan period. The NMITLI programme is being expanded to boost collaborative research in new areas of R&D. New schemes have been introduced for knowledge alliances in bilateral and consortium modes, setting up of incubation centres and permitting mobility of scientists between CSIR laboratories and private industry. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has been formed to look at planet earth as an entity and the Earth Commission has been formed as an enabling mechanism. A major modernisation exercise has been undertaken in the India Meteorology Department. The scale of numerical modelling for weather prediction has been improved for greater precision. High-speed computers are being procured for improving weather prediction for monsoon 2007. India will be sending a scientific team to the Arctic for the first time. 11.3 Space programme: The ninth consecutively successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C7 in January 2007 placing four satellites precisely in predetermined orbits, including CARTOSAT-2 having special resolution of less than one metre for detailed map development applications and disaster management, as well as successful demonstration of key technologies through the Space capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) are recent important achievements. Chandrayaan-1 Mission is making substantial progress. Launch of INSAT-4B carrying DTH transponders in 2007 is a major milestone. EDUSAT has connected around 10,000 classrooms, benefiting rural and remote areas. The satellite-based telemedicine network has expanded to connect 182 hospitals. The Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (SCRAMJET) required for advanced rocket systems has been successfully demonstrated, and the indigenously developed cryogenic stage for the Geo-stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) has been successfully ground tested. For the first time, India has been entrusted the responsibility for a dedicated and full-fledged commercial launch of a foreign satellite, with Italy assigning the launch of its satellite Agile to the ISRO. 11.4 Broadcasting: The digitalisation of all 17 major studio centres of Doordarshan is near completion. A pilot project on High Definition TV (HDTV) has been approved and a production facility is being set up at Delhi. Special packages for expansion and improvement services of Doordarshan and the AIR in the northeast, Jammu and Kashmir and the island territories are under implementation. The DTH services have rolled out through Doordarshan as well as private broadcasters. The initial rollout of the Conditional Access System has been successful. Under the new policy for private FM radio services, letters of intent were issued for setting up of 245 FM radio channels in 29 cities, increasing coverage manifold from only 21 private FM radio stations licensed earlier in 12 cities. 53 private FM channels have commenced operations. During 2007, the DoT is planning to introduce Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) in 70 towns and mobile TV in 20 cities. The UPA Government has broadbased the policy for grant of licences for setting up of community radio stations by permitting civil society organisations to also set up such stations on issues related to development and social change. A pilot project has been taken up at Delhi for mobile W. 11.5 Tourism: There has been impressive growth in foreign tourist arrivals, foreign exchange earnings and employment generation. The UPA Government has encouraged public-private partnerships in tourism. A new scheme of Creation of Land Bank for Hotels has been introduced to help meet the shortage of hotel accommodation all over the country, especially in view of the Commonwealth Games, 2010. Policy and guidelines on eco-tourism have been formulated for involving local community and minimising the likelihood of conflicts between use of resources for tourism and livelihood of local inhabitants. Long-term multi-entry tourist visas of five-year duration have been introduced for nationals of 18 countries. 11.6 Sports and youth affairs: Massive preparations are under way for hosting the Commonwealth Games 2010. The renovation, upgrade and new construction in five stadia of the Sports Authority of India at Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,300 crore will enter the construction phase during 2007-08. The programmes of NSS and NYK have been expanded with special focus on activities in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir. 11.7 Classical languages: A new category of classical languages has been created and Sanskrit and Tamil have been notified as classical languages. A scheme has been launched for providing scholarships for Tamil scholars. |
