India- Nepal action plan to avert Kosi river floods
Tuesday, 16 September , 2008, 16:59
New Delhi: Against the backdrop of havoc caused by flood waters of Kosi river in Bihar, India and Nepal today decided to establish a number of mechanisms, including a minister-level Joint River Committee, to avert such calamities in future.
The two sides also decided to reactivate a secretary- level joint committee and set up eight technical committees which will be in regular touch over various issues concerning sharing of common river waters.
Flooded Kosi river affects one million people in Bihar
The decisions were taken at a meeting between Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz and his Nepalese counterpart Bishnu Paudel here during which the recent floods in Kosi river and its causes were discussed.
With a view to preventing floods, the two sides discussed ways to properly implement the 1954 treaty that governs usage of Kosi river.
Thousands marooned in Bihar as Kosi river breaches bank
The embankments of Kosi, which flows into India from Nepal, breached on the Nepalese side about a month back causing massive floods in Bihar.
As part of the three-level system, the two countries agreed to set up the minister-level committee to keep both the governments updated on issues of water resources "at the highest level", Soz later told reporters.
Kosi: Sorrow of Bihar
The secretary-level committee will meet next month to take the discussions forward. This committee had been functioning till 2004 but has been defunct since then.
The technical committees would also meet regularly to review various projects, he said.
"We discussed short-term and long-term measures so that the Kosi river provides irrigation to India and hydro power to Nepal," Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav said.
Under the treaty, the Bihar government has been entrusted the task of managing river Kosi for 199 years -- till 2153. The funds for repair of embankments are provided by the Water Resources Ministry.
The two sides also agreed to hold pre-monsoon and post-monsoon meetings to avoid floods and exchange of early warnings.
Nepal also assured India of "full security" for its engineers working on detailed project reports (DPRs) on the construction of Saptakosi and Sunkosi dam projects in upstream Nepal, Soz said.
The engineers are facing threats from Maoists and had not been able to work on the DPRs which are to be completed by the end of this year. "The DPR could be delayed but the process has begun in right earnest," Soz said in reply to a poser.
"We have joined hands...we will not be bogged down by files and paperwork and take up issues at a faster pace," the minister added.
Source: http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14759423
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sixth Pay Commission: Women in govt service to get 3 yrs' child care leave
Sixth Pay Commission: Women in govt service to get 3 yrs' child care leave
16 Sep 2008, 0826 hrs IST, Ashish Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: This is one rule that could turn women in India Inc green with envy. The Centre has not only increased maternity
leave for its employees to six months but has also cleared paid leave for two years to take care of children.
The order, effective from September 1, increases maternity leave of women employees from 135 days to a cool 180 days for each
of their two children. From now on, women employees can take paid leave up to two years (730 days) during their career for
"taking care" of their two children without affecting their seniority.
Even if a woman has only one child, she can take the two-year leave. Termed "child care leave", this will be besides the
maternity break they are entitled to. The new rules came into force on September 1.
Adding to the bonanza, a woman employee can avail of child care leave in any combination till her two children are 18 years
of age. In line with the Sixth Pay Commission proposals, the new leave regime for women means that during their stint with
the government, they can avail paid leave of as much as three years, provided they do it only for two children.
The child care leave can be taken for any of reason, including "rearing" or "to look after any of their needs like
examination, sickness etc". Women in the private sector are often hard-pressed for such leave beyond the maternity break
(rarely beyond 90 days), besides the regular quota of earned, casual and medical leave.
"The new rule has come as a godsend. I can now devote time to my son when he needs it the most. The best part is I can take
this leave till he is 18," said a director-level IAS officer. Contrast it with what a senior corporate executive said: "I
attended office up to two days before my child was born. I had to save as much of my 90-day maternity leave so that I could
devote time to my child later. The entire period is over now and I am back to work. I now leave my baby at my mother's house
and come to office."
The government has notified that child care leave can also be availed in continuation of the six-month maternity break. It
means that a woman employee deciding to have only one child can continue on paid leave for two-and-a-half years at a stretch.
Of course, she has the option of saving some of it for exigencies and, above all, she continues to enjoy her share of the
regular leaves. The new regime will definitely make government jobs much more attractive not only for women but also for men
as the couple would be assured that at least the mother would be with the child when needed. Semi-government establishments —
like PSUs, banks, insurance companies — should be expected to adopt the new women-friendly system sooner or later.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
16 Sep 2008, 0826 hrs IST, Ashish Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: This is one rule that could turn women in India Inc green with envy. The Centre has not only increased maternity
leave for its employees to six months but has also cleared paid leave for two years to take care of children.
