Antony asks for Fresh Report on VVIP Chopper Deal

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on Wednesday directed his ministry officials to get a fresh report from the Indian Embassy in Rome following a media report alleging malpractices in the procurement of 12 helicopters for the VVIP Communication Squadrons of the Indian Air Force from Ms. Agusta Westland.

There were media reports also in February 2012 about investigations undertaken by Italian authorities into alleged unethical dealings by M/s Finmeccanica Italy. Following this, information was sought by MoD from the Indian Embassy in Rome. The Indian Embassy reported that Italian authorities were conducting preliminary investigations on allegations of financial malpractices occurring within Finmeccanica and its subsidiaries in general. There was no specific probe being conducted on India-related transactions. There is no clear indication at this stage whether the India related deal would be probed on the strength of preliminary investigations.

It may be recalled that the contract for the procurement of the helicopters contains the standard provisions against use of undue influence and employment of agents and payment of agency commission. A Pre-Contract Integrity Pact has also been signed between Agusta Westland and MoD.

Any such complaint or allegation received will be investigated and the contractual provisions invoked, in case any wrong doing is established, in addition to action that may be required under law.

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Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram

FEATURE H&FW B. Narzary * Reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate is the key goal feature of the Reproductive and Child Health Programme under the National Rural Health Mission. Several initiatives have been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the Mission including Janani Suraksha Yojana , a key intervention that has resulted in phenomenal growth in institutional deliveries with more than one crore women beneficiaries annually. JSY was launched to promote institutional deliveries so that skilled attendance at birth is made available and mothers and new born babies can be saved from pregnancy related complications and deaths.

NIOS to open study centre at Gaghidh central jail

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Preamble : Constitution of India : IAS Notes

Pic courtesy : http://hyderabad-india-online.com/ Preamble - Bare - http://www.ankitrajvanshi.in/2012/11/preamble-bare.html "Preamble is a microcosm of the constitution and is a key to the constitution." Preamble is not enforceable Words socialist, secular and integrity was added by the 42nd constitutional amendment of 1976 Preambular values Sovereignity : Sovereignity is a characteristic of the government. It means that there is no authority above the government either outside or inside the country. ** Preamble of India establishes popular sovereignity and not parliamentary sovereignity. Socialist : Socialism means ownership of productive forces by the government so that they benefit people equitably. Secular : Secularism means separation of religion from politics. Religion is private while politics is public. Democracy : Democracy means rule by the people. Republic : Republic is a political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens.

Civil Services' Surgicals

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