The order, effective from September 1, increases maternity leave of women employees from 135 days to a cool 180 days for each
of their two children. From now on, women employees can take paid leave up to two years (730 days) during their career for
"taking care" of their two children without affecting their seniority.
Even if a woman has only one child, she can take the two-year leave. Termed "child care leave", this will be besides the
maternity break they are entitled to. The new rules came into force on September 1.
Adding to the bonanza, a woman employee can avail of child care leave in any combination till her two children are 18 years
of age. In line with the Sixth Pay Commission proposals, the new leave regime for women means that during their stint with
the government, they can avail paid leave of as much as three years, provided they do it only for two children.
The child care leave can be taken for any of reason, including "rearing" or "to look after any of their needs like
examination, sickness etc". Women in the private sector are often hard-pressed for such leave beyond the maternity break
(rarely beyond 90 days), besides the regular quota of earned, casual and medical leave.
"The new rule has come as a godsend. I can now devote time to my son when he needs it the most. The best part is I can take
this leave till he is 18," said a director-level IAS officer. Contrast it with what a senior corporate executive said: "I
attended office up to two days before my child was born. I had to save as much of my 90-day maternity leave so that I could
devote time to my child later. The entire period is over now and I am back to work. I now leave my baby at my mother's house
and come to office."
The government has notified that child care leave can also be availed in continuation of the six-month maternity break. It
means that a woman employee deciding to have only one child can continue on paid leave for two-and-a-half years at a stretch.
Of course, she has the option of saving some of it for exigencies and, above all, she continues to enjoy her share of the
regular leaves. The new regime will definitely make government jobs much more attractive not only for women but also for men
as the couple would be assured that at least the mother would be with the child when needed. Semi-government establishments —
like PSUs, banks, insurance companies — should be expected to adopt the new women-friendly system sooner or later.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Sixth pay commission: UGC pay panel delay likely to hit UPA’s election plans
Sixth pay commission: UGC pay panel delay likely to hit UPA’s election plans
16 Sep, 2008, 0244 hrs IST, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: Much to the chagrin of the UPA government, the University Grants Commission’s pay review committee is unable to
“estimate” how much more time it will require to finalise its recommendations. The committee headed by Professor G K Chadha
was supposed to submit its report on September 5.
The HRD ministry has given it a month’s extension, but professor Chadha is unwilling to commit himself to a public deadline.
The UPA government would like to wrap up the pay review before elections are announced.
College and university teachers are an important electoral constituency and the government would rather give them the
expected pay hike in time so that it can reap electoral dividends.
However, the Chadha Committee does promise “radical” changes which will help the Indian higher education sector meet the
socio-economic and cultural challenges in the era of globalisation, even as Professor Chadha is unwilling to commit a
deadline.
He says that the committee will take “no longer than is necessary”. One of the reasons, the chairman has cited for the delay
is that the committee is yet to reach at a consensus on three or four issues.
These include changes in the “layers” of the faculty at the college and university levels — the choice is to continue with
the current gradation from lecturer to reader to professor or to introduce new levels. Professor Chadha said that should
changes be introduced, suitable time scales will also have to be introduced.
Other unresolved issues include whether the UGC pay committee should replicate the central pay commission’s system for grade
pay and pay bands, and the manner in which to resolve the anomalies of the previous committee’s — the Rastogi Committee —
recommendations.
Another area that the committee members feel needs more attention is the manner in which stagnation of college and university
professors can be addressed. At present, it seen that often college professors achieve the top of their scale and then
continue to remain there without any possibilities of advancement.
Former IISc director Professor G Padmanaban, who is member of the committee, said that there was a strong view within the
panel that no teacher should suffer from stagnation.
Now, the committee needs to work out a way to compensate these members of the teaching community, and to do so they will need
to find parallels within the sixth pay commission’s recommendation.
In light of the vast higher education expansion plans of the government, the committee has suggested a uniform retirement age
of 65 years across the country. At present, there is a “great discrepancy” in the retirement age that ranges for 55 to 65
years.
“We are in a situation when availability of teaching faculty is critical to the government’s plans. This issue can be
addressed to some measure through a retirement age that is uniformly set across the entire higher education system,”
Professor Chadha said.
Professor Chadha said that at the entry level the higher education sector is competing with the corporate sector and civil
services for the best minds. “We need to offer an attractive package. While we can’t compete with the corporate sector it
should be such that 10 years down the road, the academic has no regrets.”
Stating that the choice was clear, Professor Chadha said, “We can’t give the red carpet welcome but we can provide a decent
living condition”. The effort to attract the best minds to join the academic circuit will include “unprecedented financial
support” and improved research facilities.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
16 Sep, 2008, 0244 hrs IST, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: Much to the chagrin of the UPA government, the University Grants Commission’s pay review committee is unable to
“estimate” how much more time it will require to finalise its recommendations. The committee headed by Professor G K Chadha
was supposed to submit its report on September 5.
The HRD ministry has given it a month’s extension, but professor Chadha is unwilling to commit himself to a public deadline.
The UPA government would like to wrap up the pay review before elections are announced.
College and university teachers are an important electoral constituency and the government would rather give them the
expected pay hike in time so that it can reap electoral dividends.
However, the Chadha Committee does promise “radical” changes which will help the Indian higher education sector meet the
socio-economic and cultural challenges in the era of globalisation, even as Professor Chadha is unwilling to commit a
deadline.
He says that the committee will take “no longer than is necessary”. One of the reasons, the chairman has cited for the delay
is that the committee is yet to reach at a consensus on three or four issues.
These include changes in the “layers” of the faculty at the college and university levels — the choice is to continue with
the current gradation from lecturer to reader to professor or to introduce new levels. Professor Chadha said that should
changes be introduced, suitable time scales will also have to be introduced.
Other unresolved issues include whether the UGC pay committee should replicate the central pay commission’s system for grade
pay and pay bands, and the manner in which to resolve the anomalies of the previous committee’s — the Rastogi Committee —
recommendations.
Another area that the committee members feel needs more attention is the manner in which stagnation of college and university
professors can be addressed. At present, it seen that often college professors achieve the top of their scale and then
continue to remain there without any possibilities of advancement.
Former IISc director Professor G Padmanaban, who is member of the committee, said that there was a strong view within the
panel that no teacher should suffer from stagnation.
Now, the committee needs to work out a way to compensate these members of the teaching community, and to do so they will need
to find parallels within the sixth pay commission’s recommendation.
In light of the vast higher education expansion plans of the government, the committee has suggested a uniform retirement age
of 65 years across the country. At present, there is a “great discrepancy” in the retirement age that ranges for 55 to 65
years.
“We are in a situation when availability of teaching faculty is critical to the government’s plans. This issue can be
addressed to some measure through a retirement age that is uniformly set across the entire higher education system,”
Professor Chadha said.
Professor Chadha said that at the entry level the higher education sector is competing with the corporate sector and civil
services for the best minds. “We need to offer an attractive package. While we can’t compete with the corporate sector it
should be such that 10 years down the road, the academic has no regrets.”
Stating that the choice was clear, Professor Chadha said, “We can’t give the red carpet welcome but we can provide a decent
living condition”. The effort to attract the best minds to join the academic circuit will include “unprecedented financial
support” and improved research facilities.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Private school teachers want sixth pay panel scales
Sixth Pay Commission: Private school teachers want sixth pay panel scales
Puducherry, Sept 15: The Confederation of Associations of Staff of Private schools in Union Territory of Puducherry today
asked the administration to ensure that the pay scales were revised for the staff in the private schools in accordance with
the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
A release from the confederation said its general body meeting held here today urged that all teachers and employees in
government aided schools in the Union Territory should also be extended the benefit of increase in wages and allowances as
had been implemented for the government employees as per the pay commission’s recommendations.
The administration should also bring in a legislation to guarantee job security for the teachers in private schools and also
to tone up their service conditions.
All vacant posts of teachers in aided schools should be filled without delay and its charter of demands already presented to
the government should be conceded.
Bureau Report
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=469372&sid=REG
Puducherry, Sept 15: The Confederation of Associations of Staff of Private schools in Union Territory of Puducherry today
asked the administration to ensure that the pay scales were revised for the staff in the private schools in accordance with
the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
A release from the confederation said its general body meeting held here today urged that all teachers and employees in
government aided schools in the Union Territory should also be extended the benefit of increase in wages and allowances as
had been implemented for the government employees as per the pay commission’s recommendations.
The administration should also bring in a legislation to guarantee job security for the teachers in private schools and also
to tone up their service conditions.
All vacant posts of teachers in aided schools should be filled without delay and its charter of demands already presented to
the government should be conceded.
Bureau Report
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=469372&sid=REG
Def Leppard Tour
Def Leppard Tour
You will find all of the most current tour information about Def Leppard.
Def Leppard Tour,Def Leppard Concert,Def Leppard Tickets
Def Leppard Tour,Def Leppard Concert,Def Leppard Tickets
Def Leppard Band Members
Current members
Joe Elliott – lead vocals, additional guitars, keyboards (1977–present)
Phil Collen – guitars, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell – guitars, backing vocals (1992–present)
Rick Savage – bass, keyboards, additional guitars, backing vocals (1977–present)
Rick Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Former members
Steve Clark – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1991)
Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Frank Noon – drums, percussion (1978)
Touring musicians
Jeff Rich – drums, percussion (August 1986 – supplement to Rick Allen)
You will find all of the most current tour information about Def Leppard.
Def Leppard Tour,Def Leppard Concert,Def Leppard Tickets
Def Leppard Tour,Def Leppard Concert,Def Leppard Tickets
Def Leppard Band Members
Current members
Joe Elliott – lead vocals, additional guitars, keyboards (1977–present)
Phil Collen – guitars, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell – guitars, backing vocals (1992–present)
Rick Savage – bass, keyboards, additional guitars, backing vocals (1977–present)
Rick Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Former members
Steve Clark – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1991)
Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Frank Noon – drums, percussion (1978)
Touring musicians
Jeff Rich – drums, percussion (August 1986 – supplement to Rick Allen)
Def Leppard Live Concert in Bangalore
Def Leppard Live Concert in Bangalore
Def Leppard Live Conert in Bangalore on October 17, 2008.
Date : 17.10.2008
Venue : Palace Grounds, Bangalore
Concert Schedule
Def Leppard Band Members
Current members
Joe Elliott – lead vocals, additional guitars, keyboards (1977–present)
Phil Collen – guitars, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell – guitars, backing vocals (1992–present)
Rick Savage – bass, keyboards, additional guitars, backing vocals (1977–present)
Rick Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Former members
Steve Clark – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1991)
Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Frank Noon – drums, percussion (1978)
Touring musicians
Jeff Rich – drums, percussion (August 1986 – supplement to Rick Allen)
Def Leppard Live Conert in Bangalore on October 17, 2008.
Date : 17.10.2008
Venue : Palace Grounds, Bangalore
Concert Schedule
Def Leppard Band Members
Current members
Joe Elliott – lead vocals, additional guitars, keyboards (1977–present)
Phil Collen – guitars, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell – guitars, backing vocals (1992–present)
Rick Savage – bass, keyboards, additional guitars, backing vocals (1977–present)
Rick Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Former members
Steve Clark – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1991)
Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Frank Noon – drums, percussion (1978)
Touring musicians
Jeff Rich – drums, percussion (August 1986 – supplement to Rick Allen)
Def Leppard Live Concert in Mumbai
Def Leppard Live Concert in Mumbai on October 19, 2008.
Date : 19.10.2008
Venue : M.M.R.D.A. Grounds, Mumbai
Concert Schedule
Def Leppard Band Members
Current members
Joe Elliott – lead vocals, additional guitars, keyboards (1977–present)
Phil Collen – guitars, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell – guitars, backing vocals (1992–present)
Rick Savage – bass, keyboards, additional guitars, backing vocals (1977–present)
Rick Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Former members
Steve Clark – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1991)
Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Frank Noon – drums, percussion (1978)
Touring musicians
Jeff Rich – drums, percussion (August 1986 – supplement to Rick Allen)
Date : 19.10.2008
Venue : M.M.R.D.A. Grounds, Mumbai
Concert Schedule
Def Leppard Band Members
Current members
Joe Elliott – lead vocals, additional guitars, keyboards (1977–present)
Phil Collen – guitars, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell – guitars, backing vocals (1992–present)
Rick Savage – bass, keyboards, additional guitars, backing vocals (1977–present)
Rick Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Former members
Steve Clark – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1991)
Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Frank Noon – drums, percussion (1978)
Touring musicians
Jeff Rich – drums, percussion (August 1986 – supplement to Rick Allen)
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